Has anybody tried the Anker Soundcore Space One over-ear headphones? Are they more durable than the Anker SoundCore Life Q30?
I've had the Q30 before, but now after I've already used replacement pads the headband is starting to really come apart, and since the inner parts of the pads started developing color changes from sweat (so potential fungal stuff that might also end up being in the headband), I'm looking for a replacement. I've used them extremely heavily for over three years, so while it's not great to dispose headphones at that point, it doesn't seem to be possible to order replacement headbands and I've had cheap headphones last less.
But since for the SoundCore Life Q30 the "native" pads lasted barely a year, I've been wondering if the SoundCore Space One would last longer? Has anybody tried them?
I've heard the sound balance is worse for the SoundCore Space One, but I don't really care about that. I typically use an EQ anyway since I don't like the default settings, since I find most non-professional headphones to have unacceptable default tuning. So I assume I'll hopefully manage to configure them in a way that is acceptable for me.
Edit: alternatively, if somebody knows where to get a replacement SoundCore Life Q30 headband, I'd be interested too!
8 Comments
gankouskhan@piefed.zip · 3 pts · 39d
I've had every anker headphone model since they came out. Part of that reason is they kept falling apart after about a year then I would make a warranty claim asking if I could pay for an upgraded one prorated. Sometimes they just gave me the new model. Eventually I bought the space ones and so far at almost a year I think they've taken a real beating in my bag. One thing that really improved with it was the hinges and the mic quality in rooms with sound on zoom and slack at least. The hinges have not yet broken outside of the protective bag. Use them daily for about 10 hours.
scientuslatens@infosec.pub · 2 pts · 39d
Back with some pictures:
Detail of the new type of hinge. The hinge is one piece now
The way they fold/stack for storage
sbeak@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 39d
I live near a physical store that lets you try various wireless headphones, and the Anker Space One headphones feel quite cheap, they definitely won't last all that long. This is in comparison to some old JBL headphones I have (discontinued, but there are newer revisions that feel quite similar).
A lot of the cheaper JBL headphones can last quite a bit for the price, but in my opinion, the best bang for buck is definitely an IEM + a wireless adapter. They will sound better than most cheap headphones and are more comfortable too than most, and they are harder to lose compared to the tiny TWS buds that die within a couple years.
I am personally using the Moondrop Chu II + the Fiio BTR11, those were the cheapest options where I live. But there's a lot of other cheap IEMs that are great, like the Kiwi Ears Cadenza! If you want something a bit nicer, I know lots of people like the Truthear Hexa and Pure as well
The Fiio BTR11 is really cheap and can do multi-device too (up to two I think), but the build quality isn't great. You might want to try their BTR15 or, if you don't need wireless, there are plenty of wired dongles available.
oopsiebiking@leminal.space · 1 pts · 39d
Do any IEMs offer active noice cancellation? I assume they wouldn't. While the Q30's noise cancellation is pretty mid and not too effective, it's still better than passive.
sbeak@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 39d
I feel that they offer more than enough NC passively, since they go in your ear (like earplugs) vs being over them. With music playing, you can hardly hear anything around you.
oopsiebiking@leminal.space · 1 pts · 39d
That doesn't match my experience when it comes to low frequency noises around me. I can see that being true for higher frequency noises however. So it probably depends on the use case.
sbeak@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 39d
They worked well for me whenever I was on a long trip (car, plane, train, etc.)
One other thing of note, most wireless headphones don't have replaceable batteries, so that is something to keep in mind if you want something that lasts. Pairing IEMs with the cheap wireless adapter are good because the wireless battery bit is separate from the IEMs. I think there's an adapter with replaceable batteries too under the "Snowsky" brand by Fiio, could be something to look into. Fairphone makes headphones with replaceable batteries but they aren't available in many places.
For me, using the wireless adapter lets you have the best of both worlds: like wired, it's harder to lose, a lot cheaper, and sounds better too, and like wireless, you have the convenience of being able to move around without being tethered to your device and being able to easily switch devices. The adapter also has physical buttons for playback controls!
scientuslatens@infosec.pub · 2 pts · 39d
I had my Q30s last me ~ 4 years (I even preordered them) until my headband came apart. I tried putty epoxy to fix them but there just wasn’t enough places for it to grab on to. I got replacement pads for them after about 3 years too. My battery was still good, so they would have lasted some more time before I gave up on them.
I got the space ones in November. The ear cups swivel to pack down and that seems to fix the weak spot I got on the Q30s, so I’m happy about that.
Just one note really, the Space Ones have a carrying bag, but if you have the Q30 case, they will fit in there.
So far so good!