Soundcore Space A40: A Budget-Friendly ANC Option with Mixed Results

Anker’s Soundcore brand has carved a niche in the affordable audio market, offering feature-packed options at competitive prices. The Soundcore Space A40 enters the crowded true wireless earbud market with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and a feature set that aims to impress without breaking the bank. But can the Space A40 deliver on its promises, or are there compromises made to achieve its budget-friendly price tag? This review dives deep into the sound quality, ANC performance, design, and overall value proposition of the Soundcore Space A40.

Design and Comfort: A Secure, Snug Fit with Room for Improvement

The Soundcore Space A40 earbuds feature a plastic build with a glossy finish. While they don’t exude the premium feel of some high-end options, the construction feels sturdy enough for everyday use. The charging case is compact and lightweight, making it easily pocketable.

• Fit and Comfort: The Space A40 utilizes an in-ear design with interchangeable ear tips. Finding the right fit is crucial for optimal sound quality and ANC performance. The included ear tips offer some variety, but users with sensitive ears might find them a little fatiguing for extended wear sessions.

• Touch Controls: Each earbud features touch controls for playback, volume adjustment, voice assistant activation, and toggling ANC modes. The controls are generally responsive, but occasional misinterpretations can occur.

• IPX4 Water Resistance: The Space A40 boasts an IPX4 water resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts or light rain. However, they shouldn’t be submerged in water.

Overall Design Impression: The Soundcore Space A40 offers a practical and functional design. While the aesthetics might not be groundbreaking, the comfortable (for some) fit and compact charging case make them a decent choice for everyday use.

Sound Quality: A Balanced Profile with Room for Customization

The Soundcore Space A40 delivers a balanced sound profile with decent bass presence, clear mids, and crisp highs. However, audiophiles seeking a highly detailed or analytical sound signature might be left wanting.

• Customizable EQ: The Anker Soundcore app allows users to adjust the EQ settings, offering some degree of personalization. Presets cater to different genres like Bass Booster or Treble Boost, while a custom EQ allows for fine-tuning.

• LDAC Support: The Space A40 supports the LDAC audio codec, offering a higher bitrate for potentially improved audio quality on compatible devices. However, the benefits of LDAC depend heavily on the source material and the user’s ability to discern subtle audio differences.

• Call Quality: The microphones on the Space A40 provide decent call quality. They are adequate for hands-free calls, but background noise suppression might not be the most effective.

Overall Sound Quality: The Soundcore Space A40 offers a decent listening experience for casual users. The balanced sound profile and EQ customization options cater to a wide range of preferences. However, the audio quality might not satisfy audiophiles seeking a highly detailed or neutral sound signature.

Active Noise Cancellation: A Hit-or-Miss Affair

The Space A40 boasts ANC technology to block out ambient noise. However, its effectiveness is somewhat inconsistent.

• Limited Noise Cancellation: While the ANC does reduce some low-frequency noise, it doesn’t completely eliminate it. Users might still hear traffic noise, conversations, or other persistent background sounds.

• Transparency Mode: The Space A40 offers a transparency mode that allows ambient noise to be heard. This mode is helpful for situational awareness or holding conversations without removing the earbuds.

Overall ANC Performance: The ANC on the Soundcore Space A40 is a welcome feature at its price point. However, users expecting a complete noise-blocking experience might be disappointed. The limited effectiveness of the ANC is a trade-off for the budget-friendly price tag.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The Soundcore Space A40 offers a decent battery life, with the earbuds lasting up to 5 hours on a single charge with ANC enabled. The charging case provides additional charges, bringing the total playtime to around 20 hours.

• Fast Charging: The Space A40 supports fast charging, allowing for a quick 10-minute charge to provide up to 4 hours of playback time.

• Bluetooth Connectivity: The earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.2, offering a stable connection with a good range. However, there have been occasional reports of minor connection drops by some users.

Overall Battery Life and Connectivity: The Soundcore Space A40 offers a decent battery life with the convenience of fast charging. The Bluetooth connectivity is generally stable, but a few users have reported minor connection issues.