South Africa’s headphone scene is crowded, but the Anker Soundcore Space Ones waltzed in with a bold claim – premium design, excellent audio, and a price tag that won’t make you cry into your rooibos tea. South Africans appreciate a good bargain, so I just had to grab a pair and put them through their paces. So, here are the top 7 things that struck me during my review – the good, the surprising, and a couple of minor niggles.
1. Looks That Kill (In a Good Way): Forget clunky plastic beasts. The Space Ones are sleek and stylish, with a matte black finish and brushed metal accents. They look more expensive than they are, which is always a win in my book. Plus, they felt surprisingly comfortable during long listening sessions – no ear fatigue here!
2. Button Bonanza (Mostly Good): The controls are spread across both ear cups. The left ear handles power, Bluetooth pairing, and switching between noise-cancelling and transparency modes. The right ear controls playback and volume with a rocker switch for skipping tracks. It’s intuitive enough, but I sometimes accidentally hit the wrong thing on the rocker switch in a rush. Would’ve loved dedicated track skip buttons, but hey, that’s a minor gripe.
3. Noise Cancelling? Nailed It! This is where the Space Ones surprised me the most. The noise-cancelling is fantastic, effectively blotting out the drone of aeroplanes and the constant chatter at my local coffee shop. Peace at last! Transparency mode was also a nice touch, letting me hear what’s going on around me without taking the headphones off – perfect for ordering that extra slice of cake at the bakery.
4. Sound Quality? It Holds Its Own: Now, the audio isn’t going to knock the socks off seasoned music lovers, but for casual listening, it’s great. The bass is punchy without being overpowering, The middle and high-pitched sounds come through crisply and are good enough for most types of music. I threw everything at them – rock, electronic, even a bit of opera (don’t judge!), and they handled it all admirably.
5. Battery Life? A Marathon Runner: Anker claims 50 hours of playtime with noise-cancelling off, and let me tell you, it feels about right. I went on a weekend getaway with these on, and they barely needed a recharge. No more scrambling for a charger at the airport – a major win for travel days.
6. App Control? It Gets the Job Done: The Soundcore app lets you adjust the EQ settings, which is a nice touch for those who like to tinker with the sound profile. You can also monitor battery life and adjust some of the button controls (although not all, which is a bit of a missed opportunity). Overall, the app is a good addition, but not a deal-breaker.
7. Price Point? The Sweet Spot: Here’s the kicker – these headphones deliver all of the above for a price that won’t break the bank. In a market saturated with expensive options, the Space Ones offer incredible value for money. They’re perfect for students, budget-conscious audio lovers, or anyone who wants a stylish and functional pair of everyday headphones. Forget Breaking the Bank: These Headphones Deliver Top-Tier Features for Under R2,000!
The Anker Soundcore Space One headphones aren’t perfect, but they tick a lot of boxes. They look great, feel comfortable, offer impressive noise-cancelling, and deliver decent sound quality – all at a budget-friendly price.
Sure, the button layout could be a tad more intuitive, and the app could offer more control, but these are minor niggles in the grand scheme of things. If you’re looking for a stylish, feature-packed pair of headphones that won’t leave you feeling like you need to re-mortgage your house, the Soundcore Space Ones are worth a closer look. We’re giving it a 4/5.
Retailing at R 1 799.00 you can order your device from Takealot, iStore, Incredible Connection and HiFi Corporation