unexpectedly powerful sound and noise reduction – Mobile-review.com – All about mobile equipment and technology

Over the past couple of years, soundcore brand headphones have become popular all over the world – from the USA to Asia.

The soundcore Space One model is currently the most popular in Russia. It started at 12 thousand rubles, but stores from time to time hold promotions during which headphones can be purchased for 2-3 thousand cheaper. Some unofficial sellers on marketplaces have headphones that are cheaper than in the official Anker store, but keep in mind that these are supplies that are not covered by the warranty in Russia. Read our review of the Space One model.

And in this material we look at the new soundcore Q20i model for 6,999 rubles (at the start of sales there is a promotion when headphones can be purchased for 4,999 rubles in M.Video and Eldorado). And here I would like to say that soundcore is to some extent disrupting the headphone market, as it brings premium technologies to the affordable segment.

Thus, soundcore Q20i are full-size headphones with hybrid active noise cancellation. At the same time, like more expensive models, soundcore Q20i have:

• not only a noise reduction mode that filters up to 90% of noise, but also a “transparency” mode to communicate without removing the headphones;
• simultaneous connection to 2 different devices and instant switching between them (Bluetooth 5.0);
• In the application, the sound of the headphones can be customized to suit you. At the same time, the headphones have a Hi-Res certificate when working via wire;
• long battery life: 40 hours in noise reduction mode and 60 hours in normal mode. And 5 minutes of fast charging gives 4 hours of work.
• 40 mm drivers operating from 15 to 40 kHz, with BassUp technology (for those who love powerful bass).

And, of course, you can listen to headphones not only via Bluetooth, but also via wire. The last option will come in handy if the headphones are completely discharged.

Appearance and fit

Soundcore Q20i are delivered in a branded box made of thick cardboard in the usual blue-bluish tones. Inside are headphones, a USB cable for charging, and a 3.5 mm cable for a wired connection.

Soundcore wisely selects materials for headphones. The company uses matte plastic that does not show fingerprints. The earcups are also hinged, so the soundcore Q20i can be folded compactly for transportation.

The headphones are large and completely cover the ear. Thanks to its movable ear cup and soft ear pads, the soundcore Q20i provides excellent passive noise isolation. Accordingly, the “transparency” mode in headphones is not an additional “feature”, but a necessity. And you need to master the option, otherwise you will have to pull the headphones off your head every time.

All controls are located on the right earcup. I would like to praise the manufacturer for the fact that instead of touch zones there are familiar mechanical buttons. The buttons have notches, and the power button is also slightly recessed, so you quickly learn to operate it blindly.

There are no questions about the assembly and quality of materials for the soundcore Q20i, as well as for other soundcore headphones. All materials were chosen wisely: they are tactilely pleasant, non-staining, and do not attract dust. There is also no doubt about durability. I gave the junior model Q10 that remained after the test to my schoolboy nephew. The headphones hold up, and this despite the fact that they are worn in the snow, in the rain, and even in the gym. Although it is obvious that all large over-ear headphones are not designed for such use.

And in general, don’t forget to take care of your headphones. For example, with all over-ear headphones, when worn for a long time, the ears begin to sweat. And sweat is a rather caustic substance. Don’t be lazy, and after wearing for a long time, you should wipe the ear pads with a soft, slightly damp cloth.

Application

For headphones, you can download the proprietary soundcore application. And it is precisely by the settings inside the application that it is noticeable how the soundcore Q20i differs from the more expensive models of the brand. In this case, the required minimum settings are: noise reduction control (mode on, off and “transparency”), the second option is sound control. The default option is “Enhanced Bass”, and there is also a full equalizer and 22 equalizer presets. In order to gain access to the prepared presets, you should click on the enhanced bass tile (not on the circle with a checkmark, but on the tile itself).

A nice feature of the soundcore app is that you can create an account, and then the equalizer settings will be stored in the cloud, which is useful when changing your smartphone and headphones.

Finally, let’s briefly list the differences with a more expensive model using the example of soundcore Space One, which costs 3 thousand more. So, in Space One you can adjust the noise reduction power on a 5-point scale, there is a “comfortable communication” mode (this is when you put your palm on the headphone cup and the transparency mode turns on), there is a separate game mode (to minimize audio lag), and in the equalizer settings there are presets. Space One also has the option to customize the sound. The user takes a hearing test, after which the application creates an individual profile. It should be understood that the presence of additional options is not only a game for marketers who want to differentiate products by price categories, but the difference in headphones also plays a role. The Space One has more sensors and a more powerful processor, as well as support for Hi-Res Audio Wireless, Hi-Res Audio and LDAC, while the Q20i has Hi-Res Audio over the wire

Sound and noise reduction

Audio codecs AAC, SBC and 40 mm dynamic drivers are responsible for the sound, just like more expensive models. So, in some ways, headphones become similar to cameras in smartphones, when the big role is played not by sensors and lenses, but by post-processing algorithms.

In the case of the Soundcore Q20i, this is a definite plus, since, armed with an equalizer in the application, you can get sound quality similar to headphones that cost 3-5 thousand more.

By default, the soundcore Q20i is focused on bass (it says so on the packaging: clean bass). After all, modern music, in general, is built on drums, so there is nothing wrong with the fact that they are trying to make them bigger and more voluminous.

The manufacturer is not lying here. The bass is really clear and powerful, but not overly so. It would probably not be a mistake to say that soundcore managed to make reference “drive” headphones for listening to electronic and pop music. These headphones are the perfect way to cheer up in the morning.

At the same time, the headphones provide high accuracy and excellent detail, as well as a good sense of the stage. The bass mode slightly pushes back the vocals, so I still had to go to the equalizer for manual adjustments. However, most likely, most users will like the sound out of the box.

Finally, about the sense of scene/volume. This does not apply to music, but since the headphones support Bluetooth 5.0, they have minimal audio lag, and the Soundcore Q20i is quite comfortable playing PUBG, where, thanks to the headphones, you can clearly hear from which side the enemy is sneaking up.

The quality of noise reduction was pleasantly impressive. Yes, there is no power setting, like more expensive models, but the level of noise reduction itself is at a very high level. The headphones effectively filter the noise of the wind and cars passing on the road. Here I would like to emphasize once again that the headphones cover the ear and fit tightly to the head, so passive noise insulation plays a significant role in the overall perception.

It is likely that soundcore Q20i is the best option for noise reduction quality under 10 thousand rubles. soundcore Q20i provide a similar level of noise reduction to the soundcore Space One model, but cost 3 thousand less.

There are no questions about the “transparency” regime. You can hear your interlocutors clearly, and you can communicate without removing your headphones.

Battery life

The manufacturer promises 40 hours with noise reduction enabled, 60 hours in normal mode. You can also always connect headphones via wire.

By the way, the manufacturer does not exaggerate the operating time. The headphones can really play for so long. And even longer. While the headphones are new, the operating time will be longer.

Conclusion and personal impressions

For the money, the soundcore Q20i look attractive. Since the headphones were sent for testing, given the price known in advance, expectations from them were relatively low. But in reality, everything turned out to be the opposite. These headphones have both sound and noise reduction quality at a level more typical for headphones costing 12-15 thousand rubles.

At the start of sales there is a promotion where headphones can be purchased for 4,999 rubles in M.Video and Eldorado.

Advertising. LLC “TFN”
INN: 7727696432