Great little speaker—especially for the price. Sound is crisp and full, it looks great, and has a nice, solid heft to it. It's also extremely easy to pair to an iPhone. Once paired, it quickly and reliably connects to my phone when turned on.
I get that Anker wants people to see their brand name and the white paint they used isn't so bright that the logo is obnoxious, but I still didn't want to look at it. So, using a metal pick in holes around the perimeter, I slowly and carefully pried off the grill. It's held in by tension and a very thin strip of black adhesive tape. Once the grill was off, I wrapped masking tape around the small ledge all the way around the grill. This was to keep from painting and ruining the black adhesive so I could reattach it later. If you use the slick, non-sticker paper from a sticker sheet you might get better results than I did. The masking tape took off a small amount of the adhesive, but it still worked. Then, with a $4 can of generic-brand metallic copper spray paint from the hardware store, I gave it a couple coats from all directions. Don't spray too heavily or you'll clog some of the small holes in the grill. IMO, it turned out perfect. Really classes up the little speaker.
We were looking for a relatively inexpensive portable wireless Bluetooth speaker to replace a fun –looking Big Lots “boom box” style speaker that lasted for about a year. Our primary use is for streaming music or internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify, and listening by the pool and while having dinner.
My wife and I decided to take a listen to 3 highly reviewed speakers that received mostly positive reviews on Amazon. Here are the 3 speakers tested:
1. Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 (Cost: $27.99)
2. Anker SoundCore (Cost: $35.99)
3. JBL Flip 3 Splashproof ($81.30)
We were really hoping that the less expensive speakers would have been close in sound quality to the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof. Sadly,that just wasn’t the case. Upon the very first look, when opening up the box, you get a sense that Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 is a very no-frills, inexpensive speaker. The packaging, the speaker, the extremely short, tiny USB charging cable. Visually speaking, this speaker screamed no-frills.
Conversely, the Anker SoundCore gave the impression that you were opening up a well-constructed, tiny speaker. It was packaged nicely, easy instructions, it felt a lot more substantial than the Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3. Aditionally, the USB charging cable looked like your average size charging cable for your portable devices.
Last, was the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof. At $81.30, it was a lot more money than we were hoping to spend on a portable pool speaker. It was plain to see that this speaker just looked “ more expensive” than the other two models. Great packaging, a super long and thick USB charging cable that came in an eye-catching orange colored jacket. The speaker itself looked awesome too with its compact cylinder shape.
Enough about the appearance… a speaker is all about ease of use and more importantly -- how it sounds. How did all 3 sound and how easy were they to use?
On all 3 speakers in our test, we used 3 separate Samsung Galaxy 7s phones. We played the same identical songs on each speaker and set the volume identical on all 3 phones. Here were our results-
1. Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3. Unfortunately, this speaker was the least inspiring of the three speakers. The sound was clear. However, it sounded tiny, none to very little bass. It projected a rather flat sound with the various music we played through it. It was though extremely easy to use, and the Bluetooth worked flawlessly. I would generously give it 3 Stars. On sound alone, I’d say it’s more 2 Stars.
2. Anker SoundCore – This speaker was hands-down better than the Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 for just a few dollars more. Lots of great features – all of which worked perfectly. The only downside of the Anker SoundCore was that it lacked bass. The sound coming out of the Anker SoundCore is very balanced and fairly loud for such a small speaker. I would lean more towards the 4 Star mark on the Anker SoundCore simply for delivering a very nice, balanced sound quality, and is capable of filling a small room.
3. JBL Flip 3 Splashproof – At $81.30, we were really hoping that this wouldn’t be a situation where “you get what you pay for”. Unfortunately, it was in the end. Regardless of the song, or the type of music we played through it, it was far superior to the other two speakers. It worked flawlessly and the sound/projection of sound coming out blew away the other speakers. The Flip 3 Splashproof produced a rich, full sound that was extremely clear and thumped just the right amount of bass. It easily fills space with great clarity.
All-in-all, the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof blew away this competition. 5 Stars. If you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with the Anker SoundCore. If you can swing the extra bucks for the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof – go for it! It sounds amazing!
Update: Even though the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof sounds very good, the Bluetooth range is awful. As long as your phone is within a very short distance of this speaker you will be happy. The Bluetooth range on the Anker is WAY better than the JBL.
Unboxing
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-Very neat,simple
-Sadly it didnt come with an aux cord
-The charging card cardboard on the side was kind of hard to get out until i forced it out and it tore
Pairing/Controls/Range
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-Pairing bluetooth was very simple. 3 steps and you're connected
-The controls are easy to read so i wont get into that.
- The range is very great. Wow is what i like to say because unlike others this speakers BT range went through walls and very far also
Sound quality
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-Very nice and clear
-Theres not much bass in this speaker
-Price and sound quality ? For whats its worth , the sound quality is worth its price.
-The video also shows the sound at 50% and at max volume.
Uses
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-I use this for the van and it over powers our conversations to the point i have to lower it down.
-Really great if you have a car without sounds.
-The battery life is really long. I used it for a whole 8 hour but thats with the volume going up and down
-It automatically turns off when not in use . Which is great because it saves power like that.
Wow!
I purchased this speaker because my tv is 12 feet across the room and I am a senior with hearing loss.
My tv is louder than normal and always told by family it's too loud.
I decided to try this item out since so many great reviews.
Took 2 or 3 times to Bluetooth to my tv but that's because I didn't set it right.
Now, I put the speaker on and I was disappointed the speaker wasn't that loud.
I was ready to send it back.
Then something told me to check the audio on tv. I thought I had the type of audio wrong checked which may have lowered the volume due to the type of audio. But, before I could do that, I noticed that the volume on the tv was low. Naaah, that couldn't be the problem could it? Well, I raised the volume on the tv ( the tv doesn't get louder) and guess what!
THE VOLUME ON THIS SPEAKER WAS BLASTING!!!!
I then had to lower this speaker because it was too loud!
This speaker is great, great and GREAT!!!
Great sound! U will not be disappointed!!!!
Take it from a half deaf senior!!!
I had purchased this speaker and it had stopped working just after the return period. I posted my disappointment, and the customer support team was unbelievable in following up with me and getting me a new speaker! They really wanted to be sure that I had a working speaker. They were very nice and sincere. I am sure to purchase their products again, knowing that they stand so strongly behind their products. It was a pleasure to deal with them.
Feature Product
- ASTONISHING SOUND: Breathtaking stereo sound with deep bass is delivered with exceptional clarity and zero distortion by two high-sensitivity drivers and a patented bass port.
- 24H WORRY-FREE BATTERY LIFE: Anker's exclusive, long-life battery technology provides 24 hours of sublime music.
- EFFORTLESS CONNECTIVITY: Bluetooth 4.0 ensures instant pairing and maintains a strong connection up to 66 ft.
- DESIGNED TO PLAY: Combines a solid, drop-proof build with tactile materials and seamless controls.
- GRAB, GO, LISTEN: Lightweight, yet robust unibody design provides the perfect soundtrack for the park, yard, or anywhere else at home or away.
Description
SoundCore
The Bluetooth Speaker with Superior Sound and Playtime.
From ANKER, the Choice of 10 Million+ Happy Users
Industry-Leading Technology
Worry-Free Warranty
99% Positive Amazon Feedback
Superior Sound Quality
Wherever life takes you, experience your music with powerful stereo sound and crisp, tight bass. Boasting less than 1% total harmonic distortion, SoundCore sounds great even at the highest volumes.
Incredible Battery Life
Anker's industry-leading power management technology keeps your tunes playing for up to 24 hours on a single charge-that's over a week's worth of playtime (based on average usage).
Uncompromised Portability
To keep SoundCore small but also sounding great, we've designed it using a unique spiral bass port design. The result is a clean bass sound you can easily pick up and put in your bag.
Bluetooth 4.0 Connectivity
Unlike most other speakers, SoundCore uses the very latest Bluetooth technology to maximize device compatibility and pairing speed.
Worry-Free Warranty
At Anker, we believe in our products. That's why we back them all with an 18-month warranty and provide friendly, easy-to-reach support.
I can't sing the praises of Anker and their products enough. I own several other products of theirs (it all starting with their PowerCore Chargers) and they've hit it out of the park on another one. Solid, quality products that are highly functional, versatile and affordable. Live in SoCal and got this for beach / backyard patio / general Bluetooth speaker. Researched a few others including Bose SoundLink / Beats and I found the reviews (and notably the price) to guide me toward buying. I'm SO glad I did. Truly y'all (from the south so no apologies) buy this. Stop your endless pursuit I hear some of you here "but that bass though" "the distance for connectivity." Please. If the bass isn't enough for you, you're A) Out of your mind and setting unrealistic expectations and B) Probably should be looking at more expensive products and not wining about this one. This is solid no matter how you compare it to the competition. Pairing is super simple. Have a 2100 sq ft home and in an upstairs bedroom I can still hear it and it fills a room completely (when placed at top volume limit). Materials are quality and I even got the case ($14.99 or what have you) that they make to go with. Don't waste time or money looking, this is your guy/gal. Trust.
Hey all. Today I received the newly released Anker SoundCore Bluetooth speaker. I couldn't have been more pumped! I love Anker products and their customer service! Anyway, you're here to read my review and I'll try to keep it short and sweet.
Anker packaged this SoundCore very well. The black cardboard box is actually quite attractive, if a little misleading on the actual size of the SoundCore as its quite a bit bigger. On the inside you'll see the speaker is tucked away behind some more cardboard for protection and to the right, a small cardboard sleeve with your micro USB charger. Immediately I was kind of bummed this speaker wasn't yet using USB-C as it will become the new standard. The speaker is very light, as my similar in size jam box mini seems heavier. It's nicely built and has a good feel in your hand.
Powering on the speaker was a breeze by simply holding the power button. It was ready for immediate pairing so I paired it to my iPhone 6S Plus. I started to play PSY's new song "Daddy" (don't hate on me just yet, OK?)
The speaker was quite loud and completely clear at max volume. "Bass" isn't quite there, but it is clear and not hollow sounding. However, it gave me a beep and disconnected. My iPhone said it was still connected but the music had paused. I didn't think much of it at first but I wanted to compare sound to my other MUCH used Anker Bluetooth speaker. I've supplied some pictures quickly comparing the two. My square Anker speaker sounded just as clear at full volume, albeit not quite as loud. We're talking maybe a few clicks higher on the volume scale. But, that's OK. The SoundCore is an attractive speaker and it sounds very nice compared to its price point.
I hooked back up to the SoundCore, and I had connectivity issues again, and again. Finally I was able to get half way through the song while keeping my phone, which was a foot away, paired with the SoundCore.
Overall, it's another Anker product which means it is attractive, and built well. Competition in its price range may exist, but Anker carries the brand name I trust. My three star rating is due to my issues that seem to be pausing my music. If I hit play, the music typically resumes.
UPDATE: 12/6
Anker has reached out to me to let me know that the speaker stops playing at loud volumes to protect from hearing / device damage. I exclaimed my dissatisfaction with this as the SoundCore speakers higher volume was one of my biggest reasons for liking this speaker. They told me that a new version would be coming out within a week or two to remedy this fault. I will update my review when i'm able to get my hands on it.
Final update 12/28/2015
I received my new SoundCore speaker and I am happy to announce that this new speaker does not have the audio issues my first speaker did. The speaker is able to go to full volume while continuing consistent playback with great sound for a speaker at this price. There are no notable differences between the two speakers other than my original issue being resolved. If all of this really was just a "bug" or planned execution to save the speakers and/or prevent hearing damage to just be updated and fixed at a later date, I'm a bit disappointed but I do like the speaker. Ankers customer service has been exceptional and they've been keeping in contact with me all along the way. I've updated my original rating.
So, this is my first experience with any Anker products. This thing got delivered yesterday and I've been furious ever since. I bought it for background music for my office, so I didn't need anything great or loud, so I thought this $29 speaker would do the trick. The problem is that I spent about $250 on a Braven speaker last year for camping and such, and although I was more than pleased with the performance of that speaker, it is only marginally better sounding, and maybe just a little louder than this Anker speaker. It's also about 3 times as big and has a 12 hour battery life, as opposed to the Anker's 24.
This is probably the best value I have even seen in a Bluetooth speaker. I just wish I would have found this before spending tons of money on others. I would gladly have paid more money for a speaker of this quality.
Is it the utmost in premium quality sound? Of course not, don't be an idiot, it's a tiny speaker that costs under $30... but I think you would be hard pressed to find anything at this price point that comes anywhere even remotely close to the awesomeness you get with this speaker.
I will be buying more anker stuff.
Why did I wait, this thing rocks! Have only had it for a week, but took it with me on a trip and was fun to have something better than a phone to play tunes while getting ready in the morning. It was small and fairly light so tucked right in my carryon. I sing in a blues band and picky about sound so did a good bit of research prior. Great for a home office as well and much better than laptop speakers. This has great sound, you can probably turn it up to about 60% before any distortion begins, so will fill a medium sized room with great sound, but not a ballroom. It does have an aux input. I have not tried it outdoors yet. I do suggest you buy the protective case by Dsall. and my only suggestion to the manufacturer for the next version, the controls are molded into the rubbery top of the unit and are very hard to see in a dark hotel room!
One thing I did not notice in other reviews, (might have missed it) if configured in your settings, when connected to your device (iPhone 6 for me) your lock screen will give you a notice of the battery life of the Anker as well as your iPhone, so no guessing about how much battery life is left. I have only charged it once and have likely played it for a total of 4 hours over the last week (Bluetooth) and the battery still says 100%.
I was excited to see a bluetooth speaker from Anker and jumped at the deal. I should have read the product dimensions as this thing is just smaller than a 20-oz bottle of soda. For it's size it does decent with sound, just don't expect a lot of bass. The sound is similar to a small LCD TV speaker. Also, when you buy this make sure you have a USB wall charger as this only comes with a USB cable.
That being said, bluetooth does connect easily and there's no lag when music starts playing or mangling of music in between songs like with some cheaper bluetooth speakers.
In comparison I bought the TDK Trek Max A34 when it was on sale which is considerably larger and has more clear and boomier sounds, but it does cost about 4x as much. I'll use this to replace my JVC OnBeat in the garage.
Update: Customer service is outstanding! I had a couple of conversations with them and they offered to make things right. This is one of the reasons I will always seek out Anker products before any other.
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