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Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Reduce Noise by Up to 98%, Ultra Long 50H Playtime, 10H Single Playtime, Hi-Res Sound, Comfortable Fit, Wireless Charge
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Soundcore |
Model Name | soundcore Space A40 |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | In Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
About this item
- Reduce Noise By Up to 98%: Space A40 has an upgraded noise cancelling system to block out a wider range of distracting noises. So wherever you go, you'll always have the space you need to focus.
- Automatically Tailored Noise Cancelling: Space A40 detects external noises and automatically selects a suitable level of noise cancelling for your surroundings. Enjoy your personal space whether you're indoors, outdoors, commuting, or on a flight.
- 50 Hours of Personal Space: That's enough playtime to enjoy up to 1,000 songs or 25 movies. The earbuds have a 10-hour single charge playtime, and fast charging gives you 4 hours of listening from a quick 10-minute charge.
- Highly Detailed Sound: Thanks to soundcore's pioneering double-layer diaphragm drivers, Space A40 noise cancelling earbuds produce sound with strong bass, clear mids, and bright treble. You can also listen using LDAC mode for Hi-Res Audio Wireless sound.
- Comfortable, No Matter How Long You Listen: Space A40 noise cancelling wireless earbuds are smaller than all other soundcore ANC earbuds, are as light as a sheet of paper, and have an ergonomic shape so they fit comfortably in your ears.
There is a newer model of this item:
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AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag, 2-Pack | AmazonBasics Lightweight Mini Tripod, 4-Pack | AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag, 4-Pack |
- Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4 NC Wireless Earbuds with Space A40 Wireless Earbuds, 98.5% Noise Reduction, Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Hi-Res Sound, 50H Battery, Wireless Charging$142.99$142.99 $199.98$199.98This bundle contains 2 items
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From the brand
Product Description
-
Dual Connection
Stay connected to two devices with Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint connection. Instantly switch between music, calls, videos, and more on different devices hassle-free to save you time and effort.
-
Enhanced Awareness
Switch to Transparency Mode so that you can still hear the outside world while wearing Space A40. Easily switch between Transparency Mode and Noise Cancelling Mode so you can stay in tune with what's going on around you.
-
Wireless Charging
Space A40 noise cancelling wireless earbuds' charging case supports wireless charging or charging via a USB-C cable for extra convenience.
-
Refreshing Wearing Experience
Choose from 4 different ear tip sizes and find the perfect size for your ears. Wear the earbuds in the correct position for superior comfort and optimal ANC performance.
Compare soundcore Headphones
Space A40 | soundcore P40i | Life P3 | Liberty 4 NC | AeroFit Pro | AeroFit | soundcore C30i | |
Customer Reviews
|
4.2 out of 5 stars
9,974
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
485
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
31,312
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
8,408
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
313
|
3.9 out of 5 stars
189
|
3.7 out of 5 stars
69
|
Price
| $59.00$59.00 | $59.99$59.99 | $69.99$69.99 | $99.99$99.99 | — | — | $69.99$69.99 |
Active Noise Cancellation
| Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC | Hybrid ANC with Multi-modes | Adaptive ANC 2.0 | - | - | - |
Sound
| Detailed Sound | Big Bass | Big Bass | Detailed Sound | Robust Bass with Spatial Audio | Balanced Sound | Vibrant Audio, 3D Sound |
Playtime (Single/With Case)
| 10H/50H | 12H/60H | 10H/50H | 10H/50H | 14H/46H | 11H/42H | 10H/30H |
Fast Charging
| 10 Mins = 4H | 10 Mins = 5H | 10 Mins = 4H | 10 Mins = 4H | 10 Mins = 5.5H | 10 Mins = 4H | 10 Mins = 3H |
Wireless Charging
| ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | - | - | - |
Waterproof
| IPX4 | IPX5 | IPX5 | IPX4 | IPX5 | IPX7 | IPX4 |
Calls
| 6 Mics with AI | 6 Mics with AI | 6 Mics with AI | 6 Mics with AI | 4 Mics with AI | 4 Mics with AI | 2 Mics |
Design
| In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | Open-Ear | Open-Ear | Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds |
Customized Sound
| ✔️HearID | ✔️HearID | ✔️ | ✔️HearID | ✔️ | ✔️ | - |
Control
| Touch Control | Touch Control | Touch Control | Touch Control | Button Control | Touch Control | Touch Control |
Multipoint Connection
| ✔️ | ✔️ | - | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Compare with similar items
This Item Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Reduce Noise by Up to 98%, Ultra Long 50H Playtime, 10H Single Playtime, Hi-Res Sound, Comfortable Fit, Wireless Charge | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -41% $59.00$59.00 List: $99.99 | -14% $59.99$59.99 List: $69.99 | $69.99$69.99 | $69.99$69.99 | -53% $79.98$79.98 List: $169.99 | -20% $19.99$19.99 Typical: $24.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Battery life | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
Sound quality | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
Noise cancellation | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
Comfort | 4.3 | — | — | — | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Sold By | AnkerDirect | AnkerDirect | AnkerDirect | AnkerDirect | AnkerDirect | AnkerDirect |
connectivity tech | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless |
headphones form factor | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear |
connector type | USB Type C | USB Type C | USB Type C | USB Type C | wireless | wireless |
noise control | active noise cancellation | active noise cancellation | active noise cancellation | active noise cancellation | active noise cancellation | sound isolation |
cable feature | Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable |
control type | Volume Control | Volume Control | Volume Control | Volume Control | Media Control | Volume Control |
water resistance | waterproof | waterproof | waterproof | waterproof | water resistant | waterproof |
Videos
Videos for this product
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Space A40...amazing, just one thing drove me bonkers...
dietetzners
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(9 months owning) LOVE it but 1 NEGATIVE
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Product guides and documents
What's in the box
Product information
Wireless Communication Technology | Bluetooth |
---|---|
Special Feature | Noise Cancellation, Lightweight, Volume-Control, Universal Phone Control, Water Resistant |
Included Components | USB-C Cable, Charging Case, soundcore space A40 Noise Cancelling Earbuds, XS/S/M/L/XL Ear Tips |
Age Range (Description) | All |
Material | Paper |
Specific Uses For Product | Music |
Noise Control | Active Noise Cancellation |
Charging Time | 50 Hours |
Ear Placement | In Ear |
Recommended Uses For Product | Calls, Listening to music |
Theme | Movie |
Impedance | 16 Ohm |
Control Type | Volume Control |
Cable Feature | Cable |
Item Weight | 0.04 Pounds |
Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
Unit Count | 1 Count |
Style | Classic |
Control Method | App |
Number of Items | 1 |
Battery Life | 10 Hour |
Manufacturer | Anker |
Product Dimensions | 2.67 x 1.74 x 1.12 inches |
Item Weight | 0.64 ounces |
ASIN | B0B1LVC5VZ |
Item model number | A3936 |
Batteries | 3 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #131 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #28 in Earbud & In-Ear Headphones #105 in Climate Pledge Friendly: Electronics |
Date First Available | August 24, 2022 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the battery life, value, and ease of use of the headphones. They mention that it lasts for at least 36 hours of constant use, and can be charged up to five times in the case. They appreciate the quality, fit, and sound quality. That said, some complain about the stability and connectivity.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They say the sound is easily as good as their Samsung Ear Buds Pro with noise cancelling. They appreciate the options as well as the ability to adjust the sound using the Soundcore app. The volume is more than adequate, and voices still come through. The app features customizations to the adaptive automatic noise cancelation, frequency equalization based, and sleep-related features like automatically pausing the audio input when they fall asleep.
"...ear, it was also tricky to get them in and out of the case, the sound was good and as much as I didn't really like them, I decided to keep them,..." Read more
"...One thing I especially appreciate is there is little noise/hum when the music isn't playing, which is not the case with other ANC buds I've tested...." Read more
"...It blocks out a large amount of noise and dulls most others so that they are easy to tune out or at least not overly annoying if they are quite loud...." Read more
"...Out of the box (with the right eartips) the sound was very good, warmer and "fuzzier" than I'm used to, compared to my old $300 Sony buds, so not in..." Read more
Customers like the quality of the headphones. They say they're great work earbuds, perfect for the gym, and much better for long-term use. Some mention that the case is fine and the ANC is on par with higher end units.
"...I bought a white pair and my first impression was they are good quality, the case seems sturdy and the buds look expensive...." Read more
"...As far as the looks and size, they are perfect. I was worried at first about the ear tips because they all seemed kind of small...." Read more
"...the mids are stunning, the control and out of the box mids were great, an area that a lot of my other earbuds skip a tad for more bass or smoother..." Read more
"...There are no good case covers that I found on Amazon, but I bought a soft case cover and it works ok, where I'd rather have a hard cover...." Read more
Customers like the fit of the headphones. They say the fit is secure, and the different sized soft-plastic earbuds conform to their ears. Some appreciate the different size tips and the small size of the charging case. Overall, most are happy with the fit and portability of the product.
"...Also, there are 5 choices for size of tip, and they vary both in width and depth, and they are thin and therefore very flexible...." Read more
"...These fit MY ears very well and the range of eartips provided is phenomenal, 5 sets ranging from xs to xl, I use the default Mediums and they fit my..." Read more
"...They're small and their case is small, so it's not as inconvenient to take them out and put them in my shirt pocket or their case if I need to talk..." Read more
"...The buds have been very comfortable for me with smaller ear canals...." Read more
Customers like the value of the headphones. They say it offers more features for the money than any other brand and at much higher quality. Customers also say the sound quality is excellent right out of the box.
"...a lot of $ and my gratitude is for getting super quality at an affordable price...." Read more
"...Just perfect ANC for the price and the adaptive feature (soundcore app), although not personally my favorite to use (I prefer to leave it on strong)..." Read more
"...They consistently deliver great quality for the money.Purchase Attempt #1? I was hoping that these are just faulty one-offs...." Read more
"...Overall pretty solid buds for $50; I hope they last for a while." Read more
Customers like the battery life of the headphones. They say it has great battery life, it keeps charge well, and it lasts for at least 36 hours of constant use. Some customers also mention that the case has a huge battery.
"...Yay! Right bud producing volume! Yay! Remarkable quality sound and battery life, reasonable noise cancelling for the price ($59)...." Read more
"...Battery life is amazing. With the case I never had a situation where I was dead-dead before they could totally recharge...." Read more
"...I loved them. They fit comfortably and securely, had great battery life, sounded decent enough to a non-audiophile, and came in fun colors...." Read more
"...Up to 10 hours play on a single charge and can be charged up to five times in the case before it needs to be plugged in.-..." Read more
Customers like the ease of use of the headphones. They say the settings are easy and intuitive. They like the Bluetooth connectivity, saying it's pretty easy to link with app guidance. They also say the quick start manual is convenient. Customers also mention that the app is especially user-friendly, making it super easy to make adjustments.
"...And the little quick start manual (paper included in box and also readily accessible from the app) are appreciated...." Read more
"...Intuitive UI, superb features, and excellent help...." Read more
"...They sound great to this non-audiophile and have an especially user-friendly app...." Read more
"...I love that it has normal mode, a decent noise canceling mode, a mode to "listen through" (called transparency mode)...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the connectivity of the headphones. Some like the easy Bluetooth connectivity, saying they paired easily to their iPhone. However, others say they lose the connection occasionally and have connectivity issues while walking or running.
"...Multi-Device connection (no LDAC)- Can connect with two devices simultaneously and using one or both earbuds..." Read more
"...Finally, I have issues with it saying it's connected, but then not playing any sound...." Read more
"...They were easy to pair with my iPhone and with my laptop, didn't have to resort to instructions once I found the pairing button...." Read more
"...even ready to buy a backup pair... until I realized they weren't disconnecting from my phone when I put them in the case, which meant they also were..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the stability of the headphones. They mention that the earbuds tend to slip out of their ears. Some say that the headphones don't stay in place with vigorous exercise.
"...They slip/pop out easily, even when sitting still but especially while running which is the main time I use them...." Read more
"...I'm not a nerd!!!Another bad thing: They randomly POP out of your ear, especially if you happen to be over tile or concrete...." Read more
"...This is good I think because the buds are less likely to fall out...." Read more
"...awesome quality-of-life features, comfort is good, they get a little loose when exercising but stay in fairly well...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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The Galaxy Buds Pro 2 were my first and the most obvious choice. Sadly, they just didn't fit securely and the ANC was basically non-existent. The silicone of the Buds + literally dampened sound better. The case was needlessly large, as well, though that's not something that would have been a deal breaker. Fit was, however, and for $200, I needed to know these weren't going to fall out.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 were next. I barely got them out of the box before deciding they were going back. They were HUGE and HEAVY.
The Bose Sport Earbuds weren't as bad as the Sony WF-1000XM4, but they were still too big for me. I didn't hate the fit, but it wasn't great. I also wanted something reasonably subtle and these just weren't.
For a moment, I thought the Sony Linkbuds S were a winner. They were comfortable, though they didn't fit as securely as I'd hoped. The ANC was great. I liked the blue, even if they didn't look as high-end as I'd like. They went back, however, when I realized the battery life was grossly exaggerated. I needed 10 hours and got four.
The Sony WF-C500 had a better battery life, but didn't fit well and were made of cheap looking plastic. They had no ANC, which was fine, but for $100, I expected a better fit and nicer overall appearance.
The Fitness Earbuds by Raycon were the biggest disappointment. Despite the negative reviews from self-proclaimed audiophiles, I loved these. They were ALMOST as comfortable as the Galaxy Buds + and, though they didn't look as nice, they came in fun colors. The case was tiny and discreet. I was even ready to buy a backup pair... until I realized they weren't disconnecting from my phone when I put them in the case, which meant they also weren't charging. After reading reviews, I discovered this was a frequent issue with no fix. Many people even reported having the issue months later, so I suppose I was lucky and could still return them.
The Liberty 3 Pro were my final failed attempt. They fit securely, but stuck out of my ears awkwardly. They weren't terribly uncomfortable, but they definitely weren't something I could have worn all day, either. They did sound great and the ANC was amazing, but I needed something smaller, subtler, and more suitable for extended wear.
Finally, I've landed on the Space a40, after trying ALL THE EARBUDS. They're almost perfect. I wasn't expecting to get as secure a fit as the Galaxy Buds + without wingtips, but these feel ALMOST exactly the same. They are a TAD BIT looser. As a stay-at-home mom, I wear them all day long, between audiobooks, music, and just employing ANC to drown out toddler tantrums. The battery life is epic. They look higher end than any of the above choices. They sound great to this non-audiophile and have an especially user-friendly app.
I do find it frustrating that I apparently can't add two of the same brand of earbuds to the app, but that's honestly fine, because I don't use it for any reason other than reprogramming the touch controls, which I don't need to do often. I will say that the ANC is alright, but not as impressive as some of the chunkier earbuds I've tried. The earbuds and case are both fairly small and discreet, so it's not immediately obvious that I'm wearing them. At $80, the Space a40 earbuds cost less than refurbished Galaxy Buds +. I bought them in white and blue.
After I got my second pair, I realized there was an echo on the receiving end of my phone calls. Some of the reviews stated similar issues or mentioned coming in at low volume. I didn't have this problem with my initial pair, so I returned the defective ones. The next pair was absolutely fine. So, if you're having mic issues, there's something wrong with your specific earbuds. Just exchange them. The same goes for feedback. I returned another pair for the occasional buzzing noise and didn't have the same problem with the other.
I was a little disappointed that despite the popularity and rave reviews of these earbuds, I couldn't find a custom leather case. I wanted to keep the charging case nice when I tossed them in my purse, though, and tried several options. I settled on this leather zipper pouch from Hide and Drink, which measures 5"×3" and fits almost perfectly. It also comes in blue to match my earbuds. I've even added a Tile so I can find them in the microwave of the toy kitchen, when necessary.
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2023
The Galaxy Buds Pro 2 were my first and the most obvious choice. Sadly, they just didn't fit securely and the ANC was basically non-existent. The silicone of the Buds + literally dampened sound better. The case was needlessly large, as well, though that's not something that would have been a deal breaker. Fit was, however, and for $200, I needed to know these weren't going to fall out.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 were next. I barely got them out of the box before deciding they were going back. They were HUGE and HEAVY.
The Bose Sport Earbuds weren't as bad as the Sony WF-1000XM4, but they were still too big for me. I didn't hate the fit, but it wasn't great. I also wanted something reasonably subtle and these just weren't.
For a moment, I thought the Sony Linkbuds S were a winner. They were comfortable, though they didn't fit as securely as I'd hoped. The ANC was great. I liked the blue, even if they didn't look as high-end as I'd like. They went back, however, when I realized the battery life was grossly exaggerated. I needed 10 hours and got four.
The Sony WF-C500 had a better battery life, but didn't fit well and were made of cheap looking plastic. They had no ANC, which was fine, but for $100, I expected a better fit and nicer overall appearance.
The Fitness Earbuds by Raycon were the biggest disappointment. Despite the negative reviews from self-proclaimed audiophiles, I loved these. They were ALMOST as comfortable as the Galaxy Buds + and, though they didn't look as nice, they came in fun colors. The case was tiny and discreet. I was even ready to buy a backup pair... until I realized they weren't disconnecting from my phone when I put them in the case, which meant they also weren't charging. After reading reviews, I discovered this was a frequent issue with no fix. Many people even reported having the issue months later, so I suppose I was lucky and could still return them.
The Liberty 3 Pro were my final failed attempt. They fit securely, but stuck out of my ears awkwardly. They weren't terribly uncomfortable, but they definitely weren't something I could have worn all day, either. They did sound great and the ANC was amazing, but I needed something smaller, subtler, and more suitable for extended wear.
Finally, I've landed on the Space a40, after trying ALL THE EARBUDS. They're almost perfect. I wasn't expecting to get as secure a fit as the Galaxy Buds + without wingtips, but these feel ALMOST exactly the same. They are a TAD BIT looser. As a stay-at-home mom, I wear them all day long, between audiobooks, music, and just employing ANC to drown out toddler tantrums. The battery life is epic. They look higher end than any of the above choices. They sound great to this non-audiophile and have an especially user-friendly app.
I do find it frustrating that I apparently can't add two of the same brand of earbuds to the app, but that's honestly fine, because I don't use it for any reason other than reprogramming the touch controls, which I don't need to do often. I will say that the ANC is alright, but not as impressive as some of the chunkier earbuds I've tried. The earbuds and case are both fairly small and discreet, so it's not immediately obvious that I'm wearing them. At $80, the Space a40 earbuds cost less than refurbished Galaxy Buds +. I bought them in white and blue.
After I got my second pair, I realized there was an echo on the receiving end of my phone calls. Some of the reviews stated similar issues or mentioned coming in at low volume. I didn't have this problem with my initial pair, so I returned the defective ones. The next pair was absolutely fine. So, if you're having mic issues, there's something wrong with your specific earbuds. Just exchange them. The same goes for feedback. I returned another pair for the occasional buzzing noise and didn't have the same problem with the other.
I was a little disappointed that despite the popularity and rave reviews of these earbuds, I couldn't find a custom leather case. I wanted to keep the charging case nice when I tossed them in my purse, though, and tried several options. I settled on this leather zipper pouch from Hide and Drink, which measures 5"×3" and fits almost perfectly. It also comes in blue to match my earbuds. I've even added a Tile so I can find them in the microwave of the toy kitchen, when necessary.
So here the journey starts, and shout out to Best Buy who took back and refunded every pair I bought! As I mostly listen to audio books in the night, and I'm a side/front sleeper, I needed them to be small and comfortable to lie on, as I'd just wasted over $200 on the Samsung buds, I thought I'd try cheaper ones so bought JBL 235NC earbuds, it was my first time wearing an earbud similar to Apple and for me I didn't like it, I also found the buds sound to be a bit tinny. So they went back and Idid some research and upped my spend and bought the Sony WF1000XM5, these had excellent reviews but the $300 purchase price hurt and they were big in my ears, definitely not comfortable to lay on and for me not worth the price, they went back, next I tried the beats studio buds +, these were ok, they are pretty small but have a raised piece that you hold to fit in your ear and I really struggled every time to put them in my ear, it was also tricky to get them in and out of the case, the sound was good and as much as I didn't really like them, I decided to keep them, until one fell out on the airplane and I couldn't find it, so I was back in the earbud market again and this whole time kicking myself for trading in my old Samsung earbuds, which were perfectly good. I will say that I didn't get a reaction to any of the new earbuds I tried - except the new samsung pro 2 - and now I'm running out of options, my husband said to try the Anker Soundcore A40s as he heard they were good and similar to the Samsung ones so for $50, I decided to give them a try, I read the reviews and supposedly they can be hit and miss, but if you get a bad one send it back and they will send a new pair.
I bought a white pair and my first impression was they are good quality, the case seems sturdy and the buds look expensive. They look very similar to the Samsung earbuds in size, shape and appearance. I downloaded the app, and they paired straight away, they supplied a wide range of sizes of ear tips for fit and a huge choice of sound options, I did the ear test and went with their HearID sound option but there are lots of default choices as well as custom so you can adjust the sound to suit you. There is noise cancellation/Normal/Transparency mode options and I have to say it could be me but I didn't really notice a difference, the Samsung and Sony both have excellent noise cancelling if that is important, it's not really a problem for me. So far I'm pretty pleased, for the price point and quality I would highly recommend them, also for those of you who are struggling with reactions to their earbuds, so far these have been great
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Reviewed in Mexico on March 27, 2024
I personally think five-star reviews should generally be taken with caution, but here I would like to qualify and detail why the Space A40 deserves five stars overall.
First, I give the audio quality/noise cancellation four stars, compared to say, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones (better sound, better noise cancelling) or Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd gen.) (less satisfying sound, better Transparency/Adaptive noise cancelling modes). The important things to keep in mind in these comparisons is that the Sony cost about three times as much, and generally full-sixed over-ear headphones sound better than earbuds. Plus, the XM4 was once Sony's flagship in the Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones category, so it's more effective if you want to shut out the world, and envelop yourself in a rich, albeit a little bass-heavy audio environment. In comparison, the Space A40 gives you a balanced, quality sound and lets in a bit more of ambient sounds. As an analogy, the Sony XM4 is like using blackout curtains in a big auditorium, while using the A40 is like you're in a smaller venue with room-darkening curtains.
Next, the AirPods Pro. Its strengths are that it works very well with iPhones, iPads, and Macs in general, and if you're an Apple Music subscriber like me, they work flawlessly with Apple's Spatial Audio. In terms of noise cancelling, Apple's very good Transparency mode is now superseded by its new Adaptive mode, which actively moderates the sound environment such that you can hear both music and ambient sounds well enough. But note "enough." This phrase pretty much sums up the audio performance and noise cancelling abilities of the AirPods. They give you good enough sound but the Space A40 is more subtle, balanced, and present; no point comparing the AirPods to the Sonys. The AirPods cancel noise just about as good as the Space A40; again, don't compare it to the Sonys. Oh, but the price tag! if you take price into the comparison, then the AirPods would drop out of the race immediately. It is obscenely overpriced. The only reason why I even own the AirPods Pro is that they were free gifts as part of another purchase. Going back to the curtains analogy: the AirPods are super futuristic - and expensive - curtains that automatically filter light going into a small venue but cannot fully darken the room. You pay for the look and the automatic filtering feature.
So where does that leave the Space A40? An eminently sensible choice when you consider everything else. The Soundcore app is very polished and feature-laden and allows you to customize the use and the sound of the A40 to a very large extent, surpassing both Sony and Apple. Add to that the A40's battery life, a very pocketable case that charges wirelessly as well as via cable with clear indicator lights, and the overall good construction, you'd wonder why anyone would bother looking at anything else.
Hence, a solid five stars.