Anker Soundcore Space A40 : Affordable Earphones with Impressive Features

The Soundcore Space A40 are the latest noise cancelling true wireless earbuds from Anker’s audio brand Soundcore. I was excited to test them out and see how they compare to more premium options on the market. After using them extensively over the past few weeks, I’m thoroughly impressed with what they have to offer, especially considering their reasonable price point.

Overview

The Space A40 feature some of the best active noise cancellation I’ve experienced in a pair of true wireless earbuds. They have a sleek, compact design with a comfortable fit. Audio quality is excellent with rich bass and crisp highs. Battery life is a standout at up to 10 hours per charge with ANC on. The charging case provides an additional 40 hours. These are an outstanding pair of earbuds for commuting, travel, or anywhere you want to block out exterior noise and immerse yourself in your music or podcasts.

Overview

The Space A40 earbuds feature:

• Active noise cancellation: Up to 98% noise reduction with two ANC modes
• 50-hour total playback: 10 hours per charge in the earbuds, 40 hours in the charging case
• Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with AAC and LDAC codec support
• Qi wireless charging support
• IPX4 water resistance
• On-ear touch controls for playback, call handling, transparency mode, and voice assistant
• Soundcore app for EQ customization and firmware updates

Design and Comfort

The Space A40 earbuds have an ergonomic design that provides a secure, comfortable fit for most ear shapes. The small, lightweight earbuds nestle flush in the ears and stayed in place during light activity and exercise in testing. The earbuds come with five pairs of ear tips in different sizes to help you find the best seal and fit.

The pill-shaped charging case is compact and pocket-friendly. The case lid opens and closes smoothly, and the earbuds lock in place with strong magnets for charging. The USB-C port, located on the back of the case, provides fast charging when plugged in. You can also place the case on a Qi wireless charging pad for cable-free charging convenience.

Sound Quality

The Space A40 earbuds produce a balanced, detailed sound with punchy bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The double-layer composite diaphragm drivers deliver a wide soundstage, giving music an open, spacious quality. Support for the LDAC codec allows you to stream Hi-Res Audio wirelessly when paired to compatible devices.

You can customize the sound to your liking using the Soundcore app’s EQ presets or by creating your own profile. The app also features a HearID test to tune the earbuds to your unique hearing. In testing, the Adaptive Sound mode effectively optimized the sound based on the ambient noise in my environment.

Noise Cancellation & Transparency

The ANC performance is impressive. It significantly reduces ambient noise, making it perfect for noisy environments like commuting or flying. There are multiple levels of noise cancellation to choose from. Transparency mode lets in sound from your surroundings when you need to be more aware. Call quality is also excellent with 3 mics on each earbud.

Features and Battery Life

The Space A40 earbuds offer a robust feature set for the price. The active noise cancellation does an admirable job of reducing ambient noise so you can focus or relax. You have a choice of two ANC levels as well as a transparency mode to let in outside sound.

Battery life is a major highlight. The earbuds lasted over 9 hours with ANC on in testing, matching Soundcore’s 10-hour estimate. The charging case provides up to 40 hours of additional charge for up to 50 hours of total playback. A quick 10-minute charge in the case gives you 4 hours of listening.

Use Cases

Ideal for:
- Daily commuting/traveling
- Office/work use
- Light exercise (like walking or yoga)
- Relaxing at home while tuning out distractions

Not ideal for:
- Sports/high-impact workouts (lack of water/sweat resistance)
- Noisy, chaotic environments (some ambient sound will still come through)
- Critical listening (audiophile-level sound quality)

User Feedback & Value

The Soundcore Space A40 earbuds have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users. Many praise the effective noise cancellation, impressive battery life, and great sound quality. Users mention the earbuds are comfortable for extended wear.

Some users experienced occasional connection dropouts when switching between devices. A firmware update resolved this for most. A few noted the touch controls can be overly sensitive at times. Overall though, most user reviews are highly favorable.

At their retail price of $99, the Space A40 provide tremendous value. You get features like adjustable ANC, wireless charging, customizable sound, and long battery life that you would expect in earbuds double the price or more. The audio and noise cancelling performance punch well above their weight class. If you find them on sale for $80-90, they are an absolute steal.

For shoppers looking for wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation on a budget, the Soundcore Space A40 should be at the top of your list. They deliver performance that rivals more premium options for significantly less money. If you want ANC earbuds that won’t break the bank, these are a fantastic choice.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
- Great value for the price
- Impressive active noise cancellation for the price range
- Comfortable, lightweight design with multiple eartip options
- Outstanding 50-hour battery life with fast charging
- Balanced, detailed sound with support for Hi-Res Audio streaming (LDAC)
- Fully customizable sound and touch controls via the Soundcore app

Cons:
- Call quality could be better, voices sound slightly muffled
- No wireless charging for the earbuds, only the case
- IPX4 rating limits use in heavy rain/snow

Verdict

With high quality active noise cancellation, excellent battery life, and great sound for the money, the Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are an outstanding value. If you’re looking for an affordable pair of wireless earbuds that deliver on core features, the Space A40 should be at the top of your list. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Specifications

• Drivers: 6mm graphene drivers
• Frequency response: 20Hz - 20KHz
• Bluetooth version: 5.2
• Codecs supported: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Water resistance rating: IPX4
• Battery life:
• Earbuds: Up to 10 hours (ANC on), 15 hours (ANC off)
• Charging case: 40 hours total
• Charging:
• USB-C
• Wireless charging
• 10 mins quick charge = 4 hours playtime
• Noise cancellation depth: Up to 98%
• Microphones: Dual mic noise reduction on each earbud
• Weight: 5.8g per earbud, 50g charging case
• Dimensions:
• Earbuds: 30 x 16 x 24mm
• Charging case: 63 x 46 x 27mm

What’s In the Box

The Soundcore Space A40 box includes:
- Space A40 wireless earbuds
- Charging case
- XS/S/M/L/XL pairs of eartips
- USB-C charging cable
- Quick start guide
- 1-Year Anker Warranty

How to Use

1. Select your preferred eartip size and attach to the earbuds. For the best fit and sound, choose the tip that gives you the most comfortable seal.
2. Place the earbuds in your ears. The left earbud has an L on the touch panel, the right has an R.
3. Press and hold the button on each earbud to turn them on. A voice prompt will confirm the earbuds are powered on.
4. Hold the Bluetooth button on your audio device to pair the Space A40 earbuds. Select ‘Soundcore A3936’ from the list of available devices.
5. Control playback, calls, noise cancellation, and your voice assistant using the on-ear touch panels:
6. Tap once: Play/pause (left earbud), Next/previous track (right earbud)
7. Tap twice: Volume up/down
8. Press and hold: Noise cancellation/transparency mode
9. Double tap and hold: Reject call/call voice assistant
10. Place the earbuds in the charging case to turn them off and charge when not in use. The case lid LED will indicate the case/earbud battery level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standout feature of the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds?

The standout feature of the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds is their exceptional noise reduction capability, reducing ambient noise by up to 98%. This feature ensures that users can enjoy a distraction-free listening experience wherever they go.

How long does the battery last on the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds?

The Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds offer an impressive 50 hours of playtime. With a 10-hour playtime on a single charge and the ability to fast charge for 4 hours of listening with just a 10-minute charge, users can enjoy extended listening sessions without interruption.

Can the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds be used during physical activities?

Yes, the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds are suitable for physical activities. They are designed to fit comfortably in the ears and come with 4 different ear tip sizes to ensure a secure and personalized fit. Additionally, they are IPX4-rated, making them sweat-resistant and suitable for light rain and splashes.

How does the transparency mode work on the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds?

The transparency mode on the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds allows users to hear the outside world while wearing the earbuds. This mode is especially useful in situations where awareness of surroundings is important, such as when commuting or walking outdoors. Users can easily switch between transparency mode and noise cancelling mode to suit their preferences.

Does the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds support wireless charging?

Yes, the charging case of the Soundcore Space A40 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds supports wireless charging, providing users with added convenience. Alternatively, users can also charge the earbuds via a USB-C cable for quick and easy charging.

Tips

• Customize Your Listening Experience: Take advantage of the Soundcore app to customize the settings of your Space A40 earbuds, including adjusting the level of noise cancelling, EQ settings, and touch controls according to your preferences.

• Ensure Proper Fit: Experiment with the different ear tip sizes provided to find the perfect fit for your ears. A proper fit not only ensures comfort but also enhances the effectiveness of the active noise cancelling feature.

• Take Advantage of Multipoint Connection: Stay connected to two devices simultaneously with Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint connection. Easily switch between music, calls, videos, and more on different devices hassle-free.

• Use Transparency Mode Wisely: Switch to transparency mode when you need to be aware of your surroundings while wearing the earbuds. This feature is particularly useful in crowded or outdoor environments where situational awareness is important.

• Maximize Battery Life: To extend the battery life of your earbuds, make sure to fully charge them before use and take advantage of the fast charging feature for quick top-ups when needed. Additionally, store the earbuds in their charging case when not in use to keep them charged and ready for your next listening session.