STEREO GUIDE verdict
The Anker SoundCore 2 impresses as an affordable Bluetooth bestseller with its robust design, powerful battery and surprisingly good sound - despite minor weaknesses in vocals.
Pros
- Very good price-performance ratio
- Well-balanced sound with powerful bass
- Compact, robust and waterproof (IPX5)
- Long battery life
Cons
- Voices seem slightly artificial
- No Bluetooth 5, no app functions
- Sound limited at higher levels
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Tonal balance / transparency5.4
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Bass / Dynamics5
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UsabilityPerformance10
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Practice / Connectivity8.5
The Anker SoundCore 2 is no longer a newcomer, but its popularity is unbroken. For years, it has been at the top of the bestseller lists on Amazon and is regularly hailed as a price-performance miracle in forums. Can a Bluetooth speaker for around 50 euros list price, which is now often available for half that price, really convince – and does it deliver what the buyer reviews promise? We have critically reviewed the small Chinese bestseller.
Processing and design
As soon as you unpack it, you notice that the SoundCore 2 doesn’t look cheap. At 413 grams, it is pleasantly compact and the housing, which is available in black, red or blue, is seamlessly encased in a robust rubber casing. The front is protected by a sturdy metal grille. Behind it are two full-range drivers powered by a 2 x 6 watt stereo power amplifier plus a passive bass radiator. The whole thing is protected against water to IPX7, making it ideal for the kitchen, bathroom or patio.
The controls are easily accessible on the top. Although the buttons are embedded in rubber and not highlighted in color, their size and clear pressure point make them easy to operate even in the dark. On the right-hand side, the USB charging and 3.5 mm jack connections are concealed under a tight-fitting rubber cover. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to 24 hours, which is achievable in practice at medium volume.
Equipment and operation
The SoundCore 2 remains simple in terms of functionality. It uses Bluetooth 4.2 and pairing is quick and reliable. On the plus side, the volume control and controls on the speaker are synchronized with the smartphone output – something that has not been a given for a long time, even with more expensive models.
Extras such as an app connection, equalizer or multiroom are not available here, but this is acceptable in this price range. However, you can at least pair two of these Bluetooth speakers to form a stereo pair. And there is a built in microphone for telephone calls and voice assistants.
Sound test: Surprisingly good for a small budget
The biggest surprise: the small Anker sounds better than the price would suggest. Voices and instruments are balanced, the bass is surprisingly powerful for its size and weight and remains clean even at higher volumes. Of course, it doesn’t go as low as larger speakers, but it’s perfectly adequate for pop, singer-songwriters and even electronic music.
The trebles are clear without being sharp, and the speaker achieves a decent volume for its size without immediately slipping into booming or distortion. Weaknesses only become apparent with voices: They sound a little artificial, slightly nasal – reminiscent of old portable radios. If you want more naturalness and detail, you have to go for the SoundCore Boost or Pro, which are also more expensive.
Conclusion and alternatives: Anker SoundCore 2
The bestseller status of the SoundCore 2 is no coincidence. For little money, it offers a surprisingly mature performance, solid workmanship and long battery life. In terms of sound, it does not come close to more expensive brand models such as JBL or Bose, but it is in a league of its own, especially for the current discount price. Anyone looking for an affordable, robust and good-sounding small Bluetooth speaker will find it here, at a street price for which you can’t even get a mini Bluetooth speaker like the Go 4 from big brands like JBL.
Technical specifications: Anker Soundcore 2
- Manufacturer’s recommended retail price: 53 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.5 x 4.5 x 5.4 cm
- Weight: 413 g
- Battery life up to 24 hours
- Special features: Bluetooth version: 4.2, waterproof according to protection class IPX7, stereo pairing, analog AUX input, micro USB port, built in microphone for telephone calls and voice assistants
- More at: www.de.soundcore.com
