Home Reviews ,,,,, Do you want to invest around 200 euros for a very high quality Bluetooth speaker? There are several alternatives but very few (perhaps none) match the new Anker Soundcore Model Zero that our editorial team has had the opportunity to try in recent days.
It is no coincidence that we find ourselves talking once again about this company, which over the years we have tested practically most of the products in the catalog. Precisely for this reason we believe we have a deep experience in this regard that allows us to insert it without hesitation in the list of the best in circulation.
The evolution made is remarkable as are the investments that the company has made in the research and development of its products, with continuous growth and which is bearing its own fruits: whoever browses the pages of Anker's showcase will discover that not there are many product categories present, but those available are often difficult to criticize or even to beat when compared with direct competitors from other companies.
The new Soundcore Model Zero is one of these starting from the refined design and the futuristic lines up to the audio quality, the real strong point of the speaker. The audio is not only powerful but also clean and three-dimensional, surpassing in overall quality products in the same price range and which in the past we have even listed among the best of the genre: one of these is the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2, with which we compared it. We tell you how it went.
The packaging
Let's start by saying that if the intention is to give it as a gift, know that you will not disfigure. The sales box is large, much wider than the size of the speaker and is treated from the outside with silver squiggles and a mirror finish. The package also enhances the technical characteristics of the speaker and the integrated technologies, accompanying everything with images that show some details or place it within a modern furniture that highlights its style.
Inside, the speaker is well protected by a generous cardboard packaging that lifts by means of two fabric tabs. Even this part, which will ultimately be thrown away, has been cared for and made a real jewel for the eyes by a transparent plastic coating that is illuminated by the reflections of the ambient light.
In the package, in addition to the speaker, there is a sachet containing a short user guide where only images accompanied by skimpy indications made of symbols are represented, a wise choice as it eliminates the need to leaf through the classic manual in search of the Italian language (when we're in luck) and makes learning its functions a lot easier.
The power supply is inserted inside a box that reflects the style of the external packaging (metallic curlicues). It is quite small, the shell is smooth and has an American plug: however, there are also the two plugs to adapt it to the Italian / European and Australian sockets that fit together perfectly, without giving the impression of being a buffer solution but rather a intelligent choice dictated by the desire to reduce the number of variants to zero based on the country of dispatch and, at the same time, allow those who buy it to avoid purchasing adapters in which they decide to take it with them on the go.
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How it's made
To appreciate Soundcore Model Zero, simply take it out of the box, an operation facilitated by the shape itself that provides a large and handy handle. It is not very big – it measures approximately 25 centimeters in width-height and about ten in depth – but don't be fooled by appearances like myself, because the power and audio quality is remarkable (but we will talk about this in due time).
Much of the pleasure, we said, is given by the design. It is not the classic Lego barrel or brick to be placed on the shelf and disguised with some plants. Soundcore Model Zero seems to come from the future: circular in shape, has very soft lines and is strongly rounded on each side. The only flat part is the bottom, accompanied by a thick rubber mat that ensures very high stability when placed on a flat surface.
The whole shell is covered in fabric and is perfectly separated in half by a thin metal strip that gives the case a shine, especially if it is placed near a light source. Another strip, this time in rubber-coated polycarbonate, is located in the area inside the handle-hole, below which the control buttons are recessed: they do not protrude but are hidden below this area and are recognizable only by the respective symbol: BASS (to activate or deactivate the BassUp technology), the multifunction key “d”, the volume rocker (the + and – buttons) and the Bluetooth one.
The Soundcore logo is printed on the front while on the back, more or less at the same height, there is a full-bodied rubber cover that protects against water and dust (the case is IPX5 certified, so it also resists splashing water) the entrance for battery charging and 3.5 mm audio jack for connecting an audio source via cable. The speaker on and off button is located on the right edge along the metal plate.
Attached you will find a gallery that shows the parts described more closely. What is certain is that Soundcore Model Zero brings with it a new, fresh, harmonious design that goes well with modern furnishings. Putting it in the living room is a touch of style and in a certain sense it furnishes even when switched off.
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How is it going
Ok, it's beautiful, it's understood, but how does it sound? A recording would not do it justice, so we will try to tell you our impressions as we are used to, that is with words. The writer has for years been a happy owner of the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 speaker (we talked about it here, praising it from the first to the last line) which is sold at approximately the same price as the Soundcore Model Zero. The dimensions are slightly more compact and offers more possibilities for audio input. But what has always made us prefer it to practically any other Bluetooth speaker is the audio quality: there has not been one, more or less expensive or large, that could match the cleanliness of the sound, the coverage of the sound spectrum or volume power in relation to size … so far.
Soundcore Model Zero is the exception that confirms the rule: in its dimensions it proves to be able to do better than others, pushing the frequencies beyond that level of cleanliness and power that until now we had in our ears and used as a standard for the tests of the various speakers .
At maximum volume it fills a 25-30 m2 living room without problems and the sound comes directly into the ears: we put it in a corner and from any other position we were easily reached by our music, with an incredible fullness – always in relation to the size of the cash desk. The credit for this surprising clarity and power – explains the manufacturer – goes to the drivers designed by Scan-Speak (a company that has been building transducers for 45 years), integrated for the first time in the Model series with this product.
The equalization seemed to us practically perfect with any piece of music but the most audiophiles will be able to get something more by adjusting it through their favorite music player or directly from the Soundcore app (for iOS and Android), which also allows you to customize some buttons of the speaker or adjust the standby time according to your preferences.
The BassUp key allows you to activate or deactivate the boost of low frequencies, an effect that is perceptible with practically any piece of music, from those that actually benefit from a boost in this position of the sound spectrum but also, for example, in classical music pieces. instrumental where its activation is sometimes pleasant and makes the songs even more engaging.
Soundcore Model Zero is also Hi-Res Audio certified, which means that it can reproduce the most faithful sound, even higher than CD quality: thanks to the higher sample rate, the music has more nuance and depth and is much more close to what the artists recorded. In fact, our impression with songs of this type (an example that can be useful for some tests can be found in the samples that can be downloaded from the Sony website) is more than positive, leading us to understand that this speaker is able to offer clarity and definition. that previously could only be achieved with complete audio systems.
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Conclusions
We reiterate the same concept we expressed at the beginning: if the budget is around 200 euros, Soundcore Model Zero is perhaps the best choice you can make. Our direct comparison with the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2, among the best in this price range, confirms this, which is outclassed both in terms of sound power at maximum volume level, and in three-dimensionality and purity of sound. , so much so that we also recommend its use as a replacement for an old home stereo system: with the new Anker solution you benefit from a smaller footprint without compromising the sound experience.
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Retail price
Anker Soundcore Model Zero is on sale on Amazon at a price of 179.99 euros. Shipping, by Amazon, is included in the price.
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