Spatial Audio, for a very long time, was the characteristic of the costly sensible speaker. The territory of the bigger Sonos Audio system, pricey soundbars, and the HomePod 2. SoundCore, the audio offshoot of Anker, shifted the dial on the Spatial audio availability matrix and introduced the usual to the plenty with the superb Movement X600, a Bluetooth speaker with a premium construct, depraved audio, and that all-important Spatial audio.
Now, the agency has turned the dial once more, and given us extra funds brilliance within the type of the Movement X500, a speaker that additionally packs in Spatial audio for a barely lower cost and a smaller footprint.
Soundcore Movement X500: Worth and availability
The Soundcore Movement X500 is on the market from the Soundcore retailer for $169. That’s round $30 lower than the $199 Movement X600 and places it in a fantastic place if you have a look at the Bluetooth speaker panorama.
That stacks it up in opposition to audio system from the likes of UE, which don’t come geared up with Spatial audio — one thing that comes very a lot within the favor of the Soundcore. You too can seize one from Amazon, for a similar worth.
Soundcore Movement X500: Construct and elegance
Just like the X600 that got here earlier than it, I actually like the way in which that the X500 seems to be. It’s acquired a retro type with its deal with and metallic end that units it aside from its competitors, and the buttons on prime mix in with a flush floor.
The best factor to take a look at is the lit-up Spatial upfiring speaker grill. It is acquired a sort of three-dimensional lighting impact that must be seen to be believed — and I believe it seems to be phenomenal.
It helps that the speaker is constructed effectively too. There are metallic bits all over to make it really feel premium, and the plastic that the remainder of it’s made out feels sturdy and chunky. In some elements (the bits that you just contact) it is coated with a lovely soft-touch coating to make it really feel even higher underneath the finger — and it succeeds.
All of it provides as much as a speaker that appears nice in a room and appears like one thing that prices excess of it truly does. The Movement X line is shaping as much as be a really engaging lineup certainly.
Soundcore Movement X500: Options
In the beginning is that Spatial Audio — and like final time, it really works a deal with. No, it won’t be fairly as spectacular as that which comes from the HomePod 2 or the Sonos Period 300, however it does add an additional factor to your music that makes it sound a lot larger than it truly is. Music is widened to a pleasant diploma, giving it that ‘Spatial’ moniker.
This time you may’t flip the Spatial Audio off — solely use the button to type by way of a sequence of preset EQs. There’s a heat one, a extra impartial one, and an excellent heat one. A pleasant contact — the sunshine within the up-firing grill adjustments colour to let you know which EQ you’re utilizing. The EQs are effectively constructed, if a little bit bassy, however most will likely be happy by the ‘larger than it seems to be’ Spatial Audio.
Bluetooth connection is as straightforward as getting into pairing mode with the Bluetooth button and connecting by way of the settings in your iPhone. As soon as paired, you may entry the speaker’s further options utilizing the constantly glorious Soundcore app. Right here, you may change the EQ, and extra importantly, customise it to your liking, alongside checking and altering energy settings and different gubbins. It actually is a superb app, and should you’ve acquired plenty of completely different Soundcore package then you may handle it multi functional place. You possibly can even change the colour of the sunshine on prime to something you need. Good.
Soundcore Movement X500: Sound High quality
Let’s get one factor out of the way in which first — the Movement X500 is just not HiFi. It’s excellent, it’s extremely enjoyable, it’s extremely participating, however you wouldn’t hand it to the native audio fanatic and say ‘That is one of the best factor I’ve ever heard!’. As an alternative, you’ll play it at events and gatherings, and everybody will let you know “WOW! That a lot clear, bassy sound coming from a small field like that? That’s fairly cool”.
The X500 is extraordinarily bassy. Whereas this isn’t to my style, everybody else I performed it for cherished its wealthy decrease tones and punchy bass. I don’t thoughts the bass being so ahead on this case — as a result of the mids and the upper register is so clear. Certain, it’s not as emphasised as I’d like, however there’s sufficient to make me really feel like I’ve been considerably catered to. I even managed to make an EQ that I actually loved — even whether it is on the bassier finish of the spectrum.
Give it a whirl with some drum and bass and also you’ll quickly see what I imply. The hi-hats in Jonny Ls Piper are simply as tight and crisp as you’d hope, and but the bass notes nonetheless pump away for that ‘I can really feel it in my chest… Wait, that factor’s the dimensions of a small toaster!’ feeling that makes listening to units like this a lot enjoyable.
Keep away from classical music, and head straight for some extra enjoyable with Biceps Glue, and also you’ll discover extra of the identical. The drums are sufficient to not be fully overtaken by the huge bass, after which it kicks in for some bouncing enjoyable. Adore it.
Different genres are good too — pop is one other robust level right here. Woman Gaga’s iconic ‘Rain on Me’ sounds enormous, and hits in all the precise methods. The vocals are crystal clear, and the bass is large. Certain, there’s not a lot element, however when it is this a lot enjoyable, you gained’t thoughts. And neither will the remainder of the social gathering, because the tunes play at prime quantity and annoy the neighbors.
Soundcore Movement X500: Competitors
There’s some robust competitors, not least from the Movement line itself. The X600 solely prices round $30 extra, however does sound higher and goes louder. It’s not fairly acquired as a lot bass behind it, however it’s the extra dynamic of the 2 audio system. In the event you’re searching for a fantastic speaker for every part, go for the X600. Need one thing large, brash, and ideal for a celebration? Seize the X500.
It compares effectively to different social gathering audio system as effectively — the UE line is equally bassy and ‘large’ sounding, however the UE Increase and MegaBoom lack the spatial audio of the X500. You possibly can join two of the X500 by way of the app, however the factors there go to the UE fashions — you may join as much as 100 audio system collectively for the final word social gathering expertise. That’s all effectively and good, however you’ve all acquired to have UE audio system, and everybody will get entry to the playlist if you join them collectively like that. “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, as they are saying.
Soundcore Movement X500: Must you purchase it?
You can purchase it if…
- You LOVE bass
- You actually actually LOVE bass
- You need accessible Spatial audio
- You need a fantastic social gathering speaker
You shouldn’t purchase it if…
- You don’t like an excessive amount of bass
- You need to join a whole lot of audio system collectively
Soundcore Movement X500: Verdict
The Soundcore Movement X500 is a superb speaker should you’re searching for one thing with a great deal of low-end grunt. The seems to be, construct high quality, and in any other case spectacular sound high quality is by the by, if you’d like bass and plenty of it, then that is the speaker for you.
It’s priced rather well, and a great deal of enjoyable to hearken to. Simply don’t put Mozart by way of it — it doesn’t do effectively with Classical music.
Spatial audio for all
Whereas not probably the most delicate speaker on the earth, the Soundcore Movement X500 remains to be an excellent stable Bluetooth speaker that offers you large sound from a small field.