Spatial Audio, for a very long time, was the function of the costly sensible speaker. The territory of the bigger Sonos Audio system, expensive 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 wonderful 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 price range 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 out there from the Soundcore retailer for $169. That’s round $30 lower than the $199 Movement X600 and places it in an ideal place whenever 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 outfitted with Spatial audio — one thing that comes very a lot within the favor of the Soundcore. You can too 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. It’s bought a retro fashion 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 good factor to take a look at is the lit-up Spatial upfiring speaker grill. It is bought a type of three-dimensional lighting impact that must be seen to be believed — and I feel it seems phenomenal.
It helps that the speaker is constructed nicely 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 satisfying soft-touch coating to make it really feel even higher below 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 enticing lineup certainly.
Soundcore Movement X500: Options
At the beginning is that Spatial Audio — and like final time, it really works a deal with. No, it may not be fairly as spectacular as that which comes from the HomePod 2 or the Sonos Period 300, nevertheless it does add an additional aspect to your music that makes it sound a lot greater than it truly is. Music is widened to a pleasant diploma, giving it that ‘Spatial’ moniker.
This time you’ll be able to’t flip the Spatial Audio off — solely use the button to kind by a collection 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 modifications shade to inform you which EQ you’re utilizing. The EQs are nicely constructed, if slightly bassy, however most can be happy by the ‘greater than it seems’ Spatial Audio.
Bluetooth connection is as simple as coming into pairing mode with the Bluetooth button and connecting by the settings in your iPhone. As soon as paired, you’ll be able to entry the speaker’s additional options utilizing the repeatedly glorious Soundcore app. Right here, you’ll be able to 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 if you happen to’ve bought a lot of completely different Soundcore package then you’ll be able to handle it multi functional place. You’ll be able to 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 isn’t HiFi. It’s excellent, it is very enjoyable, it is very participating, however you wouldn’t hand it to the native audio fanatic and say ‘That is the very best factor I’ve ever heard!’. As an alternative, you’ll play it at events and gatherings, and everybody will inform you “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 beloved 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 scale of a small toaster!’ feeling that makes listening to gadgets 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 utterly 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 sturdy level right here. Girl Gaga’s iconic ‘Rain on Me’ sounds enormous, and hits in all the suitable 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 get together, because the tunes play at prime quantity and annoy the neighbors.
Soundcore Movement X500: Competitors
There’s some powerful 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 bought as a lot bass behind it, however it’s the extra dynamic of the 2 audio system. In the event you’re on the lookout for an ideal speaker for the whole lot, go for the X600. Need one thing large, brash, and ideal for a celebration? Seize the X500.
It compares nicely to different get together audio system as nicely — the UE line is equally bassy and ‘large’ sounding, however the UE Growth and MegaBoom lack the spatial audio of the X500. You’ll be able to join two of the X500 by the app, however the factors there go to the UE fashions — you’ll be able to join as much as 100 audio system collectively for the final word get together expertise. That’s all nicely and good, however you’ve all bought to have UE audio system, and everybody will get entry to the playlist whenever you join them collectively like that. “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, as they are saying.
Soundcore Movement X500: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase it if…
- You LOVE bass
- You actually actually LOVE bass
- You need accessible Spatial audio
- You need an ideal get together speaker
You shouldn’t purchase it if…
- You don’t like an excessive amount of bass
- You wish to join a whole lot of audio system collectively
Soundcore Movement X500: Verdict
The Soundcore Movement X500 is a superb speaker if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing with a great deal of low-end grunt. The seems, construct high quality, and in any other case spectacular sound high quality is by the by, if you would 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 take heed to. Simply don’t put Mozart by it — it doesn’t do nicely with Classical music.
Spatial audio for all
Whereas not essentially the most delicate speaker on this planet, the Soundcore Movement X500 remains to be an excellent strong Bluetooth speaker that offers you large sound from a small field.
