Soundcore Motion X500 Review – Cheaper Much More Bass vs Motion X600 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Anker Soundcore launched the Soundcore Movement X600 earlier this yr which was their first high-fidelity moveable speaker, which has a mix of Hello-Res sound and spatial audio. It is usually the primary moveable Bluetooth speaker with spatial audio that I’m conscious of.

It was extensively well-reviewed, and I personally preferred it, however it drew some criticism for being missing with a number of the low-end bass.

The Soundcore Movement X500 is the most recent mannequin geared up with spatial audio because of the sky” full-range driver. It is a smaller and extra reasonably priced speaker. Nonetheless, additionally it is tuned fairly in another way than the X600. So, for many who had been underwhelmed with the bass on the X600, then the Soundcore Movement X600 might be rather more interesting.

Soundcore Movement X500 Key Options

• 40W whole output with 3 full vary drivers
• Spatial audio with customised algorithm
• Hello-Res Audio licensed with LDAC help
• 9-band EQ for sound customization
• Modern, compact aluminium design
• IPX7 waterproof ranking
• Constructed-in 7.2V/6400mAh battery with 12 hour longevity
• LED lights on Sky Channel
• £40 off pre-orders

Soundcore Movement X500 vs Movement X600 Specification

Design

The Soundcore Movement X500 has an analogous aesthetic to the X600 with the identical engaging colourway, grilled entrance, carry deal with and the upwards-facing “sky” full-range driver.

Reasonably than making it precisely the identical however smaller, the Movement X500 has been squashed right into a taller however much less huge speaker, making it take up much less desk area.

Total, the construct high quality is great, and the general aesthetic is extra engaging than most moveable audio system. From the manufacturers I’ve personally reviewed, it’s only the dearer Marshall audio system that even have a beautiful design.

Set Up and App

The setup is rather like all different Bluetooth audio system, however this additionally helps pop-up and pair.

The Soundcore app means that you can change the EQ, swap the audio to LDAC and improve the firmware.

In the event you speaker is already paired to the cellphone, while you go into the Soundcore app, it ought to robotically recognise it and help you add the speaker.

The EQ pre-set settings are considerably restricted with simply three choices together with:

• Spatial Dynamic
• Bass Enhance

These are completely different to the presets that had been accessible on the X600.

You can too arrange customized EQ choices. Apparently, there’s a scan QR code perform which lets you copy different folks’s EQ choices. I feel that is fairly a good suggestion as I neither have the persistence nor data to optimise an EQ (although I did need to do a bit with this speaker).

Sound High quality

Out of the field, the speaker makes use of the Spatial Signature pre-set, which is unusually flat for Soundcore. After I first tried the speaker in my kitchen, which is sort of a big open area with plenty of exhausting surfaces, I used to be a bit disenchanted with the sound. It sounded prefer it lacked sufficient bass, and I initially assumed this was simply because it’s much less highly effective than the X600.

The next day, I moved it into my workplace, which is smaller. I then used the Soundcore app to change by the presets with me, initially settling for Spatial Dynamic.

In my workplace, with this EQ, it was utterly completely different. It is vitally bass-forward, to the purpose the place I might say it was a bit extreme. It labored nicely with electronica and hip hop, the place you usually need some thumping bass, however transferring between genres, I discovered the bass would overwhelm the opposite frequencies.

I then switched again to Spatial Signature, and it sounded considerably higher. The bass was dialled again, and the general sound was rather more balanced.

With Spatial Signature, the mids had been well-balanced, with vocals and devices having good readability. The treble is rolled off, which avoids any sharpness however on the lack of some element within the increased finish.

Spatial Audio

Identical to the Movement X600, this doesn’t have actual particular audio in the identical approach you’d get from the Sonos Period 300, it’s extra digital spatial audio.

Equally, the general impact of the spatial audio doesn’t actually present a 3D expertise, however it does appear so as to add a bit extra of an immersive sound than with out it on.

There’s clearly a distinction in sound; the bass appears to have a slight enhance and the general sound is healthier.

Soundcore Movement X500 vs Movement X600 Sound High quality

I dug my Soundcore Motion X600 out and positioned them facet to facet to see how they in contrast. The X600 has an extra 10W of energy, with its two woofers being 20W vs 15W.

Naturally, I assumed the X600 could be higher and louder, however it’s a bit extra difficult than that. The presets are utterly completely different, with the X600 having Soundcore Signature as default and the choice for bass enhance.

Even with bass enhance enabled, the bass on the X600 is rather more recessed than the X500.

Making an attempt to get a extra correct comparability, I used a customized EQ for them each and left the settings utterly flat. Issues steadiness out with this, and it’s clear that the EQ is enjoying an enormous function within the sound variations.

With the EQ flat and bass enhance off, the X600 and X500 have an analogous bass stage, however the X600 sounds a bit brighter.

It’s a bit exhausting to say precisely how I really feel concerning the X500 vs the X600 or which is healthier. The EQ performs an enormous function, however utilizing the default pre-set EQ on every speaker, I feel the X600 is extra of a refined speaker total, with the bass being dialled again, it’s a rather more balanced sound.

Nonetheless, I do know the X600 has obtained some flack on Reddit, and a typical criticism is that it lacks an prolonged low bass. For individuals who need extra punch to their bass, the X500 does a surprisingly good job. I’d say it is likely to be a bit extreme with the bass at occasions (actually with the dynamic EQ), however on the whole, I discovered the Spatial Signature achieved a sound profile that was pleasurable to hearken to. It might be much less correct, however it’s a extra energetic, enjoyable sound.

In fact, if you’re prepared to mess around with the EQ then it is best to be capable of get both speaker to sound the way in which you need.

Battery

The Soundcore Movement X500 is rated to have a 12-hour battery, however this shall be diminished if you choose LDAC and/or hearken to excessive volumes.

I’ve not timed it, however I might say I’ve simply acquired over 10 hours per cost.

Whereas I don’t personally have an issue with this battery life, it does fall brief in comparison with many various choices. The Soundcore Movement Increase can final 24 hours, and the Movement Increase Plus lasts 20 hours.

Worth and Various Choices

The Soundcore Movement X500 has an RRP of £170 / $200, and should you pre-order it earlier than 9^th November, you may get £40 off, taking it right down to £130.

The Soundcore Movement X600 is listed at £200, and this additionally has a reduction accessible to buy for £1. The low cost code shall be emailed on the 16^th of November and is for £60, taking it right down to £140.

The lately introduced Movement 300 isn’t actually comparable as it’s fairly small, however that is accessible for £90.

There are a number of wonderful moveable Bluetooth audio system at across the £150 value level, however I’m not conscious of every other model that has spatial audio on a transportable Bluetooth speaker.

Some glorious choices embody:

• Soundcore Movement Increase Plus
  • RRP: £170 – Repeatedly accessible for £130
  • 2x 30w woofer + 2x 10w tweeter for 80W output
  • In the event you don’t care about appears to be like, then you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with the Soundcore Movement Increase Plus. It’s massive, waterproof, sturdy, loud and sounds incredible. It’s most likely the most effective bang to your buck moveable Bluetooth speaker on the market in order for you one thing fairly highly effective.
• Bang & Olufsen Beosound Discover
  • RRP: £170 – Not often discounted however has been as little as £150
  • 2x 1.8” Full Vary Drivers with 2 × 30 W Class D For Full Vary amp for 60W output
  • Effectively reviewed and sturdy, with a wonderful battery life and a comparatively engaging design.
• Final Ears Megaboom 3
  • RRP: £170 – Repeatedly discounted to round £150
  • Two 50mm (2 in), 4 ohm full vary drivers and two 55mm x 86mm passive radiators. Energy is just not listed.
  • One other well-liked, well-reviewed moveable Bluetooth speaker. It’s much less engaging however has good battery life and could be very sturdy.

Total

This speaker was a great case of don’t decide a e book by its cowl. I went into the evaluation understanding the worth and specs and thought I might positively suggest the Soundcore Movement X600 over the X500 primarily based on present reductions.

The X600 is simply £10 extra on the time of writing (5^th of November), so it felt logical to suppose it was going to be a greater purchase.

After utilizing each audio system, I’m left undecided on which I want. I’d argue the X600 is a technically higher speaker with a extra balanced and correct sound profile, however technically, higher doesn’t at all times imply you’ll take pleasure in it extra. The dearth of prolonged low bass and a slight uplift within the treble, it might probably sound slightly sharp.

The X500 has a way more bass-forward V-shaped profile that I feel many individuals will discover extra pleasurable. It may be unbalanced at occasions, in my workplace, the dynamic EQ was solely pleasurable for sure genres, however I discovered the Spatial Signature was glorious for many genres.

Total, I feel the Soundcore Motion X500 is a wonderful moveable speaker with a beautiful design that has a great steadiness of portability and energy. I’ve loved the general sound, with it being a extra energetic and hotter sound in comparison with the X600.

Final replace on 2023-11-07 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API