Design
The Space Q45 headphones might be made primarily out of plastic, but this doesn’t stop them they feel incredibly lightweight and comfortable for longer listening sessions, thanks to premium feeling leather ear cups. It’s also worth noting that the earcups fold flat and inwards for easy storage in the included case. The metal headband itself feels like the strongest part of the headphones, flexing and contracting adequality to fit over almost any head with ease. While it’s usually hard to ask for smaller over ear headphones, the Space Q45 headphones look a little bulky. It’s far from ugly, and the minimal design helps them blend in, but when compared to similarly classed headphones like the Sennheiser HD 450BT Wireless ANC headphones and Sol Republic Soundtrack Pro Over-Ear headphones, they’re simply not as sleek.
The Space Q45 also provides two buttons on each ear cup, with the left ear cup providing both power and noise cancelling buttons and the right ear cup providing a Bluetooth paring and volume rocker. Given the simplicity of each button’s function, it’s incredibly easy to use on the go, even if the buttons themselves are a little smaller than I would have liked.
Performance
Packing in dual 40mm drivers along with Hi-Res Wireless, Hi-Res and LDAC options, the Space Q45 headphones provide an overall balanced level of sound, with an adequate level of bass in most cases. The bass isn’t necessarily lacking on any level, but tends to fade into the background when higher treble frequencies take over. However, I found that overall sound quality was free of any crackling and drop outs, even at maximum capacity, once again providing balanced layers for almost any song type and genre.
ANC compatibility also feels like a standout here, which is usually the case with most over ear headphones. Aside from a snug fit, the Space Q45 headphones claim to black out 98% of external sounds. And for the most part, it succeeds. As I’m typing up this review, I cannot hear the furious clicks of my mechanical keyboard and TV on in the background, making this a great option for work environments where a certain level of consistent background buzz may sit atop your workload.
The ANC does extend to the microphone as well which attempts to block out background noise. This however, does falter slight when in busier public areas or windy conditions, where the microphone seems like it’s coping well, only to be met with a flurry of sudden noises, as if the flood gates have rarely, yet momentarily opened. The Space Q45 headphone also feature both Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection, meaning you can easily switch between anything you’re doing be it listening to music, taking calls or watching videos. If you’re always jumping between gaming consoles, PC’s and mobile devices like I am, this feature most certainly comes in handy.
Battery & Software
The Space Q45 headphones claim to offer up to 65 hours of play time with ANC off, and 50 hours with ANC on. I’m happy to say that this honestly comes close. While I haven’t been subjected to the morning commute in a while, frequent use at home for a handful of hours per day, with ANC on, has lasted me the entire week with room to spare. If battery life does become an issue, a 3.5mm cable comes included for wired use and the included USC-C port will give users an additional 4 hours of playtime from a mere 5 minute charge.
We’re paraphrasing below based on our Space A40 earbuds review, as we believe the software defines the experiences here to the same degree:
In terms of both customisation and functionality, the Soundcore app, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, is essential for gaining the most out of the Space Q45 headphones. In addition to the customisable and dedicated EQ pre-sets, users can switch between normal, ANC and transparency hearing modes, each of which feels incredibly useful in certain situations. While I might activate the ANC at the gym, the transparency mode does come in handy in more public environments where you might need to listen in or be aware of your surroundings.
Verdict & Value
Overall, the Anker’s Soundcore Space Q45 over ear headphones provide solid sound quality with some of the best ANC in its class. Throughout balanced sound quality and incredible battery life, it’s a fantastic option for long workdays and daily commutes, even if the microphone quality can feel a little hit and miss during phone calls. App compatibility also provides seamless insight into customisable EQ options and swift transitions between noise cancelling and transparency modes depending on your situation. They might look and feel a little bulkier than most competing options, but the Space Q45 headphones largely succeed where it counts.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Solid, balanced sound; Comfortable fit,
Lowlights: Plastic build quality leaves a little more to be desired; Microphones can pick up external sounds from time to time; Bass tends to fade out in high treble situations
Manufacturer: Soundcore
Price: A$219.99
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Soundcore.
