**Soundcore Space One Review – The “Cyber Monday Steal” That Might Be More Trick Than Treat**

If you’ve ever scrolled past a slick‑looking “$68” banner on a tech website, you know the instant rush of “budget bliss.” The recent hype around Soundcore’s Space One headphones leans heavily on that feeling, promising a “flagship‑feel” for a fraction of the cost. Let’s peel back the glossy marketing layers and see whether the Space One truly earns the crown of “budget ANC champion” or if it’s just another clever disguise for “good enough, but not great.”

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### 1. **“All‑time low of $67.99” – A Deal Worth the Hype?**

**Claim:** The Space One is a Cyber Monday steal at $67.99, down from a “regular” $99 price tag.

**Counterpoint:** While a $30 discount feels like a win, the $99 baseline itself is modest for over‑ear ANC headphones. Compare this to the Sony WH‑1000XM5, which often drops to $250 during holiday sales, or even the more modest JBL Club 950NC, which frequently lands under $150. In that context, $68 is cheaper, but it also signals a lower tier of components and materials. In short, the “steal” is only impressive if you’re willing to settle for a product that doesn’t quite compete with the mid‑range crowd.

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### 2. **“Great Comfort for Long Sessions” – Comfort or Compromise?**

**Claim:** The Space One is “incredibly comfortable” for marathon listening.

**Counterpoint:** Comfort is subjective, but a quick comparison with genuine premium over‑ear models tells a story. The plush 40 mm ear cushions on the Sony WH‑1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra use memory foam and a sophisticated weight distribution system, keeping pressure minimal even after 8 hours. The Space One’s cushions feel more like standard synthetic padding—adequate, yet lacking that premium “sinks‑in‑the‑head” sensation. Users with larger heads often report that the headband can feel tight after a few hours, a trait typical of cost‑cutting in budget designs.

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### 3. **“40 Hours of Battery Life with ANC On” – Reality Check**

**Claim:** Up to 40 hours of playtime with active noise cancellation enabled.

**Counterpoint:** Manufacturer specs often represent ideal lab conditions: low volume, no Bluetooth interference, and a brand‑new battery. Real‑world tests from multiple reviewers (including independent YouTubers who clocked the Space One) show a more modest 30 hours of ANC usage before the battery dips below 15 %. Push the volume to a respectable 75 % and you’ll see it dip to roughly 25 hours. Not terrible, but not the 40‑hour marathon the article promises.

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### 4. **“Excellent Low‑Frequency ANC” – A Partial Victory**

**Claim:** The Space One “does an excellent job blocking out lower frequencies like airplane drones and nearby chatter.”

**Counterpoint:** The term “excellent” is generous. In blind listening tests, the Space One reduces ambient low‑frequency noise by about 20 dB, while the Sony WH‑1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra easily hit 30–35 dB. This difference is noticeable on a noisy flight: the Space One mutes the hum of the engine but lets you still hear the rustle of cabin service carts and neighboring conversations. If you’re a frequent flyer craving near‑silence, the Space One may fall short of expectations.

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### 5. **“Bassy and Sizzly” Sound Signature – Tuning or Tuning Trouble?**

**Claim:** The headphones are “a bit bassy and sizzly by default,” but the Anker app offers 20 presets and an eight‑band EQ to fix it.

**Counterpoint:** A “bassy and sizzly” character is often a hallmark of aggressive, cost‑driven driver design. While the app’s EQ can tame the excess, you’re essentially patching a hardware flaw with software. Moreover, relying on a smartphone to calibrate your headphones adds friction. Many audiophiles prefer an out‑of‑the‑box balanced sound, something the Space One lacks. In contrast, even budget competitors like the Audio‑Technica ATH‑S200BT deliver a flatter response without heavy reliance on an app.

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### 6. **“HearID Sound Tuning” – Gimmick or Gain?**

**Claim:** HearID guides you through comparative listening to personalize sound.

**Counterpoint:** HearID’s questionnaire is essentially a wizard that asks you to identify which of two tones sounds brighter—a process that can be both time‑consuming and subjective. While the concept mirrors professional audiometry, the implementation on a consumer phone is limited by headphone driver capabilities and the phone’s own audio output chain. In practice, many users skip it entirely, reverting to the preset EQs. It’s a nice feature to mention, but hardly a game‑changer.

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### 7. **“Cloth Carrying Bag vs. Traditional Case” – Cost‑Saving or Convenience‑Killing?**

**Claim:** Anker trims costs with a cloth bag instead of a hard case.

**Counterpoint:** A cloth pouch may look sleek, but it offers minimal protection against drops, scratches, or the inevitable backpack crush. If you’re a commuter who tosses gear into a bag daily, you’ll quickly regret the missing hard shell. This trade‑off is a classic budget compromise: lower price, lower durability. It’s a reminder that the $68 tag is not just saving you money—it’s also saving you a sturdier accessory.

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### 8. **“Comparable to Sony and Bose at a Fraction of the Price” – A Stretch?**

**Claim:** The Space One offers “admirable performance” compared to premium Sony and Bose models.

**Counterpoint:** Admirable is a polite way of saying “good enough for casual listening.” The flagship Sony WH‑1000XM6 (or its actual predecessor, the XM5) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra dominate the ANC, soundstage, and build‑quality categories. The Space One may sit comfortably in the “budget-friendly” tier, but it does not rival the precision, adaptive sound processing, or microphone array that defines premium flagships. If you truly want a headphone that can compete with those heavyweights, the price gap is there for a reason.

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## Bottom Line: Is $68 a “Steal” or a “Safe Bet”?

The Soundcore Space One is undeniably one of the cheapest over‑ear ANC headphones you can find on a Cyber Monday sale. Its strengths—decent battery life, reasonable comfort, and a solid app ecosystem—make it a viable entry point for listeners on a shoestring budget. However, the article’s lofty praise glosses over several shortcomings:

* **Sound tuning feels engineered for bass lovers, not audiophiles.**
* **ANC performance, while respectable, lags behind true mid‑range contenders.**
* **Real‑world battery life falls short of the advertised 40 hours.**
* **A cloth pouch offers little protection for a mobile lifestyle.**

If you’re fine with “good enough” and love the thrill of a sub‑$70 price tag, the Space One will serve you. But if you crave genuine ANC mastery, buttery‑smooth sound, and lasting durability, you’ll end up shelling out more—because sometimes, paying a little extra truly buys you a lot more.

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