STEREO GUIDE verdict
80% 80%
+ balanced tuning
+ rich, deep bass and high maximum level for the size
+ automatic sound adjustment via gyro sensor
+ simple, but good app
- Bass-up function can overload the speaker depending on the track and volume
Sound: tonal balance / transparency
7.3
Sound: Bass / Dynamics
7.4
Ease-of-use / Connectivity
8.3
Price/Performance
9.1
With its Soundcore line, Anker stands for affordable but good Bluetooth speakers. The new Soundcore Motion 300 is priced at just around 90 euros. Available in blue, green and black, the mobile speaker makes a very solid, high-quality impression. This is not only due to the seamless housing covered in rubber-like plastic with its metal grill. It is waterproof to IPX7. The positive image is also characterized by the weight. At 830 grams, the Motion 300 is quite heavy for its compact dimensions of 20 x 9.3 x 5 cm.
Anyone who assumes that the impressive weight means huge battery capacities for long runtimes is at least partly right. At up to 13 hours, the operating time until the next charge via the supplied, sufficiently long USB-C cable is still longer than the bestseller JBL Flip 6. The dual-channel Bluetooth speaker provides a total output power of 30 watts for its two full-range speakers. To achieve a deeper bass, Soundcore uses passive radiators between the two active drivers. To boost the lower frequencies, there is also a bass-up button on the low-contrast but illuminated keypad on the top.
If you want to intervene more deeply in the frequency response, you can do so in the Soundcore app. There is also a QR code on the back of the paper sleeve, which also functions as a quick guide, for downloading the free software from the Apple App Store or Google Play
The Soundcore app is convincing
The app is simple, but good. Although you are encouraged to register with an account with the manufacturer, you can skip this step. Then you can only save your equalizer settings locally, but everything else works perfectly. The highlight is the automatic position detection via gyro sensor in the Soundcore Motion 300. The manufacturer calls it “Smart Tune”. If you activate this very useful function in the app, you will notice significant sound improvements. Regardless of whether the small Bluetooth speaker is standing, lying down or hanging from its small detachable strap – the appropriate equalization for the frequency response is always used. Users can also save their own EQ settings for each length. A graphic 9-band equalizer is available in the app for this purpose. It should also be mentioned that the automatic download and installation of the latest operating software on the Motion 300 was record-breakingly fast.
It can be heard: The Soundcore in soundcheck
During the listening test, it was not only the astonishment at the labeling on the top of the Soundcore Motion 300 that caused a broad smile. If you place the Bluetooth speaker with its small, color-contrasting rubber feet on the table, the lettering is upside down. The sound was even more fun than pondering the logic of this prank. The sound tuning of the Anker Soundcore was really convincing. The sensitive mids in particular are balanced and reproduce voices quite pleasantly for this class despite a somewhat metallic aftertaste at times. The treble is not too intrusive, yet clear and relatively well resolved. For the small dimensions, however, the bass also stands out positively. Not only do they sound rich and have a precise punch, they can also differentiate relatively well between different notes.
Nevertheless, Soundcore has added a bass-up button to the Motion 300. This does have an effect, but not necessarily for the better. On the Depeche Mode album “Memento Mori”, it overlaid and smeared the lower mids in our review. With the classic “Unfinished Sympathy” by Massive Attack, it kicked quite impressively, but depending on the level, it was close to choking. All in all, however, this Bluetooth speaker, which is available for less than 100 euros, delivered a strong performance in terms of level, precision and bass foundation, especially in view of its small dimensions.
For those who want to listen in true stereo, there is the option of pairing two Motion 300s as a TWS stereo speaker pair directly via the buttons on the speakers. And if you use a smart device with Android version 8 or higher, you can use the Hi-Res Audio-certified LDAC codec. This avoids any worries that a nuance of sound might be lost on the way to the small U-100 Euro speaker with its tiny full-range drivers.
Soundcore Motion 300: Conclusion and alternatives
It’s not just the price that’s right about this speaker. In addition to impeccable workmanship, there is a simple but useful app and the sound is also impressive considering the size class. We were particularly impressed by the bass and the achievable maximum volume. A similarly conceived Bose Soundlink Flex does not have the really only slightly harsh aftertaste perceptible in some vocal ranges. But it costs almost twice as much in the price list. The automatic sound adjustment “Smart Tune” with position detection is a real highlight.
Technical Specifications: Anker Soundcore Motion 300
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 90 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 20 x 9.3 x 5 cm
- Weight: 830 g
- Battery life up to 13 hours
- Special features: Bluetooth version: 5.3, LDAC, SBC und MPEG2 AAC LC, waterproof according to protection class IPX7, stereo pairing
- More at: www.soundcore.com
- Review: Bose Soundlink Flex
