Soundcore Model Zero Bluetooth Speaker by Anker
Sounds as good as it looks. Beautiful aesthetics in this great sounding, carry everywhere premium Bluetooth speaker featuring Hi-Res Audio. Comes with a dedicated 3A power brick with folding prongs, Euro & UK adapters, 6700mAh internal battery and User Manual.
The Model Zero looks like it’s directly competing with the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 Bluetooth Speaker, but with longer playing time (10 hours versus 8 hours with the Onyx Studio 5), Hi-Res Audio support, App customized equalizer and IPX5 water-resistance. Turn it on, you’ll hear an audio tone and it immediately goes into Bluetooth pairing mode. After connection, it will remember that connection and will automatically connect to the last known device. You can connect it to multiple devices at once. Both my Samsung S8 and iPad Air 2 are connected and can stream audio alternately to the Model Zero.
The controls under the grip are clear and intuitive. There’s a BassUp button, -, Play/Pause, + and Bluetooth buttons. The -/+ buttons control the Volume either by pressing on them or long-pressing for quicker adjustments (in the app you can change that to Previous/Next track). You can also control the Model Zero with the Soundcore app (I also use this app with my Soundcore Flare). There are built-in Wave EQ settings (no user customized EQ): Voice, Default, Flat, Chill and the BassUp setting can be turned on or off. A graphical battery indicator is always visible in the connected speaker screen. At the bottom of the app are settings for Standby Time of 15 minutes to 2 hours. When idle and the time is up, the device will turn off. You can also check to see if your speaker has the latest firmware and apply it.
For it’s size, this speakers sound great with four front facing drivers and passive radiators in the front and back. With Hi-Res Audio, the frequency response is broader and delivers clarity to my ears. It is almost like a 360 degree sound, as the audio sounds the same from the front, back or sides. The exterior is covered in a mesh fabric with brushed aluminum accent around the circumference of the Model Zero. A rubberized door in the back conceals an AUX port, a power/charging input port and what looks like a Reset button. Also, I’ve been using the Model Zero as a conference call speakerphone in my home office. Calls are crystal clear. They hear me perfectly without interference and crisp.
I love the look, weight and loud clear sound of the Model Zero. I would have preferred a USB-C connection which would allow me to use any USB-C charger available. And instead of Bluetooth 5.0, I would have rather liked having it work with WiFi and Alexa built-in. Although, I understand the Model Zero+ is the WiFi version with Google Assistant and Chromecast integration. Despite these small caveats, I recommend it if you don’t need or already own a virtual assistant and want a great sounding portable Bluetooth 5.0 speaker that KICKS!
Link: https://amzn.to/2BoQi2Z
