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@tidy_elm_48 · Owner-reported
Owned over 2 years · Still using it: sometimes · Posted
Mic quality ok at purchase but significantly degrades over first 12 months. The 2 I owned had this issue. Disqualifies claim as smart bargain purchase. Case lid closure frustratingly poor. ALWAYS opens and buds scatter like mice when dropped from dining table height.
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Great noise canceling and EQ options at a relatively low price.
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 90% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 93 of the 260 we've cataloged.
Would not buy it again; still uses it sometimes.
Owned over 2 years.
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 242 of 260 we've cataloged.
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 240 of 260 we've cataloged.
IPX4 is the most common — on 36% of the 239 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 260).
Active is the most common — on 60% of the 177 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 260).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -1.3 |
| 25 | -0.5 |
| 32 | 0.1 |
| 40 | 0.3 |
| 50 | 0.2 |
| 63 | -0.3 |
| 80 | -1.1 |
| 100 | -2.1 |
| 125 | -3.3 |
| 160 | -4.5 |
| 200 | -4.6 |
| 250 | -4.0 |
| 315 | -3.0 |
| 400 | -1.4 |
| 500 | -1.6 |
| 630 | -0.9 |
| 800 | -0.5 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 1.2 |
| 1600 | 2.5 |
| 2000 | 4.0 |
| 2500 | 5.6 |
| 3150 | 5.3 |
| 4000 | 1.4 |
| 5000 | 0.0 |
| 6300 | -0.7 |
| 8000 | 1.7 |
| 10000 | -3.1 |
| 12500 | -8.9 |
| 16000 | -8.0 |
| 20000 | -28.5 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -2.0 |
| 26 | 0.9 |
| 33 | 1.8 |
| 41 | 1.8 |
| 52 | 2.3 |
| 65 | 2.7 |
| 82 | 3.1 |
| 103 | 4.3 |
| 130 | 1.7 |
| 163 | 3.8 |
| 205 | 4.6 |
| 259 | 6.0 |
| 325 | 7.5 |
| 410 | 13.3 |
| 516 | 12.0 |
| 613 | 8.1 |
| 772 | 13.7 |
| 972 | 14.2 |
| 1220 | 17.9 |
| 1540 | 19.8 |
| 1940 | 22.8 |
| 2440 | 26.4 |
| 3070 | 24.6 |
| 3870 | 24.8 |
| 4870 | 24.8 |
| 6130 | 28.3 |
| 7720 | 35.8 |
| 9720 | 41.5 |
| 12200 | 34.6 |
| 15400 | 28.6 |
| 19400 | 37.2 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.6 |
| 26 | 13.2 |
| 33 | 21.9 |
| 41 | 31.8 |
| 52 | 38.8 |
| 65 | 37.5 |
| 82 | 36.6 |
| 103 | 39.2 |
| 130 | 22.4 |
| 163 | 24.1 |
| 205 | 25.5 |
| 259 | 24.0 |
| 325 | 20.9 |
| 410 | 22.8 |
| 516 | 16.2 |
| 613 | 11.2 |
| 772 | 19.1 |
| 972 | 18.7 |
| 1220 | 22.0 |
| 1540 | 23.2 |
| 1940 | 24.4 |
| 2440 | 25.6 |
| 3070 | 26.7 |
| 3870 | 24.6 |
| 4870 | 22.1 |
| 6130 | 23.8 |
| 7720 | 27.8 |
| 9720 | 41.8 |
| 12200 | 31.0 |
| 15400 | 26.1 |
| 19400 | 34.1 |
The verdict
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 has effective noise canceling and consistent audio output across the frequency range, with 22 EQ presets to choose from in the Soundcore app. For just under $100 USD, the Soundcore Space A40 has something for everyone.
✓Liked: Noise canceling, Sound quality, Tons of EQ options, IPX4 water resistance
✕Could be better: Hinges on case aren't secure, Microphone is just okay
What a reader who owns the Anker Soundcore Space A40 reports after living with it. Owner-reported, checked before publishing; ordered photo-verified first, then newest.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
1 owner note
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned over 2 years · Still using it: sometimes · Posted
Would not buy againMic quality ok at purchase but significantly degrades over first 12 months. The 2 I owned had this issue. Disqualifies claim as smart bargain purchase. Case lid closure frustratingly poor. ALWAYS opens and buds scatter like mice when dropped from dining table height.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSoundcore, please bring this feature back to earbudsEarbud cases don’t need flashy screens or gimmicks. One of the most useful features I’ve tested is way simpler: a built-in phone stand.
Adam BirneyManaging Editor288 people rated the Soundcore Liberty 5 microphone – here's what they saidWe asked, you told us: see how the Soundcore Liberty 5 microphone is rated by the people.
Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThese budget earbuds have better battery life than the AirPods Pro 2We tested these new budget earbuds in our SoundGuys testing lab, and they stand out in one key metric compared to AirPods.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerCan $100 earbuds sound better than $300 earbuds? We ran tests to find out.We compared the Soundcore Liberty 5 with the Sony WF-1000XM5 to see if a higher price tag gets you better sound.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThese have better ANC than AirPods – and they cost lessWe just tested the latest budget wireless earbuds to come through our lab, and they beat the AirPods 4 in one key area.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Battery in real life — better than expected
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Noise cancelling in the real world — worse than expected
