Anker Soundcore Spirit Pro

The sports headphones are ergonomically shaped, slightly angled, and feature earloop ear hooks that allow the in-ears to be worn not only over the ear but also in the ear canal. On the one hand, this ensures a secure hold, so that the headphones will not fall out, even with fast, jerky movements. The construction also provides protection from the outside world and a comfortable fit that will last for longer periods of use, which is furthered by the low weight of 18g. All in all, the in-ears are well-made and robust, especially as the dust-proof and waterproof production with IP7 certification simplify care and cleaning, as well as protection against weather-related moisture and sweat. The metal cases are also practical and are equipped with magnets so that the headphones can be worn as a chain around the neck when not in use.

One criticism of the sports headphones, however, is the connecting cable element which sits on the neck. It is way too long and causes cable noise when moved. Although a clip is usually included to adjust the length of the cable, it takes patience to find a practical setting due to the extra length. Integrated into the cable element is the 3-button remote control with a microphone, mini-USB socket for charging and the battery. This provides an operating time of ten hours, which is good mileage given the compact design. Remaining battery levels are also available, in conjunction with iOS devices, next to the Bluetooth headphone icon.

Bluetooth Connection

The Soundcore Spirit Pro In-Ears supports Bluetooth version 4.2 and have always provided a stable connection and range of up to ten metres in practical tests with different Android and iOS systems. A trouble-free operation was also possible through several rooms, which is a very satisfactory result. The sports headset is paired by holding down the central button, which turns on the system and then puts it into pairing mode.

Device Control

The 3-button remote allows you to control device functions, such as starting and stopping playback, answering and ending calls, adjusting volume and selecting tracks. It’s also worth mentioning that the buttons are tactile perceptible. As a result, plus and minus buttons are not visibly distinguishable, which greatly simplifies the operation. The central button controls the play/stop function and is used to answer and end phone calls. The volume is adjusted via the plus and minus buttons, but the buttons can also be used for title navigation by pressing the plus button to the next track and jumping backwards and forwards via the minus button. The speech intelligibility when making calls is also very good since the voices of both sides are heard very clearly.

Sound

The Bluetooth in-ears offer good sound quality that meets even the most sophisticated demands, making them suitable for everyday use as well as for sports. The sound appears balanced and harmonious, although the bass is certainly present. However, as the bass is not dominant, the mid and high frequencies have ample room and the sound seems voluminous thanks to the space provided to them. If you want to increase the bass during intensive sports sessions, you have the option to switch to the “Boost” mode, which is done by simultaneously holding down the central multi-function and plus button. In this mode, the upper bass and lower mids are raised, bringing vocals to the forefront. Qualitatively, this playback mode cannot compete with the basic setting, which is why I would only recommend it for sports and for listening to music in a very noisy environment. However, I think the idea of equipping a sports headphone with a boost function is very welcome.