Soundcore C40i by Anker

What you get

The C40i open-ears come with a charging case with a USB-C port and a short charging cable (USB-A to USB-C). There is no wireless charging option. There is also a quick start guide and two pairs of L and M earclips, which can be used to narrow the headphones that clip onto the earcups to ensure an optimal fit.

Compared to the C30i, the flexible joints on the ear buds have been redesigned so that they don’t pinch the ear so uncomfortably, but instead exert a gentle but firm pressure on the cartilage that doesn’t hurt after hours of use.

I was also impressed by the ‘jewellery’ design on the ear, as the buds can be easily pushed and twisted into the optimum position in front of the ear canals and remain there fairly securely – unless you wear them under a cap and move around a lot, in which case the C40i quickly move out of the ‘sweet spot’, with a significant loss of sound.

Thanks to their IPX4 rating, the Soundcore C40i are well protected from the elements, so there’s no need to hide them under a hat or hood when it starts to rain.

C40i tech features

The C40i’s 12 x 17 mm Racetrack drivers come with Bluetooth 5.4 and SBC and AAC codecs. Pairing is quick and easy once the charging case is opened. Pressing the buttons on both buds for three seconds also initiates the process. Two units can be paired simultaneously as the C40i is multi-point capable. The range is 25 metres in open space, and well into the next room indoors, although the manual claims a 10-metre range.

Battery and play time

The Soundcore C40i has a battery life of at least seven hours at medium volume, and because they sit so comfortably, I managed to play them until they were just about empty. The case then allows for two charging cycles, for a total of 21 hours. Thanks to the quick charge option, you can get two hours of entertainment from a 10-minute charge.

Controls and Soundcore app

Soundcore has made a further improvement to the earphones since the C30i, replacing the touch panel with two buttons that have a distinct pressure point for better control of start/stop, skip and volume.

These controls can be customised using the Soundcore app, which we strongly recommend you install, along with the wizards and phone controls.

The app gives the Soundcore C40i an 8-band EQ with three different presets and a 3D surround circuit.

You can also manage the multipoint – Soundcore calls it ‘dual connection’. Here you can specify which two devices are to remain connected at all times, or you can turn this feature off completely. I don’t think the latter is a bad idea, because whenever I’m connected to my phone and computer and then walk around with my phone, I get pairing and unpairing notifications from the computer, which is out of range.

The app can also be used to update the firmware and access extensive support for the C40i – including how-to videos. Nice touch.

Sound of the C40i

While the sound doesn’t quite match that of in-ear headphones, the clip-on buds deliver plenty of punch and fullness. You can adjust this to your liking using the sound controls in the app.

You shouldn’t expect deep bass, but overall I found the sound pleasantly balanced across the entire range. However, if you want to practise analytical listening, these open ears are not the right choice.

What I find more fascinating is the new listening experience created by the ‘mix’ of the outside world and the music or audio book. Sometimes it’s as if you’re sitting in the same room, listening to the person across from you, and yet there’s a radio playing in the background that you can concentrate on. All in all, it feels very natural to me, and because the ear canals remain clear and ventilated, your ears hardly get tired even after several hours.

This can be a problem when you’re in a noisy environment – in the city, on the street, on a train. Outside noise can drown out the music, and even with the volume on the C40i set at 100 per cent, it is impossible to hear what is being played. Conversely, the open design also allows a lot of sound to be emitted into the environment, so other people can hear you very well in a quiet environment.

Making phone calls with the C40i

Thanks to AI support, the C40i does a good job of filtering out background noise in noisy environments, ensuring that the person you are calling can hear you clearly. Conversely, as with listening to music in a noisy environment, if it’s too loud I can hear little or nothing from the caller. You have to go back to holding the phone to your ear and making calls the old-fashioned way. On the other hand, calls in a quiet environment are clear and good for everyone involved.

The bottom line

Compared to the C30i, the Soundcore C40i is a successful update that makes many things better and shows that open-ear headphones are undergoing an interesting development. Modern features such as 3D audio and cleverly controlled multipoint have been introduced, and app integration is also very good. In terms of sound, there has been a significant improvement. Even if the bass doesn’t quite reach in-ear levels, the overall impression is balanced and well characterised. With a more natural sound and very comfortable to wear, the Open Ears also offer unique selling points that closed concepts simply don’t have. At 99 euros, the Soundcore C40i are definitely worth a try.