Anker Innovations’ premium audio brand soundcore has launched its new wireless headphones, the Space 2, which is now available in the Philippines. The release extends the brand’s footprint in the country’s wireless audio market, where soundcore has built a reputation for feature-packed headphones priced well below flagship competitors.

Priced at P7,995, the Space 2 lands in a competitive midrange noise-canceling segment that includes rivals like Sony’s WH-CH720N and JBL’s Tune 770NC, while sitting far below flagship models such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which typically retail in the Philippines for more than double its price. The headphones can be purchased through the brand’s official website and its online stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop — the country’s dominant e-commerce platforms. Buyers can choose between black and white colorways.

“Designed to deliver first-class comfort, the Space 2 combines intelligent noise cancellation, immersive audio, and all-day wearability to offer big sound and long battery life at great value — keeping pace with everything from daily commutes and workdays to long flights and travels,” the brand said.

At the core of the headphones is four-stage noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts to surrounding conditions, reducing low-frequency sounds such as city traffic and airplane engines. Adaptive, app-customizable noise cancellation was once the domain of premium models but has increasingly trickled down to the midrange tier where the Space 2 competes. Users can fine-tune their listening experience through an eight-band equalizer in the soundcore app.

“Complementing its immersive audio is an equally thoughtful design for all-day comfort. Its ergonomic over-ear design features soft memory foam padding that naturally adapts to different head shapes, delivering a secure yet cushioned fit that stays comfortable for hours,” soundcore said.

“Integrated controls on the ear cups provide quick access to playback, volume, power, and a customizable multi-function button that can switch noise-canceling modes or be programmed for features such as soundcore’s AI assistant Anka, real-time translation, and other shortcuts.”

The AI assistant and real-time translation options reflect a broader industry shift, as audio makers increasingly embed artificial intelligence capabilities — from adaptive noise cancellation to live translation — to differentiate their devices.

For voice calls, the Space 2 is equipped with three AI-enhanced microphones that reduce background noise while isolating the user’s voice for clarity. Bluetooth 6.1 lets users stay connected to both a smartphone and a laptop simultaneously — a multipoint capability that has become common on higher-end headphones — and the headphones also include a Smart Wearing Detection feature.

Battery life reaches up to 50 hours of playback with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled and up to 70 hours with ANC turned off, surpassing the manufacturer-rated runtimes of flagship models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which are rated at roughly 24 to 30 hours with ANC on. The headphones charge via USB-C and come with an AUX cable and a protective carrying pouch.

— Bettina V. Roc