>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<
INTRO:
ANKER has always been well known for manufacturing peripherals and accessories, but it has created a division in the company that is responsible for manufacturing bluetooth earphones, the Soundcore.
With the proposal to bring more TrueWireless/TWS earphones for 2024, today I bring an earphone from Soundcore by ANKER, model P20i.
The P20i was tested with a Motorola Z3 Play, and a DAP FiiO M11S.
Price: $29 USD
Colors: Black, White, and Blue
Model used: Black
ANKER Links:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCLwL5B
SPECIFICATIONS:
– (1) 10mm Dynamic Driver
– Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 16Ω
– Rated output power: 5mW
– Touch Controls
– Bluetooth 5.3
– Codecs: AAC, SBC
– Signal range: 10 meters / 33ft
– Voice assistant
– Soundcore App – 22 EQ presets
– Low latency mode: Game
– Waterproof level (Earbuds): IPX5
– AI for enhance calls – 2 Mics
– Battery life: 10 hours (earphones) + 30 hours (case)
– Compatible OS: Android and iOS
– Charging time Up to 2 hours
– Fast Charging – 10 min = 2h of playtime
– Earphones battery: 60 mAh
– Case battery: 430 mAh
– Charging via cable (USB-C)
– USB-C power supply: input 5V 0.43A
– Case size: 5.2cm [H] × 5.8cm [W] × 2.7cm [D]
– Weight: 4.3g (one side)(with tips)
– Case weight: 47.6g (with earphones)
– Total weight (box, earphones, etc): 101.7g
– Packaging size: 10cm [H] x 10cm [W] x 3.9cm [D]
UNBOXING:
PHYSICAL ASPECTS:
Eartips. There were 3 pairs of silicone eartips, 2 pairs are of the same type, and a third pair that is different from the other two. Strange, but that’s how the kit came. Sizes S/M/L, I used the size L to evaluate the earphone (precisely the ones that are “different”). I liked all the eartips, they are of good quality, I didn’t see the need to change for eartips from third-party companies… unless in case of loss, then I would recommend the SpinFit CP1025, I tested here and they were very good (they fit easily inside the earphone case).
Construction. I really liked the design, mainly because they put the internal part in black piano and the external part in matte black, so the Touch place doesn’t get full of fingerprint marks. The stems have a nice size, and are smooth, which facilitates gesture control. The earphone nozzle is round, which in my opinion is ideal, much better than oval nozzle (see what I commented about in the review of the Moondrop Space Travel). The quality of the plastic used is good, for a TWS in the range of $20-30 USD, I have nothing to complain about, I even found the quality of the P20i better than the Space Travel.
The case (or charging case). The case is common, but I consider it practical and efficient. Positive points, it is easy to remove and put the earphones from the base, it has plenty of space internally, it is light, compact (a little bigger than the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 case), it has an RGB LED on the front that indicates the battery status, the USB-C input is at the back (which allows charging in the original position of the case), it has a good amount of charge (30h according to the manufacturer). Not so positive points, the pairing only happens when you take the earphones out of the case, instead of being when we open the case lid. The case lid also seems to be a bit fragile (weakest part of the product), and makes a strong “clack” (noise) when we close the lid.
Bluetooth signal connectivity. The signal range was good, I was able to go a distance of approx. 10 meters. I did a test inside my residence and I found that the performance was better in a straight line, in the sense of having fewer obstacles between the earphone and the device, this is because when the number of walls increased, the signal started to cut. For use close to the device, the signal stability is great.
About the Touch of the earphone, I found that the touch controls are very responsive, I had no problems when I executed the commands.
Attention: This product doesn’t have ANC or Ambient mode (transparency).
Latency (delay) test. The P20i has in the App the option for you to choose the Game mode, which in practice would be a low latency mode. In my tests here, without the Game mode activated, I found that the sync was like 99.99% good (this detail for music is indifferent). Already with the Game mode activated, I found that it was 100% sync between the image and the sound.
Mono mode. This feature is the possibility of using only one earphone while the other can be stored in the case. If by chance you take out the one that was in the case, it makes the automatic pairing and the sound returns to be stereo.
Soundcore application. The P20i has an application for smartphone (Android and iOS). As usual, I will put the screenshots and everything is already self-explanatory:
When the Game mode is in operation, the equalizer is unavailable for use. But if you are interested in using Game mode + some EQ preset, you just need to select the EQ preset before activating the Game mode, and your preset will work easily, I tested here and it worked.
The EQ preset also remains on the earphones even if you pair another Bluetooth device, I tested with my notebook and the preset remained.
In total there are 22 EQ presets: Soundcore Signature; Soundcore Signature + BassUp; Acoustic, Bass Reducer; Classic; Podcast; Dance; Deep; Electronic; Flat; Hip-Hop; Jazz; Latin; Lounge; Piano; Pop; R&B; Rock; Small Speaker(s); Spoken Word; Treble Booster; Treble Reducer.
The “Find Device” part is not by Geolocation, what happens is a “beep” sound for you to try to listen to where the sound is coming from. Old method to locate wireless phones, although here in the P20i the sound will be much lower.
It is possible to make some customizations through the App to change the gesture controls of the earphone. Although they aren’t big customizations, but I think it was possible for example, to configure to down or up the volume directly by the earphones, something that I didn’t find in the Moondrop Space Travel.
Microphones. I did a test with a voice recording App and I found that the audio quality was good/ok. In my understanding, it was possible to understand everything I said in the recording, although I think the sound came out a bit “warm” and a little muffled. In this sense, the quality with the Space Travel was even better. When I did the test with a fan close to my face, then the audio quality was terrible, impossible to understand any word, a lot of noise captured in the recording.
Fit. I found the fit good, it was stable in my ears. I would say that this fit is ok if you are going to use the earphones in your home or office, I don’t recommend for use in physical activities, this is something very subjective, but for me, I think that this format is vulnerable to come out of the ear more easily. I found the insertion medium/shallow, and the isolation good/ok.
The comfort I found good, the earphone is light and very anatomical, the body is already a little smaller than the Moondrop Space Travel, which for me is more comfortable for use in long sessions. I usually don’t go beyond 2-3h of continuous use, so, within this time, I didn’t feel any pressure point.
Accessories. In addition to the mentioned eartips, comes a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge the earphones. The case comes with a cord to hold (can be removed).
User manual here at this link.
SOUND ASPECTS:
The sound of the Soundcore By Anker P20i is understood as L-Shape. Although the earphone has some mids and treble, the sound profile is basically a decreasing scale, where the highest frequency is in the bass, and consequently, the sound decreases to the mids, and then to the treble.
The earphone was evaluated in “Soundcore Signature” mode, which is the standard mode of the earphone, without BassUp activated. The P20i has other equalization presets that you can apply, in my tests, I found the preset of the “Classic” mode interesting, which makes the sound of the earphone lean towards the V-Shape, that is, a more energetic sound. And from the preset that I found quite bad, I would say that the “Deep” mode, the sound is very dark, with little definition. I can’t evaluate each EQ preset, otherwise this evaluation would be larger than usual.
Bass:
Quantitative: I understand the level of the bass as moderate to high. It is the region of greatest prominence in the P20i. Certainly, this is a TWS for those who prefer the bass to be the main thing, even though it is not a very high bass earphone, even by the volume level that the earphone reaches. I think there is a balance between sub-bass and mid-bass, both regions have good presence. I didn’t feel roll-off, the bass has good extension.
Qualitative: The bass of the P20i is warm, has a good impact, good texture, has a good/ok definition, has mass, has body, has a bit of physicality. I think it stands out better with bass that comes from electric instruments than acoustic instruments. If you are looking for a cleaner and more delineated bass, then the P20i wouldn’t be the best choice, the fun here is what counts. For me, the P20i will better serve genres like EDM, POP, Rock, Metal, Hip-Hop. For example, guitar riffs are warmer, and percussion beats are more “softened”. They are not boomy bass, nor swollen bass, I just think that in some recordings the bass presents a bit muffled, and also tend to compete with the mids (but don’t invade). In my opinion, the bass of the P20i stands out more than those of the Moondrop Space Travel.
Mids:
Quantitative and Qualitative: Here things are reversed, the mids of the Space Travel stand out more, since the mids of the P20i are more recessed. Fortunately, the earphone has a sufficient amount of upper-mids, which makes it come out of the dark earphone zone. Remember that I am evaluating the earphone with the stock preset but with the other presets, it is possible to improve this (or get worsen). Qualitatively the mids of the P20i are good, smooth and with good definition, good transparency. It is not the last drop in terms of detailing, but we are talking about an earphone of approx. R$100 reais ($20 USD on promo).
Voices: In my understanding, the voices with lower timbres performed better. The female/high-pitched voices were not bad, but I think that the male/low voices can extract more potential with the P20i. Baritone and low voices gain body.
Treble:
Quantitative: The treble of the P20i I found to be at the moderate level or sometimes from moderate to low, but overall, the presence is “rice and bean”, neither lacking nor overbearing. Great treble for those who don’t enjoy a lot of activity in this higher region of the earphone (in the quantitative sense). If the person likes to listen to a lot of Jazz, I think that maybe the P20i is not the best choice, thinking that the genre asks for a little more highlight in the treble for some instruments to “shine” (subjective). I didn’t feel any roll-off, the extension is good/ok.
Qualitative: The treble are discreet, smooth, polished, have an ok definition (some recordings were good, others not so much). They don’t have stridency, they don’t have peaks, they don’t have coloration, they don’t have sibilance (sounds of “Sssss” in a harsh way). Indeed, it lacks a bit more sparkle, it lacks more detailing, it lacks more airy… but of course, it’s necessary to take into account the proposal of the earphone and the value, but I already think that compared to the Space Travel, the P20i has a slightly better performance, even if it is something very little, but it has (in my opinion). Cymbals in some songs had good clarity, in others the performance was below.
Soundstage: The soundstage sensation of the P20i I found average. It is medium in 3 dimensions: height, width, and depth. As it doesn’t have mids so forward, this ends up improving the sensation of space, the presentation doesn’t feel compacted. In my opinion, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 has a slightly better sensation than the P20i in this aspect, and the P20i a little better than the Space Travel.
Imaging: The sensation of instrumental separation I found from average to low. Here in this part, wired earphones – in the majority – win over TWSs. I even found that the performance of the P20i is a little better than the Moondrop Space Travel, but in the end, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 I found to be the best of the 3 (although in none of the 3 the imaging is something great). You can hear all the instruments, but that exact position cutout of each one, then I don’t think so (remembering that the separation can also vary according to the recording and other processes during musical production).
Driver Flex Test: The conclusion is that during all the time I spent evaluating the earphone, it did not present the noise of driver flex.
Amplification: We know that Bluetooth earphones do not need analysis about this part of amplification, so here I always comment on the issue of the earphone volume. I found that, like the Space Travel, the P20i has a good/medium volume level, testing on the smartphone I left it at 80%, which is equivalent to volume 12 of the 15 available by Android. It was possible to reach the max volume without feeling discomfort (and I have the habit of listening to music at a more pleasant volume).
Music is subjective, so below is the list of some musical genres that I personally think that was better with this IEM. Remember that were only few genres and few artists tested. If I describe that one genre was better and the other don’t, it doesn’t mean that you can’t listen to your favorite music genre with this IEM and love it. So, here goes:
Better:
Hip Hop
Reggae
EDM
POP
Rock
Blues
Metal
Samba*
*Brazilian musical genres.
Not so much:
Classical
Jazz
MPB*
Bossa Nova*
Link da Playlist:
Graphs by RTINGS:
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