Soundcore Life Q35 Headphones: features, specs and who they suit

The Soundcore Life Q35 (model A3027) are over-ear Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancelling, support for LDAC high-resolution wireless audio and a battery rated for up to 40 hours. They are aimed at home, office and travel use, with three noise cancelling modes and a travel case in the box.

How the noise cancelling modes work

Active noise cancelling (ANC) uses microphones to pick up ambient sound and produce opposing sound to reduce it. It is most effective on steady low-frequency noise such as engines and traffic hum.

Soundcore describes a hybrid design using four microphones in total: two on each earcup. Through the Soundcore app you can switch between Transport, Outdoor and Indoor modes, so the level of cancelling can be matched to your surroundings. A Transparency mode lets outside sound in when you need to talk to someone or hear announcements. It can be switched on by a button, by pressing the right earcup's touchpad for a second, or in the app.

Sound and LDAC

The headphones use two 40mm silk-diaphragm drivers, with a frequency response of 16Hz to 40kHz and 16Ω impedance, according to Soundcore. The company says they meet the Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless standards. LDAC is a codec that transmits up to three times more data than standard Bluetooth codecs, but both the headphones and your source must support it. Many recent Android phones do.

Battery and charging

Soundcore quotes 40 hours with noise cancelling on and 60 hours in normal mode. A quick charge of 5 minutes gives about 4 hours of playback, the brand says. Playtime varies with volume and settings.

Comfort and wearing sensor

The earcups are covered in protein-leather memory foam and adjust by up to 15° to follow the shape of the head, which Soundcore says makes all-day wear comfortable. A built-in wearing sensor pauses music when you take the headphones off and restarts it when you put them back on. Total weight is listed as about 0.6 lb (roughly 270 g).

Calls and connection

Beamforming microphones and an AI algorithm are used to pick up your voice and reduce background noise on calls. Multipoint connection lets the headphones stay connected to two devices at the same time, so you can move between a laptop for meetings and a phone for music. NFC pairing lets you tap an Android device against the right earcup to connect. The stated wireless range is 15 m (about 49 ft).

App features

The Soundcore app offers 22 EQ settings, a personalised white noise soundscape, noise cancelling modes and firmware updates.

What's in the box

The listing includes the headphones, a 3.5mm AUX cable with remote control, an airplane adapter and a compact travel case.

Who they suit

They suit commuters and frequent flyers, people who work in noisy offices or at home, and listeners who want one pair for music, calls and meetings. The wired cable is a useful backup if the battery runs low or if you want to use the in-flight entertainment jack.

What to check before you buy

• Fit and head size: over-ear headphones suit some head shapes better than others. Check the adjustment range.
• LDAC and NFC: confirm your devices support these if they matter to you.
• Awareness: noise cancelling reduces what you hear around you; take care near traffic.
• Size: the packed dimensions are about 7.7 x 7.1 x 3.1 inches, so check bag space.
• Care: the manual describes cleaning the ear cushions.

The short version

• Over-ear Bluetooth headphones with hybrid active noise cancelling and Transport, Outdoor and Indoor modes.
• 40mm silk-diaphragm drivers, Hi-Res and LDAC support.
• Up to 40 hours with ANC, 60 without; 5 minutes of charging gives 4 hours.
• Multipoint connection, wearing detection and AI-enhanced calls.
• Travel case, AUX cable and airplane adapter included.

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