Anker Soundcore Neo - first quick impressions & unboxing the VIFA Helsinki

Keep us up to date Oluv on any Vifa app need . And fingers crossed for a new ‘ stable app ha ha 😄

Yeah a pity although the Chinese VIFA support is claiming to release a new app which should work with all VIFA speakers, although I still don’t quite believe it. Also there is some hacked app for android which has the boosted mode included. I will try this out and make a post.

Oluv'Sone

Hi Oluv- Shame about the Helsinki . I almost bought the ‘ black’ model but I can’t get the app on iOS anymore ;-(

yes, all my EQs are tagged with "EQ"

Oluv'Sone

Have you posted the EQ settings? I just got it and it rocks!

Joel

The Neo is really stunning and when 2 play in stereo they are really powerful. I am eagerly waiting for the Xtreme 3 to be put against them.

Oluv'Sone

I’ve done some research and i have just realized that this Rave Neo is not available in France... I’m disappointed, i’m aware that this not as balanced as the motion+ but it’s punchy and loud. for 150€ it should replace very well my old Xtreme 1 which sounds very weird and unpleasant for ears. I’ll maybe go for the exos 3 if they improve it at low level

Onyx should be way more muddy and more directional. Also far not as loud.

Oluv'Sone

I wanted to try out since it was announced but didn’t have the chance yet I just imagine that diffusor for the tweeter could sound again a it weird just like on the Bose Revolves

Oluv'Sone

I just realized you can stereo pair the motion +, aha!

It’s not bad but I think I like the rendering of the Motion+ more, where the Neo gets impressive is really if you turn it a bit higher where most smaller speakers simply cannot compete anymore

Oluv'Sone

Even with using the custom EQ, do you think the Neo still sounds less refined? I did notice the treble was harsh on the user settings compared with the Motion +

depends on your listening level. At levels up to half volume of the Motion+ I would give the edge to the Motion+ due to similarly punchy bass, but more overall refinement to the sound and also some stereo separation, but the Neo starts to get this extra kick, where the Motion+ already starts to reduce bass, and around half volume up to 60% the Neo really kicks, I mean seriously, that's a pretty nice bass and power especially for that price. It's just that above that like 70%-100% it starts to fall back a bit again. Still decent, but like shown in my video against the Teufel, the Teufel remains more serious up to maximum. The only issue I see right now with the Neo is, that it has these weird bass problems at low levels. This only happens with the user EQ, but I couldn't listen to it with the presets, as they do not sound good particularly at low levels it sounds rather anemic then.

Oluv'Sone

If deciding between a soundcore motion+ or neo rave, are t hey pretty similar? It sounds like the neo has bigger bass but does the motion + win in any areas?

But sounds horrible, lots of issues

Oluv'Sone

BenQ Trevolo S is an interesting speaker. Hybrid electrostatic speakers. Pretty cool potable design. I think you will like the design.

Hey have you considered trying the Sonos move? It’s a bit pricey but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. It also offers some minor eq settings with bass and treble adjustments. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

They were shut down by the Chinese owners, support etc was all in Denmark it will probably move to China thus forget about any real support in future.

Oluv'Sone

Oluv why you say Vifa is ended? they shut down the business? what about customer care?

it's not available in my country. do you have a name or title?

Oluv'Sone

das geht ganz einfach, die EQ-bänder gehen von -6 bis +6dB, einfach alle werte aufschreiben und weitergeben.

Oluv'Sone

jetzt müsste man die presets nur noch als datei exportieren können damit man sie irgendwo hocchladen kann und in der soundcore app wieder importieren kann ;) oder ein "share "feature in dem man seien presets mit anderen sharen kann via soundcore app oder whatsapp etc. oder sogar ne publci section in der man published presets suchen kann udn runterladen kann. das wäre vom aufwand nicht krass zu programmieren aber kostet trotzdem geld und bei dem low budget speaker werden die nicht all zu viel investieren für mehr oder weniger luxus-features..denke ich mal. auch wenn einfach umsetzbar

Ja der Teufel hat nochmal deutlich mehr power wird aber dann schon ziemlich kratzig. Der Anker bleibt eigentlich immer sauber, auf halber Lautstärke gefällt mir der Anker sogar mehr

Oluv'Sone

Ich denke der Teufel rockster cross ist trotzdem noch das Maß in der Kategorie (ausgenommen die Minirigs). Vorrausgesetzt man hat die 200+ Euro. unter 100 euro ist Anker/Soundcore sicherlich unschlagbar.

Hi, found this album a while ago and I think it has a great recording and, in this track, very deep bass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SosdgD2-6g8

it kinda makes me depressive and I am not sure if it is supposed to sound so distorted

Oluv'Sone

My benchmark track for testing the visceral deep bass is Acid Rain by Lorn, notes down into the upper 20hz region. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxg4C365LbQ

The Partybox 100 is way more powerful but also way larger. The Rave Neo is really not bad but it’s not some kind of game changer, still for that price it’s really great

Oluv'Sone

I had high hopes for the Rave (original), but based on your video, was sorely disappointed. The Rave Neo seems to have better all around sound, at least with the custom EQ. I’m considering a larger speaker for outdoor/backyard fun. I realize there’s a pretty big price difference between the Rave Neo and the Partybox 100, but which would you recommend based on sound?

You’ve been asking Olaf, but I’ll just give my 2 cents if you won’t mind 🙃 It depends on your preferred loudness level of reproduction. For low and moderate level listening, I would go with Denon Envaya DSB-250BT. It’s best allrounder for all kinds of music, without any need to customize the sound (integrated DSP does everything sounding just decent for listening). If you need higher levels, or really prefer to customize the sound yourself, you would need to look elsewhere.

Hi Oluv, I'm usually just a very quiet spectator, but here I dare to write a comment. When I started watching your videos, it was just before I bought my JBL xtreme. I heard them on your channel at the time and also bought them afterwards. Since then I have learned a lot about sound on your channel. Therefore I am no longer satisfied with the JBL xtreme because it does not reproduce some details in some songs. Now I am still looking for a replacement. I listen to house and dance music, just like classical music, so a mix of everything. I would like a loudspeaker that provides good sound both on my desk (low volume) and in the garden. I always thought about buying a VIFA, but I don't know if it fits my needs. Maybe someone can help and suggest something to me.

Is Vifa going out of business?

Look forward to history of vifa video..have seen them in past videos and guess not as popular as they should of been.

Simon Hibbert

I would like to maybe play some tracks against the new A1 tonight, so it will be another after midnight listening session. Not sure if everyone likes this

Oluv'Sone

Can't wait for that Reykjavik review

the setting itself is saved within the speaker, but the settings somehow appeared automatcally, the app obviously had to download it from somewhere first. I have no idea how it works in detail, but when they added the boosted tuning, it appeared within the app without any additional update of the app. Thus I assumed it must come from some external server maybe.

Oluv'Sone

I just checked with my Vifa Helsinki unit and my Android phone: I was able to change the sound settings without any issues, so it luckily seems, they are stored on the device itself.

Nice, I bought the black Helsinki too. The fabric was a little more 'woolly' than I expected, but the sound is amazing for a small speaker. Boosted is great for most instances, and neutral/late night for louder listening levels. Am I right in saying they used the same make drivers as BK Electronic subwoofers?

It needs user EQ for best sound, for both low and high levels a different setting

Oluv'Sone

I purchased a pair - not sure if I am keeping it. Of the preset eqs - bang with bassup is the best, but they are all pretty muddled. I did not purchase it for critical listening, just for loud outdoor party purposes. At max volume, I prefer the sound of a pair of W-King D8 but a pair of Soundcore Neo had a longer "throw". At 6ft (1.9M), I couldn't tell the difference, but at 12 feet (3.6M), the neo felt louder than the D8. The Neo also seems to have a stronger battery, outlasted the D8 in my unscientific test.

The Neo seems really nice! Punchy sound and convenient rugged design. Would be interesting to hear it compared to one of the Onyx speakers.