Gadgets: Rock-solid headphones

Soundcore by Anker's new Space One Pro wireless over-the-head headphones are rock-solid, producing clear and powerful sound. Their innovative foldable design makes them compact for storage.

The Bluetooth 5.3 headphones are loaded with features, but most important is the sound. Each side has advanced 40mm drivers made from Polyether ether ketone and Polyurethane diaphragms. These produce a high-fidelity sound that translates into rich sound with crystal-clear clarity with every music playlist I tested. This includes my preferred heavy bass playlist, a favorite music sound to me and many others.

The Soundcore app and HearID 2.0 Technology can tailor sound to specific sound types. The app allows users to customize their settings with presets and customizable EQs. The HearID test is also in the app to produce a detailed audiogram and sound profile that is perfectly tuned for each individual's sound.

The Space One Pro's next-generation four-stage noise canceling includes Real-Time Noise Detection with the six built-in microphones. Among the features of the noise-canceling system is an adaptive ANC 3.0 Algorithm. While wearing the headphones, it adjusts to the user's condition and movements every three seconds. Hands-free calls are also crisp and clear on both ends, with most background noise inaudible to those on the other end. Space One Pro's smart chat function pauses your music when a chat begins, and when the chat is finished, the music resumes.

As for comfort, the thickly padded and soft earcups sit comfortably on your head and ears. The new FlexiCurve Structure, with the Space One Pro's new headband design, has five segments with a folding angle of 5-8 degrees and an earcup rotator base with a three-joint separation. When enacted, this reduces the size of the headphones by half and folds them up into a doughnut form.

With a full USB-C charge, the Lithium polymer battery will last 40 hours with ANC turned on and 60 hours with ANC turned off, according to Soundcore testing. A USB-C fast charge yields 8 hours of playtime with just 5 minutes of charging. They pair with Bluetooth 5.3, have multipoint connection and can access voice assistants.

www.soundcore.com. $199.99 for the headphones available in jet black or cream white. An optional carrying case is $34.99

Baseus is a company that touts itself as passionate about creating minimalist products that are easy to use and prioritize the user's needs. After trying their new over-the-head head-tracking Bowie 30 Max noise-canceling wireless headphones, it's easy to see they have achieved those goals.

The bass-heavy sound comes from 50mm SuperBass drivers inside the padded earcups. With SuperBass acoustic algorithms, they can upgrade every frequency within the human audible range without compromising sound quality while boosting the bass experience by up to 200%, according to the Baseus site. The user hears a rich bass with a clear sound.

Head-tracking spatial audio technology keeps the sound consistent, regardless of how much you move with them on. The sound stays consistent with the built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers to form the head-tracking audio system. Noise-canceling eliminates up to 96% of unwanted external noises, depending on the ambient noise levels. A two-microphone system also blocks outside noise, ensuring your caller hears you loud and clear.

The earcup buttons are easy to use for turning the ANC on or off, volume, and a multifunctional button for answering calls and accessing other features. The battery life is rated at 65 hours of playtime with the volume at 70% and the ANC on. You'll get 50 hours at 70% with the ANC on. A 10-minute quick charge will produce 14 hours of playtime.

120-degree rotating soft padded earcups are attached to the adjustable headband. When the Bowie 30 Max headphones are not being used, fold the earcups in for easy storage.