Soundcore Flare: a bright portable speaker with multiple flashes

Ergonomics

Unlike the Pulse 3, the Soundcore Flare - which is none other than the audio brand of the Chinese manufacturer Anker - is above all an audio product: only the discreet ring at the foot of the cylinder is dedicated to emitting light, most of the 9 cm in diameter by 15 cm in height is indeed intended for sound reproduction. Obviously, the Flare is less a party speaker than a nomad speaker with a light seat.

Fully dressed in an anthracite braided fabric, the speaker offers an excellent grip and benefits from an IPX7 certification immunizing it against the effects of immersion (up to 1 meter and 30 minutes). If the design is not flamboyant - the Flare looks like a 2nd generation Amazon Echo slightly more mashed at the base - at least the construction is clean, neat and particularly robust.

The commands overhanging the tower allow you to adjust the listening level (- / +), navigate within your playlist (central button: a short press for play / pause, two or three short presses respectively to go to the next track or go back to the beginning of the listening track / to the previous one), activate the light effects and flatter the bottom of the spectrum.

The Soundcore application, compatible with iOS and Android, offers 5 chromatic atmospheres (Party, Energy, Chill, Rest, Spring), each available in four modes among the five available: Glow (gradient of colors at constant brightness), M-Sync ( synchronization on the bass of the music being broadcast), Fusion (gradations of two simultaneous colors), Pulsation (fragmented and variegated ring) and Respiration (constant color and changing brightness). Once the application is closed, the chromatic choice remains in memory and the user can switch between the different choreographies by pressing the dedicated physical command.

Like any good waterproof enclosure, the Flare hides its connection from our eyes (an analog input with mini-jack and a micro-USB port for recharging) under an airtight rubber hatch. Next to them is the speaker on / off button, as well as the activation of Bluetooth pairing (4.2). In this regard, the connection is made in a perfectly fluid and stable way.

The extremely high latency (not far from half a second!) Is unfortunately not compensated by compatible applications (Netflix and Youtube), Anker not having considered it useful to implement this functionality of the Bluetooth profile. The induced delay is so monumental that it is not only observable when viewing synchronized sound / image content (in which case we definitely advise you to use the analog input), but also when calling commands (play / pause, volume, etc.), which take a certain time to activate.

---

---

Audio

The Flare delivers a fairly rich and "dense" audio rendering, in particular thanks to a dynamic compressor on board with the parameters for once not too badly adjusted: its presence is certainly assumed, but has the merit of offering the rendering an appreciable scale for a pregnant with this template.

Said rendering clearly signs in W. Supported by two passive radiators, the bass is generous and deep, while remaining surprisingly clean and dynamic. However, they are very "locally" accentuated (a classic consequence of the use of passive radiators, an effect that can be easily observed on the curve above) around 60 Hz, which brings more monotonal support to the mix. than a true reproduction at the bottom of the spectrum. We also perceive a clear withdrawal of frequencies around 100 Hz (audible from 80 Hz up to 160 Hz), withdrawal which does not really affect the large layers operating in this region or more generally the great sensation of immersion that the enclosure provides, but on the other hand makes the playing of certain solo instruments (double bass, bass, piano) more timid in this region.

The mediums have the good share, the voices in particular profiting from a very great presence and a promotion. Provided that it does not exceed 60% of the maximum level, the precision leaves nothing to be desired. When the frequency content is not too busy, there is even a rich and well-defined reproduction of the stamps. The treble is diffused on the sides, the overall result is much more balanced when the listener does not have the ear glued to the speaker. Take advantage of this to establish that no, the Flare is not omnidirectional, that is to say that it does not broadcast the sound "360 °" as you can read here and there on the canvas; not only are the (two) speakers positioned on either side of the speaker, but the stereo channels are not added in mono. In front and at the back, the rendering is therefore less cropped in the treble - what we observe on the curve above. On the sides, unless you listen to a song mixed in mono, we will not have the same rendering left and right. However, note that the Flare diffuses the sound in an extremely wide and immersive way.

The top of the spectrum offers a completely satisfactory level of detail, but unfortunately suffers from an acute illness: beyond three quarters of the maximum level, the distortion comes considerably to play the spoilsports. Fortunately, the Flare has a breathtaking power reserve; at half the maximum volume, it already sounds with ease a large living room.

---

---

Conclusion

The Soundcore Flare plays the illuminated, certainly, but that is certainly not there its main attribute. We would describe it more readily as a robust and waterproof speaker, with fluid and complete ergonomics, with very powerful and rich sound performance - which incidentally can make the surface on which it is placed dance multiple light choreographies.

---

---