Soundcore Motion X600 Review: Puts many competitors to shame!

Soundcore Motion X600: design, workmanship and scope of delivery

The first impression counts and here the Soundcore Motion X600 does not disappoint. Its weight of 2 kilograms, the handle made of high-quality metal and the robust grill on the front immediately convey a feeling of quality.

Visually, the speaker oscillates between the past and the present: the eye-catching carrying handle is reminiscent of the times of the Ghetto Blaster, while the modern design and choice of colors are definitely anchored in today. Our test model in “polar gray” is rather discreet. If you prefer more color, the speaker is also available in “moon blue” and “aurora green”.

With a practical carrying handle, the Motion X600 can be taken anywhere.

All controls are located on the slightly inclined surface of the speaker and are illuminated, which makes operation in poor lighting conditions much easier. The power button is recessed a little deeper to make it easier to find in the dark.

On the back there is an AUX-IN and the USB-C port for charging behind a rubber cover. Otherwise, the 31 x 17 x 8 cm speaker has four rubber feet on the bottom, which ensure better stability. Particularly worth mentioning is the water protection according to IPX7.

It can withstand a rain shower and you hardly have to worry about splashing water at the lake or beach. This makes the speaker a versatile companion for outdoor activities.

In addition to the Bluetooth connection, the speaker also offers an AUX-IN socket for music playback.

However, there is one aspect that calls for caution: While more robust models like the JBL Charge 5 With a durable fabric cover, the surface of the Soundcore Motion X600 is more sensitive to scratches.

The scope of delivery is rather spartan and focuses on the essentials: In addition to the speaker, the box contains a USB-C to USB-C cable and a quick guide. However, anyone expecting a power supply will be disappointed. Any standard smartphone charger with a USB-C port can be used for charging.

Soundcore Motion X600: features and app

Spatial audio

One of the most notable features of the Soundcore Motion X600 is undoubtedly the “Spatial Audio” function. It sets the speaker apart from conventional stereo reproduction and gives the sound a spatial dimension that is reminiscent of Dolby Atmos. Activation is simply done at the touch of a button, and the difference is immediately noticeable: with activated spatial audio, the music or podcast you listen to takes on a fascinating depth and spatial quality.

What's particularly striking is the consistency of the sound from different directions. When you move around the speaker at a 360-degree angle, the sound quality remains almost unchanged, making for an immersive listening experience. This feature goes far beyond what you would typically expect from a portable speaker and is definitely more than just a nice-to-have.

The sound radiates towards the back itself.

Bass boost

For users who like to have control over the bass portion of their music, the Soundcore Motion X600 offers a dedicated bass button. The function does exactly what you would expect: it boosts the low frequencies and delivers a rich bass, even though we are dealing with a comparatively compact device here.

The intensity of the bass is decent, especially considering the size of the speaker. However, the Motion X600 cannot keep up with traditional speaker systems, which are usually much larger and bulkier.

TWS mode and telephony

If you want an even wider stereo image, you have the option of coupling two Motion X600 speakers together. One then takes over the left channel, the other the right channel. In addition, the speaker is equipped with its own microphone so that incoming calls can be answered directly via the device. A well thought-out feature that further increases user-friendliness.

Soundcore app

Finally, Soundcore offers its own app that is also compatible with other Anker audio products. The app allows you to control basic functions such as volume and EQ settings. Four preset sound profiles are available, but you also have the option to make individual adjustments using a nine-band EQ. This allows you to increase or decrease individual frequencies depending on your personal taste.

Although the app offers some useful features, it is not essential to use the speaker's full functionality. Most basic settings can be made directly using the device's control buttons. Surprisingly, functions such as spatial audio or bass boost cannot be controlled in the app. So there is definitely still room for improvement here.

Soundcore Motion X600: Sound and performance

When it comes to sound quality, the Soundcore Motion X600 largely delivers. The bass and treble are extremely clear and detailed and with bass enhancement activated, the speaker achieves an impressive depth. This is not a given with portable speakers. In a direct comparison, the Motion X600 only has to compete with this JBL Xtreme 3 beaten, which goes one better in terms of bass and volume. However, it performs better than the frequently recommended JBL Charge 5, which is in a similar price range.

All control buttons are located on the inclined top.

By activating the LDAC audio codec via the Soundcore app, the sound gains additional dynamism. However, the connected device must also support the codec. The few compatible models include certain devices from Samsung, Sony and Xiaomi, as well as the Nothing Phone (2) we tested.

The weakness of the Motion X600 is clearly in the midrange. Due to the many small drivers, the mid frequencies are somewhat neglected. However, the sound doesn't seem empty or hollow, but it still lacks the fullness and warmth that you want, especially in music genres like rock. This weakness can be partially compensated for with the spatial audio function. It gives the sound a vertical dimension, which is reason enough to leave Spatial Audio permanently activated.

Soundcore Motion X600: battery

The battery performance of the Soundcore Motion X600 is in a solid range, but cannot keep up with some competitors. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts around 25 hours at 12% volume, a value that was confirmed in our test. If you operate the speaker at a medium volume of 50%, you can still expect around 10 hours of running time. For comparison: The JBL Charge 5 offers a significantly longer-lasting sound experience with a running time of around 20 hours.

There is a driver between the control panel that radiates upwards.

When it comes to charging time, the Motion X600 isn't at its best. Although the battery is already largely charged after around 4 hours, it takes a total of 6 hours to fully charge it. A quick charging function would definitely have been a welcome feature here. One feature that the Soundcore Motion X600 lacks and that can be found on some competing models is the ability to use the speaker as a power bank.

For occasions where music is to be played for a longer period of time, a higher battery capacity or a faster charging time would certainly be beneficial. However, the integrated battery is sufficient for everyday use or smaller events.