In a bustling market of portable Bluetooth speakers, the Anker Soundcore Rave Neo shines as a remarkable contender. Priced below KES. 20,000, this speaker boasts an enticing blend of portability, waterproofing, LED aesthetics, and most importantly, impressive audio quality.
While it may not win any beauty contests, the Soundcore Rave Neo certainly packs a punch, offering audio performance that rivals more expensive models, making it an ideal choice for beach days and pool parties.
Design and Build Quality
Measuring approximately 11.0 by 7.0 by 5.8 inches (HWD), the Soundcore Rave Neo features a sleek black exterior with a built-in handle for easy transportation. The majority of its shell is constructed from hard, glossy plastic, which exudes sturdiness but may feel slightly inexpensive.
The front face sports a curved grille that protects a powerful woofer and tweeter combination, delivering 50 watts of mono audio. An eye-catching LED ring surrounds the woofer, offering customizable light shows via the Soundcore app. Notably, this speaker boasts an IPX7 waterproof rating, ensuring it can withstand splashes, submersion up to a meter, and thorough rinsing without any issues.
User-Friendly Controls
Located on the top panel, you’ll find a control panel featuring backlit buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, volume adjustment, Bass Boost, LED lights, and Partycast mode, which enables the Soundcore Rave Neo to sync with other Soundcore speakers. A multifunction button handles playback, track navigation, and call management, while a battery life indicator keeps you informed about the remaining charge.
Versatile Connectivity
The rear panel houses a connection port at the bottom, sealed by a snap-shut rubber cover. Here, you’ll find a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm aux input. The package includes a USB-C cable, which serves both to charge the speaker and to charge your mobile devices using the speaker’s battery. The Soundcore Rave Neo supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and can also play MP3 and WAV files via the USB port.
Enhanced Control with the Soundcore App
Anker provides a free Soundcore App for Android and iOS, enabling you to customize the LED light show modes and apply variations. More importantly, the app offers a nine-band user-adjustable EQ with preset options.
Impressive Battery Life and Audio Quality
Anker estimates the Soundcore Rave Neo’s battery life to be around 18 hours, though your results may vary depending on volume levels and LED usage.