Buzz
Build Quality and Design
The Soundcore Flare 2 speakers feature a pillar-shaped design with a sturdy base for better stability. Unlike the original Flare, the Flare 2 now comes with two LED rings at the top and bottom. The speaker is wrapped in a fabric-like mesh layer, giving it a sleek yet robust appearance. On the rear side of the speaker, you'll find the Bluetooth button, bass boost button, and covered USB-C port. Unfortunately, there's no 3.5mm AUX output, making the Flare 2 solely a Bluetooth speaker.
Regarding build quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 feels genuinely well-constructed and boasts an IPX7 water resistance rating. This means that if you accidentally drop the Flare 2 in the pool, it can survive submerged under one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The base of the speaker has a rubberized non-slip layer to prevent easy displacement.
Connectivity and Control
The main control buttons located at the top include power, volume, play/pause, and light effects. Skipping tracks may require pressing the middle button 2 to 3 times, but instead, I found myself needing to press it 3 to 4 times.
Unlike the Liberty 2 Pro, the Soundcore app doesn't allow you to remap or configure the controls. What you can do with the app is only control the light effects, play/pause, volume, and adjust the equalizer. The equalizer isn't some extravagant feature; you can actually make significant changes to the sound of the music.
PartyCast
Any feature that the Soundcore Flare 2 boasts is called PartyCast, allowing you to connect the speaker with over 100 speakers in a PartyCast group. PartyCast supports compatibility with many products, meaning your current Flare 2 can now connect with any PartyCast speaker. You can also control the sound and light effects of all speakers in the PartyCast group.
Battery Life and Microphone
The Soundcore Flare 2 is estimated to last 12 hours of playtime on a full charge without any lights on. The charging process of the Flare 2 is done via USB-C.
Anker didn't advertise the microphone capability of the Soundcore Flare 2, and rightly so. I believe the microphone is located within the Soundcore logo. The microphone isn't really usable unless you're speaking directly next to it. However, voice reproduction seems to sound quite distant.
Sound Quality
Designed in a cylindrical shape, the Soundcore Flare 2 has the ability to deliver 360º sound, so it's best placed in the center of your gathering room.
On its default EQ setting without Bass Boost enabled, the bass sounds tight but lacks depth, especially in the lower end of the spectrum. For mids, vocals and instruments are clear and articulate. The treble is also clean and not overly extended. When Bass Boost is activated, the sub-bass will explode, allowing for a fuller overall sound. Personally, I prefer my Soundcore Flare 2 set with Bass Boost enabled.
Despite being a small speaker, the Soundcore Flare 2 can fill up a typical room and has a fairly wide and airy soundstage compared to its size. Voices can be projected quite loudly, but at maximum volume, the sound may start to distort.
Conclusion
The Soundcore Flare 2 competes in the same arena as small 360º portable speakers like the JBL Flip 5 but at a slightly lower price of S$159. It's currently discounted on Shopee to just S$129, making it an even more enticing purchase.
It also comes with additional features such as vibrant color-filled light rings, user-friendly Soundcore app, and the ability to link a large group of speakers through PartyCast. For those looking for a sturdy portable speaker with great sound at the best price, the Soundcore Flare 2 is an excellent option to consider.
