Soundcore used Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona to introduce the Soundcore Space 2, a new pair of over-ear, noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones aimed squarely at people who spend a lot of time on planes, trains, and buses. If you’ve ever put on ANC headphones and still heard that low, steady engine rumble in the background, that’s exactly the type of noise Soundcore says it focused on with this update.

The Soundcore Space 2 is scheduled to launch April 21 in the U.S. (and globally) for $129.99 / £129.99 / €129.99, and it’ll be available in Linen White, Jet Black, and Seafoam Green through Amazon.

The headline feature here is an upgraded noise-cancelling system that Soundcore describes as advanced “four-stage” ANC tuned specifically for low-frequency noise, the kind you hear most during travel. The company says the headphones can automatically adjust ANC levels based on your environment, which is a fancy way of saying you shouldn’t have to manually change modes as you move from a quiet terminal to a loud cabin.

One detail worth noting: Soundcore isn’t claiming it added a bunch of extra microphones compared to the older Space One. Instead, it’s pointing to optimized microphone placement plus changes to the internal structure and materials to improve performance. In practical terms, that suggests Soundcore is trying to squeeze better noise reduction out of a similar hardware approach, rather than just throwing more sensors at the problem.

Soundcore also updated the drivers. The Space 2 uses redesigned 40mm double-layer drivers that combine a silk diaphragm with metal ceramic. The company says this improves things like bass weight and clarity, but the more useful idea for normal people is this: Soundcore is trying to deliver a sound that stays controlled when music gets busy, instead of blurring details together.

One of the more technical claims tied to this driver design is faster transient response, basically, how quickly the driver can react to sudden changes in sound. This can matter for things like percussion hits, sharp snare snaps, or quick electronic sounds that can turn mushy on cheaper headphones.

The Space 2 supports LDAC, which is a Bluetooth codec designed to carry higher-bitrate audio than standard Bluetooth, assuming you’re using a compatible phone or player and the right settings. If you listen to lossless or hi-res music and you care about squeezing more quality out of Bluetooth, LDAC is the spec you’re looking for.

Soundcore is also keeping things simple for people who still want a physical connection: the Space 2 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired listening.

On the wireless side, the Space 2 connects over Bluetooth 6.1. One feature you won’t get is Auracast support, which is part of newer Bluetooth LE Audio setups for broadcasting audio to multiple devices. If you were hoping for that “public broadcast” or multi-listener future, it’s not here.

Battery life is one of the Space 2’s biggest claims: up to 50 hours with ANC on, or 70 hours with ANC off. That’s a noticeable step up over the previous generation’s ratings, and it’s the kind of difference you’ll actually feel if you travel often or hate charging yet another gadget every few days. Soundcore is also leaning into fast charging: a five-minute charge is rated for up to four hours of listening.

Soundcore says it redesigned the fit for longer sessions, using an ergonomic shape and soft memory foam padding aimed at all-day comfort. Comfort can be very head-shape dependent (and clamping force matters a lot), but Soundcore is clearly positioning these as “wear them through a long flight” headphones rather than “use them for an hour at your desk” headphones.

For calls, the Space 2 uses three microphones with AI noise reduction to help isolate your voice during phone calls or video meetings.

And one of the most practical everyday features returns: Smart Wearing Detection, which pauses playback when you take the headphones off and resumes when you put them back on. It sounds minor, but if you’re constantly pulling your headphones off to talk to someone, it can genuinely reduce friction.

If you like to tweak your sound, the Space 2 works with Soundcore’s app and includes HearID 3.0, which runs a hearing-based test and then adjusts the sound profile. The idea is to compensate for frequency areas you might not hear as strongly, so your music doesn’t sound dull or overly sharp.

The Soundcore Space 2 will launch April 21 on Amazon for $129.99 / £129.99 / €129.99 in Linen White, Jet Black, and Seafoam Green. If Soundcore’s updated ANC really does improve low-frequency suppression without sacrificing comfort or battery life, this looks like a direct attempt to stay competitive in the crowded “affordable ANC over-ear” category, especially for travelers who value long runtime and simple, smart convenience features.

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