Tech reviews

SOL Republic Soundtrack Pro ANC headphone review: Good-enough features and performance for the price


Lifestyle audio maker SOL Republic has released a new headphone model as part of its Sountrack series. The $200 Soundtrack Pro ANC is an over-the-ear wireless headphone with active noise-cancelling technology and Bluetooth 5.0 on board. 

The Soundtrack Pro ANC (a similar model without ANC is also available at Amazon for $170) comes in three colors: black, gray, and champagne. The acoustically transparent colored fabric covering the drivers changes depending on which headphone color you choose. My review pair happened to be black.

This review is part of TechHive’s coverage of the best headphones, where you’ll find reviews of competing products, plus a buyer’s guide to the features you should consider when shopping.

Generous battery life

Like its recent competition, the Soundtrack Pro ANC delivers enough battery to last more than a full day. Its 500mAh battery is rated to deliver 32 hours of wireless playback. Thanks to rapid charging technology, you’ll get a full charge in about 3.5 hours. 

You can charge the headphones with the included USB-A to USB-C charging cable, which plugs into the bottom of the right ear cup. I found the cable tight to fit due to the protruding flange from the bottom of the earcup. Five LED lights on the top of the right ear cup give you a visual indication of the charging status. 

Lights on the top of the right earcup let you know the charging status. Theo Nicolakis / IDG

Lights on the top of the right earcup let you know the charging status.

The headphones fold for easy travel, but SOL Republic should have included a carrying case—a pouch, at least—for the price point. Most buyers considering noise-cancelling headphones, after all, are likely planning to take them on the road. Speaking of which, there’s no airline adapter or 1/4-inch adapter included, either.

Ergonomics

Traditional three-button controls are located on the top of the right ear cup. The pause/play button has a distinctive protrusion, and the buttons are fairly easy to distinguish by touch. I wasn’t always confident, however, I had my finger on the correct button and needed to move my finger from front to back to get oriented. Manufacturers should make all control buttons tactile-friendly. I prefer the more overt button distinctions you’ll find on V-Moda, AKG, and Bowers & Wilkins headphones.

Plastic is the dominant material in the Soundtrack Pro ANC’s construction, with a click-adjustable metal headband as the sole exception. I didn’t like the headband, finding it more difficult than average to adjust. In fact, I found everything about this headphone’s design to be stiff or tight. If you prefer tight-fitting headphones, you’ll love the Soundtrack Pro ANC.

Side view of the Sol Republic headphones Theo Nicolakis / IDG

A side view of the SOL Republic Soundtrack Pro ANC headphones.

Take the ear cups, for example: Despite being soft yet able to keep their shape to create a stable listening cavity around my ears, they never felt comfortable. B&W’s slightly more-expensive PX headphones create a similar stability with their earcups, but they’re much more pliable.



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