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Soundcore Rave 3S

Powerful wireless party speaker with karaoke features

In a nutshell

The Soundcore Rave 3S delivers punchy sound for party lovers thanks to its 6.5-inch woofer and three 2.5-inch full-range drivers, a light show for atmosphere, and inputs for both microphone and instrument – offering plenty of possibilities for musicians and entertainers. With karaoke features such as AI-powered vocal removal and two included wireless microphones, nothing stands in the way of a lively sing-along night.

Pros:
  • Solid hardware
  • Karaoke function
  • Good battery life
Cons:
  • Unbalanced sound at higher volumes
  • Somewhat “uninspired” light show
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With deep bass, 200 watts of output, up to 12 hours of battery-powered playtime, and clever “Light” and “Sound” features, the Soundcore Rave 3S by Anker aims to power parties both indoors and outdoors.

What’s in the box

In the large, colourful package, you’ll find the speaker, two microphones including batteries, a USB-C cable, and a quick-start guide. Weighing 10.48 kilograms and measuring 55 x 30 x 28 centimetres, the Soundcore Rave 3S is still portable. Thanks to the top-mounted carrying handle, transport to the next party spot isn’t difficult – though the unit is better moved by car than by bicycle.

The two microphones have dedicated slots in the plastic housing to hold them securely in place. The speaker can be used standing or lying down, though placing it horizontally is a little awkward as there’s no side handle.

Rubberised surfaces ensure stability in either position, with the drivers angled slightly upwards. One omission is a stand mount on the underside – raising the Soundcore Rave 3S on a speaker stand would have been useful.

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On top sits the control panel covering most of the functions. Behind a rubber flap at the back are inputs for a wired microphone or instrument, each with separate sensitivity and output controls, plus a 3.5 mm aux input and the USB-C port for charging the 4900 mAh battery.

Behind the front grille sits the 6.5-inch woofer and three 2.5-inch full-range drivers, each encircled by LEDs for the light show. The Soundcore Rave 3S is IPX4-certified, making it resistant to rain and splashes – fine for light showers or spills, but the party should move indoors in heavy weather.

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Technical specifications

TheSoundcore Rave 3S supports Bluetooth 5.3, with SBC and AAC codecs. Pairing is fast and straightforward, and multipoint connections are supported, allowing multiple devices to stay connected at once. Wireless range extends up to 50 metres in open space.

Multiple Soundcore Rave 3S units can be linked via Auracast into a true stereo pair, or even expanded into a massive sound wall with up to ten compatible speakers. The two included wireless microphones connect automatically and are ready for duet performances straight away.

Functions and controls

Most features can be controlled directly from the well-equipped panel on the speaker itself: volume, play/pause/skip, BassUp, TWS pairing, and the light show. AI-powered vocal removal and an adjustable reverb effect for the microphones are also available directly on the unit.

The degree of vocal removal can be adjusted on the microphones themselves. For more detailed settings, you’ll need the companion app – this unlocks a four-preset, nine-band EQ, detailed light control (brightness, eight presets, or custom scenes), and deeper karaoke functions.

When one of the microphones is active, extra karaoke options appear in the app: reverb room presets, vocal enhancements, and more. The app also offers a sleep timer, firmware updates, and a digital manual.

Sound of the Rave 3S

Speakers of this size typically excel in bass due to their cabinet volume – and the Rave 3S is no exception. With DSP-driven BassUp engaged, the low end becomes even more forceful, though at times overwhelming, smothering mids and highs. Turning BassUp off restores balance.

With chart hits such as Tate McRae, the Rave 3S plays loud and punchy, especially when laid on its side to activate Spatial Audio. This widens and deepens the sound noticeably – a genuinely impressive effect.

However, once the volume climbs beyond halfway, the sound becomes less balanced: bass impact diminishes while mids are over-emphasised, resulting in a duller, less dynamic presentation. Even EQ tweaks only partly solve this. At higher levels, the once-solid sound degrades into noisy harshness, dampening the party atmosphere. The ratio of one woofer to three full-range drivers may simply not favour tonal balance.

Conclusion

Sonically, the Soundcore Rave 3S doesn’t deliver the ultimate party sound expected from a speaker of this size – with booming bass and crystal-clear highs found in some rivals. The light show is also underwhelming. Instead, its karaoke features become the main selling point: two wireless microphones, vocal tweaking, and effective vocal removal make it a lot of fun.

Additional input options for wired microphones and instruments, along with solid battery life, make the Soundcore Rave 3S a good choice for buskers and solo performers in off-grid locations. If karaoke and outdoor performing are your priorities, this is a speaker worth a closer look.

1 day ago by Sven Opitz
  • Rating: 4
  • Sound
  • Handling
  • Price/Quality
  • Function

Technical specifications

  • Ear couplingSpeaker
  • Frequency response (headphones)40 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Weight without cable10,480 g

What's in the box

  • 2 microphones
  • Batteries
  • USB-C cable

Special features

  • BT version: 5.3
  • Codecs: SBC, AAC
  • Profiles: A2DP 1.3.2, AVRCP 1.6.2

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