Today, there are more and more worthy headsets available at quite pleasant price points. The SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ is one such option. Priced at $90, these earbuds offer support for LDAC and dual drivers that deliver a satisfying sound experience. Plus, in this price range, they come with additional features we expect to see in headsets in 2024—active noise cancellation, ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation), and the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously. If you’re in the market for a new TWS headset with solid sound quality, this review will be of interest to you.
Read also:
SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ Specifications
- Type: TWS, in-channel
- Bluetooth version: 5.3
- Audio codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Emitters: dynamic 12 mm + xMEMS
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
- Control: touch control
- Headphone operating time: up to 6.5 hours (60% volume, without ANC)
- Working time with case: up to 43 hours
- Charging: wired USB Type-C
- Charging time: up to 1.5 hours
- Weight: 5 g – each headphone, 48 g – with case
- Protection against water: IPX4
- Color: black
- Additional features: Hi-Res Audio support, hybrid ANC (up to 45 dB depth), 6 microphones (3×2) with ENC, transparency mode, game mode, ability to connect up to two devices
How much do headphones cost?
As of the time of writing this review, the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ is available for $90 (€80) on the official SOUNDPEATS website (as well as on Amazon). On AliExpress, they can be found for a slightly lower price of $86.50. This positions the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ as a mid-range headset. They’re not quite flagship-level, but they come with several useful features, such as effective ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation), a gaming mode with low latency (70 ms), and LDAC support.
What is included in the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ package
In the attractive packaging of the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+, you’ll find everything needed for using the headset. Along with the earbuds and the charging case, the package includes a small USB-A to USB-C charging cable, two extra pairs of silicone ear tips (with a total of three sizes available: S, M, and L), user documentation, and stickers featuring a cute panda as a nice bonus.
Read also:
- ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova Gaming TWS Earbuds Review
- Huawei FreeBuds 6i TWS Headphones Review
Design and materials
The SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ features a design that is quite typical for this type of device, but it boasts an appealing color scheme that combines black with gold accents. The case is made of high-quality matte plastic (though it does attract fingerprints a bit) and has an elongated oval shape, which is fairly common among TWS earbuds.
Under the top lid, there’s a light gray strip that runs along the entire body, along with the slogan in italics: “Hear Your Imagination.” Just below that, you’ll find the charge indicator. At the bottom, there’s a Type-C charging port, which is also finished in gold. On the back, where the lid secures, the brand logo is positioned. The lid itself has a smooth opening mechanism and stays securely in the open position, a feature that not all headsets can boast.
Let’s take a look at the earbuds themselves. They resemble a sort of “comma” shape with a long stem and soft silicone tips, weighing only 5 grams each. The body is made of plastic, but there are also components crafted from other materials—specifically, the inner and upper grilles for the transparency mode and the charging contacts, which are made of metal. The touch control area is highlighted by a panel of semi-transparent golden glossy plastic, and along the entire length of each earbud, you can see three microphone openings for the noise cancellation system.
Overall, the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ presents itself as a charming audio device that looks appealing and distinctive, despite its fairly standard shape and size. The golden accents add a touch of sophistication to the design.
Ergonomics
I believe that the “comma” shape of the earbuds is one of the best solutions for “picky ears” that struggle to get comfortable with models of other (read: more exotic) formats. The SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ fit securely, and the variety of silicone ear tips allows users to find their ideal fit. Thanks to their lightweight design (just 5 grams per earbud), you quickly forget you’re wearing them—they’re completely unobtrusive. I’m confident that this format will appeal to most users, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s comfortable and suits almost everyone.
Read also:
- Moto Buds 065 TWS Earphones Review: For the Young and Active
- Motorola Moto Buds+ TWS Review: High-Quality Hi-Res Audio and “Sound by Bose”
PeatsAudio app
To make more precise adjustments to the earbuds, you’ll need to use the companion app, PeatsAudio. This app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
The app is nice and simple, but it has everything you need. On the main tab, you can:
- quickly switch between normal mode, noise reduction, and transparency mode
- turn on the game mode
- disable touch control (a very useful thing!) and customize control gestures
- enable simultaneous connection to two devices.
In the additional features located in the top right corner of the app, you can find more information about the earbuds, check for software updates, add another device, reset the earbuds to factory settings, and select the language in which the earbuds will communicate with the user.
The next tab features an equalizer. In addition to pre-set options and customizable settings, there is a unique feature called the adaptive equalizer. This involves completing a short test where users identify the sound ranges they can hear. Based on this feedback, the equalizer automatically adjusts the audio output for a more personalized listening experience.
The last section focuses on user account management and provides various information about the device. This includes access to the user manual, FAQs, and options for adjusting the app’s language settings.
Control
By default, the control scheme looks like this:
- one touch: on the left earpiece – quieter, on the right – louder
- double tap: on any earpiece – Play/Pause, answer a call/hang up
- triple tap: on the left – turn on/off the game mode, on the right – voice assistant or reject a call
- hold for 1.5 seconds: on the left – ANC/transparency mode, on the right – next track
- hold for 10 seconds to turn off the headphones.
If any gestures feel unusual or uncomfortable, they can be customized in the app, allowing users to fully adapt the controls to their preferences. This is definitely a plus, which, to be honest, is sometimes lacking in some TWS models. Additionally, each action is accompanied by a short sound that confirms a change in playback, whether it’s moving to the next track or adjusting the volume. For instance, switching between noise cancellation and transparency modes is commented on fully, which is also convenient.
As for the sensitivity of the touch controls, it’s quite good—perhaps even too good, as it’s almost impossible to adjust the earbuds without accidentally triggering the control panel. Therefore, it’s great that there’s an option to disable the touch controls. If you’re not using the earbuds for extended periods and don’t need to frequently change the modes, why not? This is especially convenient if you connect a smartwatch for easier track navigation or volume control.
Read also:
- OPPO Enco Air4 Pro TWS Headphones Review
- FiiO FH19 In-Ear Monitors review: Flagship IEMs like no other
SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ Sound
The sound reproduction is handled by primary dynamic drivers measuring 12 mm, complemented by xMEMS drivers. The unique feature of the latter is the use of a silicon diaphragm, which, according to the manufacturer, ensures better separation, detail, and clarity of sound. This is achieved with a thickness of just 1 mm and a weight of 0.056 g.
In addition, the headphones support not only the standard SBC and AAC codecs but also LDAC. It’s worth noting that if you connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously, the LDAC mode will be disabled, and the headphones will switch to AAC. However, you can always revert to LDAC in the Bluetooth settings.
So, how does the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ sound? They definitely won’t disappoint. The sound is excellently balanced by default—rich bass (which is important for me in any headphones), well-balanced mids, and soft highs. When switching the audio playback settings to LDAC, you can truly feel the difference, even when listening to tracks on YouTube Music. The sound is spacious, multilayered, emotional, clear, and well-detailed. You can really sense more details than you’re used to hearing. It’s quite fascinating to listen to your favorite tracks, where you think you know every nuance, only to discover there’s more to it.
I tested the headphones across various music genres, from indie and soul to alternative and electronic, and at no point did I feel the need to tweak anything in the equalizer. I only occasionally had to lower the volume (I usually listen to music at around 80-90% on most headphones) because they have an impressive volume range.
Headset and ANC function
In the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+, it seems they’ve done everything to ensure you don’t have to disconnect the earbuds when you need to take a call. It goes without saying that you can hear the other person clearly—that’s a given for these headphones. However, the transmission on your end can vary.
The Capsule3 Pro+ features three microphones on each earbud (a total of six) for excellent voice transmission and effective noise cancellation. They handle this exceptionally well. Even while walking on a fairly busy street, the person on the other end hears you clearly. Moderate wind, passing cars, and quiet background conversations won’t hinder the dialogue at all.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and the transparency mode in the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ work exceptionally well. The ANC can reduce noise by up to 45 dB, which is impressive for earbuds in this price range. While it won’t eliminate all sounds completely, it significantly diminishes most surrounding noises, such as conversations, cars, and even the sound of a kitchen extractor fan (and as a bonus, it can muffle the snoring of your loved one).
On the other hand, the transparency mode allows you to stay aware of your surroundings without needing to remove the earbuds. In the Capsule3 Pro+, this feature performs admirably, effectively balancing ambient sound with audio playback.
Read also:
- FiiO JD1 review: You can’t beat this price
- Honor Earbuds X6 TWS Headphones Review: Good Sound for $35
SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ Battery life
The battery life of the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ is quite impressive. At a volume level of around 60% and without using Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the earbuds can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge. When using the charging case, the total battery life extends to 43 hours under the same conditions.
In practice, this means that with ANC turned on and listening at a volume of 70-80%, you can expect the earbuds to consume about 20%-25% of their battery per hour. Therefore, you can realistically anticipate around 5 hours of usage at higher volume levels with noise cancellation active. This performance makes the Capsule3 Pro+ a solid choice for users who value longevity in their audio devices.
Conclusions and competitors
I appreciate the trend that high-quality sound is becoming more accessible and affordable. Just 5-6 years ago, achieving such sound quality typically required spending over $150-170. Now, you can find excellent audio performance for under $100.
The SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ exemplifies this shift. With dual drivers and support for LDAC, they deliver a truly deep and immersive sound experience at their price point. The effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) work well to reduce background noise during both music playback and calls.
Additional highlights include their ergonomic design, appealing aesthetics, customizable and detachable touch controls, and impressive battery life. Overall, the Capsule3 Pro+ stands out as a fantastic option for anyone seeking quality audio without breaking the bank.
However, there is competition in the affordable Hi-Res TWS segment as well. What should I consider as a comparable alternative to the Capsule3 Pro+ in terms of features? For example, the Nothing Ear (a). Right now, you can grab them for around $90, and they also offer support for LDAC, ANC, ENC, and Multipoint. Additionally, they have a headphone search feature, auto-pause, and integrated ChatGPT (though I’m not sure what to do with that in earbuds)..
You can also take a look at the Huawei FreeBuds 6i. They support not only LDAC but also L2HC 2.0, and they come with an auto-pause feature. However, the headphone search function is only available when using Huawei smartphones.
If you want to save a bit, you might consider the Redmi Buds 5 Pro. With an average price of $70 (€65), they also support Hi-Res audio, feature dual drivers, ANC, and have decent battery life. However, they lack microphone noise cancellation, which likely means they aren’t well-suited for phone calls.
Read also: