SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Review

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro promise high-resolution audio and impressive ANC for only $60. However, their performance is more in line with their price.

I always look forward to testing SoundPEATS headphones since they have never disappointed me. But that’s about to change with the Capsule3 Pro.

Let’s be clear; SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro aren’t bad. However, they focus too much on features and forget about the basics: sound quality. And with fierce competition breathing down their neck, they have a tough job convincing you to purchase.

That said, there are some positive aspects of these earbuds that we shouldn’t dismiss. Find out in more detail below.

Or jump straight to better alternatives.

Price:

Pros & Cons:

Sound

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro sound rather loose throughout all frequency regions, with thin vocals and uneven midrange. EQ helps a bit, but it doesn’t let you fix the problematic areas.

Check the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro – A/B sound test:

Learn how to understand sound comparisons.

From SoundPEATS H1, Sonic, Air3 Deluxe, and Air3 Deluxe HS, all deliver a relatively balanced sound out of the box, or they let you fix it with custom EQ.

However, the Capsule3 Pro are tuned in a way you can’t do much about it. Or with other words, the app doesn’t give you the freedom to do so. More on that later.

In the end, you’re left with an okay-ish sound that might appeal to the general public because it’s loud and has bass. However, it lacks everything else that makes music listening a journey.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Frequency Response

Bass: Punchy but unrefined

Lower frequencies are elevated 11dB above the neutral target, and the boost extends from 20Hz to 200Hz, where the curve eventually flattens.

That’s quite evident in the sound itself, which gets muddy fast. There’s very little detail and nuances in the bass, so apart from the punch and rumble, it doesn’t provide much information.

Playing with custom EQ inside the app helps relax the lower bass and gives it more control.

However, since the app only lets you adjust the sub-bass, you still get occasional warmth from the upper bass, which disrupts the balance in the sound.

Midrange: Uneven and thin

Similar issues continue into the midrange, where there’s a boost at 1.5kHz by 7dB and at 5kHz by 12dB. That’s more than enough to throw the mids off balance.

Consequently, instruments and vocals are pushed upfront in the mix and are overly loud compared to other sounds.

Since some parts of the sound are more boosted than others, the vocals sound uneven and thin—similarly, the instruments, where electric guitars can occasionally get overly distorted.

You can fix some of the unevenness using the EQ, but thin vocals remain. Also, you might expect some sibilance. It isn’t piercing, but it’s there.

Treble: Lovely shimmer but could use more presence

The treble is the best part of the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro sound. High frequencies are smooth and non-fatiguing, with a decent texture.

Dip at 9kHz is the right move, but there could be more presence at 11kHz, which would make the treble stand out more.

Instead, boosts in other frequencies overpower the cymbals, which get lost in the mix during busy tracks. Applying a more relaxing EQ help them breathe and become airier.

Using custom EQ settings even helps to “enlarge” the soundstage a bit. Since it makes the sound less congested, you get a better picture of where the sounds are coming from.

On the other hand, imaging is only decent. You know the sound is coming from the left or right channel, but you can’t quite tell its precise position.

Custom audio equalizer

Our first introduction to SoundPEATS app was when testing the Air3 Deluxe. For those earbuds, custom EQ offered 7 frequency bands with +/-3dB boost or decrease.

Next, the Air3 Deluxe HS offered a much more helpful 10-band EQ with a +/-6dB boost. Most importantly, all band frequencies were right where we wanted them to be to correct the sound.

In Capsule3 Pro, you get 9-band EQ with +/-6dB, which sounds good, but the band frequencies are all over the place, preventing you from making the sound better.

For example, you want to boost the bass, but you only have a 20Hz band to play with, and the next one is at 250Hz. That means that lowering the 20Hz doesn’t reduce the upper bass.

We’re unsure why SoundPEATS constantly changes the EQ interface instead of keeping the one from Air3 Deluxe HS, which is spot on. There may be DSP limitations for each earbud model, but it’s frustrating, nonetheless.

Check out similar headphones:

• Best budget noise cancelling headphones

Comfort & Fit

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro are overall quite comfortable and remain stable during workouts. But their relatively big housing makes you constantly aware that something is in your ears.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro follow a similar design to Apple AirPods Pro, with a bean-shaped upper part and a stem that faces your mouth.

Silicone ear tips are also slightly oval to better fit into your ear canal. You get 3 different sizes, all of which are relatively big, so users who usually wear smaller sizes might feel some pressure.

Returning to the bean-shaped housing, it’s on the bigger side, so you feel it inside your ears. It isn’t as intrusive as JBL Reflect Mini NC, so you shouldn’t experience pain after long listening sessions.

However, because it touches your ears from all sides, you’re always aware you have earbuds in your ears. It’s strange because they aren’t bigger than EarFun Air Pro 3, but we still notice them more.

On the other hand, SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro provide a great stable fit. While they can’t beat ear hooks or dedicated sports earbuds, you can safely use them during workouts.

We made our head-shaking test, and the earbuds didn’t move much. Moreso, they didn’t lose the seal, so you don’t need to readjust them constantly.

Durability

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro have a solid feel and looks, with a thicker hinge on the case to ensure some ruggedness. Buds are rated for an IPX4, which is enough to use in the gym.

Earbuds are made mostly of hard plastic, except for the metal mesh in the nozzle and a microphone grill at the top. They feel solid in hand without any visible weak spots.

It looks like Capsule3 Pro are glued together from 5 or even 6 pieces, which increases the chance of potentially breaking open. That said, you would truly have to abuse them to make that happen.

To ensure protection from liquids, SoundPEATS tested them for an IPX4 rating. That means they can survive sweat and light water splashes (rain) but not showering or swimming. If you want that, look for the best waterproof headphones.

Moving to the charging case, it’s also made of plastic but feels dense and better than the one in SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS, which sell at a similar price.

Its lid firmly holds itself shut, so it won’t accidentally open while in the bag or pocket. The hinge is also quite thick, which should ensure better drop protection.

Still, the case isn’t water resistant, so keep it away from moisture, like your sweaty clothes and towel after a workout. Also, it’s pretty big, creating a noticeable bulge in your pocket.

Battery

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro can squeeze 4 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, which is the lowest among all ANC earbuds we’ve tested. At least the earbuds and the case charge from 0-100% in only an hour.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Battery Comparison

Active noise cancellation is a processing-intensive work that consumes a lot of energy. On average, you can expect a third less battery life than with ANC off.

However, in SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro, the expected duration is halved. In our battery life test, enabling ANC and playing music at 50% volume, we got:

• 3 hours and 59 minutes, which is (so far) the lowest battery life results among all ANC earbuds we’ve tested.

In contrast, SoundPEATS promises 8 hours of playtime without ANC and 5.5 hours with it. That’s 1.5 hours more than what you get during actual usage.

A bitter taste is corrected with 44 hours of extra juice inside the charging case (although, by continuously using ANC, you might only get extra 22 hours out of it).

Furthermore, official specifications claim both earbuds and the charging case can fast charge from 0-100% in just 1 hour. But there’s no Qi wireless charging if that’s something you like having.

Features

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro have a rich selection of practical features and good call quality that users can use. Even Adaptive EQ is helpful this time around.

The Capsule3 Pro have the same app features as the other SoundPEATS earbuds (apart from ANC modes, which aren’t supported in Air3 Deluxe buds we’ve tested).

That means you get Adaptive EQ, in-ear detection, gaming mode, and the ability to disable one-touch control gestures. Sadly, no touch controls customization.

Adaptive EQ

In the previous earbuds we’ve tested, Adaptive EQ worked either by creating a V-shaped sound signature or by damping it and crushing all dynamics.

Fortunately, in SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro, Adaptive EQ does a good job of lowering the loud midrange and making it more consistent. The end tuning is actually similar to our custom EQ.

So, if you wish to refrain from fiddling with EQ settings, this feature will help you achieve better sound.

Microphone quality

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro have a reasonably clear call quality that works best when speaking in a quiet environment.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro microphone test:

Earbuds use 6 microphones (3 in each earbud), but the main one is in the stem of the right bud.

The call quality performs best when someplace quiet. Earbuds don’t reduce background noise, so the person on the other side can hear things around you. Even tiny noises like mouse clicks.

When talking on the earbuds, you sound a bit thin but not distorted. So others can easily understand what you’re saying.

When exposed to louder outside noise, it takes some time for noise reduction to kick in. After that, the mics successfully keep your voice understandable, albeit it’s slightly thinner and more distorted than before.

Overall performance is similar to the SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS. Good to use for phone calls in a quiet environment.

Noise Isolation

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro block lower frequencies similarly to other in-ear headphones, but they struggle with higher ones where others perform better.

Although Capsule3 Pro use silicone ear tips, they can’t keep out as much external noise as other in-ear earbuds.

Looking at the measurement, earbuds are mostly in line with the competition but start losing after 5kHz and above. Competitors like EarFun Air Pro 3 are ever so slightly better in this region.

As a result, you will want to enable hybrid active noise cancellation to prevent noises from bothering you.

Noise Cancelling

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro have a good active noise cancelling that mainly reduces lower frequencies while leaving higher ones intact. In contrast, albeit noisy, the Ambient sound mode works genuinely well.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro active noise cancelling test:

Testing active noise cancelling in headphones under $60 brings few expectations. Well, the one in SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro is decent and comparable to earbuds like 1MORE PistonBuds Pro, EarFun Air S, and 1MORE Aero.

It can primarily tackle the lower end, reducing it by 27dB, which is enough to make your ride on public transport more bearable.

In higher frequencies, the reduction is, at some point, even better, down by 34dB. However, comparing ANC to passive isolation shows the ANC actually boosts high frequencies by roughly 3dB.

Overall, the performance is good for the price and will do the job.

What about Ambient sound mode?

The ambient sound mode in SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro naturally boosts ambient noise right up to 3kHz, in some places, by +5dB.

Thankfully, the increase is even, so nothing sounds overly thin or loud. As a result, you can easily have a normal conversation with someone next to you.

The only thing worth noting is that mics significantly boost the signal, resulting in an audible background hiss.

Bluetooth

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro wireless earbuds have an average indoor Bluetooth range of 40 feet, support for LDAC audio codec, and low latency suitable for mobile gamers. But no multipoint.

The Capsule3 Pro use the latest Bluetooth 5.3, which ensures a reliable close-range connection between your transmitting devices.

While the outdoor range shouldn’t be an issue, the indoor one is only average.

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro stopped playing audio right after trying to pass the second brick wall at a distance of 40 feet (12 meters).

Switching to a different Bluetooth codec didn’t help to extend the range.

That means you can walk into the next room without experiencing connection issues but avoid walking any further without taking the transmitting device.

Furthermore, earbuds lack Bluetooth multipoint support, which is to be expected at this price point.

How to pair SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro?

1. When taking them out of the packaging for the first time, you first have to peel off the plastic that prevents them from charging. Then place them back in the case, close and reopen the lid, and the earbuds will automatically initiate the pairing process.
2. To pair them to the other device, place the wireless earbuds into the charging case, close and reopen the lid, and hold the case button next to the charging port until you hear “pairing” from the buds.

What Bluetooth codecs do they use?

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro use SBC, AAC, and hi-res audio LDAC Bluetooth codecs. For the latter to work, you need an Android device, and you must enable the LDAC inside your earbuds’ Bluetooth settings.

Is there any audio lag?

Even without Game mode, the audio latency is imperceivable when watching videos on YouTube and clips on social media. Those apps are optimized to ensure a lag-free experience regardless of the earbuds’ delay.

However, mobile gaming isn’t optimized, so you must enable Game mode. The difference is noticeable and good enough to satisfy even competitive mobile gamers.

Should You Get SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro?

Overall, SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro are a somewhat average set of true wireless earbuds that could’ve been much better.

They have many bonus features, but they don’t convince with the basics like sound quality, which SoundPEATS can do better.

If you’re on a tight budget and $60 is the maximum, SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro might be a decent option for commuting as they offer the best ANC and ambient sound mode, at least at this price range.

Furthermore, they’re a good option for sportspeople who want to listen to music in the gym and don’t necessarily care about audio quality.

Even mobile gamers will find them valuable thanks to their low-latency performance.

On the other hand, if you’re into sound quality, options like EarFun Air S seem like a much better pick. And if you can spare an extra $20, EarFun Air Pro 3 are an improvement in almost every aspect. Check other excellent alternatives below.

How do SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro compare to the competition?

SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Alternatives

EarFun Air S

SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS

EarFun Air Pro 3

What’s in the Box?

• SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro true wireless earbuds
• Charging case
• USB-C charging cable
• 3 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
• User manual

Specifications