Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS 14.2mm Dynamic Driver LDAC Semi-In-Ear Earbuds Bluetooth 5.2 20H Playtime
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Model: SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS
Price: MSRP $49.99
Vendor Product Link: SoundPEATS
Review Reference: RC083
Manufacturer Specification:
1 x Pair Wireless Earbuds
1 x USB Type-C Charge Case
1 x USB Type-C Charge Cable
1 x User Manual: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese
Where to Buy:
Currently on special offer from Amazon UK at £32.49 and Amazon US at $35.99
YouTube Review:
Introduction:
Welcome to the @regancipher review of the latest addition to SoundPEATS' popular semi-in-ear collective, the Air3 Deluxe HS.
At the bottom of this review, you can find my previous reviews on their older brothers and sisters, the TrueAir2, TrueAir2+ and Air3. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to sample the most recent iteration (aka the Deluxe) as they were released in the UK at the same time as the HS, but for all intents and purposes, this release has switched the Qualcomm chipset in the Deluxe for the WUQI WQ7033M, trading the 420kbps aptX-adaptive codec for 990kbps LDAC support. WUQI seem to have come out of nowhere to supply two of the main budget releases of the year - these, and the QCY Melobuds ANC.
There are other tweaks certainly worthy of a mention - including the new, improved (and certainly different) sound signature - and this review will detail those alterations and ask the question - was this release justified?
The SoundPEATS range is somewhat confusing these days with the proliferation of releases - above gives you some headline details that should help tailor your decision. Essentially, if you like semi-in-ear, your choices are the longer-stemmed TrueAir2 (oldest) & TrueAir2+ (slightly newer, with AptX-adaptive and Wireless Charging) or the shorter-stemmed Air3 series, including the original Air3 (smaller case), Air3 Deluxe (AptX-adaptive, slightly longer total battery life than the Air3) and this model, the HS, for LDAC and AI ENC. In-Ear stem-based is either the Life (weak ANC, bass and AI ENC calls) or the Air3 Pro (stronger ANC, better single-use battery life, better latency, weaker call performance). Confused?!
The Deluxe HS are currently on offer for the special Black Friday price of £32.49 in the UK and $34.99 in the US - that's crazy money for LDAC buds, so the other big question will be 'Are they a bargain at these super-low prices?' - read on for the answers to that, and many other questions as we deep-dive into the SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS.....
Unboxing - 8/10
Unboxing the Deluxe HS is definitely a step in the right direction from Soundpeats. After years of good releases being impossible to be given as gifts due to a shabby and flimsy exterior cardboard enclosure, Soundpeats have finally moved to a more premium, robust design, whilst minimising the non-recyclable materials to ensure an enclosure that wouldn't actually look out of place covered in gift wrap and handed out as a Birthday or Christmas present.
The box lists the headline features - Hi-Res Wireless Audio, 14.2mm dynamic drivers and Dual-Mic AI ENC - on the back, and the front includes a pensive-looking model gazing into the distance whilst sporting the rose-gold accented buds.
The instruction manual is, as always, in 7 different languages and demonstrates the steps needed to pair, control and reset the buds with graphics and text to good effect, and hidden in the inlay you'll find a USB-A to USB-C charge cable and detailed steps on how to update the firmware. Don't throw this away - you'll need it, as the product has typically been shipped with version 0.4.3 - since, Soundpeats have improved the LDAC stability, so an upgrade to 0.4.4 is essential.
For visual instructions on how to upgrade the firmware - head to the app section of my YouTube review (linked above).
The Case - 8.5/10
First impressions of the case are very positive - whilst some consider a glossy exterior as a negative due to the inevitable finger marks it will attract, the move away from the charcoal matte finish synonymous with most Soundpeats cases is, IMO, a good one. The shape is like a cross between that of the Mini/Free2 Classic and the Huawei FreeBuds Pro, and although it lacks the substantial feel of the latter, it is certainly a step up in quality from the former.
Soundpeats have kept the essence of the charge case the same as the Air3, and the cosmetics identical to the Deluxe. They've retained the charge LED at the front (which demonstrates remaining charge and indicates when the case is charging) and given the reset button a raised, more tactile profile. The hinge, one of the bug-bears of the Air3, has been supplemented with increased friction - this is a massive improvement, as it means you can pop them open on the desk, and pair with your device, taking advantage of the hall-switch facility (allowing you to pair without removing the buds from the case).
The rear of the case displays the Soundpeats logo on a rose gold accented hinge surround, which shimmers in the light. The USB-C port is on the base - there is no wireless charging with this model unfortunately. The case offers three additional charges, taking the total battery life to 20 hours advertised. This compares favourably with the original Air3 (17.5 hours) and less so with the TA2+ (25 hours). If battery life and wireless charging are important to you, the slightly-longer stemmed TrueAir2+ are still a decent option.
The case is slightly larger than the original Air3, measuring 58mm (width) x 44.9mm (height) x 23mm (depth), although that is accentuated slightly by the curved, pill-shape-style which measures longer that it actually appears. Despite the minor reduction in portability, the overall quality far outweighs this academic loss - from the hinge, to the button, to the improved interior cockpit, it is an unequivocal improvement all-round.
The portability reduction is something of a misnomer when you look at the weight of the case too. The Air3 was 31.5g, the TrueAir2+ 37.5g, and the HS is just over 35g. To put into perspective, the closest competitor (Edifier W220T) is over 40g, so it is still super portable compared to the competition and isn't going to weigh your trouser pockets down or fill your handbag up.
Ergonomics - 9/10
The Air3 series are open-air 'semi-in-ear' style, meaning isolation is almost non-existent, allowing users to hear their surroundings and enjoy music at the same time. SoundPEATS are widely recognised as the leader in this area due to their ability to tune their drivers to offer punchy basslines without distortion, something the likes of Edifier and 1More haven't successfully been able to achieve.
From the Air3, the academic changes are especially evident in the design and ergonomics. The killer stability and comfort that the Air3 offered meant a total redesign for the latest iteration would be simply unnecessary - why change a winning formula? Even so, it is probably a tad unimaginative to simply adjust the accent from grey to rose gold!
Everything else has been retained from the original - stems are still 33mm, charge connectors are still at the base, mics are in the same place, etc. This isn't a bad thing - good products like the FIIL CC2 and Huawei Freebuds 3 are too awkward, the FIIL Key and Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro too loose, and QCY T20 and Soundcore Life Note 3S too bulky - none come close to the usability of the Air3 range - so we can forgive them a little for absence of any creativity here.
I put the buds through the shake test in my YouTube review - they pass the test with flying colours. They are IPX4, like the original, meaning they will comfortably withstand a splash of rain, but submerging them should be avoided at all costs. The buds feature wear detection - which can be toggled on and off - and have a comprehensive control scheme which includes volume control and the ability to toggle gaming mode and (now) progress tracks both forward and backwards.
The sensitivity of the touch controls is one area SoundPEATS could have really improved from the original - they are very prone to accidental touches when adjusting them. Fortunately single touch can now be toggled in the app, and whilst this is helpful, it also removes the ability to reduce and increase volume - pick your poison!
Audio Quality - 9/10 (for the price paid), 8.5/10 (raw score)
LDAC on a semi-in-ear bud has been questioned by many buyers across the review comments I've read so far. It is fair to say semi--in-ear buds fall a little way behind silicon-tipped in-ear offerings in the popularity stakes, but those that do like them shouldn't be discounted from improved quality audio, and Soundpeats have changed the sound profile on this model drastically to deliver an improved, although very different, audible experience.
The original Air3 were raw and edgy, thundering basslines and harsh clashes through the 14.2mm dynamic driver. Don't expect a similar thing with the HS! This time, the focus has been on improving clarity and resolution, with the trebles far more refined and the basslines much tighter. Lower frequencies, whilst not jettisoned altogether, are much faster and more tangible, with an improved lower-mid depth and far less emphasis on the subbass. This can leave EDM sounding a little less exciting, although you can replicate the sound profile of the original by selecting the Pop preset in the app, and you still benefit from the improved imaging and resolution, with the cleaner higher frequencies on pianos and cymbals still very evident.
The biggest change, however, is the constrained upper frequencies, with a dip in the mids at 1.5k then the treble rolling off quite sharply at 12-13k. It can sound a little odd initially if you listen to them straight after something the like original Air3, with a lot of air removed. It doesn't detract from the detail, but it can leave vocals sounding somewhat held-back. Again, selecting alternative EQ's (such as electronic) can mitigate this if it isn't your cup of tea, but whilst everything has been tightened up, the soundstage still has reasonable breadth and engaging width- SoundPEATS have long been the masters of being able to expand the soundstage without turning the sound thin and metallic, and once again they've done a very decent job here, showing they aren't just one-trick ponies and can 'mature' their signature sound slightly even with a single driver arrangement. Imaging is very nice too with decent accuracy - better than the subsequent Mini Pro HS and Capsule3 Pro releases, although they do admittedly benefit from the open design.
The addition to LDAC is certainly worthwhile - the extra detail from 96k 24-bit processing is certainly evident with Tidal Masters, where the sound has greater texture and the trebles crispier. Whether it is a chasm of improvement over that delivered by Aptx-Adaptive is less obvious - if you don't have a device that supports aptX-adaptive, though (like the Pixel 6A) then the LDAC support is very welcome - although even on AAC, the sound is still better than most of their competitors in the airpod-style category they continue to dominate.
Call Quality - Indoors - 8/10, Outdoors - 8.5/10
Call quality is another area where the HS improve over the Air3. Utilising the AI environmental noise reduction native to the WUQI chipset, they make good use of the dual-mic array, improving the ability to mask ambient sounds and elevating your voice. This is especially impressive outdoors, where they handled airport and train station environments admirably (see my YouTube review for details).
Indoors calls are equally legible, although your voice can lack a little substance when other sounds are introduced around you - a common problem with TWS, but less of a problem here than most.
Calls are much better than on the Air3 Pro, and environmental sounds are handled better than on the original Air3 and TrueAir2. It's a worthy upgrade given the time passed since those releases.
Connectivity and Other Features - 7.5/10
Connectivity is pretty good, holding firm at around 10m. They support Bluetooth 5.2, and suffered no dropouts on my Mi 11T Pro. The Pixel 6A saw the occasional single-bud audio glitch, although I am confident this is more to do with the Pixel than the HS.
The buds have in-ear detection, and this is simply on and off, and triggers with either earbud. It works reasonably well, although the inability to switch between both buds and one bud is a minor annoyance.
The Soundpeats app, after a rocky start, is maturing nicely. It gives you quite a few interesting features - like the Air3, you've got Game Mode, which reduces the latency to around 60ms from the buds and depending on your source, this can result in improved lip synchronisation on videos and better performance on gaming, and can be toggled in the main menu screen of the app. The native latency is decent - although not as good as the Air3 Pro - but gaming mode does help, just remember it will impact negatively on battery life.
Soundpeats also offer 'Adaptive EQ', which puts your ears through a hearing test with various frequencies blasted at you, to which you have to tell the app whether you heard 1, 2 or 3 beeps. The profile it delivered to me just reduced the midrange even more, so I defaulted to the standard 10 bar customisable EQ and 9 presets - and the presets are actually quite usable. Aside the Pop and Electronic ones I mentioned previously, some might like Bass Boost, which gives the sub-bass frequencies marginally more depth. Again, there is a full app walkthrough in my YouTube vid.
Comparison to Air3 & TrueAir2
Whilst this was mostly covered in my review of the Air3, with all three still on sale in 2023, it is worth analysing which model represents the best value. The TrueAir2 at Amazon UK are at approximately £25, Air3 are at £32, Air3 Deluxe are at £37, and Air3 Deluxe HS fluctuate between £37-47.
Firstly, the design. The TrueAir2 is slightly longer at 37mm compared to 33mm on the Air3 range. Whilst this doesn't seem much, it does have a slight bearing on stability - if either of these are going to fall out of your ears, it's the TrueAir2. The TrueAir2 also have the disadvantage of having the battery connectors on the inside, which is all well and good unless you have a nickel allergy. My girlfriend does, and so I had to upgrade her to the Air3 instead.
We've seen the case of the Deluxe and Deluxe HS in the above review, but in the above picture you can see the Air3 (top) and TrueAir2 (below). The TrueAir2+ (seemingly no longer available) is the only one that supports wireless charging, and none of the models support quick charge. Battery life has reduced over the different iterations, with capacity of 25 hours on the TrueAir2 moving down to 17.5 hours on the Air3, then back up to 20 hours on the Air3 Deluxe HS. In real times, the difference is academic - LDAC can wear away at that total capacity though, and this is probably something worth bearing in mind.
In terms of the sound, the sound signature on the Deluxe HS is the only model that deviates from the aggressive, punchy sound you have on the other models. The Deluxe HS removes some of the harshness from the trebles and produces a relatively bass response, whereas the other models are quite peaky throughout. The result is the Deluxe HS are much smoother and warmer, whereas the other models are more energetic.
The Deluxe HS is the only model to support LDAC, and this is also something to bear in mind. If your phone is old and/or doesn't support it and/or is an iPhone, then you won't enjoy the minor benefits of a higher resolution codec. If it does, then you have to weigh up the benefits over the reduced battery life (see Battery section of the review). It is, of course, possible to stick to AAC even if your phone does support it, but because the SoundPEATS app doesn't make it easy to switch codec, doing this on your phone every time you connect can be a little cumbersome.
The other models, on the other hand, support AptX-Adaptive and AptX. To get the benefit of AptX-Adaptive, you're going to have to have a Snapdragon processor phone - so again, iPhone and Pixel owners will be locked out, although the latter will be able to select traditional AptX. With AAC implementations much better these days, there's only a minor benefit in latency from AptX. No codec, whether LDAC or AptX-Adaptive, has a sufficient bearing on the sound over sound signature, so bear this in mind.
In terms of call quality, the Deluxe HS is a little way ahead of the other models, certainly worthy of the price uplift. You can hear the difference in my YouTube review (link is at the top)
So to summarise, if you have a phone that supports all codecs, Air3 Deluxe HS are definitely worthy of the difference in price.
Summary
The Air3 Deluxe HS only see minor improvements, mostly under the hood, but the addition of LDAC and improved call quality gives them a tangible edge over previous iterations. With the Deluxe supporting AptX-adaptive and the HS LDAC, buyers now have options depending on the compatibility of their devices, and that deserves some merit.
Only the absence of quick-charge and the failure to remedy the slightly over-sensitive touch controls remain a blot on the copybook, but considering the competitive landscape, these are minor compromises considering the benefits you're getting.
At the current discounted price of around $35, the HS are a steal. This year I've reviewed semi-in-ear offerings from QCY, Soundcore, Tronsmart, Edifier and 1More, and the gap between those brands and Soundpeats just continues to grow thanks to this release. For whatever reason, the others just can't seem to get the basics - good sound, call quality and fit - to the level that SoundPEATS can. Whilst they are some way off being a premium-feeling bud still - and it's a shame they don't really push the boat out and evolve this model and their app to a truly premium-feeling product - it is still the plum choice when it comes to semi-in-ear in 2023.
Price Weighted Score: 95%
Raw Score: 87%
SoundPEATS Review Inventory:
SoundPEATS Air3 Pro
SoundPEATS Mini Pro
SoundPEATS H2
SoundPEATS T3
SoundPEATS Mini
SoundPEATS Air3
SoundPEATS TrueAir2+
SoundPEATS TrueAir 2
SoundPEATS H1
SoundPEATS T2
SoundPEATS Sonic
About SoundPEATS:
SoundPEATS seem to have become an overnight sensation, wiping up a large portion of budget TWS earbud market share with a business model that has served them (and Anker before them) exceptionally well - good distribution channels (via Amazon), good support, a catchy name and product that performs well at a very competitive price point. In reality, they have been around a long time - whilst Shenzhen SoundSOUL IT Co LTD is a different trading name to Ginto E-Commerce, they share the same business address (including room number) as them - you may know their brand name better as Dudios. With Dudios not sounding quite so cool as Soundpeats, maybe the brand transition has been instrumental in their success, but having been around since 2010 and patents in Bluetooth tech stretching back to 2015, they are not the plucky upstarts that some may think - they know their stuff, have a great network of contacts, and now a very solid brand in Europe, and deservedly so.
The thing that sets SoundPEATS apart from other vendors, and makes them my favourite budget earbud vendor, is that they are completely transparent over their components. Whether they use Realtek, Qualcomm or Airoha chips in their buds, they are totally open about it, and as a reviewer this really helps, because whilst I have, and do, dismantle buds to check the way that certain things have been implemented (such as the power management, mems mics, etc) and I really don't like having to do it with every set of earbuds, because they then become unusable.
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Model: SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS
Price: MSRP $49.99
Vendor Product Link: SoundPEATS
Review Reference: RC083
Manufacturer Specification:
- Brand: SoundPEATS
- Model: Air3 Deluxe HS
- Driver: 14.2mm Bio-Diaphragm Dynamic Driver
- Chipset: WUQI WQ7033M
- Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-40KHz
- Mic: Dual-Mic AI ENC
- ANC: No
- Multipoint Connectivity: No
- Codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC
- App Support: Yes
- Volume Control: Yes
- Gaming Mode: Yes
- In-Ear Detection: Yes
- Earbud Weight: 3.96g
- Earbud Dimensions: 33mm stem
- Gross Case & Buds Weight: 35.30g
- Case Dimensions: 58mm (width) x 44.9mm (height) x 23mm (depth)
- Case Charge Capacity: 300mAh
- Quick Charge: No
- Wireless Charging: No
- Single Use Playtime: Up to 5 hours
- Playtime with Charge Case: Up to 20 hours
- Bluetooth Range: 10m advertised
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 5.2
- Bluetooth Protocols: HFP 1.7/ A2DP 1.3/ AVRCP 1.5 / GATT / LE
- Water Resistance: IPX4 (not stated on box)
1 x Pair Wireless Earbuds
1 x USB Type-C Charge Case
1 x USB Type-C Charge Cable
1 x User Manual: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese
Where to Buy:
Currently on special offer from Amazon UK at £32.49 and Amazon US at $35.99
YouTube Review:
Introduction:
Welcome to the @regancipher review of the latest addition to SoundPEATS' popular semi-in-ear collective, the Air3 Deluxe HS.
At the bottom of this review, you can find my previous reviews on their older brothers and sisters, the TrueAir2, TrueAir2+ and Air3. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to sample the most recent iteration (aka the Deluxe) as they were released in the UK at the same time as the HS, but for all intents and purposes, this release has switched the Qualcomm chipset in the Deluxe for the WUQI WQ7033M, trading the 420kbps aptX-adaptive codec for 990kbps LDAC support. WUQI seem to have come out of nowhere to supply two of the main budget releases of the year - these, and the QCY Melobuds ANC.
There are other tweaks certainly worthy of a mention - including the new, improved (and certainly different) sound signature - and this review will detail those alterations and ask the question - was this release justified?
The SoundPEATS range is somewhat confusing these days with the proliferation of releases - above gives you some headline details that should help tailor your decision. Essentially, if you like semi-in-ear, your choices are the longer-stemmed TrueAir2 (oldest) & TrueAir2+ (slightly newer, with AptX-adaptive and Wireless Charging) or the shorter-stemmed Air3 series, including the original Air3 (smaller case), Air3 Deluxe (AptX-adaptive, slightly longer total battery life than the Air3) and this model, the HS, for LDAC and AI ENC. In-Ear stem-based is either the Life (weak ANC, bass and AI ENC calls) or the Air3 Pro (stronger ANC, better single-use battery life, better latency, weaker call performance). Confused?!
The Deluxe HS are currently on offer for the special Black Friday price of £32.49 in the UK and $34.99 in the US - that's crazy money for LDAC buds, so the other big question will be 'Are they a bargain at these super-low prices?' - read on for the answers to that, and many other questions as we deep-dive into the SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS.....
Unboxing - 8/10
Unboxing the Deluxe HS is definitely a step in the right direction from Soundpeats. After years of good releases being impossible to be given as gifts due to a shabby and flimsy exterior cardboard enclosure, Soundpeats have finally moved to a more premium, robust design, whilst minimising the non-recyclable materials to ensure an enclosure that wouldn't actually look out of place covered in gift wrap and handed out as a Birthday or Christmas present.
The box lists the headline features - Hi-Res Wireless Audio, 14.2mm dynamic drivers and Dual-Mic AI ENC - on the back, and the front includes a pensive-looking model gazing into the distance whilst sporting the rose-gold accented buds.
The instruction manual is, as always, in 7 different languages and demonstrates the steps needed to pair, control and reset the buds with graphics and text to good effect, and hidden in the inlay you'll find a USB-A to USB-C charge cable and detailed steps on how to update the firmware. Don't throw this away - you'll need it, as the product has typically been shipped with version 0.4.3 - since, Soundpeats have improved the LDAC stability, so an upgrade to 0.4.4 is essential.
For visual instructions on how to upgrade the firmware - head to the app section of my YouTube review (linked above).
The Case - 8.5/10
First impressions of the case are very positive - whilst some consider a glossy exterior as a negative due to the inevitable finger marks it will attract, the move away from the charcoal matte finish synonymous with most Soundpeats cases is, IMO, a good one. The shape is like a cross between that of the Mini/Free2 Classic and the Huawei FreeBuds Pro, and although it lacks the substantial feel of the latter, it is certainly a step up in quality from the former.
Soundpeats have kept the essence of the charge case the same as the Air3, and the cosmetics identical to the Deluxe. They've retained the charge LED at the front (which demonstrates remaining charge and indicates when the case is charging) and given the reset button a raised, more tactile profile. The hinge, one of the bug-bears of the Air3, has been supplemented with increased friction - this is a massive improvement, as it means you can pop them open on the desk, and pair with your device, taking advantage of the hall-switch facility (allowing you to pair without removing the buds from the case).
The rear of the case displays the Soundpeats logo on a rose gold accented hinge surround, which shimmers in the light. The USB-C port is on the base - there is no wireless charging with this model unfortunately. The case offers three additional charges, taking the total battery life to 20 hours advertised. This compares favourably with the original Air3 (17.5 hours) and less so with the TA2+ (25 hours). If battery life and wireless charging are important to you, the slightly-longer stemmed TrueAir2+ are still a decent option.
The case is slightly larger than the original Air3, measuring 58mm (width) x 44.9mm (height) x 23mm (depth), although that is accentuated slightly by the curved, pill-shape-style which measures longer that it actually appears. Despite the minor reduction in portability, the overall quality far outweighs this academic loss - from the hinge, to the button, to the improved interior cockpit, it is an unequivocal improvement all-round.
The portability reduction is something of a misnomer when you look at the weight of the case too. The Air3 was 31.5g, the TrueAir2+ 37.5g, and the HS is just over 35g. To put into perspective, the closest competitor (Edifier W220T) is over 40g, so it is still super portable compared to the competition and isn't going to weigh your trouser pockets down or fill your handbag up.
Ergonomics - 9/10
The Air3 series are open-air 'semi-in-ear' style, meaning isolation is almost non-existent, allowing users to hear their surroundings and enjoy music at the same time. SoundPEATS are widely recognised as the leader in this area due to their ability to tune their drivers to offer punchy basslines without distortion, something the likes of Edifier and 1More haven't successfully been able to achieve.
From the Air3, the academic changes are especially evident in the design and ergonomics. The killer stability and comfort that the Air3 offered meant a total redesign for the latest iteration would be simply unnecessary - why change a winning formula? Even so, it is probably a tad unimaginative to simply adjust the accent from grey to rose gold!
Everything else has been retained from the original - stems are still 33mm, charge connectors are still at the base, mics are in the same place, etc. This isn't a bad thing - good products like the FIIL CC2 and Huawei Freebuds 3 are too awkward, the FIIL Key and Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro too loose, and QCY T20 and Soundcore Life Note 3S too bulky - none come close to the usability of the Air3 range - so we can forgive them a little for absence of any creativity here.
I put the buds through the shake test in my YouTube review - they pass the test with flying colours. They are IPX4, like the original, meaning they will comfortably withstand a splash of rain, but submerging them should be avoided at all costs. The buds feature wear detection - which can be toggled on and off - and have a comprehensive control scheme which includes volume control and the ability to toggle gaming mode and (now) progress tracks both forward and backwards.
The sensitivity of the touch controls is one area SoundPEATS could have really improved from the original - they are very prone to accidental touches when adjusting them. Fortunately single touch can now be toggled in the app, and whilst this is helpful, it also removes the ability to reduce and increase volume - pick your poison!
Audio Quality - 9/10 (for the price paid), 8.5/10 (raw score)
LDAC on a semi-in-ear bud has been questioned by many buyers across the review comments I've read so far. It is fair to say semi--in-ear buds fall a little way behind silicon-tipped in-ear offerings in the popularity stakes, but those that do like them shouldn't be discounted from improved quality audio, and Soundpeats have changed the sound profile on this model drastically to deliver an improved, although very different, audible experience.
The original Air3 were raw and edgy, thundering basslines and harsh clashes through the 14.2mm dynamic driver. Don't expect a similar thing with the HS! This time, the focus has been on improving clarity and resolution, with the trebles far more refined and the basslines much tighter. Lower frequencies, whilst not jettisoned altogether, are much faster and more tangible, with an improved lower-mid depth and far less emphasis on the subbass. This can leave EDM sounding a little less exciting, although you can replicate the sound profile of the original by selecting the Pop preset in the app, and you still benefit from the improved imaging and resolution, with the cleaner higher frequencies on pianos and cymbals still very evident.
The biggest change, however, is the constrained upper frequencies, with a dip in the mids at 1.5k then the treble rolling off quite sharply at 12-13k. It can sound a little odd initially if you listen to them straight after something the like original Air3, with a lot of air removed. It doesn't detract from the detail, but it can leave vocals sounding somewhat held-back. Again, selecting alternative EQ's (such as electronic) can mitigate this if it isn't your cup of tea, but whilst everything has been tightened up, the soundstage still has reasonable breadth and engaging width- SoundPEATS have long been the masters of being able to expand the soundstage without turning the sound thin and metallic, and once again they've done a very decent job here, showing they aren't just one-trick ponies and can 'mature' their signature sound slightly even with a single driver arrangement. Imaging is very nice too with decent accuracy - better than the subsequent Mini Pro HS and Capsule3 Pro releases, although they do admittedly benefit from the open design.
The addition to LDAC is certainly worthwhile - the extra detail from 96k 24-bit processing is certainly evident with Tidal Masters, where the sound has greater texture and the trebles crispier. Whether it is a chasm of improvement over that delivered by Aptx-Adaptive is less obvious - if you don't have a device that supports aptX-adaptive, though (like the Pixel 6A) then the LDAC support is very welcome - although even on AAC, the sound is still better than most of their competitors in the airpod-style category they continue to dominate.
Call Quality - Indoors - 8/10, Outdoors - 8.5/10
Call quality is another area where the HS improve over the Air3. Utilising the AI environmental noise reduction native to the WUQI chipset, they make good use of the dual-mic array, improving the ability to mask ambient sounds and elevating your voice. This is especially impressive outdoors, where they handled airport and train station environments admirably (see my YouTube review for details).
Indoors calls are equally legible, although your voice can lack a little substance when other sounds are introduced around you - a common problem with TWS, but less of a problem here than most.
Calls are much better than on the Air3 Pro, and environmental sounds are handled better than on the original Air3 and TrueAir2. It's a worthy upgrade given the time passed since those releases.
Connectivity and Other Features - 7.5/10
Connectivity is pretty good, holding firm at around 10m. They support Bluetooth 5.2, and suffered no dropouts on my Mi 11T Pro. The Pixel 6A saw the occasional single-bud audio glitch, although I am confident this is more to do with the Pixel than the HS.
The buds have in-ear detection, and this is simply on and off, and triggers with either earbud. It works reasonably well, although the inability to switch between both buds and one bud is a minor annoyance.
The Soundpeats app, after a rocky start, is maturing nicely. It gives you quite a few interesting features - like the Air3, you've got Game Mode, which reduces the latency to around 60ms from the buds and depending on your source, this can result in improved lip synchronisation on videos and better performance on gaming, and can be toggled in the main menu screen of the app. The native latency is decent - although not as good as the Air3 Pro - but gaming mode does help, just remember it will impact negatively on battery life.
Soundpeats also offer 'Adaptive EQ', which puts your ears through a hearing test with various frequencies blasted at you, to which you have to tell the app whether you heard 1, 2 or 3 beeps. The profile it delivered to me just reduced the midrange even more, so I defaulted to the standard 10 bar customisable EQ and 9 presets - and the presets are actually quite usable. Aside the Pop and Electronic ones I mentioned previously, some might like Bass Boost, which gives the sub-bass frequencies marginally more depth. Again, there is a full app walkthrough in my YouTube vid.
Comparison to Air3 & TrueAir2
Whilst this was mostly covered in my review of the Air3, with all three still on sale in 2023, it is worth analysing which model represents the best value. The TrueAir2 at Amazon UK are at approximately £25, Air3 are at £32, Air3 Deluxe are at £37, and Air3 Deluxe HS fluctuate between £37-47.
Firstly, the design. The TrueAir2 is slightly longer at 37mm compared to 33mm on the Air3 range. Whilst this doesn't seem much, it does have a slight bearing on stability - if either of these are going to fall out of your ears, it's the TrueAir2. The TrueAir2 also have the disadvantage of having the battery connectors on the inside, which is all well and good unless you have a nickel allergy. My girlfriend does, and so I had to upgrade her to the Air3 instead.
We've seen the case of the Deluxe and Deluxe HS in the above review, but in the above picture you can see the Air3 (top) and TrueAir2 (below). The TrueAir2+ (seemingly no longer available) is the only one that supports wireless charging, and none of the models support quick charge. Battery life has reduced over the different iterations, with capacity of 25 hours on the TrueAir2 moving down to 17.5 hours on the Air3, then back up to 20 hours on the Air3 Deluxe HS. In real times, the difference is academic - LDAC can wear away at that total capacity though, and this is probably something worth bearing in mind.
In terms of the sound, the sound signature on the Deluxe HS is the only model that deviates from the aggressive, punchy sound you have on the other models. The Deluxe HS removes some of the harshness from the trebles and produces a relatively bass response, whereas the other models are quite peaky throughout. The result is the Deluxe HS are much smoother and warmer, whereas the other models are more energetic.
The Deluxe HS is the only model to support LDAC, and this is also something to bear in mind. If your phone is old and/or doesn't support it and/or is an iPhone, then you won't enjoy the minor benefits of a higher resolution codec. If it does, then you have to weigh up the benefits over the reduced battery life (see Battery section of the review). It is, of course, possible to stick to AAC even if your phone does support it, but because the SoundPEATS app doesn't make it easy to switch codec, doing this on your phone every time you connect can be a little cumbersome.
The other models, on the other hand, support AptX-Adaptive and AptX. To get the benefit of AptX-Adaptive, you're going to have to have a Snapdragon processor phone - so again, iPhone and Pixel owners will be locked out, although the latter will be able to select traditional AptX. With AAC implementations much better these days, there's only a minor benefit in latency from AptX. No codec, whether LDAC or AptX-Adaptive, has a sufficient bearing on the sound over sound signature, so bear this in mind.
In terms of call quality, the Deluxe HS is a little way ahead of the other models, certainly worthy of the price uplift. You can hear the difference in my YouTube review (link is at the top)
So to summarise, if you have a phone that supports all codecs, Air3 Deluxe HS are definitely worthy of the difference in price.
Summary
The Air3 Deluxe HS only see minor improvements, mostly under the hood, but the addition of LDAC and improved call quality gives them a tangible edge over previous iterations. With the Deluxe supporting AptX-adaptive and the HS LDAC, buyers now have options depending on the compatibility of their devices, and that deserves some merit.
Only the absence of quick-charge and the failure to remedy the slightly over-sensitive touch controls remain a blot on the copybook, but considering the competitive landscape, these are minor compromises considering the benefits you're getting.
At the current discounted price of around $35, the HS are a steal. This year I've reviewed semi-in-ear offerings from QCY, Soundcore, Tronsmart, Edifier and 1More, and the gap between those brands and Soundpeats just continues to grow thanks to this release. For whatever reason, the others just can't seem to get the basics - good sound, call quality and fit - to the level that SoundPEATS can. Whilst they are some way off being a premium-feeling bud still - and it's a shame they don't really push the boat out and evolve this model and their app to a truly premium-feeling product - it is still the plum choice when it comes to semi-in-ear in 2023.
Price Weighted Score: 95%
Raw Score: 87%
SoundPEATS Review Inventory:
SoundPEATS Air3 Pro
SoundPEATS Mini Pro
SoundPEATS H2
SoundPEATS T3
SoundPEATS Mini
SoundPEATS Air3
SoundPEATS TrueAir2+
SoundPEATS TrueAir 2
SoundPEATS H1
SoundPEATS T2
SoundPEATS Sonic
About SoundPEATS:
SoundPEATS seem to have become an overnight sensation, wiping up a large portion of budget TWS earbud market share with a business model that has served them (and Anker before them) exceptionally well - good distribution channels (via Amazon), good support, a catchy name and product that performs well at a very competitive price point. In reality, they have been around a long time - whilst Shenzhen SoundSOUL IT Co LTD is a different trading name to Ginto E-Commerce, they share the same business address (including room number) as them - you may know their brand name better as Dudios. With Dudios not sounding quite so cool as Soundpeats, maybe the brand transition has been instrumental in their success, but having been around since 2010 and patents in Bluetooth tech stretching back to 2015, they are not the plucky upstarts that some may think - they know their stuff, have a great network of contacts, and now a very solid brand in Europe, and deservedly so.
The thing that sets SoundPEATS apart from other vendors, and makes them my favourite budget earbud vendor, is that they are completely transparent over their components. Whether they use Realtek, Qualcomm or Airoha chips in their buds, they are totally open about it, and as a reviewer this really helps, because whilst I have, and do, dismantle buds to check the way that certain things have been implemented (such as the power management, mems mics, etc) and I really don't like having to do it with every set of earbuds, because they then become unusable.
regancipher
@zzitop you are quite right, I edited my response because I meant to say the HT07 doesn't sound anything like as nice as HT05. Thanks for the correction!
Regarding LDAC, I already said in the review the effects are quite subtle. The chipset, the tuning (which represents 95% of the audio section of the review), LDAC and the drivers all contribute to a lesser or greater degree. The QCY HT07 uses a high performing WUQI chipset, and the same as the HT05, but doesn't sound anywhere near as nice as the HT05, because the other variables aren't optimised.