SoundPEATS Space Review: How Good Can Budget ANC Headphones Be?

Finding the right pair of headphones that strikes the perfect balance between quality, functionality, and affordability is akin to discovering a hidden gem. Amidst a sea of competitors, SoundPEATS has carved out a niche for itself, rapidly becoming synonymous with value and performance. The SoundPEATS Space aims to elevate this reputation further, offering a suite of features designed to appeal to a wide audience by delivering exceptional audio experiences without breaking the bank.

But beyond the specifications and marketing promises lies the real question: Can SoundPEATS Space truly stand out in the crowded market of over-the-ear headphones? And more importantly, can it deliver on its promises without compromising on quality or experience?

This detailed review seeks to uncover whether the SoundPEATS Space lives up to its lofty promises, delving into every aspect from its unboxing experience to its performance in real scenarios. Join us as we explore whether these headphones can truly deliver long-lasting battery life, great sound quality, and the coveted Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, all while maintaining an attractive price point.

Unboxing Experience

The SoundPEATS Space arrives in a sleek, minimalistic package that hints at the sophistication of the product within. Sliding open the box reveals a neatly arranged set of items, each placed thoughtfully to enhance the unboxing experience. Alongside the headphones themselves, you’ll find a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging, a 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening, and a compact user manual that guides you through the features and functionalities of the device. Noticeably absent is a carrying case, a minor omission in an otherwise comprehensive package that prioritizes simplicity and eco-friendliness.

Design and Comfort

The SoundPEATS Space headphones blend aesthetic appeal with ergonomic design, creating a product that looks good and feels comfortable even during prolonged use. The design ethos seems to focus on minimalism, with clean lines and a sleek profile that avoids unnecessary embellishments. The metal accents on the Space serve a dual purpose by reinforcing the structural integrity of the headphones while adding an element of refined elegance. This subtle use of metal contrasts beautifully with the matte plastic, creating a visual and tactile diversity that elevates the overall design.

The SoundPEATS Space boasts a lightweight structure, primarily composed of high-quality plastic reducing the overall weight without sacrificing durability, it also with a matte finish to give a premium look that rivals that of more expensive counterparts in the market, while also serving the functional purpose of resisting fingerprints and smudges. Metal accents are strategically placed for structural support and aesthetic contrast, enhancing the premium feel of the headphones. Despite the accessible price tag, there’s nothing cheap about the appearance of the Space.

The headphones feature a customizable head beam, allowing for easy adjustment to accommodate various head sizes and shapes. The mechanism is both smooth and secure, allowing for precise adjustments without feeling too loose or tight. The clamping force is balanced to provide a snug fit that isolates noise effectively without exerting excessive pressure on the ears or the sides of the head.

The headband is padded with soft protein leather, offering plush comfort even during extended listening sessions. The medium firmness of the foam used strikes an optimal balance between softness and support, contributing to the headphones’ ability to be worn for hours without discomfort, and the weight of the headphones is distributed evenly across the top of the head, minimizing pressure points.

The ear cups of the TOZO HT2 feature a subtle SoundPEATS branding that is tastefully done and designed with user comfort and convenience in mind. The over-ear design ensures that the ear cups encompass the ears rather than pressing on them, reducing the risk of discomfort or fatigue. They are equipped with memory foam inserts covered in soft protein leather, filled with a medium-firmness foam that strikes the perfect balance between plush comfort and adequate support. Furthermore, the ear cups feature a swivel and tilt mechanism, allowing them to adjust to the user’s head and ear shape for a more natural and comfortable fit. The memory foam adapts to the shape of your ears, creating a personalized fit that seals in audio while minimizing external noise.

While the protein leather and memory foam provide excellent comfort and sound isolation, they also offer decent breathability. During extended listening sessions, it’s natural for headphones to accumulate heat, potentially causing discomfort. The TOZO HT2, however, manages to mitigate this effect through its material choice and design, keeping heat build-up to a minimum and allowing for longer, more enjoyable listening experiences without the need for frequent breaks.

The clamping force is calibrated to be firm enough to secure the headphones in place without exerting undue pressure on the sides of the head. This balance is crucial for those who wear glasses, as excessive clamping can cause discomfort. The ear cups’ ability to swivel and tilt ensures a snug fit for a wide range of head shapes and sizes, further enhancing the comfort quotient.

The SoundPEATS Space headphones are designed with portability in mind. The ear cups can fold inward, making the headphones more compact and easy to carry in a bag. While the absence of a carrying case is noted, the foldable design is a thoughtful touch that users who are always on the move will appreciate.

The right ear cup houses the primary control hub. Here, you will find a multifunction button (MFB) that powers the headphones on or off with a long press. A short press on this button plays or pauses music and answers or ends phone calls, making it a central point for managing audio playback and calls efficiently. Surrounding the MFB are the volume up and volume down buttons, which also serve dual purposes. A quick press adjusts the volume, while a long press on the volume up skips tracks forward, and a long press on the volume down skips tracks backward, providing a seamless navigation experience through your playlist.

On the left ear cup, the SoundPEATS Space features a dedicated Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) button. This button allows you to toggle between ANC modes: on, off, and transparency mode. Transparency mode is particularly useful, enabling ambient sound to filter through without removing the headphones, ideal for those moments when you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Connectivity and Pairing

The SoundPEATS Space harnesses the power of Bluetooth 5.3, the latest iteration of Bluetooth technology, offering enhanced performance characteristics over its predecessors. This includes improved speed, greater range, and more efficient power usage. For us, this means quicker pairing times, fewer interruptions, and a more reliable connection overall. The SoundPEATS Space can maintain a clear, consistent audio experience up to 10 meters away from the connected device, giving the freedom to move around without being tethered to their phone or computer.

The use of Bluetooth 5.3 in the Space headphones not only extends the range and improves the connection stability but also minimizes latency. This is particularly noticeable when watching videos or playing games, where audio sync issues can detract from the experience. Furthermore, the headphones’ low energy consumption ensures that the battery lasts longer, even with the advanced features activated.

The TOZO HT2 headphones offer codec support that strikes a thoughtful balance between widespread compatibility and enhanced audio quality, with support for both the standard SBC codec and the more advanced AAC codec. SBC, as the universal Bluetooth audio codec, guarantees that the headphones will work with any Bluetooth-enabled device, offering a reliable, if not the highest quality, audio transmission. On the other hand, the inclusion of AAC codec support is a notable addition that appeals to those seeking better sound fidelity without venturing into the audiophile territory. AAC’s efficiency and superior compression algorithms provide clearer, more detailed sound.

Multi-Device Pairing

One of the most compelling features of the SoundPEATS Space headphones is their ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. This multi-device pairing capability allows users to switch audio sources seamlessly, for instance, from listening to music on a tablet to taking a call on a smartphone. To set up multi-device pairing, you need to pair the headphones with the first device as usual. After the initial connection is established, you can put the headphones back into pairing mode to connect to a second device. Once both devices are connected, the headphones can intelligently switch between them based on audio cues, such as an incoming call.

App Integration and Customization

The SoundPEATS app, available for both iOS and Android, serves as a central hub for personalizing your listening experience, updating firmware, and accessing unique features tailored to your preferences. Upon downloading and connecting the SoundPEATS app to your headphones, you’re greeted with an intuitive interface showcasing battery life, connection status, and easy navigation to various settings. The app is designed to enhance user interaction with the headphones, providing a layer of customization that is both simple and comprehensive.

One of the standout features of the SoundPEATS app is the ability to adjust the EQ settings. You can choose from several presets designed to complement different genres of music or create your own custom EQ settings.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes are pivotal features of the SoundPEATS Space, and the app provides a platform to toggle between these modes effortlessly. You can adjust the intensity of the ANC to find the perfect balance between noise cancellation and awareness of your surroundings. The Transparency mode can also be fine-tuned, allowing ambient sounds to pass through when necessary, such as during conversations or while walking on busy streets.

For gamers and those who prioritize audio-video synchronization, the app offers a low-latency gaming mode. This feature reduces the delay between video playback on your device and audio through your headphones, ensuring a synchronized experience when watching movies or playing games. Activating this mode through the app is simple and can significantly enhance your multimedia consumption experience.

The app also simplifies the process of keeping your headphones up to date with the latest firmware. These updates can improve performance, fix bugs, and sometimes even add new features, ensuring your SoundPEATS Space headphones continue to perform at their best. The update process is straightforward, with the app notifying you of available updates and guiding you through the installation process.

Active Noise Cancellation Performance

One of the standout features of the HAYLOU S35 headphones is their advanced hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology which is surprisingly effective considering the price point. According to the manufacturer, these headphones can reduce ambient noise by up to 35 decibels. This level of noise reduction is comparable to other leading models in the market which usually ranges from 35 to 45 decibels. However, it’s important to manage expectations – the ANC on-budget headphones may not match the performance of higher-end models like Bose or Sony, but the S35 holds its own in its price category.

The SoundPEATS Space utilizes hybrid ANC technology, combining both feedforward and feedback microphones to capture a wider range of external and internal noises. This dual-microphone system allows for more precise noise analysis and cancellation, targeting frequencies from the low rumble of traffic to the higher-pitched hum of an air conditioner. By processing and negating these sounds before they reach the listener’s ears, the SoundPEATS Space aims to provide a significantly quieter and more immersive audio environment.

In practical terms, the ANC performance of the SoundPEATS Space is impressive, especially considering its price point. Users will notice a marked reduction in ambient noise when the feature is activated, creating a more focused listening space. The headphones are particularly effective at diminishing consistent, low-frequency sounds, such as the drone of an airplane engine or the buzz of a refrigerator.

However, like most ANC headphones, the Space may struggle to eliminate erratic, high-frequency sounds such as human speech or sudden clatters. Nevertheless, they still manage to reduce the overall noise level, allowing you to enjoy your music, podcasts, or silence without complete isolation from your surroundings, which can be beneficial for situational awareness.

A common concern with ANC headphones is the potential impact on audio quality. The SoundPEATS Space, however, manages to maintain a balanced and dynamic sound profile, even with ANC activated. Users can expect minimal alteration to the fidelity of their music, with bass remaining punchy and mids and highs retaining their clarity. This is a testament to the careful tuning and quality of the headphones’ drivers, ensuring that the ANC feature enhances rather than detracts from the audio experience.

Furthermore, the SoundPEATS Space headphones offer different ANC modes to cater to various situations and preferences. In addition to the standard ANC mode, there is also a Transparency mode that allows you to hear ambient sounds while still enjoying your audio. This is particularly useful when you need to stay aware of your surroundings or have a quick conversation without removing your headphones. With a simple tap on the earcup, you can switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode, providing you with flexibility and control over your listening experience.

Sound Quality

At the heart of any audio device review is the evaluation of its sound quality, a domain where the SoundPEATS Space aims to impress. These headphones promise to deliver a rich, balanced audio experience, for a wide array of musical preferences and content types. For this, The Space headphones are equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers, a size that typically allows for a good balance of bass response and clarity in the mids and highs. Upon first listening, it’s evident that these headphones strive for a sound signature that is both vibrant and balanced. The bass is punchy and pronounced without overwhelming the mids, which remain clear and well-defined. This ensures that vocals and lead instruments cut through with precision, allowing for an engaging listening experience.

High frequencies are rendered with a crispness that adds a sparkle to the music, highlighting the detail in cymbal crashes and string sections without veering into harshness. This attention to the treble range enhances the overall sense of airiness and space in the music, contributing to a more immersive soundstage.

Deep Dive into the Audio Spectrum

• Bass Response: The low-end performance of the SoundPEATS Space is robust and full-bodied, delivering a satisfying thump in bass-heavy tracks without muddying the overall sound signature. This is particularly impressive in genres like EDM, hip-hop, and reggae, where a pronounced bass line provides the foundation of the music. The headphones manage to reproduce sub-bass frequencies with enough presence and warmth to give a sense of depth, yet they do so without overwhelming the delicate balance of the mid and high frequencies.
• Mid-Range Clarity: The mids are where the SoundPEATS Space truly shines, showcasing a clear and natural reproduction of vocals and acoustic instruments. This mid-range clarity ensures that the emotional nuance of a singer’s performance is conveyed with fidelity, making for an engaging listening experience. Instruments have a distinct presence, allowing for the textured layers of a composition to be appreciated fully. This level of mid-range performance enhances the enjoyment of genres such as folk, rock, classical, and jazz, where vocal and instrumental clarity is paramount.
• Treble Detail: In the high frequencies, the SoundPEATS Space displays a level of detail and brightness that adds dimension to the music. This treble clarity brings out the subtleties in harmonic overtones, cymbal shimmers, and the air around instruments, contributing to a more open and expansive soundstage. The headphones manage to achieve this without introducing sibilance or fatigue, a common pitfall in less refined audio devices. The result is a crisp and detailed top end that complements the rest of the audio spectrum, enhancing the overall listening experience.

The companion app’s EQ customization feature is a significant advantage for you seeking to personalize your sound experience. With the ability to adjust individual frequencies, you can create a sound profile that suits your listening preferences or compensates for any perceived deficiencies in specific recordings.

Soundstage and Imaging

The SoundPEATS Space headphones offer a surprisingly wide soundstage for closed-back, over-ear headphones in this price range. This spatial quality creates an immersive listening experience, giving the impression that the music is emanating from a broader space rather than directly from the headphones. The imaging, or the headphones’ ability to locate instruments and vocals within this space, is precise, allowing one to pinpoint the direction and distance of sound sources accurately. This spatial accuracy adds a layer of realism to live recordings and orchestral pieces, where the placement of instruments is crucial to the performance’s impact.

High-Resolution Audio

The HT2’s Hi-Res Audio certification shines brightest when the headphones are used in wired mode. While Bluetooth performance is robust, connecting the HT2 via the 3.5mm audio cable unlocks its full high-resolution potential. This mode offers an ultra-wide frequency response, from 16 Hz to 44.1 kHz, extending beyond the limits of human hearing to capture the subtlest nuances in high-quality recordings. In wired mode, listeners can experience the full dynamic range of their music, with enhanced clarity and separation across the frequency spectrum.

Microphone and Call Quality

The SoundPEATS Space headphones are equipped with an advanced microphone system designed to enhance call quality, making them suitable for both casual conversations and professional meetings. The microphone’s performance is commendable across different environments. In quiet settings, the microphone picks up the speaker’s voice with remarkable clarity and detail, ensuring that the voice sounds natural and clear without any noticeable distortion.

In noisier environments, the Space’s microphone utilizes noise reduction technologies to suppress background sounds effectively. Whether you’re in a bustling coffee shop or walking on a windy street, the person on the other end of the call receives a significantly reduced amount of background noise. This feature is particularly beneficial for remote workers and those who often find themselves in less-than-ideal conditions for taking calls.

During real testing, the SoundPEATS Space headphones deliver an above-average call-quality experience. Callers on the other end reported that voices came through loud and clear, with minimal background noise interference. This is attributed to the hybrid active noise canceling (ANC) feature that enhances the music listening experience and also improves call quality by isolating the speaker’s voice from unwanted ambient sounds.

While the TOZO HT2 performs admirably in call quality and microphone performance, there are limitations to consider. In extremely noisy environments, some background noises may still penetrate the ENC filter, though to a much lesser extent than without any noise cancellation. Additionally, wind noise can sometimes pose a challenge, affecting microphone performance during outdoor calls. However, these limitations are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall positive call experience.

Gaming and Multimedia Experience

The SoundPEATS Space headphones are not just about listening to music or blocking out the world with active noise cancellation. With features like low latency gaming mode and rich, detailed sound quality, these headphones aim to enhance every explosion, dialogue, and soundtrack detail, for you’re gaming on your PC, or console, or streaming your favorite series on a tablet.

One of the critical factors in multimedia consumption is the sync between audio and video. The SoundPEATS Space tackles this with Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring a stable connection and minimizing latency. The result is a seamless viewing experience with no noticeable lag between what you see and what you hear, making them ideal for binge-watching TV shows, movies, and YouTube videos.

For gamers, every millisecond counts. The SoundPEATS Space introduces a low-latency gaming mode designed to reduce the delay between in-game actions and sound feedback bringing it down to as low as 65 milliseconds. This feature is particularly beneficial in fast-paced games where audio cues are crucial for reacting to enemy movements or synchronizing actions. When activated, the gaming mode ensures that the sound of footsteps, gunfire, and in-game dialogues are delivered with minimal delay, providing a competitive edge and a more engaging gaming experience.

The overall multimedia experience with the SoundPEATS Space is notably impressive for its price point. The headphones deliver a sound profile that’s both balanced and dynamic, with clear highs, detailed mids, and deep, resonant lows with reproduce audio with clarity and depth. The active noise cancellation feature also plays a significant role in multimedia consumption by isolating you from external noises, enabling you to immerse fully in the game or movie. Furthermore, the transparency mode can be quickly activated when you need to be aware of your surroundings without pausing your content.

Battery Life and Charging

The SoundPEATS Space headphones set a new benchmark in the realm of battery life and charging efficiency, particularly for headphones within its price range. Renowned for their remarkable endurance, these headphones boast an astonishing 123 hours of playback time with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off, and an impressive 65 hours even with ANC enabled. This unparalleled battery longevity ensures that you can enjoy a week’s worth of listening on a single charge, assuming moderate daily use.

Equipped with USB-C charging, the Space headphones do not lag in modern convenience and efficiency. They feature a fast charge capability that is nothing short of miraculous: a mere 10 minutes of charging can provide up to 12 hours of playback time. Furthermore, the headphones come with a handy battery level indicator that keeps you informed about the remaining battery life.

Final Thoughts

After delving into the intricate details of the TOZO HT2 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, it’s time to address the pivotal question: Are these headphones worth the investment? Given its price point of approximately $55, the TOZO HT2 presents itself as an exceptionally appealing option in the budget-friendly segment of ANC headphones.

Comparatively, the SoundPEATS Space holds its ground by offering a robust set of features typically reserved for higher-priced models. The ANC, while not industry-leading, effectively diminishes common low-frequency noises, making it suitable for most everyday situations. Moreover, the addition of features like multipoint connectivity and low latency mode enriches its use-case scenarios, from seamless device switching to enjoying videos and light gaming without noticeable audio delay.

Also, comfort is another significant advantage, with the HT2’s soft ear pads and adjustable headband ensuring a snug and pleasant fit, even during prolonged use. This aspect, along with its foldable design, underscores the HT2’s suitability for everyday use.

While the SoundPEATS Space scores high on many fronts, it’s not without its shortcomings. So, it’s important to temper expectations when it comes to comparing the HT2’s ANC performance with that of higher-end models. While effective in reducing ambient noise, the ANC might not offer the same level of silence as its premium counterparts. This, along with the absence of features like water resistance, are considerations to keep in mind. Audiophiles might find the sound profile lacking in richness and depth compared to more expensive alternatives. Additionally, the build quality, though solid for the price, might not endure the rigors of heavy or careless use over time.