Beats has been out of the speaker sport for a very long time. Its final speaker, the Capsule Plus, was discontinued in 2022 after being launched years earlier. Since then, Beats’ guardian firm, Apple, has targeted on house audio system just like the HomePod and HomePod Mini, ceding the transportable market to manufacturers like Bose, Sony, JBL, Anker, and numerous others. However now, after a not-at-all-subtle movie star teaser marketing campaign, the Beats Capsule is making a comeback.
The 2024 revamp, on sale right this moment for $149.99, has a well-recognized design. However on the within, all the pieces has modified, and I’ve been pleasantly stunned by simply how a lot the brand new Capsule is able to. At its core, you’re getting a mono Bluetooth speaker. And whereas there are at all times sound high quality tradeoffs at this compact dimension — that’s simply physics — it’s the extras and bonus options that actually assist the refreshed Beats Capsule stand out from earlier fashions.
This time round, the Capsule helps lossless audio playback over USB-C. You need to use that very same USB-C port to cost exterior gadgets, a comfort additionally provided by many rivals. There’s a removable lanyard that makes the Capsule straightforward to hold round, and the gadget is rated IP67 for mud and water resistance. Battery life has doubled to a most of 24 hours, and Beats nonetheless contains speakerphone performance.
Like the entire model’s latest headphones and earbuds, the Capsule is designed to natively assist each Android and iOS: on each platforms, you possibly can make the most of one-tap setup and Discover My / Discover My Gadget. There are not any hands-free “Hey Siri” voice instructions, and don’t count on AirPlay integration, however Beats has checked off virtually each different characteristic that I may ask for. In consequence, the Capsule looks like its most targeted product in a very long time.
The Capsule is available in three colours — pink, black, or gold — with a metallic grille and silicone wrapped round the remainder of the speaker for added sturdiness. The highest controls are properly laid out, with an influence button on the left aspect, a middle button for monitor controls, and quantity to the appropriate. All the buttons are straightforward to really feel for even whenever you’re not trying on the Capsule, and so they have a really satisfying click on. Contained in the enclosure are a redesigned woofer and tweeter.
Beats’ advertising and marketing supplies declare the racetrack-style woofer is able to 90 p.c extra air quantity displacement and stronger motor power in comparison with the Capsule Plus and that low-end distortion has been decreased. Each the woofer and tweet have a 20 p.c upward tilt that permits sound to achieve your ears extra naturally when the Capsule is positioned on a desk or desk. Although the Capsule can’t output stereo just like the Capsule Plus may, the precise elements have improved. If you’d like true stereo playback, you possibly can wirelessly hyperlink two Tablets collectively. (Two will also be paired within the common mono listening mode if you wish to use them in numerous rooms throughout a celebration.)
Folks usually use audio system like this for very informal, noncritical listening — be it at house, when touring, or for weekend journeys to the seaside. And within the majority of these situations, the Beats Capsule sounds completely good. Not all tracks deal with the mono mixdown gracefully, so sometimes you’ll land on a music that leaves you wanting for extra. It’s simply not as immersive. However mono is the norm amongst many audio system of this dimension. And for probably the most half, I’ve been happy with the Capsule’s sound efficiency. It’s clear, can crank pretty loud, and is tuned properly for right this moment’s chart toppers.
If you’d like the very best audio constancy this speaker can supply, there’s at all times the choice to plug in over USB-C. I like having the selection, even when it’d look like overkill for this class of speaker. Every time a USB-C cable is plugged in, the Capsule determines whether or not it needs to be receiving a cost from that gadget (like a laptop computer) or offering juice to it as an alternative (if it’s your telephone). You possibly can manually resolve which means the cost goes by triple-tapping the facility button. Double-pressing the button prompts your telephone’s chosen voice assistant, so you possibly can entry both Siri or Google Assistant; it’s simply not hands-free like on a HomePod or Nest Audio. I used to be happy with the Capsule’s speakerphone performance. Beats’ noise-suppression algorithm did a powerful job of isolating my voice from background noise on calls.
There’s actually not a lot to dislike in regards to the remastered Beats Capsule if you may get previous its mono output — and I feel many individuals may have no bother doing so. It really works properly and may face up to any outside adventures you convey it alongside for. The battery lasts a very long time, and also you get loads of bonus options past Bluetooth playback. If Beats had been charging greater than the $150 asking value, I’d most likely be much less effusive about recommending it. However because it stands, it looks like there’s barely an Apple / Beats tax at play right here. The Capsule is greater than aggressive for what you’re paying.
Images by Chris Welch / The Verge