ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Beats’ newest Capsule speaker is obtainable for $150 in 5 colorways: Assertion Pink, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Navy Blue, and Blush Pink.
- A powerful battery life and a delicate, clear design set the Beats Capsule aside from its rivals.
- Nonetheless, Beats’ overemphasized, bass-forward sound can masks the opposite features of a tune.
The Beats Capsule (2024) is at the moment on sale for $130, $20 off its unique worth. Two weeks in the past, Beats launched two new Capsule colours, Navy Blue and Blush Pink, bought solely at Walmart and Goal, respectively. Proper now, the brand new Blush Pink coloration is on sale at Goal.
Bluetooth audio system are as widespread as ever, as Sony, Bose, Sonos, and JBL have proven by refreshing and revamping their alternatives simply in time for summer season. The competitors is so scorching and filled with heavy hitters that it pulled Beats out of retirement.
With the newest Beats Capsule, Apple has reversed its departure from the Bluetooth speaker recreation. For reference, the final Beats speaker was the Capsule+ from 2015.
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I used to be curious to see what upgrades the Beats Capsule (2024) gives. Thankfully, I used to be internet hosting buddies all weekend and had the proper alternative to see if the brand new speaker had what it took to fulfill our audio wants. Do you have to improve to the brand new Capsule or put money into Bose, Sony, or Soundcore as a substitute? Learn on as I try to reply this query.
The Capsule, launched final summer season, follows the incredible Solo 4 and less-great Solo Buds.
The Beats Capsule delivers a bass-forward sound profile, just like most of the firm’s different audio system and headphones. Digital music with heavy, skipping basslines, like Charlie XCX’s Membership Classics, sounded electrifying and full, with a heavy emphasis on the decrease frequencies.
I want Apple would license AirPlay to Beats, however I think withholding this function is supposed to depart HomePod gross sales unhurt. When I’ve visitors over, I wish to play music from my iPhone to my Sonos Arc by way of AirPlay, which streams over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth, so my incoming notifications do not disrupt the music. AirPlay additionally permits me to take my telephone with me exterior to greet visitors with out interrupting the continuing jam session.
The brand new Capsule speaker stays true to its tagline, “Severely loud.” For its dimension, this factor will get loopy loud. Lil Wayne’s 6 Foot 7 Foot shook the desk I set the Capsule speaker on with sufficient quantity to fill each nook of my home.
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That stated, you’ll be able to pair two Capsule audio system collectively to entry Amplify and Stereo Mode for max quantity. Amplify Mode makes use of two audio system to play the identical audio output, whereas Stereo Mode permits for left/proper audio playback.
A redesigned woofer system helps the Capsule obtain tremendous loud volumes, and Beats says the newest Capsule has a 90% improve in air quantity displacement in comparison with its predecessor, the Capsule+. This determine explains how the Capsule’s subwoofers can transfer extra air, however greater is not all the time higher.
That is why, at louder volumes, the Capsule speaker struggles to take care of readability. My visitors aren’t audio snobs — the bass was leaping and everybody was singing alongside to our favourite songs — however I observed. Bose and Sonos’ choices could have a extra clear, crisper sound, however Beats bests everybody with endurance. By Sunday night, I had sufficient battery life to celebration for an additional weekend with out plugging the speaker in to cost.
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The Capsule speaker has a 24-hour battery life, double that of similarly-priced rivals. Like all of Beats’ newer merchandise, the Capsule speaker is exclusive in its compatibility with iOS and Android gadgets, together with options like Discover My and one-touch pairing for iOS and a companion app and Bluetooth multipoint pairing for Android.
The Capsule debuts with a redesigned kind issue, sporting rounded edges and a lanyard for enhanced portability. Apple’s design affect on the Beats model is paying homage to Sonos’ design philosophy of making merchandise that coexist with anybody’s dwelling decor selections. Sony’s Ult Area 1 speaker and JBL’s Flip 6 speaker have extra rugged, angular design options, whereas Bose, Sonos, and Beats go for a muted, subdued look.
With an IP67 score, the Beats Capsule is dustproof and might survive unintended drops within the pool. In case your visitors have an excessive amount of enjoyable, the Capsule can face up to spills, bumps, and splashes. My take a look at unit endured a number of drops and speckles of drinks with out skipping a beat (no pun meant).
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Beats ditched the mini USB port for a USB-C port, which gives lossless audio and might intelligently cost or be charged by your different gadgets when plugged in.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The 2024 Beats Capsule gives many extra options than its predecessor, and for $50 much less. After the Solo Buds, Beats wanted a product to redeem itself — and the Beats Capsule does the job.
When you’ve got fond recollections of the older Beats Capsule audio system, and you are still rocking an outdated Bluetooth speaker, the Capsule is the improve you want. Its low-key design permits it to mix into any setting, and its all-day battery life can preserve the celebration going for hours. Plus, its compatibility with native iOS and Android options makes it the proper companion for folks with mixed-device ecosystems.
Nonetheless, if you need a Bluetooth speaker with a extra refined sound and much more compatibility along with your Android and Alexa-enabled gadgets, take into account the Sonos Roam 2. If portability is not your precedence, however sound high quality is a non-negotiable, take into account the Edifier QR65 desktop audio system.
This text was initially revealed on June 24, 2024, and was up to date on Might 5, 2025.
