Page 3 - Subjective Audio Analysis
Reviewing audio devices require extensively trained ears, lots of experience, and sufficient technical knowledge. Even for the experienced auditioner, it may prove challenging at times to obtain an accurate evaluation of a product without a thoroughly familiar product to use as a simultaneous reference. Furthermore, many self-proclaimed audiophiles are susceptible to biased write-ups due to placebo effects from false advertising. While I am not going to even try to claim that I am the only trustworthy or best evaluator for sound, it is fact that most computer review sites have editors who are insufficiently trained in reviewing audio equipment. Give them anything and all you will read about goes along with the line of "good bass, nice midrange, impressive treble, really clear sound, 10/10". While there are many knowledgeable audio reviewers at various respected online media outlets, they are by far the minority.
As I have mentioned in my past audio reviews, there are no true objective measurements for sound quality. As the evaluator, however, I will put it through a series of subjective tests to try to produce the most objective rating possible. Yes, it sounds like a paradox. For all tests, I used an Apple iPhone 15 Pro over Bluetooth 5.3. After over 80 hours of break-in time -- well above typical required time -- I put the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro to the test. All test tracks are high-quality CD-equivalent files. I left all the settings in default.
Starting at the lower end, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro performed decently in this region. Its sub-bass performance was solid, and the lower frequencies provided an extra amount of kick and drive. It was deep and did not bottom out. The upper portion of instruments like the electric bass provided good energy, movement, and transitioned well into the lower midrange. There could have been slightly better definition, as it sometimes leaned towards a muddier sound. The upper bass also felt more emphasized and boosted. With active noise cancellation enabled, the bass did not reduce by very much, and it sounded similar in all operating modes. Those who enjoy the bass in their music will appreciate the Cove Pro, but I found it a bit too much.
In the midrange, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro did not display signs of a typical V-shaped sound. As we moved up from the lower end, the lower midrange benefited from the bass boost, and low piano notes came through clearly. Vocals were still clear and natural sounding. In addition, there was a notable boost in the middle, so vocalists sounded more prominent and present. Instruments like pianos and guitars were natural sounding and resonant.
As for the treble, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro seemed to put less emphasis here. What came through was still sharp, but it felt recessed and less emphasized compared to the bass and midrange. Percussive sounds like cymbal crashes and high-hat taps were audible, but they easily got lost in the mix. Even if they were audible, they just did not offer a sound that cut through or a distinctive sparkle. Similarly, instruments like flutes and violins lacked energy, while high brass instruments like trumpets felt dull and dark.
Overall, the sound signature of the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro was like a W with the right-side cut off. It was a bit of a nuanced sound, with a boosted bass from the mid to upper area and bleeding into the midrange. The vocals of the midrange were boosted again, but the trebles were flatter and rolled off at the highest end. Listeners of bass-heavy music would appreciate the default sound signature of the Cove Pro. Furthermore, the dark listening experience was not as harsh, which might be preferable for some. However, individuals who want energy and sparkle in their sound will make equalizer modifications on the Cove Pro.
When it comes to soundstaging and imaging, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro performed as you might expect for a pair of closed-back over-ear headphones. With the 40mm drivers inside, the produced image was not very wide or deep. Instead, the sound felt cramped and within the listener's head. Part of this was due to the sound signature of the Cove Pro that felt unnatural, and almost stuffy and lacking in overall contrast. When ANC was active, the soundstage felt a bit more cramped, which is expected but unfortunate.
In terms of layering, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro was passable. Multiple audio layers were clear with good detail. All voices were audible with decent resolution, even with a more prominent bass. Vocals were also clearly audible, which helps with most pop songs. However, with complicated tracks, it became easier to lose some of the details. Similar frequency sounds started to meld together, and others were just lost in the bass. Frequency separation was average with only the trebles getting lost among the other two ranges. Transitions between layers were smooth with no missing parts when moving from one region to the next. Everything sounded cohesive. However, there is room for improvement when it comes to clarity and cleanliness of the sound. It was not muffled, but it felt like there was a distance between my ears and the speakers and a lack of immediacy with the Cove Pro.
As for sound isolation, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro was a mixed story. Passively, they worked well to keep external sounds out with their sealed earcups and closed-back design. In addition, they prevented leaking output music. Even in louder environments, the Cove Pro did not struggle. With active noise cancellation enabled, I found its increased capability to be a bit uninspiring. It may have boasted 56dB of noise reduction, but I did not find it to be effective. Louder noises were still audible with ANC active, including constant noises that are usually easier to remove. It also struggled with removing office sounds like other human voices. The pass-through mode will do in a pinch if you need some environmental awareness.
In the microphone testing, I recorded myself indoors and outdoors. This way, you can hear its performance in different environments. During the indoor test, the audio captured by the Cove Pro was good, but there was something strange going on, as my voice would come in and out despite speaking at a constant volume. It was not natural with a compressed sound. It also picked up the echoes from inside my house. Moving outside, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro struggled even more. It was able to silence sound when I was not talking, but it also picked up wind and other nature noises. Furthermore, it muffled my voice. The wind also obscured my voice from being captured. Unfortunately, my voice also kept varying in volume too. Overall, I would not recommend the Cove Pro's microphone, even for basic tasks like phone calls, as its quality is inconsistent and sounds compressed.
As for the wireless capabilities of SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro, they met expectations. I was only one hour short of the estimated 58 hours with the active noise cancellation on at approximately 50% volume. This is excellent to see, even if it did not last as long as the Space. I could not fully test the battery life with ANC off but, gathering from the testing we have done, it would have reached the quoted 95 hours. Recharging the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro takes just over two hours. In terms of range, I was able to maintain a consistent connection for more than 10m away with a direct line of sight before experiencing any skips in music. As for latency, I only noticed a slight delay when watching videos. The game mode is easy to turn on to reduce this perceived latency even further.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. Subjective Audio Analysis
4. Conclusion
