TWS Cubed

 

Ratings

 

 

Pros

 

• The best TWS I’ve heard to date.
• Triple driver: 1 DD 12mm + 2 BA.
• 11 preset sound profiles and 12-band EQ.
• Power without distortion.
• Very attractive transparent semi-custom design.
• Fast charging.
• Qualcomm® QCC3091 with Snapdragon Sound™, compatible with LDAC and aptX Lossless.
• ANC with AI technology and 6 microphones.
• Very good control app.

 

Cons

 

• As is often the case with TWS devices, they come with few accessories.
• The connection to the app is not independent of the connection to other devices.
• The battery does not last for a busy workday with several meetings and many calls lasting 6 hours straight.
• You have to create an account to use the app.

 

Purchase Link

 

https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0FJKYVSMP

 

Link to the WEB

 

https://soundpeats.com/es-es/products/soundpeats-h3

 

Introduction

 

SoundPEATS began its journey in 2010 in China. Its products are sold in more than 30 countries to over 35 million music lovers, mainly in Japan and the USA. SoundPEATS advocates smart technology and is dedicated to integrating music into everyday life. Its goal is to create scientific and innovative wireless Bluetooth products to offer the best audio experience to all users.
Its latest model, the H3, is the brand’s top-of-the-line product. It has two balanced armature drivers (2BA) and a 12mm dynamic driver for full-range response. The Qualcomm® QCC3091 model with Snapdragon Sound™, compatible with LDAC and aptX Lossless, has been chosen as the high-resolution wireless audio controller. It also complies with Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification.
Its battery is long-lasting and fast-charging: up to 7 hours per charge, 37 hours with the case, plus 2 hours with a 10-minute charge.
The anodized aluminum nozzle refines the clarity of the high frequencies, while the semi-transparent casing reveals the complex internal architecture: a true harmony between form and function.
It has adaptive noise control: ANC with AI technology and 6 microphones that offer noise reduction of up to 55 dB in 4 modes (adaptive, indoor, outdoor, and traffic). The H3 features a triple microphone system designed with high-sensitivity pickups and noise reduction with artificial intelligence technology. Two external microphones use beamforming technology to isolate your voice from ambient sounds, while an internal microphone captures pure ear vibrations for unmatched clarity. Combined with the latest Qualcomm® cVc™ 8.0 algorithm and an L-shaped acoustic channel that protects against wind interference, every call feels like you’re in a quiet room, whether you’re on a busy street, in a coffee shop, or on public transportation.
It has a distinctive Hi-Fi design, thanks to its elegant semi-transparent casing combined with precision aluminum details for a look that matches its sound quality.
It has audio adjustment via an app. You can adjust sound profiles in real time with the 9-band equalizer in the PeatsAudio app. Unlock the full potential of your H3 with the PeatsAudio app, designed to give you maximum control and customization. Adjust your listening experience with the powerful 9-band equalizer and choose from multiple professional presets designed for music, movies, and video games. For those seeking precision, each frequency can be adjusted to suit your personal taste. In addition to the equalizer, the app offers seamless management of multiple devices, a headphone finder to locate lost headphones, and real-time battery status for both the headphones and the case, allowing you to stay connected, informed, and in control.
It supports connectivity for two devices and has an ultra-low latency gaming mode of 60 ms.
Finally, it is water resistant, meeting the IPX5 specification.
As you can see from this comprehensive introduction provided by the manufacturer, the H3 promises a lot. Let’s see if all this holds true in the following review.

 

 

Specifications

 

• Driver type: 1 dynamic 12 mm driver (PU + Wool composite) + 2 balanced armature drivers.
• Bluetooth: V5.4.
• Profiles: HSP/HFP/A2DP/AVRCP.
• Chipset: QCC3091.
• Compatible Bluetooth codec: SBC/AAC/LDAC/aptX/aptX Adaptive/aptX Lossless.
• Note: LDAC is disabled by default. It must be enabled through the PeatsAudio app.
• Battery capacity: 35*2 mAH (earbuds) 400 mAH (case).
• Charging time: 1 hour (earbuds) 2 hours (case).
• 10-minute quick charge = 2 hours.
• Charging port: USB Type-C.
• Total music playback time at 60% volume (AAC codec, standard mode): 7 hours of playback + 37 hours with the charging case.
• Charging case charging time: 4.3 hours.
• Charging input: 5 V/1 A.
• Frequency response: 20 Hz-40 kHz.
• Weight of a single earbud: 6 g.
• Charging case with earbuds: 53 g.
• Control type: touch.
• Water resistance rating: IPX5.
• Compatible with multiple connections: Yes.
• Game mode: Yes (60 ms).
• Colors: Black-transparent gold.
• TWS earbud dimensions: 25.64 × 22.16 × 25.97 mm.
• Charging case dimensions: 70.88 × 48.18 × 31 mm.
• Noise cancellation: Adaptive ANC with AI (-55 dB).
• Noise cancellation during calls with 6-microphone AI with cVc™ 8.0.

 

 

Packaging

 

The SoundPEATS H3 comes in a compact white box measuring 125x128x58mm. It has a ring for storage on a metal guide. On the front, you can see a real photo of the TWS in the center of the box. The brand logo is in the upper left corner. The model is in the opposite corner. The logos of the certifications they support are in the lower left corner. On the opposite side is the VGP 2025 Summer logo. On the back is a real photo of the product inside the charging case on a black background. Below are a few specifications and the manufacturer’s details. Finally, at the bottom are all the logos of the certifications the product has.
After removing the outer cardboard, a light brown box with a gold logo in the center is revealed. The box opens like a chest. The charging box is embedded in a gray foam holder and protected by cellophane. On the lid, there is a box containing the manual and other accessories. This is the complete content.

 

• SoundPeats H3 TWS Earbuds.
• One charging case.
• One charging cable.
• One set of 5 pairs of silicone tips, sizes XS/S/M/L/XL.
• One user manual.
• One app guide.
• One sheet of Panda stickers.

 

It’s a good idea that the brand offers five pairs of silicone tips in five sizes. Otherwise, I don’t need the stickers, and the contents are just right and minimal. There is no bag to store the charging box and protect it from bumps and scratches.

 

 

Construction and Design

 

The H3s appear to be made of transparent polycarbonate combined with precision aluminum details. The nozzle is made of anodized aluminum. The entire inner surface is transparent, allowing you to see inside clearly. Even the edge is transparent. The outer surface has a gold foil with half of the brand logo written on each capsule.
The capsule shape is semi-custom, relatively thick, and the inner side has a rim with a noticeable protrusion. There is a hole on the edge opposite the nozzles. But there is also another one on the edge below those nozzles.
There is a hole near the gold nozzles and a gold dot that contains the channel indicator. Between the protrusion on the edge and the base of the nozzles are the two contact connectors for charging the TWS.
The nozzles are 4.6mm long, have a diameter of less than 4.8mm, and a crown with a diameter of 5.9mm.
The charging case is rectangular in shape with rounded corners and curved edges. It has a matte black base with a micro-rough finish and a slight sheen. The lid is separated by a gold aluminum edge. The USB Type-C connection is located at the base and has a gold edge. The brand name is written in gold letters on the black background inside a gold frame. Below this is a button to factory reset the TWS and activate manual pairing mode.
On the front, there is an LED under the gold border. The lid is made of dark translucent plastic. After opening the lid, you can see the TWS charging mold and a rough border that simulates a tanned leather surface. Above the gold edge is a plaque with the phrase “Hear The Difference.” The charging edge is deep enough to use alternative silicone tips. Fortunately, it is large enough to accommodate my extra-large homemade foam-filled silicone tips.
As a note on the packaging, the H3 contacts are protected by a blue cellophane band to protect the contacts.

 

 

Adjustment and Ergonomics

 

The capsules have a semi-custom style that can be seen in many wired IEMS. The clear difference is the thickness of the capsules and the inner width of the inner surface, the size and length of the nozzles (somewhat short, as is usual in TWS) and the somewhat pronounced protrusion of the edge. With my extra-large silicone tips filled with homemade foam, the fit is the classic very good. The fit is immediate, occlusive, and well-insulated. The protrusion of the edge helps this fit, but it is true that its size can cause slight discomfort after a few hours.
The weight of the headphones is only 6g, almost negligible.

 

 

Operation and Connection

 

A picture is worth a thousand words. But here are the details of how it works:

 

• One tap on the left earbud: lower the volume.
• Two taps on either earbud: play/pause, hang up, pick up.
• One tap on the right earbud: raise the volume.
• One 1.5-second tap on the left earbud: change sound mode.
• One 1.5-second tap on either earbud: reject call, retrieve call, power on.
• One 1.5-second tap on the right earbud: next song.
• Three taps on the left earbud: activate game mode.
• One 10-second tap on either earbud: turn off the earbuds.
• Three taps on the right earbud: toggle ANC noise cancellation modes.

 

The button on the charging box works as follows:

 

• With the earbuds inside the charging case and the case lid open.
  Restore factory settings: press and hold the charging case button for 10 seconds until the charging case indicator light flashes twice alternately in red and white to indicate that the reset has been successful.
  Manual pairing mode: press and hold the charging case button for 3 seconds, and the indicator light will flash rapidly in white until the earbuds are successfully paired.

 

The following Bluetooth codecs are supported: SBC/AAC/LDAC/aptX/aptX Adaptive/aptX Lossless.
Note: LDAC is disabled by default. It must be enabled via the PeatsAudio app.

The 10-minute quick charge really works. I have used them intensively at work. I receive a lot of calls at the end of the day, and after several hours, the charge has dropped below 50%. I have stored the TWS in their charging case for more than 10 minutes, and the charge has easily reached 90%.
On days with long meetings, the battery has lasted beyond 5 hours with heavy use, high volume, and ANC activated.
Pairing is very fast and it remembers previously paired devices, making this process even quicker.
Walking around my office, the connection is maintained and the ANC works very well. I’m in a large room with three other colleagues who sometimes have to attend to customers, and we all talk at the same time. In this situation, the H3s have proven to be very effective at canceling background voices so that my listeners can hear me clearly and cleanly.

The app does not use a different connection channel, so you cannot use the app while it is paired with another device, for example, unless multiple pairing is enabled. Multiple pairing does not allow you to use LDAC at the same time.
The worst thing about the app is that you have to create an account (free) to use it. It’s a shame you can’t remain anonymous.
From the PeatsAudio app, you can view the charge status of both the headphones and the charging case, select noise reduction modes (ANC), common, and transparent. You can activate connectivity for two devices, disable touch, activate game mode, activate LDAC, and even program a custom button. Noise reduction can be adaptive, interior noise, exterior noise, or exterior traffic noise. Switching to transparent mode activates vocal enhancement and standard transparency.
If you enter the equalization menu, you can choose from up to 11 preset profiles. You can also use an adaptive EQ function that will perform a personalized test. You can add custom equalizations using a 10-band EQ.
Finally, it should be noted that the voice assistant can be customized in volume and finally sounds loud and clear, not like unintelligible whispers as in other TWS.

 

 

Sound

 

Profile

 

The SoundPEATS H3 come with 11 preset profiles that can be selected from the PeatsAudio app. As you can see in the graphs, some are modifications of the standard setting (with more or less bass, more or less treble, and some modification in the midrange). But there are three or four profiles that are more extreme.
As is often the case with TWS, the standard profile is not very similar to the common IEMS I have reviewed to date. It is based on a flattened V-shaped profile in which both the bass hump and the upper midrange hump (ear cup gain) are wide and rounded. The first half of the mids is sunken, while the highs are smooth but well extended. It should be noted that the H3s are hybrid TWS, with a 12mm dynamic driver and 2 BAs.
Although I played around with all 11 profiles, I was going to do the review using the standard profile, but I decided to change the original curve by adding a custom profile that adds more gain in the first half of the mids and a little more brightness in the early highs. This makes the male vocals more prominent and exuberant, and there is also a little more sparkle.

 

 

Bass

 

TWS earbuds still have a way to go before they can match the bass of wired IEMS. But they’re getting there. Qualcomm® QCC3091 technology with Snapdragon Sound™, compatible with LDAC and aptX Lossless, must have something to do with the fact that the bass on the H3 sounds quite natural and realistic. Okay, they’re not the fastest bass, but they are compact, dry, and with a decay that’s not bad at all, lasting only briefly in the environment and not interfering with the mids despite my equalization filling the first band of the central range. As is normal when there is such a pronounced hump in the bass, the mid-bass takes center stage. But it was in the very low frequency pure tone test that I got the big surprise. The first tone is weak, with little audible load, but with a noticeable physical component. At no point did I observe any negative vibratory character. The surprise comes as I increase the frequencies: no trace of that negative vibratory/undulatory character, just a very realistic sound reproduction with a fairly natural timbre. The 40Hz tone that marks the sub-bass limit is totally exemplary, even better than wired IEMS costing around $100. I take my hat off to it. With these results, I now begin to understand the great performance (for TWS headphones) of the bass. I have always been very critical of TWS, but I have to give myself a couple of slaps on the head after hearing the performance of the H3, even when equalized.
The bass feels quite full, it’s true that it lacks a little depth and energy in the sub-bass, but the amount of mid-bass doesn’t penalize or overwhelm the listening experience. They have a good amount of punch, it’s true that they are quite round and without too much texture, but they feel tight enough to offer a good level of precision, edges, and definition.
In the dirty, complex, and unfiltered bass test, you can notice a little more of the boomy character of the bass that is emphasized in the midrange. That’s where you feel the color a little more and the timbre escapes to the bright side, instead of going towards the dark. Despite this, the bass is well controlled, and that rumble in the dirtier passages does not occur with the most orthodox and pure electronics, but is more refined and efficient. The layering is quite acceptable, and the H3 manages to keep the bass lines relatively separate without the sound becoming muddy and mixed. Outstanding for TWS, remarkable for wired IEMS.

 

 

Mids

 

By tweaking the low mids with EQ, male vocals have improved significantly. And all this without sounding muddy or overly soft, which adds value to the equalization tool in the PeatsAudio app.
The first half of the midrange has gained physicality, body, color, and presence. The dip I perceived with the standard equalization has been eliminated, but don’t think that these have become IEMS with an emphasis on the midrange frequencies; male voices and many instruments have simply been brought back to life. It is true that the sound has become a little warmer, but that is why I have also added a little more brightness and initial sparkle to compensate for this slight darkening. With all this, it is noticeable that the clarity is not absolute and that the background is not completely clean either. Even so, the mids in less saturated environments, such as in acoustic compositions, are perceived as quite clean, but with that warmth that generates a more cohesive and less distant sound. Despite everything, the H3s surprise with their evident amount of macro detail, and watch out! There is a more than incipient impression of microdetail and resolution in later layers. In my midrange microdetail detection test, the H3s were able to reveal those tiny details with great subtlety, perhaps not with the clarity of the most analytical IEMS, but certainly much more visible than in wired IEMS under $70. It is clear that the BA drivers do a good job without sounding metallic or unnatural. Very good.
With this equalization, the midrange is quite full and wide. But it’s also quite musical and fun.
The upper midrange bump rounds off the edges of female vocals, which come across as slightly more muted. You could play around with the equalization to gain more sparkle, but I didn’t want to push it too far in pursuit of a smoother, less aggressive sound in the sibilance range. These peaks are fairly controlled, although they have a slight sparkle that gives them a subtle sprinkled aspect.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that the APP’s EQ does not make the sound unreal or forced, and that the timbre remains very correct, natural, and realistic despite the positive intervention of the EQ. In addition, I would like to reiterate the quality of the BA drivers, which offer no traces or metallic sparkles. Among the best.

 

 

 

Treble

 

With my EQ, I added a touch of sparkle, but the realistic and natural sound and tuning remain intact. The H3 starts with a little brightness before entering a slight drop in control that manages to remain extensive and even in energy level up to the air zone, where it stands out with quite a presence for a TWS set. This mainly affects the timbre, which remains realistic and natural, without any forced edges or unwanted sparkles. Overall, the H3s are slightly above neutral in the high frequencies, without falling into a forced smoothness that flattens the notes. On the contrary, the BA drivers are only controlled in energy, but their finesse, delicacy, neatness, and definition remain unchanged, like today’s good wired sets.
No one should expect a sparkling crunch, just realistic, clear, and well-executed highs that are implemented to be enjoyed individually, as well as serving the harmonics of the lower ranges.

 

 

Soundstage, Separation

 

The TWS scene is a challenging area, as they tend to sound more congested and close. The H3s are not prodigious in this regard, but they clearly enjoy a good level of depth, laterality, stereo feel, and a slight impression of height. Not too much more, but not too little either.
The bass is capable of adding volume to the soundstage, and the emphasis added with my EQ helps to bring the vocals closer and maintain more near and far planes, demonstrating a good level of stratification. The more than adequate definition of the H3s and their level of resolution allow for an almost remarkable impression of separation, dispelling any sense of congestion or extreme cohesion.
In short, coming from wired IEMS, it would be nothing more than a middle ground. But for TWS, I would say it’s a good B+.
Another thing is the level of detail. While the H3s are very reliable in macro aspects, at the micro level I found them surprisingly good when the musical space is not too crowded. In that environment, I was able to discern incipient micro details with relative ease. Very good.

 

 

Comparisons

 

 

Rose EARFREE-i5 HiFi

 

My relationship with TWS changed a few models ago. I liked some Tronsmart models, and the simple SoundMagic T60BT are very good for their price. But these models are old, and the most recent ones are the Rose EARFREE-i5, which I reviewed at the end of last year. With a starting price of $58, this is more than half the price of the H3. The EARFREE-i5 are long-stem TWS earbuds whose performance for music is superior to their performance for mobile use, calls, meetings, games, etc. In that regard, the H3 clearly outperform them. The EARFREE-i5 have a 10 mm DLC dynamic driver. They are compatible with LDAC/AAC/mSBC/SBC audio formats and use Bluetooth 5.3. It is clear that the stem design of the EARFREE-i5 is very different from the almost semi-custom design of the H3. The construction of the Rose, while not bad, feels more basic, but appropriate for the price. There is a leap in design and final quality impression of the finished product from the EARFREE-i5 to the H3.
Both TWS have a management app, and the best thing is that the RoseLink app allows you to connect to the TWS while they are already paired with another device. The H3 has dual pairing but does not have this capability.
The EARFREE-i5 has 4 preset EQs, while the H3 has 11 plus a 12-band parametric EQ.
The H3 achieves a higher volume than the EARFREE-i5, whose maximum volume was nothing to sneeze at.
The HiFi EQ tuning of the EARFREE-i5 is very good, almost like IEMS, with a slight emphasis on the sub-bass and a smooth descent towards the mids, a subtly sunken central range, with controlled horn gain, ending with alternating highs and good extension towards the air zone.
The tuning of the H3 is somewhat less natural or similar to other wired IEMS, but controllable with the EQ. At first glance, I would choose the tuning of the EARFREE-i5.
I’m not going to fool anyone with the sound of the EARFREE-i5 for their price, and I already mentioned that I thought they were a big step up from others. But the H3 costs more than twice as much and its sound is clearly better. It’s bigger, more defined, more powerful, more immersive, more surrounding, with more resolution, clarity, transparency, and breadth. With the EARFREE-i5, you still get that feeling of congestion from the TWS, while with the H3 it almost disappears.
I find the bass on the EARFREE-i5 to be darker than on the H3, which has a little more color. There is more haze and darkness in the EARFREE-i5, while the H3 has more defined and crisp bass. The speed is good on both, slightly better on the H3, whose decay is cleaner and without a trace of haze. The bass on the EARFREE-i5 is more boomy and floods the room more, lingering longer and creating a more diffuse feeling. Both perform well in the very low frequency pure tone test, with similar performance across the products, with slightly more physicality and loudness on the first audible note of the EARFREE-i5. In the dirty, unfiltered bass test, the balance tips in favor of the H3. Where the EARFREE-i5 performs in a simpler manner, the H3 demonstrates clearly superior ability.
In the midrange, I like the tuning of the EARFREE-i5, and without any tweaks, I feel that the first half is fuller, although there is some sibilance that makes the sound a little rougher. The EARFREE-i5 are warmer, while the H3 are more transparent and clean without any sibilance. The clarity and definition of the mids is once again superior, with a more delicate, precise, and higher-quality performance.
In the midrange of the EARFREE-i5, there is a certain sense of overlap, with vocals over instruments and vice versa, trying to occupy the same space. This does not happen with the H3, where all the elements are more distributed and separated.
The treble of the EARFREE-i5 is clearly more pronounced, but its brightness is more forced, energetic, and less realistic, with a certain metallic patina. Once again, the H3 clearly has a superior level of treble performance and presentation. Although its energy level is more controlled, its quality is unquestionable comparatively speaking.
While the soundstage of the EARFREE-i5 is predominantly frontal, with a hint of depth and bass, the spatiality of the H3 is greater and greater, as are its sound and technical performance.
The SoundPEATS are priced at $150 compared to $58 for the EARFREE-i5. Based on price alone, the H3s have to be better. And they are clearly a superior product in every way. I still think the EARFREE-i5 are excellent for their price, but the logic is obvious in this case, and if you want something clearly better, the H3s are the obvious answer.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The SoundPEATS H3 are a step forward in bringing the best sound to TWS, with the best technology that can be put into a product at this price point. It’s clear that they still don’t match $100 wired IEMS, but their sound quality has made my outlook on the future of Bluetooth headphones much more hopeful. Starting with a clearly semi-custom transparent design reminiscent of wired IEMS, followed by a hybrid 1DD+2BA transducer configuration, and ending with some of the best Bluetooth features I’ve ever tested, the sound of the H3 is at a level I didn’t expect. Even the PeatsAudio app adds superior value to the package. The price is not the cheapest that many people would be willing to pay for TWS headphones. But for those looking to stand out from the crowd, the SoundPEATS H3 are an obvious choice to consider.

 

 

Sources Used During the Analysis

 

• Xiaomi 13T 5G 256GB.
• Fiio BTA30 Pro.
• Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX.