Beats Capsule 2024 assessment: A transparent comeback

In 2013, Beats by Dr. Dre launched its iconic cylindrical, transportable speaker — the Beats Pill. And in 2022, it was a troublesome tablet to swallow when Apple discontinued the speaker. Now, eleven years later, the Beats Capsule has returned from its hiatus, boasting new options, an extended battery life, native Apple ecosystem compatibility, and a sturdy IP67 rating.

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For me, the Beats Capsule (Apple’s 2024 Model) could not have arrived at a greater time. I have been on the hunt for the proper summer season speaker that may rework my dwelling workplace into the best Era Tour solo karaoke house and my tiny picnic blanket into a non-public social gathering for a simultaneous sunbathe and work session. Not solely has the Beats Capsule met my excessive expectations, however after every week with a gnarly abdomen bug, I can say my anti-nausea meds aren’t the one Capsule protecting me in good spirits.

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Beats Capsule (2024)

The Beats Capsule makes fairly the comeback in 2024 with a candy spec suite, crystal clear sound, and a premium design. It is transportable, but highly effective and the bass heavy but clean. In the end, this Beats Capsule was well worth the wait.

Professionals

• Crystal clear sound
• Bass hits low frequencies with each depth and readability
• Seamless Apple integration
• Tremendous spectacular battery life
• Can hyperlink with different Capsules by way of stereo mode

Cons

• Heavy, cumbersome design
• Detachable carry lanyard is not sensible

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Worth, specs, and availability

Retailing at $150 and accessible now, the 2024 Beats Capsule sits simply above the JBL Flip 6’s $130 tag and barely beneath Sonos’ latest transportable speaker encore — the Roam 2. It is available in three traditional colorways — Matte Black, Assertion Purple and Champagne Gold. My Champagne Gold assessment gadget had simply sufficient hue and shine to offer it a luxe, fashionable look, nevertheless it wasn’t obnoxiously gold with a shiny yellow undertone. It blended in properly with my light-colored dwelling decor with out distracting or trying like a techy eyesore.

Whereas the Beats Capsule helps each iOS and Android, it seamlessly integrates with the iPhone’s native interface, making for additional simple pairing and controls. I even arrange Siri for hands-free management after I’m belting I Can Do It With A Damaged Coronary heart within the bathe and wish to give my adoring shampoo bottle viewers an encore. Android customers can do the identical with Google Assistant.

Given all these options, I used to be impressed that the marketed 24-hour battery life was fairly correct. I listened to music at my desk from 9am-5pm for 2 days (16 hours) and nonetheless had a 40% cost after I powered it on for my Central Park picnic on Saturday. Plus, with an IP67 ranking, I wasn’t anxious about bringing it across the park pond or to the pool.

In the end, the Beats Capsule got here again with specs for days, constructing on the transportable speaker’s legacy with superior asides that solely strengthen its comeback.

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What I appreciated concerning the 2024 Beats Capsule

Seamless Apple integration

Admittedly, I have not used a Beats product for the reason that firm has been underneath Apple’s bigger umbrella, so I used to be pleasantly shocked on the interface integration. Not solely was pairing the Capsule easy by holding down the ability button and listening to a satisfying “bloop” pairing noise, however the speaker’s battery life and quantity confirmed up on my iPhone 15 Dynamic Island, making for simple entry. It is also included in Apple’s FindMy community, which for me, is a game-changer.

In true Apple vogue, the speaker is trendy but sturdy. It isn’t overly flashy, nevertheless it nonetheless seems premium — and I used to be positively excited to indicate it off as I arrange my workplace exterior in Madison Sq. Park.

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Crystal clear audio

To be fully clear, I did not have tremendous excessive expectations for the brand new Capsule. I listened to the 2018 model not too long ago, and it sounded tremendous. Nonetheless, even my favourite songs had been a bit heat and resonated an excessive amount of for my liking at decrease and better frequencies, plus the bass felt skinny moderately than full.

However with its 2024 model, Beats re-engineered the Capsule’s racetrack woofer with stronger neodymium magnets, and it made all of the distinction. From the second I performed Merciless Summer season, the synthy bass notes and the intro vocoder-manipulated vocals had been punchy and crisp, filling my room with booming sound. I needed to flip it down — and it was solely at 60% quantity. When Taylor Swift’s vocals began, each lyric was clear with out being uneven. And that bridge, let’s simply say other than attending the Eras tour itself, I do not assume some other medium can now try this bridge justice apart from the Beats Capsule.

What impressed me essentially the most is, even on the decrease, actually bassy frequencies, there was little or no to no resonance. I by no means had that “underwater” feeling when low downbeats are available in on songs like Billie Eilish’s Dangerous Man or excessive notes just like the epic finish of Chappelle Roan’s Purple Wine Supernova bridge. In the end, the speaker’s crispness was much like a digital camera that honors shiny pops of coloration, producing sharp pictures whatever the lighting. It is constantly clear and full it doesn’t matter what music or audio I play. And with reverse charging, I may even hearken to lossless audio when the Capsule is plugged in (by way of USB-C) to my laptop computer, which brings crisp, full audio to a complete new stage.

At the same time as I sat within the park, I did not wish to be that obnoxious one that thinks that everybody will take pleasure in their music style, so I solely had the amount at 25% and will nonetheless hear every thing clearly, expertise full bass, and the mids weren’t misplaced in any respect.

Except for music, I additionally used the Capsule for convention calls from my MacBook, because of multi-point connectivity, in addition to for FaceTime and cellphone calls. The audio was clear and full on each ends, and made it really feel like my mother was within the room with me moderately than miles away in Texas. That mentioned, it was additionally good listening to podcasts on the Capsule as I may do the dishes, make my mattress, and fold laundry with out taking my cellphone round with me. Plus, my favourite podcasters sounded extra detailed and energetic.

Talking of energetic, it was additionally improbable when streaming Love Island UK from my laptop computer — making the British slang much more punchy and enjoyable.

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What I did not like concerning the 2024 Beats Capsule

A tough tablet to hold

One of many important advantages of a conveyable speaker is that it is, effectively, transportable. The Capsule, regardless of its pocketable title, sadly weighed down my bag fairly a bit, and the connected lanyard is not sensible because the speaker is simply too heavy and digs into my wrist. Typically, the speaker is a bit chunky — trying nearly like a mini soundbar.

Plus, after I did not place it firmly on it is base, I watched it slowly roll off my desk and hit the ground with a loud thud. Fortunately, it is sturdy and in nice situation, nevertheless it’s not an extremely light-weight possibility that I can see myself effortlessly toting this summer season.

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Verdict: Must you purchase the 2024 Beats Capsule?

A crystal clear comeback, however a tablet to hold

The Beats Capsule not solely made a comeback, however did so triumphantly. With loads of options to boost listening, among the greatest audio I’ve ever heard from a conveyable speaker, and battery life for days, it is the proper social gathering starter. Whereas its design is luxe, and it retains the unique Capsule form, it is a heavy tablet to tote round, however not not possible. And even with the chunkier kind issue, I nonetheless assume this can be my speaker of the summer season.

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Beats Capsule (2024)