The SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ is a set of true wireless earbuds featuring a hybrid configuration that combines the innovative xMEMS “Cowell” MEMS driver with a 10mm dynamic driver. Equipped with the Qualcomm QCC3091 chip (supporting Snapdragon Sound), it provides full coverage of major high-resolution codecs including LDAC, aptX Lossless, and LE Audio. In this review, we put the VGP2025 SUMMER Gold Award-winning model to the test to verify its performance.
This article provides a comprehensive review of the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+, covering everything from sound quality and ANC performance to battery life and usability. If you are considering purchasing these, please read until the end.
What you’ll learn in this article!
- The truth behind the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+’s sound quality and its “clear yet non-fatiguing high frequencies”
- The effect of the hybrid configuration using MEMS and dynamic drivers
- The real-world performance of the up to 55dB AI Adaptive ANC
- Practicality for daily use, including battery life and ease of operation
- Pros, cons, and who this product is recommended for
Overall Evaluation of the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+
Ms.GadgetsThese are the new earbuds from SOUNDPEATS. I’m not familiar with MEMS drivers—honestly, how were they?
Mr.GadgetsI was honestly surprised by the performance of the MEMS Cowell driver. It avoids the metallic harshness common in traditional drivers while maintaining extremely high resolution. The sound quality experience at this price point is quite impactful.
The SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ is a hybrid TWS earphone based on the concept of “clear, yet non-fatiguing.” The xMEMS “Cowell” MEMS driver handles the mid-to-high frequencies, while the 10mm dynamic driver handles the low frequencies, with a dedicated XAA-2000 Aptos Class-H amplifier precisely controlling both drivers.
The level of perfection in terms of sound quality is very high, with particularly remarkable reproduction of female vocals and acoustic instruments. The ANC performance is also powerful at up to 55dB, making it useful in a wide range of scenarios, from commuting to school or work to focused tasks.
On the other hand, the battery life of the earbuds alone is 6 hours, which is somewhat modest for high-end TWS. It is a point worth noting before purchase that this will be even shorter when using LDAC + ANC.
- High-resolution and clear mid-to-high frequencies via xMEMS Cowell driver
- Triple Hi-Res codec support: LDAC, aptX Lossless, and LC3
- Excellent up to 55dB AI Adaptive ANC
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint support
- Quick charging: 10 minutes of charge for 2 hours of playback
- 6-hour battery life for earbuds alone is somewhat short
- Battery consumption accelerates when using LDAC+ANC
📢 SOUNDPEATS Official Limited Coupon
- Coupon Code:
SPZEA5PP501 - Validity Period: Until June 7, 2026, 23:59 (JST)
- How to Apply: Enter the code on the purchase page of the Amazon link below
- Can be used in conjunction with Amazon sale prices and other coupons
Pochipp
SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ Specifications
Ms.GadgetsFirst, please tell me about the specs. What is the internal configuration?
Mr.GadgetsWith a Qualcomm QCC3091 chip, xMEMS hybrid driver, and support for aptX Lossless, it features a very aggressive spec configuration for this price range.
Below are the main specifications for the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+, organized based on official information and review guidelines.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Driver Configuration | xMEMS “Cowell” MEMS driver + 10mm dynamic driver (dual copper wires, PU+PEEK composite diaphragm) |
| Amplifier | XAA-2000 Aptos Class-H |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QCC3091 (supports Snapdragon Sound) |
| Supported Codecs | LDAC / aptX Lossless / aptX Adaptive / aptX / LC3 / AAC / SBC |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 40kHz |
| ANC | Up to 55dB (AI Adaptive) |
| Call Noise Cancellation | SOUND+ (Proprietary AI algorithm) |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 (Multipoint support) |
| Battery (Earbuds) | Up to 6 hours (AAC, normal mode, 40% volume) |
| Battery (Including Case) | Up to 30 hours |
| Charging Time | Earbuds approx. 1 hour / Case approx. 2 hours |
| Quick Charge | 10 minutes of charge for approx. 2 hours of playback |
| Charging Port | USB Type-C |
| Weight | Earbuds approx. 5g each / Including case approx. 51.11g |
| Dimensions (Earbuds) | 34.60 × 19.87 × 23.50 mm |
| Dimensions (Case) | 66.88 × 48.33 × 26.92 mm |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX5 |
| Low Latency Mode | Game mode approx. 60ms |
| Microphone | 3 per ear (supports SOUND+) |
| Convenient Features | Find My Earbuds / Fit Test / Wind Noise Reduction |
| Certification | Hi-Res Audio / Snapdragon Sound |
| Awards | VGP2025 SUMMER Gold Award |
| Dedicated App | PeatsAudio (iOS / Android) |
| Color | Black |
| Accessories | USB Type-C charging cable / Manual / App manual / Ear tips (S/M/L) / Hiets-kun sticker |
| Product Name Reading | Soundpeats Air Five Pro Plus |
The comprehensiveness of the codecs is noteworthy. It covers almost all current high-resolution wireless standards, including LDAC (up to 24bit/96kHz), aptX Lossless (CD-quality lossless transmission), and LE Audio/LC3. It has obtained dual certification for Hi-Res and Snapdragon Sound, allowing you to unlock its full potential when paired with a compatible smartphone.
SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ Review and Usability
Ms.GadgetsFrom here, please tell me about your actual experience. First, what are your impressions of the design?
Mr.GadgetsIt has a simple design typical of SOUNDPEATS. Both the case and the earbuds are compact, so there are no issues with portability.
Appearance, Design, and Fit
The exterior of the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ features a calm, matte-textured design. The charging case is compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to store in pockets or bags.
The earbuds themselves are lightweight, and the canal-type shape ensures a secure fit in the ear canal. Multiple sizes of ear tips are included, and by choosing the size that fits your ears, you can maximize the ANC effect. They cause little strain even during long periods of wear, making them suitable for commuting or working.
Sound Quality — Performance of the MEMS Cowell Driver
Ms.GadgetsThe thing I’m most curious about is the sound quality. How is a MEMS driver different from a traditional BA driver?
Mr.GadgetsThe biggest differences are response speed and low distortion. The MEMS Cowell has an incredibly fast response speed compared to traditional speaker technology, while lacking the metallic resonance common in BA types. It’s a technology that realizes the contradiction of being clear yet gentle on the ears.
To describe the sound quality of the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ in one phrase: “a sound that balances high resolution and listening comfort.”
High Frequencies: The mid-to-high frequencies handled by the MEMS Cowell driver are very clear with excellent transparency. While it delicately depicts the lingering notes of cymbals and the graininess of hi-hats, it avoids any “harshness.”
The “S” sounds and other voiceless consonants in Japanese do not become unnaturally sharp, making them designed to be easy on the ears even during long listening sessions.
Mid Frequencies: Vocal reproduction is particularly excellent. The soaring high notes of female vocals are reproduced with a warm texture. The expression of the mid-range for acoustic guitars and pianos is also natural, allowing you to faithfully feel the original resonance of the instruments.
Low Frequencies: The low frequencies handled by the 10mm dynamic driver, thanks to the combination of the PU+PEEK composite diaphragm and dual copper wire coil, achieve a powerful yet tight bass. The contours of the bass line are distinct, and while it has volume, it does not mask the mid-to-high frequencies.
However, the mid-range does stand out with the default settings.
Soundstage: Thanks to the hybrid configuration, the sound expansion is good. The localization of each instrument is clear, and when listening to live recordings of orchestras or jazz, you can feel the depth of the space.
Mr.GadgetsI felt this is an earphone that really highlights the mid-range, making it well-suited for vocal-heavy tracks!
ANC (Noise Canceling) Effect
Ms.GadgetsHow effective is the ANC? Is it usable on a train?
Mr.GadgetsTrue to its claim of up to 55dB of noise reduction, it is quite powerful. The AI adaptive feature, which automatically optimizes based on your fit, is also very practical.
The ANC of the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ uses a hybrid system of feed-forward + feedback, achieving up to 55dB of noise reduction performance.
What is particularly excellent is the “AI Adaptive ANC” feature. It detects the fit in your ears in real-time and automatically adjusts the strength of the noise canceling. Even if the fit of the ear tips is slightly different between the left and right sides, it performs optimized ANC processing for each ear, allowing you to obtain stable noise-canceling effects.
Constant low-frequency noise, such as train running sounds or air conditioner fan noise, is firmly reduced, reaching a level where you can maintain focus while working in cafes or libraries.
Mr.GadgetsWell, it can’t beat earbuds in the 30,000 yen range, but for the 10,000 yen range, it was a performance that showed clear progress!
Ambient Sound Mode
In ambient sound mode, you can enjoy music while naturally taking in surrounding sounds. Being able to respond to station announcements or conversations at a convenience store without taking off the earbuds is a major merit for daily use.
A conversation enhancement mode is also included, which gives priority to amplifying human voices. You can switch modes from the PeatsAudio app, allowing you to use it according to the scene.
Call Quality
Ms.GadgetsI want to use them for calls during remote work; how is the microphone performance?
Mr.GadgetsIt is equipped with 3 microphones per ear and an AI call noise reduction feature. If you are in a quiet room, you can deliver clear voice to the other party.
The SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ features a triple-microphone configuration with 3 mics per ear. With SOUNDPEATS’ proprietary call noise canceling technology, “SOUND+,” it picks up the user’s voice while suppressing surrounding environmental noise.
It demonstrates sufficient quality for calls in offices or at home. However, in outdoor or windy environments, it may be affected by environmental noise, so it is more comfortable if you can ensure a call-only environment.
Codec Support and Wireless Sound Quality
Ms.GadgetsThe number of supported codecs is amazing. What is the actual difference between LDAC and aptX Lossless?
Mr.GadgetsLDAC is for high-res transmission up to 96kHz/24bit, while aptX Lossless transmits CD quality (44.1kHz/16bit) completely losslessly. The point is to use them properly depending on the audio source and device.
The codecs supported by the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ are as follows:
- LDAC: High-resolution wireless playback up to 24bit/96kHz
- aptX Lossless: True lossless transmission of CD quality (44.1kHz/16bit)
- aptX Adaptive: Automatically adjusts bitrate according to the environment
- LC3 (LE Audio): Achieves stable sound quality with low power consumption
- AAC / SBC: Ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices
This comprehensiveness is top-tier among TWS earbuds in the same price range. Note that aptX Lossless is exclusive to Android devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips and is not supported on iPhone. iPhone users can enjoy high sound quality with AAC, while Android users can use LDAC, aptX Lossless, or LC3, depending on which codecs their device supports.
Battery Life and Charging
Ms.GadgetsHow long does the battery last? Doesn’t turning on ANC make it drain faster?
Mr.GadgetsAccording to official specs, it’s up to 6 hours on the earbuds alone and up to 30 hours including the case. However, the actual duration will be shorter when using LDAC and ANC together. It supports quick charging, so the fact that 10 minutes of charging allows for 2 hours of playback is a reassuring factor.
Regarding battery life, playback of up to 6 hours for the earbuds alone and up to 30 hours including the charging case is possible (based on AAC, normal mode, 40% volume).
In actual use, when used with high-load settings like LDAC codec + ANC ON, the duration tends to be shorter than the official figures. For those who use the high-res + ANC combination daily, we recommend being mindful of charging frequently in the case.
On the other hand, the quick charging feature, which allows for about 2 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge, is very practical. If you charge them quickly while getting ready in the morning, you can secure enough battery for your commute.
Mr.GadgetsIt’s fine for commuting to school or work, but please be aware that the battery life will feel quite short when you turn on ANC.
App (PeatsAudio) Usability
Ms.GadgetsWhat can you do with the dedicated app?
Mr.GadgetsIt has all the necessary features, such as EQ customization, ANC mode switching, and operation customization. The 10-band custom EQ is an attractive feature for those who want to dial in the sound to their own preference.
The SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ is compatible with the dedicated “PeatsAudio” app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. The main features are as follows:
- Adaptive EQ / 10-band Custom EQ: Not only can you select from presets, but detailed 10-band adjustments are possible
- ANC mode switching: Noise canceling / Ambient sound / Conversation enhancement / OFF
- Touch control customization: Freely change the assignment of tap operations
- Codec switching: Enable/disable LDAC / LC3
- Game mode switching: ON/OFF for low latency mode
The UI is simple and intuitively operable, so even those using SOUNDPEATS products for the first time will not get lost.
Operability and Touch Controls
The touch controls on the earbuds themselves use a standard method of assigning various operations to tap counts and long taps. Because they are customizable via the PeatsAudio app, you can build an operation system that suits your personal usage.
The sensitivity of the touch sensor is good, and there are few accidental touches. Even when making slight adjustments to the position while wearing them, there is no stress of the playback stopping unexpectedly.
Latency (Game Mode)
Ms.GadgetsHow is the latency for video watching and games?
Mr.GadgetsWhen you enable game mode, the latency is reduced to approximately 60ms. For casual mobile games or video watching, you will rarely notice any audio lag.
Even with normal connection, you won’t feel significant latency when watching videos like YouTube, but by enabling game mode, you achieve low latency of approximately 60ms.
In genres that require strict timing, such as rhythm games, they do not reach the level of wired earphones, but they provide sufficient responsiveness for RPGs, simulations, and action games.
Summary
Clear, yet non-fatiguing — A new frontier for TWS opened by xMEMS MEMS drivers
The SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+ is an ambitious set of TWS earbuds that places a new generation of driver technology—the xMEMS “Cowell” MEMS driver—at its core. It brilliantly overcomes the weakness of traditional BA-type drivers (“high resolution but causes listening fatigue”) through the response speed and low-distortion characteristics of MEMS technology.
With codec comprehensiveness via the Qualcomm QCC3091 chip, up to 55dB of AI adaptive ANC, and the VGP2025 SUMMER Gold Award, there are no gaps in its specifications. It is a product where you can experience the surprise of “can they really do this much at this price?” right from the moment you open it.
There is room for improvement in battery life, but the quick charge feature, which allows for 2 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge, covers it practically. It is a noteworthy set of TWS earbuds with an excellent balance of sound quality, functionality, and price.
Mr.GadgetsIf you are choosing TWS earbuds with a focus on the mid-range, I would definitely recommend experiencing the power of the xMEMS MEMS driver at least once.
Pochipp
Pros and Cons of the SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+
We have looked at each feature so far, so let’s organize the pros and cons again.
- High-resolution and clear mid-to-high frequencies via xMEMS Cowell driver
- Triple Hi-Res codec support: LDAC, aptX Lossless, and LC3
- Excellent up to 55dB AI Adaptive ANC
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint support
- Quick charging: 10 minutes of charge for 2 hours of playback
- 6-hour battery life for earbuds alone is somewhat short
- Battery consumption accelerates when using LDAC+ANC
Recommended for
- Those who want to enjoy clear, high-resolution sound without listening fatigue
- Those who want to try high-res wireless such as LDAC or aptX Lossless
- Those who need powerful ANC for commuting to school or work
- Those who use multipoint to switch between multiple devices
- Those looking for high-spec TWS with good cost-performance
Thank you for reading until the end!
Thank you for reading until the end!
- The evaluation in this article is unique to this site.
- Unless otherwise specified, product prices and information are current as of the time of writing.
- Please note that this site cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in this information.
- Product and service names mentioned on this site are trademarks of their respective companies.
This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated.
Comments