SOUNDPEATS Engine4 Review: Budget-Friendly Wireless Earbuds For Music Lovers

Need budget-friendly wireless earbuds that deliver great sound quality? Check out our SOUNDPEATS Engine4 review!

If you’re looking for a cheap pair of wireless earbuds (around $50), there is no lack of options on the market today. But if you’re looking for a pair that actually sounds good, then your choices begin to narrow. Well, that’s where the new SOUNDPEATS Engine4 wireless earbuds come in.

While they don’t have Active Noise Cancelling, which is becoming more popular nowadays, they are engineered to deliver exceptional audio via dual dynamic drivers, one for low frequencies and one for high frequencies. They also have advanced BT codecs like LDAC and AAC to aid the high-fidelity mission.

So do they live up to the promise of good sound for little money? Read my review, and I’ll let you know the scoop.

SOUNDPEATS Engine4 Review: Design and Build Quality

Starting with design and build, the SOUNDPEATS Engine4 wireless earbuds come in a compact charging case that’s easy to carry. The case has a shiny gunmetal finish which gives the package a premium look, and it’s made of good quality plastic that feels sturdy and durable. The only thing that bothered me about the case was how the door hinge became noisy after several uses. It was still tight and closed firmly, so that’s a good thing.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight and also have a slick gunmetal finish matched with transparent portions that look good. The overall finish surpassed what I would expect from a $60 earbud. Inside each bud are dual dynamic coaxial drivers (10mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter) for better audio separation and detail.

Comfort and Fit

The Engine4 earbuds provide a pretty comfortable fit, with a snug seal that offers good passive noise isolation. They were easy to put in the ear, and once I put them in, I quickly forgot they were there. They do stick out of the ears pretty far, but the positioning was stable, and it also made the touch controls easier to reach. More on that later.

Battery Life and Charging

The SOUNDPEATS Engine4 has a rated battery life of up to 12.5 hours on a single charge and a compact charging case that extends the total playtime to 43 hours. The case has two multi-color LED lights that provide battery and charging status. Unfortunately, there are no wireless or fast charging options, but that’s not the end of the world at this price point.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The SOUNDPEATS Engine4 Wireless Earbuds offer hi-res audio certification via the LDAC codec for Android users (AAC and SBC audio codecs are also on deck). They also feature Bluetooth 5.3, offering stable connections between two different devices.

The touch-sensitive controls on the earbuds provide control of music playback, volume adjustment, and call handling. I found the touch controls to be quite responsive and intuitive. In addition, an audible alert inside of the earbuds confirms the function you’re attempting to perform.

Users can also control the earbuds through the SOUNDPEATS app, which gives you options for Firmware Updates, EQ, touch control customizations, and battery indicators for the individual earbuds, amongst other things.

While the app is a bit sluggish and not the most advanced, it does offer some advanced functionality for a very affordable pair of earphones.

SOUNDPEATS Engine4 Review: Additional Features

The SOUNDPEATS Engine4 wireless earbuds have additional features that add value to the package. They have a low-latency game mode that reduces audio delay during gaming or video playback. Additionally, they have a mono mode that lets you use either earbud separately for calls or music playback.

One missing feature is an in-ear auto-detection feature that automatically pauses the music when you take off the earbuds and resumes it when you put them back on, but that’s not a dealbreaker at this price.

That said, returning to the app, you get an adaptive EQ option that lets you customize the sound based on a basic hearing test. It’s a nice option to have in a pair of earbuds that costs around $50.

SOUNDPEATS Engine4 Review: Sound Quality

For this review, I connected the SOUNDPEATS Engine4 earbuds to my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and played many test tracks from the TIDAL Android App. Initially, I used the AAC audio codec, which was the one selected by default. AAC sounded good, and if it were the only option I had, like on the iPhone, for example, I would be thrilled.

That said, when I moved to the LDAC option (Balanced Audio and Connection), the focus and separation were improved. So that’s how I did the majority of my listening and came up with the impressions below.

The SOUNDPEATS Engine4 wireless earbuds delivered a high-quality sound that was relatively clear, balanced, and immersive. However, those who like the elevated highs and thumpy bass present in most mainstream earbuds like JBL, Beats, and the like, may find them too balanced.

That’s because Engine4’s sound leans more towards nuance and restraint rather than trying to recreate a dance party in your ears. That means the sound is decidedly mids-focused, with a subtle sub-bass lift and rolled-off highs, which keeps things sounding mellow for the most part. While they can rumble with the sub-bass boost, on certain songs from modern genres like hip-hop and dance music, the flat mid-bass can remove the punch needed to make those songs bounce.

On the other hand, the soundstage and focus are perfect for such an affordable wireless earbud. Also, the stage may be the widest I’ve ever heard. I usually don’t even look for these things in a budget earphone, but you get some of that in the Engine4, which somewhat sets it apart in the $50 category.

Because of this, I like the Engine4 earbuds best with well-recorded Jazz, Folk, and Pop music. With these genres, you’ll get a wide-open soundscape with plenty of detail and layering.

When I put on Cochemea’s “Burning Plain,” which is a beautiful song bursting with a lot of rich percussion, horns, and spatial cues, I was astonished by how well they fleshed out all the instruments and laid them on top of one another in the vast soundscape. I’ve never heard earphones this cheap with such good separation.

Comparison with the SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro

The SOUNDPEATS Engine4 wireless earbuds are an excellent value for those prioritizing sound quality over a long list of features. That said, Soundpeats has another earphone called Capsule3 Pro that comes in around the same price and offers a long list of features such as great sound quality, LDAC, noise cancellation technology, and a comfortable fit that’s hard to beat.

However, while the Capsule3 earbuds have more features than the Engine4, they don’t have the same dual drivers. That means they don’t have the same refined detail, separation, and wide soundstage that the Engine4 has. On the other hand, if you listen to many hip-hop and dance tracks, you may like the warm, punchy sound of the Capsule 3 better, even if it doesn’t have the same resolution.

Conclusion

The SOUNDPEATS Engine4 wireless earbuds are a great option if you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that offer class-leading sound quality and a comfortable fit at an affordable price. They have a sleek and compact design, user-friendly touch controls, and additional features that add value to the package. The bass could be a little bit punchier, and there is no active noise cancellation on board, but if a comfortable earphone with crisp and immersive sound is your primary concern, then these affordable buds may be just what you’re looking for.

By the way, Soundpeats is celebrating the launch of Engine4 with a limited-time early bird deal that brings the price down to $41.99 from the list price of $59.99. Check out the details below:

Engine4 Early Bird Deal

Early Bird Price: $41.99 (MSRP:  $59.99 )

10% product page coupon +20% code:   SPENG4PR
Limited Time: June 6th-30th

US Amazon:  https://amzn.to/42ssHc9

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