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SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro Review

The SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro is an affordable ANC headphone with great battery life, LDAC, app EQ, strong comfort, a fun bassy sound, with a few budget trade-offs.
SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro Review

Disclosure: I’d like to thank SOUNDPEATS for providing me with the Cove Pro for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and SOUNDPEATS had no say or input on the contents of this review.

SOUNDPEATS has been on a bit of a roll lately. The company has built a reputation for offering strong feature sets at prices that are often much lower than the big-name alternatives, while still maintaining quality (just see my Air5 Pro+ review), and the Cove Pro is very much in that same spirit.

At around $69 USD, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro is not trying to compete directly with flagship ANC headphones, but instead, it aims to offer a surprising amount of that everyday wireless headphone experience at a much more accessible price. We get adaptive hybrid ANC rated up to 56dB, Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC support, companion app support, USB-C wired audio, physical buttons, a foldable design, and good battery life. That is a lot for a sub-$100 Bluetooth ANC headphone.

Of course, budget ANC headphones often look impressive on paper but fall apart when it comes to one of comfort, tuning, ANC performance, or general usability. The Cove Pro is interesting because it feels like SOUNDPEATS tried to make a genuinely practical headphone for commuting, traveling, and casual music listening. So, let’s get into the review and see what to make of the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro.

Key Specifications

In the Box

  • SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Manual and documentation
  • Stickers

The included accessories are basic, but in my opinion, acceptable for this price point. You get the headphones (obviously), a USB-C cable, some documentation, and the app guide. There is no hard case, no soft pouch, and no analog audio cable.

That is probably my biggest packaging-related complaint. Since the Cove Pro folds down into a more compact form, it would have been nice to see SOUNDPEATS include at least a basic carrying pouch. This is clearly designed to be a travel-friendly headphone, and even an inexpensive fabric bag would have made it easier to store without worrying about scratches.

To play devil’s advocate, though, I would much rather SOUNDPEATS put the budget into the headphone itself, and that seems to be what they have done here.

Design & Comfort

The SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro has a clean and understated design. It does not look particularly premium, but it also avoids looking cheap or toy-like. The black finish is simple, the branding is subtle (lightly showing on both earcups), and the overall shape is very conventional for a modern over-ear ANC headphone.

At 256 grams, the Cove Pro is very lightweight. That helps a lot with comfort, especially during longer listening sessions. Some budget over-ear headphones can feel bulky or awkward on the head, but the Cove Pro avoids this. It has enough overall structure to feel secure when you’re wearing it, while still being light enough that it does not become fatiguing after a while.

The earcups use memory foam padding, and the fit is generally comfortable and fatigue-free. The pads are soft enough to give a decent seal without needing excessive clamping force. As someone who wears glasses, I am always extra critical of this, and the Cove Pro does better than I expected here. The pads contour well around the arms of my glasses, and I did not feel the frames being pushed into the side of my head. Clamp force overall is just right.

There is some heat buildup after a while, as with almost every closed-back over-ear ANC headphone, so while the earpads are soft and comfortable, they are not especially breathable. For commuting, office use, and casual listening around the house, this is not a major issue. For long summer walks or gym use, I would probably reach for earbuds instead, even with the IPX4 rating. Everyone is different, though, and it may not be much of an issue for you.

The folding design is also greatly appreciated. The Cove Pro folds inward and takes up less space in a bag than a non-folding headphone. Again, this makes the lack of a pouch more noticeable, but the actual folding mechanism is still useful.

Build quality is about what I would expect for the price, maybe slightly better, honestly. It is mostly plastic, so it does not have the dense, premium feel of more expensive ANC headphones. But it does not feel fragile either. The hinges and yokes feel sturdy, and I did not notice any major creaks or loose parts during normal use.

This is not a luxury headphone, but it is comfortable, lightweight, practical, and easy to live with. For $69, that is already a strong start.

Usability

One of my favourite things about the Cove Pro is that SOUNDPEATS uses physical buttons instead of relying on touch controls. Touch controls can work well, but they are often frustrating on headphones, especially when walking outside, wearing gloves, adjusting the fit, or using the headphones in colder weather. Physical buttons are simply more predictable and are less prone to accidental activation. You can feel what you are pressing, and you do not need to memorize a bunch of different gestures.

So, the Cove Pro keeps things simple. You have physical controls for power, playback, volume, track skipping, ANC modes, and other core functions. The buttons are not the most premium-feeling controls I have used, but they are responsive and easy enough to locate by feel after a short adjustment period (as is usually the case with new headphones).

Pairing is straightforward, and the headphones reconnect quickly to previously paired devices. Multipoint support is also included, and being able to connect to a laptop and phone at the same time is one of those features that quickly becomes hard to give up once you get used to this kind of workflow.

There is one important limitation, though. LDAC and dual-device connection cannot be used at the same time, which is not unusual to see, but it is still worth pointing out. So, if you want the highest-quality Bluetooth codec, you will need to give up multipoint. If you want the convenience of switching between two devices, you will need to use AAC or SBC instead.

For my own use, I would leave multipoint on for work and casual listening, then I would switch to LDAC when listening to music from my Android phone or DAP.

ANC and Transparency

The Cove Pro uses hybrid adaptive ANC, with SOUNDPEATS claiming noise reduction up to 56dB. As always, ANC numbers need to be taken with some context. A single dB rating does not tell you how well a headphone handles real-world noise across different frequencies. The type of noise, the fit, the seal, and the environment all matter. In real-world use, though, the Cove Pro’s ANC is genuinely useful and performs quite well.

Low-frequency noise is where it performs best. Things like A/C noise, road noise, and transit rumble, fans, and the low drone of everyday city movement are reduced nicely, and it does enough to make music and podcasts easier to enjoy in noisy environments.

Voices and sharper sounds are less effectively reduced, which is pretty standard for ANC headphones, especially in this price range. You will still hear people talking nearby, loud keyboard clicks, higher-pitched traffic noise, and sudden sounds. The ANC softens the environment more than it completely removes it. Considering the price, I think that the performance is perfectly acceptable.

The ANC has multiple modes, which can be useful. You can choose from different cancellation levels and modes depending on where you are using the headphones. I like that SOUNDPEATS gives users more control here rather than forcing a single ANC profile. Adaptive mode is the most convenient when moving between environments, while wind noise reduction is very useful outdoors, and it does work quite well. There is also very minimal white noise or hiss in all of these modes.

The transparent mode is decent, but not amazing. It lets in outside sound well enough for quick awareness, but it does not sound very natural. Voices come through slightly processed, and there is not the effortless realism you get from the best premium ANC headphones, but for quickly hearing an announcement, having a short conversation, or walking outside with more situational awareness, it works.

Companion App

The PeatsAudio app is an important part of the Cove Pro experience. Through the app, you can access ANC and Transparent settings, firmware updates, dual-device connection, low-latency mode, and EQ features.

The biggest benefit is sound customization. SOUNDPEATS includes personalized EQ, which is a smart feature for a headphone like this. The stock tuning is fun and easy to enjoy, but it may not suit everyone. Having the ability to adjust the sound in the app makes the Cove Pro much more flexible.

You also get a fixed 10-band graphic equalizer to create custom EQ profiles with. It works well enough, and I think it gives most users enough flexibility to shape the sound as needed.

Bluetooth Performance

The Cove Pro features Bluetooth 6.0, with SBC, AAC, and LDAC codec support.

LDAC support is the highlight here. Many affordable Bluetooth headphones still stop at AAC, so having LDAC gives Android users and DAP users a higher-quality wireless option. Of course, codec support is only one part of the equation. The drivers, tuning, DSP, and overall implementation still matter more than the codec alone. But for those who care about getting better wireless audio quality from compatible devices, LDAC is a welcome inclusion.

The connection stability was very good in my testing. I did not experience any dropouts when using the headphones indoors or outdoors, and the range was in line with what I expect from modern Bluetooth headphones. LDAC can be more sensitive to distance and interference than AAC or SBC, so if you are walking through a very busy wireless environment or far away from your smartphone, you may want to use a more stable codec.

AAC performance with my iPhone 16 was also solid. Apple users do not get LDAC, but the Cove Pro still works well with iOS devices.

The Cove Pro also includes a low-latency mode, rated as low as 0.06 seconds. For video, YouTube, Netflix, and casual gaming, latency was not something I found distracting. I still would not choose a Bluetooth headphone for serious competitive gaming, but for handheld gaming, mobile games, or watching movies, the Cove Pro works very well when this mode is enabled.

Battery Performance

Battery life is one of the Cove Pro’s strongest features, even when ANC is enabled. SOUNDPEATS rates the headphone for up to 95 hours with ANC off and up to 58 hours with ANC on. Even if you do not hit those exact numbers in real-world use, depending on volume, codec, ANC mode, and listening habits, this is still excellent. For the most part, I was getting very close to these numbers for my own use. LDAC, naturally, will use more battery, lowering the runtime to around 40 hours with ANC enabled, which is still very good.

The fast charging is also excellent. A 10-minute charge can provide up to 11 hours of playback, which is the kind of practical feature that matters in daily use. Charging from empty to full takes around 2 hours, which is reasonable given the battery capacity and overall runtime.

Sound Quality

Sources used for this review:

  • Apple iPhone 16 (AAC)
  • Apple MacBook Pro (AAC)
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 (AAC, LDAC)
  • Surfans F20 Pro (LDAC)

Links to my music playlist used for the majority of testing:

The SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro has a fun, consumer-friendly tuning. BY “consumer-friendly”, I typically mean that it has an overall sound signature that is warm, punchy, and energetic, essentially V-shaped. There is an obvious emphasis on bass, a smooth midrange, and a slightly relaxed treble presentation. It is the kind of tuning that works well for pop, hip-hop, electronic, rock, podcasts, YouTube, movies, and casual listening.

This is not the most detailed or spacious headphone, and it does not have the refinement of more expensive ANC headphones. But it is enjoyable, easy to listen to, and much better than I expected from a $69 over-ear ANC headphone.

Bass

Bass is the most prominent part of the Cove Pro’s tuning. It has good weight, solid punch, and enough presence to make most music sound full and engaging.

Sub-bass extension is respectable, though not perfectly controlled. You get a nice sense of rumble in electronic tracks, hip-hop, and cinematic music. Kick drums have a satisfying impact, and bass guitars have enough warmth to sound full.

The mid-bass is also elevated, which gives the Cove Pro its fun and somewhat thick character. This works well for casual listening, but it does make the sound feel a little congested on busy tracks. It is not muddy in a disastrous way, but it could benefit from a more lean and controlled bass presentation, which is typical of most ANC headphones.

Personally, I would reduce the mid-bass slightly and add a little more upper-mid presence to balance things out. Thankfully, the app makes that possible.

There is also a “Dynamic Bass” toggle in the PeatsAudio app. To my ears, this simply elevates the mid-bass and lower-midrange to give the sound more of a live-concert feel.

Midrange

The midrange is smooth and slightly warm. Vocals have good body, and instruments like guitars and strings sound overall pleasant rather than thin. Male vocals benefit from the warmth, sounding full and natural enough for this price range. Female vocals are clear but do sound somewhat recessed. The Cove Pro does not have a very intimate vocal presentation, as a result of the V-shaped sound profile. Vocals sit slightly behind the bass, especially in tracks with heavier low-end presence.

For casual listening, podcasts, and daily use, the midrange works well. It avoids harshness, it avoids shoutiness, and it remains easy to listen to for long periods.

Treble

The treble is smooth and mostly relaxed. SOUNDPEATS has avoided making the Cove Pro sound overly sharp or artificially bright, which I appreciate. Instruments such as cymbals and strings, and even higher-pitched vocals, have enough presence to keep from sounding dark, but overall, this is not a bright headphone. Detail retrieval is decent for the price, though not exceptional. The treble is more about comfort than sparkle.

This means the Cove Pro is fairly forgiving with poorly recorded music, compressed music streaming, YouTube videos, and podcasts. It is not the headphone I would choose if I wanted maximum clarity, air, or treble extension, but it is a good match for everyday listening.

If you want a bit more energy, the EQ can help. I would not boost the treble too aggressively, but a small lift in the upper treble can make the Cove Pro sound more open and natural.

Soundstage and Imaging

For a closed-back ANC headphone, the Cove Pro has a reasonably spacious presentation. It does not sound huge, and it does not escape the limitations of a budget closed-back design, but it avoids sounding completely boxed in.

The soundstage is wider than deep. Instruments spread out to the left and right fairly well, but the layering and front-to-back separation are more limited. This is most noticeable with busier tracks, where the Cove Pro can start to sound a little compressed.

Imaging is decent. It is easy enough to place instruments and effects across the stereo field, and the low-latency mode makes the headphones enjoyable for video and casual gaming.

Spatial Audio

The Cove Pro features a special audio toggle, where you can choose between music mode and movie mode. Save yourself the trouble and leave this option disabled. I did not find a single instance where the audio sounded more holographic or improved. Vocals were always pushed back and distorted slightly, and overall placement accuracy gets thrown out the window. This feature needs more work, so until then, leave it off.

SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro_PeatsAudio_App

Microphone Performance

The Cove Pro uses a 7-mic array with AI noise reduction, and I found the overall call quality to be solid for the price. In a quiet environment, voices come through fairly clearly for phone calls, video meetings, and voice chats. The microphone does not sound as natural or full as even mid-range Bluetooth headphones, but it is perfectly usable for situations where you quickly need to call someone.

Background noise reduction is just ok. It does a good job reducing steady noise, though louder and more unpredictable environments can still make your voice sound processed and, at times, completely drowned out.

For work calls in a quiet room, the Cove Pro is more than good enough. For walking beside traffic or taking calls in a busy cafe, it is borderline usable as you can hear the processing working harder.

Final Thoughts

At around $69 USD, the Cove Pro gets a lot right. It is comfortable, lightweight, easy to use, and very practical. It has physical buttons, strong battery life, LDAC support, Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint, a low-latency mode, app-based EQ, and genuinely useful ANC. That is an impressive feature set at this price.

The sound quality is also enjoyable. It is bassy, warm, smooth, and forgiving, which is exactly the kind of tuning many people want from an affordable wireless ANC headphone. Audiophiles may want to adjust the EQ, but for daily listening, commuting, work, and travel, the Cove Pro is easy to recommend.

What impresses me most is the overall value. There are better ANC headphones, better-sounding headphones, better-built headphones, and headphones with better microphone performance. But very few offer this combination of features, battery life, comfort, and usability at this price.

If you want an affordable over-ear ANC headphone that does almost everything reasonably well, the SOUNDPEATS Cove Pro should be very high on your list.


I’m not always able to cover all the details of a product, both hardware and software, in our reviews. If you have any specific questions about this product, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me directly.

Be sure to check out our excellent Buyer’s Guides, as well as our other Reviews.

HiFi Oasis Verdict

HiFi Oasis Verdict
7 10 0 1
  • Design & Comfort
    8/10 Very good
  • Sound
    7/10 Good
  • Features/Accessories
    7/10 Good
  • Value
    7/10 Good
7/10
Total Score

Pros

  • Fun, warm, bassy tuning
  • Smooth, non-fatiguing treble
  • Comfortable, lightweight design. Good fit for glasses wearers
  • Foldable and travel-friendly
  • Physical buttons instead of touch controls
  • Useful hybrid ANC, especially for low-frequency noise
  • Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC support
  • EQ customization in companion app
  • Excellent battery life
  • Low-latency mode works well for video and casual gaming

Cons

  • Bass can sound a little thick or congested on busy tracks
  • Detail retrieval and staging are limited
  • Female vocals can sound slightly recessed
  • Spatial audio mode is not worth using
  • No carrying pouch or case included
  • Transparency mode sounds processed
  • Microphone struggles in noisy environments
Total
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