Assessing Apple’s Beats Studio Buds: Hit or Miss?

The Beats Studio Buds stand out as top-tier earbuds in the market, especially coming from a reputable brand like Beats, which is under the ownership of Apple. While Apple appears to be gradually positioning Beats as a more affordable option compared to AirPods, it’s also strategic for them not to directly compete with their own premium offerings.

Review of the Beats Studio Buds:

Since its acquisition, Beats has undergone a complete overhaul, introducing a diverse selection of budget-friendly earbuds. Among these, the Beats Studio stands out, prompting a closer examination to determine whether they warrant a purchase.

Crafting Ergonomic Excellence: Designing for Comfort:

The Beats Studio earbuds come housed in a sleek, compact case with a glossy finish, making it convenient for on-the-go use. However, the matte texture of the case can feel slippery at times, requiring caution when handling it, especially when retrieving it from your pocket. The case features an oval shape, adorned with the iconic Beats logo on the top, and is equipped with a Type C USB port at the front for charging.

In terms of the earbuds themselves, they are impressively lightweight, even surpassing competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM4. With a design that fits snugly into the ears, these earbuds offer both comfort and stability, minimizing the need for readjustments during use. It’s worth noting that the absence of touch controls might be a drawback for some users, as functions such as play/pause and track skipping require physical button presses, which can inadvertently push the buds further into the ears.

During our review, we found the Beats Studio earbuds to be exceptionally comfortable, with no instances of slippage or discomfort even during extended wear. Whether for casual listening or prolonged usage, these earbuds exhibited no signs of ear fatigue, making them suitable for various activities, including moderate exercise at the gym.

Functionality-wise, the Beats Studio earbuds deliver a solid performance, with a focus on practicality and ease of use. They are available in three distinct colors—basic black, vibrant red, and crisp white—offering users a choice to match their style preferences. Overall, these earbuds excel in both design and comfort, catering to users’ needs for a hassle-free audio experience.

Connectivity:

The Beats Studio earbuds excel in connectivity, seamlessly pairing with both iOS and Android devices. Android users benefit from the Beats companion app, offering extensive control over music settings, including features like active noise cancellation and transparency mode.

Despite being under the Apple umbrella, Beats has successfully delivered an Apple-like experience to Android users, a feat not achieved by Airpods. This makes recommending the Beats Studio earbuds to Android users a straightforward choice.

Audio Fidelity and Efficiency:

After extensively comparing them to their competitors, including high-end earbuds, we’re thoroughly impressed with the sound quality of the Beats Studio Buds. Apple has managed to transform the stereotypical Beats sound into something exceptional – still delivering punchy bass but with a more balanced overall profile. The sound is remarkably clear and crisp across the high end, outperforming even the Sony WF-1000XM4.

In terms of midrange, the Beats Studio Buds excel, particularly evident when listening to genres like rock with its multitude of instruments. The midrange quality often surpasses that of the Galaxy Buds Pro, which itself is superior to the AirPods Pro.

The precision in tuning the Beats Studio Buds’ sound quality reminds us of the AirPods Max, although they don’t quite reach the same level of clarity and richness. However, the EQ settings offer a similar experience. Overall, if sound quality is your top priority, especially if you enjoy a solid bass, the Beats Studio Buds are a great choice, especially considering their $150 price point.

Battery longevity:

The Beats Studio boasts an impressive 8-hour battery life on a single charge, which extends to 24 hours with the accompanying charging case, putting it on par with similar products in the market. Additionally, its USB type C cable supports fast charging, providing an hour of playback with just 5 minutes of charging, ideal for urgent situations. However, one drawback of the Beats Studio Buds is the absence of wireless charging, which may disappoint some users.

Features:

The earbuds in question offer impressive active noise cancellation, rivalling even AirPods in this regard. At their price point, experiencing such effective noise cancellation is remarkable; it significantly reduces external noise when ANC mode is activated.

However, the transparency mode falls short of expectations. While it does allow external voices to come through, the sensation can be likened to having clogged ears, leading to occasional discomfort.

On a positive note, the earbuds support spatial audio, enhancing the listening experience, especially with compatible tracks and Dolby Atmos, ensuring a rich audio quality overall.

Final Thoughts on Beats Studio Buds: A Review:

While the Beats Studio earbuds lack sensors and don’t offer features like auto-pausing when removed or support for hands-free multipoint pairing with chips like W1 or H1, they still stand out as an excellent option. These earbuds excel in various aspects including sound quality, design, comfort, and build quality.

Following Apple’s acquisition, the Beats brand has produced some impressive products, with the Beats Studio Buds being among them. They offer performance akin to high-end AirPods but at a more affordable price point. You can even find them at discounted rates during electronic sales on platforms like Amazon.

We recommend considering the Beats Studio Buds if you’re searching for earbuds that deliver top-notch performance without breaking the bank. If you’ve had the chance to try them out, share your experiences in the comments below, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, if you know of any other earbuds that offer superior performance in the same budget range, feel free to mention them.


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