All information and first impression
The wait is finally over: Beats has introduced the official successor to the Beats Studio 3 Wireless over-ear headphones. We have already been able to try out the new Beats Studio Pro.
Contents
Beats Studio Pro: New over-ear headphones with noise canceling
At first glance it is Beats Studio Pro recognized as the successor to the Studio 3 Wireless. No wonder, because here the exterior was only changed carefully and in detail. Overall, the design appears more fluid, the noble ear cushions no longer have a seam along the edge, the color variants (black, espresso, navy and sandstone) are consistently “mature”. The brand has evolved over the years, and the Studio Pro is the most recent example of what Beats stands for these days. The youthful image from the early days has largely been discarded.
Technically a lot has happened. The manufacturer promises significant improvements in all conceivable areas. Like that sound quality when listening to music, which should clearly beat its predecessor in this respect with “almost zero distortion”. It is also highlighted improved call quality during phone calls and meetings, where background noise is filtered out more. Not to mention that Noise canceling (ANC)which reduces everyday noise and is an absolute must for Bluetooth headphones in this price range.
It’s really new 3D audio support (e.g. Dolby Atmos with Apple Music) with dynamic headtracking – a feature that is known from the AirPods Pro and in some cases brings amazing added value.
Although the Beats brand has belonged to Apple for a number of years, the Beats Studio Pro is meant to be equally for iPhone and Android-Use to be interesting. In both cellphone ecosystems, this includes the simple Bluetooth pairing, quick switching between connected players and also that Finding the headphones via smartphone. The language assistant (activation on demand: “Hey Siri”) and completely automatic software updates are exclusive to Apple. For Android, we recommend the “Beats” app from the Google Play Store for advanced settings.
First impression after an hour
As soon as you touch it and put it on, you can see that the Beats Studio Pro in terms of build quality can keep up with the top models from Bose and Sony. Nothing creaks or wobbles, the upholstery is super soft, the seat on the head is extremely comfortable. At most, there is still a certain respect distance to luxury models such as the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 or the Apple AirPods Max, but otherwise the quality is impeccable.
My iPhone 13 mini connects to the Beats Studio Pro almost by itself, I don’t have to open the Bluetooth settings – this is also known from the AirPods. The noise cancelling has audibly reduced the background noise in the office, as if you were closing a door behind you. The transparency mode looks natural and works without lag.
I still have to test the sound for a few hours to draw a conclusion. My first impression is that here is a right lively vote was chosen, which should provide listening pleasure with powerful bass and a strong presence. A safe choice that other manufacturers have made in a similar way. There are significantly more neutral-sounding headphones – but they are more intended for professional work in the studio. The Beats Studio Pro is – despite its name – first and foremost a model for traveling, you can certainly approve of some “flavor enhancers” in the sound. Whereby: When Sade’s “Smooth Operator” was running, the beats still showed their fine-spirited side.
I liked it very much Operation with the right buttons on the left earcup, which is more intuitive and precise than touch fields with gestures.
price and availability
The Beats Studio Pro model can now be used for 399.95 euros at Apple be ordered. In terms of price, the Bluetooth headphones are positioned well below the “in-house” AirPods Max (629 euros RRP), but still in an upscale segment.
Potential alternatives would be the Bose QuietComfort 45 (around 250 euros from Amazon) or the Sony WH-1000XM5 (around 330 euros from Amazon), which also promise the latest technology, but are cheaper. The competition has a lot to offer, so the price quoted by Beats seems a bit ambitious. If you don’t have to pay attention to every euro, you can grab it now – the Studio Pro is really good. Saving foxes prefer to wait patiently for the first discounts in retail.
A quick review
Although “Beats By Dre” is a comparatively young brand in the audio sector, it has long been one of the best-known and most popular providers. The success story started in 2008 when rap legend dr. dr and music producer Jimmy Iovine brought the Beats Studio onto the market: an unusual one for the time stylish headphoneswhich quickly became a hip fashion statement.
The second generation of the over-ears appeared in 2013, the third generation called Beats Studio 3 in 2017. In between (2014) Beats was taken over by Apple. After almost six years waiting period the time has come, the 2023 model Beats Studio Pro comes up for redemption. The old Studio 3 is expected to be available in stores for some timebut simply because of the many technical improvements you should rather turn your attention to the new top model.
Beats Studio Pro Specifications
- Scope of delivery: headphones, soft case for transport, USB-C cable, audio cable (jack)
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours with ANCup to 40 hours without ANC
- Fast Fuel: up to 4 hours of playtime after a 10-minute charge
- Supports 3D audio with dynamic head tracking
- Bluetooth pairing: 1-click pairing for Apple (switch between devices via iCloud account), Google Fast Pair and Audio Switch for Android.
- Connectivity: USB-C for lossless audio and simultaneous loading and 3.5mm analog input for
wired audio sources - sustainability: Recycled material for packaging, diaphragm and motherboard.
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