These are the new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones
Earlier this year, 9to5Mac revealed that Apple has been working on new Beats Studio Buds+ with a custom Beats chip. Now we’ve also learned that the company is about to launch new Beats Studio Pro headphones with Transparency Mode and Spatial Audio. Based on codenames, it’s likely being developed in partnership with Samuel Ross of A-Cold-Wall.
Beats Studio Pro
It’s been a while since Beats released its last headphone. Even with AirPods Max on the market, Apple still seems interested in releasing new headphones under the Beats brand. Images found in the internal files of iOS 16.5 RC, which was released on Tuesday for developers, confirm the existence of the new Beats Studio Pro.
But more than that, 9to5Mac has discovered further details about the new Beats Studio Pro from our sources. According to our findings, the new headphones will have better active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode, and even Personalized Spatial Audio for the first time.
We also speculate that it will feature a USB-C port for charging and a custom Beats chip, just like other recent products from the company.
The new headphones look very similar to the Beats Studio3. The most notable difference in terms of design is the removal of the “Studio” branding from the headband, based on the images we got of the new Beats Studio Pro. It will be available in four different colors: black, white, a dark blue, and brown.
Interestingly, based on codenames, it seems that Beats Studio Pro is likely being developed in partnership with artist Samuel Ross, who has worked with Beats in the past.
Apple currently sells Beats Studio3 Wireless for $349 (although you can find it for half the price on Amazon). It’s unclear whether Beats Studio Pro will replace Studio3 or come as a more premium alternative.
Beats Studio Buds+
In addition to Beats Studio Pro, Apple has also been developing Beats Studio Buds+. Code found in iOS 16 shows that Beats Studio Buds+ will support audio sharing, automatic device switching, and “Hey Siri,” just like AirPods and other Beats wireless earbuds. But despite supporting such features, the new Beats Studio Buds+ will feature a custom Beats chip instead of Apple’s h2/h3 chip.
We don’t yet know when exactly Apple plans to introduce these new Beats wireless headphones, but it seems that both products will hit the stores very soon.
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Author
Filipe Espósito
@filipeesposito
Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian tech Journalist who started covering Apple news on iHelp BR with some exclusive scoops — including the reveal of the new Apple Watch Series 5 models in titanium and ceramic. He joined 9to5Mac to share even more tech news around the world.
Best Beats headphones in 2023
Beats has evolved into an audio lifestyle brand powered by the genius of music industry legends Andre “Dr Dre” Young and Jimmy Iovine alongside current parent company Apple. The last few years have seen some interesting changes for the electronics giant, especially when it comes to the kinds of Beats audio products you can currently buy.
Leaning more into headphones and earbuds lately, Beats has continued to stand out by delivering flashier, more bass-heavy alternatives to Apple’s own audio devices while also offering compelling fitness-focused products. We’ve tested nearly all of Beats’ recent headphones and earbuds, and have picked out the best the brand has to offer.
Prime Day Deal
Beats Solo 3
The best Beats headphones
There’s a reason we call the Beats Solo 3 our best overall on-ear headphones. With audio performance and battery life that rivals significantly more expensive devices, the Solo 3 also look fashionable in three different colorways.
$199.99
$114.95 at Amazon
$199.99 at Apple
Prime Day Deal
Beats Fit Pro
The best Beats earbuds
Our best wireless earbuds pick for Apple users, the Beats Fit Pro are a more compact version of the Powerbeats Pro with all of the smarts of the AirPods Pro (including active noise cancellation and spatial audio).
$199.99
$159.95 at Amazon
$199.99 at Apple
The Beats Solo 3 hasn’t seen a proper refresh since 2016, but still remains our best on-ear headphones pick for good reason. It offers competitive audio quality, a thoughtful design that blends sleekness with useful functionalities and better than average battery life.
From quick pairing to the initiative controls on the left headphone cup, utilizing the Beats Solo 3 is a simple and intuitive experience. Once we got them set up, we found music to sound as good as headphones that are significantly more expensive. Most notably, extremely bass heavy music such as contemporary pop, EDM and hip-hop really showcase how far the Beats Solo 3 can be pushed. They also do a great job with more musically nuanced genres like rock and jazz by offering clarity for multi-instrumental tracks. Beyond music, the Beats Solo 3 provides exceptional call quality thanks to their beamforming microphones.
With 40 hours of playback, the Beats Solo 3 has some of the best battery life in its class. The small LEDs on the headphones do a great job of informing you how much battery life is available, as does the Beats app for either iOS or Android. If your Beats do run out of battery life, there’s a quick charge ability that gives three hours of juice from a five-minute charge.
Between outstanding audio quality, great battery life and head-turning looks, it’s not surprising that the Beats Solo 3 has been able to stand on its own without yearly refreshes.
Mike Andronico/CNN
The Beats Fit Pro maintains the classic Beats style while packing a feature set that’s more in line with Apple’s AirPods Pro. At $199, these earbuds’ audio quality battery life and comfort make them our pick for the best Apple earbuds, but having Spatial Audio capabilities alongside active noise cancellation is the proverbial icing on the cake.
The Beats Fit Pro are great for gym rats looking for something a bit more discreet than the Powerbeats Pro. Available in four colors, they feature a wingtip design that we found to be comfortable and secure for hours on end, complete with IPX4 water protection that’s ideal for those who frequently break a sweat.
The Beats Fit Pro’s strong audio quality is enhanced by the same Adaptive EQ feature found on the AirPods Pro, which equalizes music in real time to make sure you’re always getting a good mix. To help preserve battery life alongside sound quality, Adaptive EQ kicks in whenever ANC and Transparency are turned off. When turned on, we found that songs sounded louder and brighter. However, when ANC is turned on, we felt it suppressed outside noise just as well as the AirPods Pro.
The Beats Fit Pro lasted us nearly seven hours on a charge with ANC on, which is among the best battery life we’ve gotten from any Apple earbuds. They also charge up quickly, with Fast Fuel charging that gives you up to 1 hour of playback through a 5-minute charge via USB-C. Pairing is seamless with iOS devices thanks to the Apple h2 chip inside, but you still get access to most of the Fit Pro’s key features (including ANC and Transparency) on Android..
Beats headphones and earbuds come in a wide range when it comes to pricing, from the $69.99 Beats Flex to the $349.95 Beats Studio 3 Wireless. All of them offer Beats’ signature aesthetic in multiple colors, and we’ve found them to deliver respectable audio quality at every price range.
Though Beats headphones are primarily built for those in the Apple ecosystem, they’re great for Android devices as well. For Apple devices, Beats headphones pair as instantly as AirPods, and feature the same smart features like ‘Hey Siri’ support for instant voice control and Find My capabilities for tracking your lost headphones. Some models, like the Beats Fit Pro and Beats Studio 3, support Apple’s Spatial Audio standard. But regardless of your smartphone of choice, you can adjust audio settings, toggle features like active noise cancellation, monitor battery life and get firmware updates via the Beats app for both iOS and Android.
The app even supports older discontinued Beats devices like the popular Pill+ speakers, with the ability to link more than one for an amplified audio experience. Apple users should know that all Beats headphones support the AirPlay feature which allows users to share music from their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to anyone wearing a pair of Beats.
Cautious consumers will be happy to know that all Beats audio devices come with a one year warranty alongside eligibility for AppleCare+ coverage.
For those always on the move, the PowerBeats Pro strike the right balance between comfort and a secure fit via their unique ear hooks. Available in four colors, the sweat resistant earbuds provided us with nine hours of playback with a total 24 hours with the charging case. Through fast fuel charging, a five minute charge can provide up to 1.5 hours of playback. The PowerBeats Pro have been dethroned by the Beats Fit Pro as our top workout pick thanks to the latter’s more compact design and better feature set, but they’re still worth considering for those who want the added security of an ear hook design.
Those who want affordable noise cancellation technology in a smaller earbuds package can look toward the Beats Studio Buds. There’s even a transparency mode for those who want to hear outside audio, like on the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro.. The Studio Buds stand out amongst the Beats family with their ability to fast-pair to both Apple and Android devices, and we found their sound quality to be strong overall. These earbuds got us more than eight hours of continuous listening time, and feature Fast Fuel charging to get you back up and running quickly. If style is a concern, know that the Studio Buds come in a wide range of colors that includes red, white, black and the more recently released Ocean Blue, Sunset Pink and Moon Gray.
The most affordable audio device in the Beats lineup, there’s a lot to appreciate about the Beats Flex. Available in four color options, they feature magnetic earbuds that lock together like a necklace and will even pause or play music depending on if they’re in your ear or not. Beyond the unique design, the Beats Flex have an estimated 12 hours of battery life, Fast Fuel charging and the same fast-pairing and Find My benefits of other Apple earbuds.
As the most expensive audio device within the Beats lineup, the Beats Studio 3 Wireless are some of the best headphones we’ve tested in terms of sheer sound quality. This is thanks in part to their real-time audio calibration tech, as well as noise cancellation for general music listening and call quality. The Beats Studio 3 has an estimated 40 hours of battery life, which is largely in line with our own testing. However, we didn’t find them to be quite as comfortable as top rivals from the likes of Sony and Bose.
Aftershokz headphones do not need to be inserted into the ears. They are also safer for walking, running or cycling. They are also safer for walking, running or cycling.
Aftershokz is an American brand that specializes in the development of headphones and headsets with bone conduction sound. Unlike many “niche” products, these models are addressed to the widest range of users for everyday life.
Why are they attached so strangely?
As you can see, Aftershokz is literally “headphones”. They do not need to be inserted into the ears, and they do not cover the auricles. With bone conduction of sound, a person hears directly with the inner ear, where the sound is sent literally through the bones.
What is “bone conduction”?
In fact, a person constantly encounters bone conduction of sound in everyday life: this is a natural feature of our body, and this is how we hear the sound of our own voice.
Want to check? Plug your ears with your fingers and say a few words. You can’t stop listening to yourself.
What kind of security are we talking about?
In this context, we are talking about self-preservation. The story of Aftershokz began when runners and cyclists who were training near busy trails were puzzled about how to listen to music but not listen to the signal of a passing car. Open ears proved to be a logical solution.
Are these sports headphones?
Yes and no. More precisely, not only sports: Aftershokz can be comfortably used in everyday life for walking, office work, and some, for example, use them as an alternative to car headsets so as not to cover one ear and not block sound.
How do these headphones sound?
The Aftershokz headphones cover the entire standard 20 – 20000 Hz range, but still remain more mid-oriented.
At too “low” or too “high” frequencies, they can vibrate, which at first is not very familiar, but it does not cause discomfort. Any sound is a vibration of waves, and sometimes they can be felt.
Reviews of the latest flagship headphones can be found on the largest authoritative resources:
“
Aeropex <...> sounds much more linear already. There is no blockage in high frequencies up to the audible upper limit (even the atmosphere of the hall is more or less transmitted), no drawdown in the middle, no pronounced vibration of the emitters.
Aeropex <...> give a very high-frequency sound, and in their “legitimate” places at the temples not only provide the best musical balance, but also expand the playback range down.
Source – audio portal SalonAV .
“
At the same time, the mids are surprisingly well developed, the vocals are perfectly readable – everything is wonderful here. Compared to previous models, the study of the high-frequency range has also improved, but in general, bone conduction headphones have been and remain oriented to the middle.
Source – IXBT .
Where to buy them
Aftershokz headphones are widely represented in Russia. You can get detailed information about in which stores you can test and buy them on the official website. There you can also place an order – just scroll down the page for more.
headphones are harmful to the ears – DW – 03/22/2017
Culture
Tatyana Vainman
March 22, 2017
More and more people aged 15 to 35 are suffering from hearing loss. German experts are sounding the alarm and blaming the trendy gadget for this.
https://p.dw.com/p/2ZerW
Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Bockwoldt Advertising
The invention of the smartphone not only made communication more mobile, but also gave us the opportunity to go through life with music, without losing, so to speak, connection with the outside world – at least with the one from where we are waiting for a call. With musical accompaniment in headphones, the road to work seems shorter, the morning run is more efficient, and the world around you is not so monotonous. The louder the sound, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the world of your own fantasies … And the easier it is to cause a serious health problem at the same time.
Noise instead of music in the ears
According to Germany’s largest health insurance fund, Barmer, young people today are increasingly suffering from hearing loss. “The trend is clear,” says Barmer board member Mani Rafii. “In addition to the noise that surrounds us in the city, the noise coming from the digital world is added.” This kind of noise is detrimental.
In five years, Barmer’s insured clients aged 15 to 35 who require hearing aids have increased by a third. “Hearing gets worse after 50-60 years is completely normal. But the fact that such problems occur in young people is a serious concern,” Ursula Marshall, Head of Medicine and Health Care Research at Barmer, told DW. (Ursula Marschall).
Thinking about health, do not forget about the ears! Photo: Colourbox/L Dolgachov
The reason lies, of course, not in the music itself, but in how loud and how long it sounds. According to experts, many teenagers listen to loud music through headphones almost continuously. “There are musical compositions that you simply cannot help but play loudly. But even they are dangerous only if you listen to them for several hours, or even days in a row,” explains Ursula Marshall.
Continuous listening to music at 65 dB (roughly the level of a loud conversation) has been proven to already cause hearing loss, although many do not perceive this as unbearable noise. Noise levels of 85 dB (a motorcycle with a silencer) and above lead to serious hearing impairment, and 120 dB (jackhammer) – to hearing loss and even deafness.
Pause for the ears
Sensory hairs in the inner ear are responsible for conducting the sound signal. “The cells of the inner ear have the ability to temporarily adapt to noise, but the protective mechanism is only activated if the noise is active for a short time,” the expert explains. For example, after an evening at a disco with loud music, you may notice that your hearing is a little dull.
The closer the sound source is to the ear, the more intense it is perceived. Therefore, loud music from headphones is much more harmful than music from speakers. “In a discotheque, it is possible to move away from the speaker, and in headphones, a loud sound directly affects the eardrum,” the doctor explains.
Therefore, vacuum earplugs are much more harmful than overhead ones. But whatever the headset, the ears should in any case be given a rest. “If you left a nightclub, do not immediately insert headphones into your ears, wait until morning,” the doctor urges.
How to prevent
Impaired hearing cannot be restored. But just at a young age, this problem is not given due importance and it is recognized too late, so that serious consequences often cannot be avoided. After all, the earlier a hearing impairment is determined, the easier it is to prevent its deterioration to partial or complete deafness.
“As a rule, you notice hearing loss not by yourself, but with the help of others: for example, when you misunderstand a question asked to you. The problem lies in the subjectivity of noise perception,” notes Ursula Marshall. Even quiet music interferes with someone, but for someone the volume always seems not enough. Therefore, it is better to ask others if they consider the sound level in your headphones to be normal.
The expert also gives other tips to keep your hearing sharp. When buying headphones, it is better to choose a model with active noise cancellation. They do not have to make the music louder, trying to drown out external sounds. In addition, it is worth considering whether you really need to listen to music at full capacity. Maybe a quiet background is enough?
Noisy cities
Hearing loss is a common problem in urban areas.