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Apple Discontinues Powerbeats, Beats Solo Pro, and Beats EP
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MedRed
macrumors 6502
Hopefully there's a replacement for the Powerbeats pro. They are perfect for workouts and running long distances. My only gripes are the tips coming off from time to time and that sometimes only one bud will work unless both are added back to the case and taken out again. I'd love this a lot if they had the snap on tips the AirPods Pro have.
I believe there were more Beats products planned to be released today (like Solo 4 with noise cancellation) but most likely, chip shortage might have pushed it to 2022 release (and potentially till Apple Spring keynote event in March with new iPad Air and new iMacs)
Populus
macrumors 604
As an owner of a pair of Solo Pro, this is shocking!
I still would like to have my 5 years of support in the case I need to change their battery at some point. This was an expensive pair of headphones.
However, I'm really happy with them, as I wanted a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones with the H1 chip, compatible with iOS and macOS continuity features. After the discontinuation of the Solo Pro, the only alternative is the super expensive AirPods Max. And I could pay 200€ but I am not willing to pay 500 or 600€ for a pair of headphones.
I still would like to have my 5 years of support in the case I need to change their battery at some point. This was an expensive pair of headphones.
However, I'm really happy with them, as I wanted a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones with the H1 chip, compatible with iOS and macOS continuity features. After the discontinuation of the Solo Pro, the only alternative is the super expensive AirPods Max. And I could pay 200€ but I am not willing to pay 500 or 600€ for a pair of headphones.
iSayuSay
macrumors 68040
I own one and very happy with them. Sound as good as Powerbeats Pro (which already in par with AirPods Pro but deeper bass).. also the cable give me the extra security for outdoor runs.
That cable literally saved the buds once when it got bumped and fell, otherwise it would went down the sewer. It also has the H1 chip means it shares all the core features of modern Apple earphones.
Sad to see it go away. If it breaks I think Beats Fit Pro is the way to go.
UltimateSyn
macrumors 603
jezbd1997
macrumors 6502a
they are shocking, i returned them the next because they were so uncomfortable. and the audio quality is really no good. my old solo hd’s sound better
jezbd1997
macrumors 6502a
solo pro are horrible. worse audio quality than my old solo hd’s. not to mention how uncomfortable. returned the next day after i bought them
jezbd1997
macrumors 6502a
jezbd1997
macrumors 6502a
Nuts about the Solo Pro. They were the first on-ear model that received rave reviews, and I've loved mine that I've owned for the last three months, after my Solo 3s band died.
amaze1499
macrumors 68000
Now is the time for a new era: watch out for beats nano max pro air
iSayuSay
macrumors 68040
True. MicroUSB charging, old W1 chip, first gen ANC, no transparency, no head tracking.
Literally the old and tired Beats that need upgrades really bad.
No its not uncomfortable. I bought the Beats Solo Pro because I wear glasses that are not thin and flush with the side of head. The on-ear design also allows me to remove my glasses, and change glasses much more easily.
I hope this helps you understand there is at least one reason that you haven't thought of before.
Discontinuing the Solo Pro (which is newer and has a lighting port) while keeping the older Studio 3 and Solo 3 which charge via Micro-USB ports is totally dumb. They should have kept the Solo Pro, and discontinued the outdated Solo 3. They should have updated the Studio 3 to a Studio Pro with lighting port and metal frame. Selling two headphones with micro-usb ports while discontinuing the newer headphone with lighting is tone deaf behavior by Apple.
What they have done here is sentenced Beats to death.
What they have done here is sentenced Beats to death.
Populus
macrumors 604
I kindly disagree, but sound is such a subjective topic... I had the Solo 3 and I still have the Solo Pros, and their sound profile is just different. Very different indeed. The Solo 3 had good punchy bass and the sound was more spectacular than with the Solo Pro. So yeah, I could say that Solo 3 had better sound quality than Solo Pro? But that depends on the taste of each one. Many people, like MKBHD, prefer a more flat equalizing curve, having less bass and richer mids. That’s why this people prefer the Solo Pro, and their preference is totally respectable, just like yours.
Even tho I prefered the Solo 3 regarding sound quality, I kept the Solo Pro for the noise cancelling feature. I have awful neighbours and I needed a good pair of noise cancelling headphones, and one that supports the automatic swiching between my mac, my iPad and my iPhone. The Solo Pro with the H1 chip was the only one capable of that. And yeah, for extended periods of time (more than 2 hours) they can become sweaty and uncomfortable, but that’s not a major problem for me at all. And we all have different ear anatomy, maybe for you they are more uncomfortable than they are for me.
The choice of a pair of headphones is very personal, and probably the Solo Pros are not the right choice for you, that’s why you returned them. But they can be, and indeed are, a perfect solution for many others. As I said, I love my Solo Pro and if it was now, I would have had to spend 600€ on the AirPods Max. And that’s a nope for me, that’s a big amount of money. 200€ on the other hand, was a price I was willing to assume.
SactoGuy18
macrumors 603
I'm not surprised at the phase out of the Powerbeats (4th generation). I expect the Powerbeats Pro to be no longer available soon once Beats Fit Pro production ramps up.
dancingonthefence
Suspended
Johnny907
macrumors 68020
Or they could have just owned up to the fact they effed up by designing the headband too tight on the Solo Pro's and updated them with a design that didn't feel like a torture device if worn longer than 30 minutes. But whatever, baby with the bathwater is much more Apple's speed.
Agree. These is my thoughts too.
If I cannot replace the battery in the Beats Solo Pro, my only other option is a non-Apple headphones and there are plenty of very good ones out there. Not paying $900 (in this country) for Apple headphones.
iSayuSay
macrumors 68040
I think Apple tried to simplify Beats lineup into wireless earbuds. I dont think Apple even care that much about AirPods Max.
Beats Studio 3 is the only remaining headphone, and I’m sure it will be discontinued within months just by looking at its sorry state.
Sad days to see less options for Apple bigger headsets. But for as long as I’m using iOS, it’s quite hard to go with non-Apple ones, as great as the may. The H1 chip integration is invaluable.