Apple-owned Beats Electronics Introduces New $300 Solo2 Wireless Headphones

[Svetgar]

Here is the problem with Beats - they are (and have always been) a set of $50 headphones wrapped up in $250 worth of hype and marketing. Back in 2007, I bought a set of $250 Sennheiser headphones, and everyone thought I had lost my mind spending that much on headphones. These same people happy pay more for significantly lower quality for a set of Beats, because Dr. Dre told them to.

The reason why many Apple fans are appalled at them selling Beats is because in many ways, Beats is the antithesis of Apple. Apple is about innovation and quality; yes they are expensive but they are worth it. Look at the retina iMac. Beats is about pure consumerism at its worst - shilling low to mediocre products at a premium price because a famous name is associated with it.

 

[Rogifan]

Objectively and intellectually 100% correct. But this is MR where "overpriced" either means "I can't afford it -- those greedy bastards," or "the brand I have is superior because it's the brand I have."

Same thing with this stupid "Apple Tax" nonsense. If people thought Apple products were too expensive for what they got they would go elsewhere. i'm guessing there are very few instances where someone is forced to own an Apple product.

 

[spiderpumpkin]

Pass. The headphones that came with my iPhone will do.

 

[MacintoshMan]

These headphones are meant more as a fashion statement rather than for listening to music. It's like judging fashion workboots ($1000+) vs real redwing work boots ($350+). Obviously the second is going to be better if you are actually trying to work in them.

 

[MrXiro]

Not. Buying. This.

Why?
1) Costs too much.
2) Costs too much.
3) I don't have $300 lying around.
4) I still don't have an iPad.
5) Apple Watch before headphones.
6)Costs too much.

Apple Watch will need Bluetooth Headphones to listen to the music off of it.

 

[vixster1901]

Give me a break.. I would never spend 100.00 on beats no less 250.00..
Sennheiser, Grado, even Audio Technica are far better than Beats… An yeah, even though these aren't out yet, it doesn't matter! because dr dre's 100.00 current headset is awful. Trying to swoon them youngsters!

 

[Rogifan]

Here is the problem with Beats - they are (and have always been) a set of $50 headphones wrapped up in $250 worth of hype and marketing. Back in 2007, I bought a set of $250 Sennheiser headphones, and everyone thought I had lost my mind spending that much on headphones. These same people happy pay more for significantly lower quality for a set of Beats, because Dr. Dre told them to.

The reason why many Apple fans are appalled at them selling Beats is because in many ways, Beats is the antithesis of Apple. Apple is about innovation and quality; yes they are expensive but they are worth it. Look at the retina iMac. Beats is about pure consumerism at its worst - shilling low to mediocre products at a premium price because a famous name is associated with it.

This is why I was always against Apple acquiring Beats. Just validates the haters (incorrect IMO) view that Apple products are overpriced and only sell well because of marketing hype.

 

[MrXiro]

Pass. The headphones that came with my iPhone will do.

Eww... that's like saying "Who needs a new tire for the car, the spare one in the trunk will do."

 

[brianvictor7]

Where is the darn delete button for posts?

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Apple Watch will need Bluetooth Headphones to listen to the music off of it.

I thought the watch was going to stream music from your iPhone. Maybe I need to revisit the Apple website about the watch.

 

[MrXiro]

Here is the problem with Beats - they are (and have always been) a set of $50 headphones wrapped up in $250 worth of hype and marketing. Back in 2007, I bought a set of $250 Sennheiser headphones, and everyone thought I had lost my mind spending that much on headphones. These same people happy pay more for significantly lower quality for a set of Beats, because Dr. Dre told them to.

The reason why many Apple fans are appalled at them selling Beats is because in many ways, Beats is the antithesis of Apple. Apple is about innovation and quality; yes they are expensive but they are worth it. Look at the retina iMac. Beats is about pure consumerism at its worst - shilling low to mediocre products at a premium price because a famous name is associated with it.

I don't own any Beats but I don't think it has anything to do with Dr Dre being a part of the branding. I think it's the styling of them. While it's not everyone's thing I think they are the most slick looking headphones on the market... that and the celebrity endorsement of other big sports stars wearing them make Beats a wanted item.

At this point Dre is that old guy that used to make rap music to the kids... and they probably don't even know what he looks like.

"But Labron was wearing Beats last week in a photo I saw, so I want a pair!" makes more sense.

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Where is the darn delete button for posts?

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I thought the watch was going to control music from your iPhone. Maybe I need to revisit the Apple website about the watch.

It'll do both, use it as a remote to control music on your phone or use the (rumored 4gb and/or 8gb) internal storage to play music without the phone.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/leave-iphone-home-run-apple-watch-will-play-music-without/

 

[Aragornii]

Have they fixed the audio sync problem yet that Beats has with IOS and OS X devices?

 

[jonblatho]

They come in Sapphire Blue?

So THAT'S what the rumors meant when they said Apple would bring sapphire to the market in 2014!

 

[FieldingMellish]

The only way I'd sport a pair of Beats is if I found a pair someone lost. Even then, I'd wear them around the neck for fashion while enjoying amazing sound through a Sennheiser, Klipsch or Shure IEM.

 

[MrXiro]

Does Bluetooth wireless not sound as good as wired? I've been tempted to get some wireless, but the idea of listening to quality less that that of my ATH-M50X is uninspiring.

Depends on your ears actually.

BT wireless does compress your music further so wired will be higher quality, whether or not you can hear the difference though is on you. Some people say BT wireless sounds terrible. I don't have an issue with it in general. It's certainly more compressed but a good BT headphone now compensates and I feel like they widen the audio out a little so it doesn't feel as "cramped" as others. The Sony ones I just got (XB950BT) are the best sounding and fun headphones I've ever bought. They have a LOT of bass but without sacrificing clarity in the mids and high end either. Even with the bass boost feature on they only really muddy up the mid-bass a little while the mids and highs are still super clear.

My previous BTs (mdr 10rbt) were more accurate but the music wasn't as exciting because it was more flat and they sounded very similar to Grado SR-80s.

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The only way I'd sport a pair of Beats is if I found a pair someone lost. Even then, I'd wear them around the neck for fashion while enjoying amazing sound through a Sennheiser, Klipsch or Shure IEM.

You would look kind of silly with a pair on your neck and a pair on your head at the same time.

 

[jonblatho]

I'm sorry but 9 times out of 10 designer jeans are better than Gap jeans in terms of quality.

[citation needed]

 

[mclld]

Pass. The headphones that came with my iPhone will do.

those are horrible

 

[NOLADJ1]

I hope they upgrade the sound quality. My 70.00 Sennheiser HD205s sound a lot better than the solo's.

 

[fxmx42]

Yes

Here is the problem with Beats - they are (and have always been) a set of $50 headphones wrapped up in $250 worth of hype and marketing. Back in 2007, I bought a set of $250 Sennheiser headphones, and everyone thought I had lost my mind spending that much on headphones. These same people happy pay more for significantly lower quality for a set of Beats, because Dr. Dre told them to.

The reason why many Apple fans are appalled at them selling Beats is because in many ways, Beats is the antithesis of Apple. Apple is about innovation and quality; yes they are expensive but they are worth it. Look at the retina iMac. Beats is about pure consumerism at its worst - shilling low to mediocre products at a premium price because a famous name is associated with it.

Yes, very true and very sad.

 

[Icaras]

My favourite thing about these headphones is that they have the word "Wireless" printed on them in giant letters, because without that, how else would you know they are wireless?

You wouldn't, because it's the same exact design as the Solo2s with the same exact detachable cord, hence the need to have the word wireless printed on these headphones to differentiate them from the existing Solo2.

 

[Moshe1010]

There is a reason why it's called "solo"...

 

[arftech]

the new studios actually do sound pretty good for your "avg. user". They are still over priced which is why I ended up getting the M50x.

I don't consider myself the "average" user and the M50x don't offer me the bass extension I want using my iPhone as a DAP. Even my Hifiman HE-500 don't give the lower bass extension like the Studios. However, the Hifiman is a better overall sounding headphone and they're only used for my audio system when not using regular floor-standers.

 

[samiznaetekto]

Aha, that's what "S" in 6S will stand for: a "WireleSS" badge on the phone proudly announcing to the world that your phone is WIRELESS!!11

 

[arftech]

I hope they upgrade the sound quality. My 70.00 Sennheiser HD205s sound a lot better than the solo's.

Yeah, okay.

 

[dec.]

I'm slightly disappointed after some members predicted a huge popularity boost of Beats headphones among the macrumors community now that Apple owns them. Can't really see that happening in this thread. What's wrong!?

 

[Jamone]

Most of you do not understand Beats target market are those who listen to hip hop and similar genres. That's why they are bass heavy. I love hip hop myself and love Beats products as well. I'm willing to get rid of my wireless solo HD for the new wireless solo. Also they are not over priced, many people will pay the $300 for the headphones. Of course there are plenty of better sounding headphones for a cheaper price but not as bass heavy as the beats.