Beats Studio Buds Launch Today With Apple Store Pickup Now Available

[vinsalducci]

My quick review:

Fit-They fit well (I'm using the large pads to seal them in completely
Finish-Well built, as expected.
Sound-Crisp, a tad heavy on the bottom, typical of Beats. But not as bad as I expected.
Connectivity-A little weird dealing with "dumb" bluetooth stuff from Apple, but my Powerbeats Pro just got super sketchy and won't stay connected to anything, so these are a step up from that.

Overall-I like them. They don't sound as good as AirPods Pro, but they DO sound better than standard iPods.

 

[SigEp265]

I still think the Beats Flex are still the better buy. I’m probably the only person that doesn’t like two independent ear pieces lol. I would totally lose one.

 

[johntw]

I would say that if you are OK with a cable, try the Powerbeats (4). They have the H1 and a better mic and audio performance gains over the Beats Flex. But the Beats Flex are a good value, especially on sale for $40.

 

[johntw]

I’m enjoying mine since they arrived this morning. UPS actually came early, which they never do on Fridays for me.

I paired them with my iPad Pro. Unlike AirPods Pro, they stay in my ears and haven’t caused any noticeable discomfort (yet). The ANC seems solid, Transparency mild compared to APP. There is a huge difference in sound quality and bass response with ANC/Transparency on and all off. I would say ANC sounds the best, with Transparency almost the same, if not identical. I do not like the sound profile at all with them both off. These seem like well balanced buds, with a tad punch to the bass. As will all buds, some tracks perform better. The mics have worked well for Zoom and Slack calls. Sticking with the medium tips today, but I do think they’ll sound even better with the Large size due to a tighter seal. But the Mediums are mighty comfortable for me so far.

AirPods (gen 2) are still my go to at home, due to iCloud syncing (I swap between my work MBA, personal iPad Pro and AppleTV throughout the day) and their near perfect comfort. These will be for when I leave the house, or want to listen to music in peace. If only they supported iCloud syncing! I’d love to use them all day. Hopefully APP 2 will have a similar style, if not at the very least, similar comfort for me.

For reference... I have tried AirPods Pro 3 times with countless third-party ear tips. AirPods Max were awesome but I didn’t find them comfortable due to ear irritation and headaches. (I’d love a lighter version.) Beats Solo Pro and Studio 3 were all too tight and never loosened up. I have a set of Powerbeats 4 for walks. Not my favorite for around the house, but good for on the go.

Switched to the Large tips. Now we’re rocking! Even with ANC off, they sound much better. Definitely give other sizes a try if you aren’t feeling the Mediums are doing it for you.

 

[Canyda]

I just found the one thing about these that I don't like - the USB-C charging. I don't own a single USB-C charging plug so I'm going to have to buy one just to charge these earbuds

Would it work for charging if I bought a USB-A cord with a USB-C end that would fit in to a standard iPhone charger on the one side and the Beats case USB-C on the other side?

 

[Ozid]

They sound great! Anc is comparable to APP, transparency mode is nowhere near as good as APP.

^ co-sign. They are very good for 150, especially if you’re updating from 1.0 AirPods like I am. (Ironically just got a pair of APP earlier this week as well, but I‘m really happy with the look and sound of these Studio Buds) APPs have a vastly superior transparency mode though.

Would it work for charging if I bought a USB-A cord with a USB-C end that would fit in to a standard iPhone charger on the one side and the Beats case USB-C on the other side?

^ this works fine!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I just found the one thing about these that I don't like - the USB-C charging. I don't own a single USB-C charging plug so I'm going to have to buy one just to charge these earbuds.

You will run into more 'C' chargeable devices. I bought a portable speaker, and it has a 'C' port. It kinda surprised me. It's coming... Now I have to carry three different cables in my bike kit. Yippee...

 

[SammyNad]

I own APP, never was able to get a good seal (even w foam tips). So far, beats studio pro not only provides better passive noise isolation, the sound far exceeds the a PP. However, “hey Siri” has a bit more of a delay with Beats, not as seamless. I wonder if that’s due to where the mic is positioned as compared to the APP.

Also, anyone know if any foam tips would fit the new beats studio buds?

 

[coachgq]

I would consider trying them, but without the H1chip, they are a no go for me. There will be no seamless connection between iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, etc.

My thoughts exactly. I was really looking forward to checking them out but I can’t do it the way I move between iPhone iPad and watch for music.

 

[johntw]

Not offering iCloud syncing is still a downer. But the good news is, once you pair them with your devices, you can go to Bluetooth and select them without manually disconnecting them from the other device. They reconnect rather quickly. So the only really downside is no auto switching and they don’t show up in the AirPlay menus on your devices. It takes more taps but the functionality is close to the W1.

 

[King Of The Hill]

After a full day, I'm definitely a fan. I would say APP has made me lazy with not having to disconnect then reconnect to listen on another device, but I think they are selling to separate markets. The BSB (not Backstreet Boys) gives me the vibe of casual listening or working out whereas APP gives me more refined listening or casual activity. BSB are great for activities that add movement where APP are great for...walking or sitting. I'm glad to have the BSB in rotation.

 

[Canyda]

^ co-sign. They are very good for 150, especially if you’re updating from 1.0 AirPods like I am. (Ironically just got a pair of APP earlier this week as well, but I‘m really happy with the look and sound of these Studio Buds) APPs have a vastly superior transparency mode though.

^ this works fine!

Thanks!

 

[BigPotatoLobbyist]

APP always sound a tad thin to me no matter the tip or firmware. Anyone with the BSB feel they have iterated upon that and fixed it?

 

[jabintendo]

Has anyone upgraded to these from powerbeats pro for gym use?

 

[King Of The Hill]

I forgot to add… is anyone annoyed by the overly cheap construction of the charging case?

 

[jbachandouris]

They’ve been in for 10 minutes and they definitely do not sound better than APP. To be fair, I’m still on the medium tips. Maybe they’ll sound better with large. Noise cancellation not as good (again, medium tip still).

Not a fan of the cheap looking case but at least they matched the headphones with a similar color case.

 

[Boardiesboi]

I forgot to add… is anyone annoyed by the overly cheap construction of the charging case?

Not a fan of the cheap looking case but at least they matched the headphones with a similar color case.

Can one of you with both the APP and BSB take some pics of them side by side for comparison?
Keen to see how “cheap” the BSB cases look. I thought it looked similar to the APP case in official photos.

 

[Canyda]

I find the BSB case fine, but my point of comparison is my Jabra 65Ts, which have the most fragile feeling case ever made.

 

[johntw]

I actually like the case better than the AirPods/AirPods Pro case. It has a nice hinge and doesn’t feel like I need to add a case for grip.

I think they sound better than the APP. Definitely sounds more dynamic and ANC performs best with the larger tips but they feel more comfortable with the medium tips. My friend was not impressed with their FaceTime audio call quality. Apparently it sounded like I was outside 🙁

 

[BigPotatoLobbyist]

I actually like the case better than the AirPods/AirPods Pro case. It has a nice hinge and doesn’t feel like I need to add a case for grip.

I think they sound better than the APP. Definitely sounds more dynamic and ANC performs best with the larger tips but they feel more comfortable with the medium tips. My friend was not impressed with their FaceTime audio call quality. Apparently it sounded like I was outside 🙁

**** me, I regret not buying some today then, I don't give a rat's ass about microphone quality if I have pros which I believe primarily excel for, well, calls.
Maybe tomorrow I'll pick up BSB's, really just hope **** sounds "fuller"

 

[Complex757]

The case doesn't seem cheap at all to me. They just aren't glossy. The magnet is strong and it takes some used to removing them and putting them back in the case.

Used them at the gym today and was impressed. They provided a good seal with the medium tips and I never felt they they were going to come out like with my AirPods Pros.

 

[daved2424]

UPS apparently attempted a delivery and unlike my Apple TV, didn't leave these at the door, so now I have to go pick up from a UPS depot.

Please keep us up to date with every single little detail of this saga. It is thrilling. I especially want to know the exact moment you open the box.

 

[One2Grift]

I would consider trying them, but without the H1chip, they are a no go for me. There will be no seamless connection between iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, etc.

Agreed Subi.
Each person’s use case will be different. Not everyone is looking for or need the tight EoU eco integration (Beats, Amazon Buds, other viable options out there for that). For me? I definitely am looking for and want the complete A-eco integration. No H1 is a deal killer for me. So my APP are gonna be doing just fine for me for some time to come. 😀

 

[RedGT]

Waiting to see a few reviews of how they compare to my Power Beats Pro sound and fit wise….as I find the case the power beats come with slightly on the large size and the ear hooks don’t like masks being put on and taken off, they do seem to get a bit tangled at times.

 

[nikaru]

The move to more USC-C charging is getting weird. I just bought a Sony small speaker the other day, and it uses 'C', and it threw me for a loop. I have cables in my car for last minute charging of bike electronics on the way to a ride (lights, etc) and have the lightning and a USB mini cable, so not I need yet another cable? I thought the EU was going to make the industry standardize on *one* charging connection. *shrug* USB has gone through so many iterations...

By the time a certain port is standardized, a new generations comes with significant technological advances. The industry is moving to USB Type-C and is a matter of time before everyone transition. Im in my 30th and I have already lived the transition from disquettes to CDs and from CDs to DVD/BlueRay, and from DVD/BlueRay to flash storage, and from flash storge to cloud storage. It is the same for ports. In the next 10 years we will abandon USB Type C for something faster and better. Im all in for standardization but it should be made in a proper way in order to not hurt innovation.