First Look at the New Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones

[splogue]

Apple vs. Beats

I like these. However, I'll be waiting for the truly Apple-designed ones that will surely come later.

Sean

 

[HiFiGuy528]

I like these. However, I'll be waiting for the truly Apple-designed ones that will surely come later.

Sean

Stay tuned to MacRumors for the scoop.

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I can name you a better pair of wireless headphones for $160 dollars; Sony's MDR-XB950BT.

It even has a bass boost on the headphones themselves for the basshead in you. They just came out and are probably on the level of the Beats Studios sans noise canceling (in terms of "class" not Sound Quality, these are better in SQ). The are also OVER the ear for more comfort and the padding is super soft. These blow any pair of Beats headphones out of the water for MUCH less money.

The Sony MDR-10RBT retails for $200. While not a Bass headphone they have a clean neutral sound and are very light and also over the ear. I'd liken them to a Grado SR-80 with a tinge more bass. Owned a pair for about 9 months. Sold them cause I bought the XB950BT.

For an On Ear pair of headphones which is equivalent to a Solo2 Wireless there are the MDR-BTN200 You can find them for well under $100 bucks. They aren't bass heavy but have a 40 hour battery life. Generally neutral sounding a flat but as far as for the $ well more worth it than the Solo2. Still have these. They are my kicker BT headphones for running. I think I've charged them 3 times in the last year I've owned them.

Jabra REVO Highly rated BT headphone, Great bass clean sounds. Only $150. Never owned these, always wanted a pair. Reviews on them are really positive.

Would you like me to go on?

Solo2 sounds much cleaner than XB950. For EDM, the Sony are great because they really shake your ear drums, but outside of that it sounds muffled. Compare it for yourself.

 

[sparky1499]

I'll stick with my Bowers & Wilkins P5's

Thanks but no thanks.

 

[Gudi]

My ear is a odd shape and buds tend to fall out when I'm running 6.5 miles everyday after work. The beats are more comfortable and don't fall off. That's just my experience.

I've never had problems with earbuds until Apple decided to make the EarPods. Defined by the "geometry of the ear" they fit perfectly in my left ear and never stop to hurt in my right ear. I've decided that's not because of the odd shape of my ear, but because of the odd shape of the buds. Though the sound is excellent.

 

[Locoboof]

I've never had problems with earbuds until Apple decided to make the EarPods. Defined by the "geometry of the ear" they fit perfectly in my left ear and never stop to hurt in my right ear. I've decided that's not because of the odd shape of my ear, but because of the odd shape of these buds. Though the sound is excellent.

Haha... Good point.

 

[Aragornii]

ITT people who like ugly and overpriced headphones telling other people their headphones are ugly and overpriced.

 

[Oracle1729]

fail

But it fits right in with the eco system. Second rate quality, focus on marketing and their weird idea of style.

 

[Icaras]

Here's a reason : According to CNET and this list http://aptx.com/products/browse/categories Apple isn't on the list of supported products.

Right I forgot about that. Thanks for clarification. I do however remember Apple supports wireless AAC and its still too bad that these headphones don't yet support that either, especially now since Beats are a part of Apple now. Oh well, maybe next iteration.

 

[cgc]

But it fits right in with the eco system. Second rate quality, focus on marketing and their weird idea of style.

Part of the best product line in 25 years no doubt.

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I wear them at the gym all day. Actually the bigger ones to be exact. My ear is a odd shape and buds tend to fall out when I'm running 6.5 miles everyday after work. The beats are more comfortable and don't fall off. That's just my experience.

I see a lot of folks wearing large headphones when running but I can't stand any extra weight when I run...Sennheiser makes some nice sweatproof and light earbuds that stay in my ear when I run (10Ks).

 

[panther quest]

#baldgate

My buddy swears the last Beats headset he owned rubbed a bald spot on top of his head from wearing them at the gym.

 

[Keirasplace]

Wait, what? Apple fanboys need to rejoice this! It's now owned by Apple!!!

They can rejoice that well known and reputed headphone sites like head fi are giving it positive reviews.. And it is now owned by Apple.

Haven't you roamed off some area 51 adjunct were they park disturbed people who feel compelled to comment on others' way of spending their money?

 

[devilbond]

Now the last NIN album that had a lossless digital master. THAT I could hear the difference on a good wired pair of headphones. Music sounded spatially wider. But overall at the end of the day to an average person I don't think Apt-X makes any significant difference.

Have you actually listened to the Audiophile Hesitation Marks album??? It's total BS and was called out on it within days of it's release! There is a very small difference between the "Standard" Version and the so called "Audiophile Master" with both still being Loud with very little Dynamic Range.

http://productionadvice.co.uk/nine-inch-nails/

While the Hesitation Marks 'Audiophile' Version was hugely disappointing, and not what you would normally call an 'audiophile' master, it's not total BS, as you say. As Ian Shepherd pointed out, there are "genuine sonic differences between the Audiophile vs Standard version" with more (but not that much more) dynamic range, less distortion and less roll-off in the sub-bass frequencies.
It's completely underwhelming, true. Just not total BS.

 

[pdaholic]

I have yet to hear a really good sounding pair of Bluetooth headphones, and for 300 bucks?!?

 

[Keirasplace]

But it fits right in with the eco system. Second rate quality, focus on marketing and their weird idea of style.

The reviews for this product don't support your cruddy affirmations; care to review your baseless statement to actually reflect reality

Or, will you stay compelled to spout random insults about things you don't know, like someone with terret syndrome (but without the disease...).

 

[a0me]

Reviews of the original Solo2 headphones suggested Beats had toned down the bass with the new design, offering better acoustics,

So basically, they've toned down what made them Beats headphones?

 

[Keirasplace]

While the Hesitation Marks 'Audiophile' Version was hugely disappointing, and not what you would normally call an 'audiophile' master, it's not total BS, as you say. As Ian Shepherd pointed out, there are "genuine sonic differences between the Audiophile vs Standard version" with more (but not that much more) dynamic range, less distortion and less roll-off in the sub-bass frequencies.
It's completely underwhelming, true. Just not total BS.

Considering most popular music these days has a massively compressed dynamic range, complaining about headphones distorting music is almost ridiculous! Might as well choose the headphones that further distort it in the way you like best ;-). Classical, some jazz, some folk and indie bands are live miked to the track with little mixing or filtering, but that's a very small part of the music market these days.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

I'll stick with my Bowers & Wilkins P5's

Thanks but no thanks.

Those aren't good sounding. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to P5 v.2 if you like the look and design of P5. I'll show you the different on my YouTube channel in the coming days. Stay tuned!

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I have yet to hear a really good sounding pair of Bluetooth headphones, and for 300 bucks?!?

Give the new Solo2Wireless a try. You won't be disappointed. Just remember me when you smile.

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So basically, they've toned down what made them Beats headphones?

They made it cleaner than original SoloHD by Monster.

 

[Msail30bay]

Now THAT'S real hood looking

 

[MrXiro]

Now the last NIN album that had a lossless digital master. THAT I could hear the difference on a good wired pair of headphones. Music sounded spatially wider. But overall at the end of the day to an average person I don't think Apt-X makes any significant difference.

Have you actually listened to the Audiophile Hesitation Marks album??? It's total BS and was called out on it within days of it's release! There is a very small difference between the "Standard" Version and the so called "Audiophile Master" with both still being Loud with very little Dynamic Range.

http://productionadvice.co.uk/nine-inch-nails/

Granted regular bluetooth or Apt-X there's virtually no difference either... still too much lossy compression!

The Audiophile version was spatially wider, like you're listening to the album in a larger room (I auditioned it from the same player along with the standard version). That was a small difference but I could hear it. I hear zero difference between apt x and SBC. That was the point of my post.

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Stay tuned to MacRumors for the scoop.

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Solo2 sounds much cleaner than XB950. For EDM, the Sony are great because they really shake your ear drums, but outside of that it sounds muffled. Compare it for yourself.

With the bass boost on maybe, xb950bt is cleaner with bass boost off IMO and has a wider sound stage, which I suppose is a personal preference but I like it more being able to hearing more separation in the instruments. But for nearly half the price they are an overall better pair of cans.

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While the Hesitation Marks 'Audiophile' Version was hugely disappointing, and not what you would normally call an 'audiophile' master, it's not total BS, as you say. As Ian Shepherd pointed out, there are "genuine sonic differences between the Audiophile vs Standard version" with more (but not that much more) dynamic range, less distortion and less roll-off in the sub-bass frequencies.
It's completely underwhelming, true. Just not total BS.

I think all Audiophile subject matters are generally tiny nuances. To a normal person it's insignificant and often goes unnoticed.

But yeah this post points out what I mean better than I wrote before.

 

[2010mini]

Came in here just to read the posts from audiophiles their opinions on a subject that has no definitive answer. Was not disappointed.

Pssst.....Sounds is subjective. Give it a rest.

 

[rols]

I hate wired anything at the gym. There's always the danger of getting the wires tied up in the equipment.

There's always the danger of falling off the machine and taking your iPad with you because it's attached to your ears. Ask me how I know. It actually survived but boy did I look *dumb*.

 

[MrXiro]

Came in here just to read the posts from audiophiles their opinions on a subject that has no definitive answer. Was not disappointed.

Pssst.....Sounds is subjective. Give it a rest.

So you came here to troll then?

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There's always the danger of falling off the machine and taking your iPad with you because it's attached to your ears. Ask me how I know. It actually survived but boy did I look *dumb*.

Yeah that is always scary.

 

[inhalexhale1]

I wear them at the gym all day. Actually the bigger ones to be exact. My ear is a odd shape and buds tend to fall out when I'm running 6.5 miles everyday after work. The beats are more comfortable and don't fall off. That's just my experience.

I'm the same way, I've never liked earbuds. I took a shot on the Powerbeats 2 though, and they have been comfortable and solid. I was surprised how they managed to have a decent amount of bass/full sound come out of the buds, even without a tight seal.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

I'm the same way, I've never liked earbuds. I took a shot on the Powerbeats 2 though, and they have been comfortable and solid. I was surprised how they managed to have a decent amount of bass/full sound come out of the buds, even without a tight seal.

Those are good and also allows you to hear your surroundings which may be important if you're in a dangerous situation.

 

[2010mini]

So you came here to troll then?...

No. To inform.