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Hands-On With Apple's New BeatsX Earphones

Soccertess said:
I agree with you on sounds, Bose Soundsport have good sound with their iconic bass. I think Apple has done a super good job with the w1 chip. Not sure it's worth upgrading over. I think if they include wireless charging, then I think I would upgrade my Bose Soundsports.

The only complaint I have with the Bose Soundsports, is for conversations. The mic picks up all sorts of sounds. That is really where airpods are amazing, I was super impressed with Apple and how good they are for talking on the phone.
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So which pair did you stick with? Have you listened to the Powerbeats 3 compared to the Bose Soundsport Wireless, the Bose absolutely crush them. I agree that the W1 chip is nice tech, for battery length, but was not doing it any favors in the sound quality. That is the problem with Apple these days, they tend to lean more towards design over sound. No wireless charging yet. I just bought the Bose Soundsports, so I have 14 days to decide if I want to keep them or go with the Beat X.
 
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inthequantum said:
I am constantly in search of the perfect pair of workout/run/sweat like a pig proof headphones. I had the PowerBeats 3 wireless, but then grabbed the Bose Soundsport Wireless, and there is no going back. Hands down the best sound I have heard. Agree? How do they compare against the Beat X? I was thinking about picking up a pair to compete with them. Bose Soundsport Wireless do not have the best design, but they definitely have the best sound. If you listen to Powerbeats 3 after listening to the Bose, it's laughable. Any thoughts you can share on your experience with the Beats X would be fantastic, sound wise, and would they hold up as serious workout headphones?
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Too early to judge as I have not listened to the Bose at all today after I got the Beats. In days to come I will do comparisons song by song. I like what I have heard for what I listened to with the Beats so far.

I would use the Beats in the gym, they isolate well and fit quite snugly. I am not really concerned with sweat, I perspire but not profusely.
 
nickcliborne said:
Just try any reputable brands like B&O or Klipsch. That is what sound quality should sound like not muddy bass like your beats.
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Oh yeah??? Well my daddy can beat up your daddy any day of the week!!!

That's basically what people with all these upturned noses sound like. Just let people buy and enjoy what they want. FFS people - it's not that hard to do!
 
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I like my BeatsX, but no they are not sweat resistant. On Best Buy's website, black Powerbeats3 wireless are for sale for $150!
 
Wish apple would release a BYO headphone adapter with the W1 chip. Similar to these...
 

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inthequantum said:
So which pair did you stick with? Have you listened to the Powerbeats 3 compared to the Bose Soundsport Wireless, the Bose absolutely crush them. I agree that the W1 chip is nice tech, for battery length, but was not doing it any favors in the sound quality...
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YMMV here. I wouldn't say that the Bose crushes the PowerBeats3.

I'm listening to streamed music (High quality [160 kbits/s] when streaming, Extreme quality [320 kbits/s] when downloaded [on Spotify] 95% of the time) so maybe I could tell the difference a *tiny* bit more if I were listening to lossless files.

I tried both of them over the course of a week. *I* found that they were pretty close in sound quality. Bose maybe slightly better, but I typically use earphones/headphones across a MBP, iP7+, and 2 other iPads -- and the convenience of the W1 chip make the PowerBeats3 edge out the Bose Soundsport Wireless for me.
 
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RDeckard said:
YMMV here. I wouldn't say that the Bose crushes the PowerBeats3.

I'm listening to streamed music (High quality [160 kbits/s] when streaming, Extreme quality [320 kbits/s] when downloaded [on Spotify] 95% of the time) so maybe I could tell the difference a *tiny* bit more if I were listening to lossless files.

I tried both of them over the course of a week. *I* found that they were pretty close in sound quality. Bose maybe slightly better, but I typically use earphones/headphones across a MBP, iP7+, and 2 other iPads -- and the convenience of the W1 chip make the PowerBeats3 edge out the Bose Soundsport Wireless for me.
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I went to way too many raves to be an audiophile at this point, that's for sure. I'm sure the BeatsX will be good enough for me, especially given the majority of what I listen to is compressed/streamed electronica. But the convenience of the W1? Just look at my .sig -- that's going to be really, really nice. :)
 
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Still waiting for the knock off bluetooth airpods. It may not have the convenience of w1 chip but I can live with it. This kind of headphone is designed for working out. The one I got from Amazon for less than $20 is awesome. When I'm working out I care less the quality of the sound, as long as not bad as the radio. Bluetooth 5 will fix all these audio quality we currently have right now. By the way I just lost my headphone from the ski trip while in my pocket and I just smiled.
 
lol...

i prefer headphones to earbuds. but the adjustable volume on Beat X volume is neat... I dunno why so many earbuds omitt this useful thing... it should be required, not optional.
 
Just picked my pair up and have listened for about an hour. I have to use the little adapter to keep them in my ears but they are comfortable. Bass is definitely there (I don't use EQ on my iP7) and real tight. The only thing is (compared to my Powerbeats3) they don't sound as full. The bass is great but they lacks highs and the mids are a little muddy, I like highs that shine. I might return them and keep my Powerbeats3.

I really want to try earpods but I hate waiting lol
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Tech198 said:
lol...

i prefer headphones to earbuds. but the adjustable volume on Beat X volume is neat... I dunno why so amny earbuds obmit this useful thing... it should be required, not optional.
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It's nice on the BeatsX and Powerbeats but I wish you could SKIP tracks too!
 
Nice review, AirPod's have a version of inline control by tapping on the earbuds though don't they? Whatever the case I still can't decide which to buy.
 
bbbggg said:
They must be making a killing with these. $150? Jesus. My Brainwavz wired earbuds (with mic and controls) were $10 and have excellent audio quality (I know -- hard to believe for $10, but the Wirecutter agrees). And the "pairing" is easy, I just plug them into the audio jack on my iPhone 6s+. Seriously, how the heck are these BeatsX worth $140 more?
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This is the same company that released the MacBook Pro update last year. Apple can absolutely command the price and demand with their brand-name. Can't blame them for winning.
 
inthequantum said:
So which pair did you stick with? Have you listened to the Powerbeats 3 compared to the Bose Soundsport Wireless, the Bose absolutely crush them. I agree that the W1 chip is nice tech, for battery length, but was not doing it any favors in the sound quality. That is the problem with Apple these days, they tend to lean more towards design over sound. No wireless charging yet. I just bought the Bose Soundsports, so I have 14 days to decide if I want to keep them or go with the Beat X.
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Can't fault Apple here. I won't use the best sounding pair of headphones if they are uncomfortable or a pain to use.
 
MikesGravity said:
Just picked my pair up and have listened for about an hour. I have to use the little adapter to keep them in my ears but they are comfortable. Bass is definitely there (I don't use EQ on my iP7) and real tight. The only thing is (compared to my Powerbeats3) they don't sound as full. The bass is great but they lacks highs and the mids are a little muddy, I like highs that shine. I might return them and keep my Powerbeats3.

I really want to try earpods but I hate waiting lol
[doublepost=1486782330][/doublepost]
It's nice on the BeatsX and Powerbeats but I wish you could SKIP tracks too!
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You can, just double click the Play/Pause button. Triple click to go back.
 
DotCom2 said:
I don't like the way the cords are hugging my face. :(
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Yea the floppy cords are a bad design , I have Moto Surrounds much better with a stiff neck brace with large battery + controls and keeps cords off my face much less too like $60
 
ILuvEggplant said:
nice review
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Can we get some of these without the connecting string? That is what I am waiting for. The braggi ear phones are basically that but they lack the w1 chip.

Not a fan of the AirPod style because the plastic is uncomfortable and they don't block out external noise.
 
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