The Beats Studio Buds Plus is the latest addition to the Beats lineup, boasting improved sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and an eye-catching translucent design. With a price tag of 169.99$, these earbuds are an interesting option for those seeking quality audio, noise cancellation, and a unique aesthetic. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the features, sound quality, design, and overall performance of the Beats Studio Buds Plus.
Beats Studio Buds Plus A Comprehensive Review
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Design and Aesthetics
- Comfort and Fit
- Sound Quality
- Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
- Battery Life
- Connectivity and Compatibility
- Voice Call Performance
- Pros and Cons
- Conclusion
Introduction
The Beats Studio Buds Plus is an upgraded version of the 2021's Beats Studio Buds, which received praise for their comfort but left room for improvement on other fronts. With the Plus model, Beats aims to address these issues by refining the sound quality, enhancing ANC, improving transparency mode, and extending battery life.
Design and Aesthetics
The most striking feature of the Beats Studio Buds Plus is their translucent design, which is a nod to the late '90s semiopaque finishes seen on gamepads, household phones, and other gadgets. The translucent case allows users to view the inner workings of the earbuds, showcasing details like the orange ring around the USB-C port, the metal surfaces inside the case, and the visible battery beneath the "b" logo.
The earbuds are available in three colors: black, ivory, and the standout translucent option. While the design is subjective, the translucent version offers a unique aesthetic that sets the Beats Studio Buds Plus apart from other earbuds on the market.
Comfort and Fit
Beats has maintained the same outer design as the original Studio Buds, ensuring that the Studio Buds Plus remain comfortable and lightweight. Both models feature discreet, lightweight earbuds with clicky physical buttons for controls. However, the current AirPods Pro offer more versatile gesture controls, such as adjusting the volume by sliding a finger up or down the touch sensor.
The Studio Buds Plus come with four sizes of silicone ear tips, including an extra-small set, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for a wide range of ear shapes and sizes.
Sound Quality
The Beats Studio Buds Plus has significantly improved sound quality compared to the original Studio Buds. The sound signature is comparable to the AirPods Pro, suggesting that the two brands have collaborated on audio development. The Plus version offers a pleasant listening experience with clear mids, defined vocal frequencies, and a satisfying amount of bass.
While the sound quality of the Beats Studio Buds Plus may not rival top-tier earbuds from brands like Samsung, Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser, it's an impressive improvement from its predecessor and provides an enjoyable listening experience for most users.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
The ANC on the Beats Studio Buds Plus has been enhanced, with Beats claiming a 1.6 times improvement over the original Studio Buds. While the ANC is more effective in environments like coffee shops, parks, and public transportation, it falls short of the performance offered by the second-gen AirPods Pro.
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The Studio Buds Plus' transparency mode is respectable and audible, but it falls short of the AirPods Pro's in terms of effectiveness. Additionally, the Beats earbuds lack the "adaptive" feature that allows the AirPods Pro to quickly lower the volume of sudden loud noises.
Battery Life
Battery life on the Beats Studio Buds Plus is rated at up to six hours of playback with ANC enabled or nine hours without ANC. The charging case provides an additional 18 or 27 hours of battery life, depending on whether ANC is used. While the battery life is not groundbreaking, it should be sufficient for daily use and moderate-length trips.
Unfortunately, the carrying case lacks wireless charging capabilities, which may be a drawback for some users.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Beats Studio Buds Plus are compatible with both Apple and Android devices, offering a range of features for users on both platforms. Apple users can enjoy one-step pairing, Control Center integration, hands-free "Hey Siri" voice commands, and iCloud account synchronization. However, some Apple ecosystem features, such as audio sharing, automatic device switching, and personalized spatial audio, are not available with the Studio Buds Plus.
Android users can take advantage of Fast Pair, audio switch, and Google's Find My Device platform. The Beats app for Android allows users to adjust earbud settings and update firmware.
Voice Call Performance
The Studio Buds Plus has improved voice call performance compared to the original Studio Buds, thanks to larger microphones and better sensitivity. While the earbuds may struggle in noisy environments like busy coffee shops, they perform well in more casual conditions, and users should have no issues with call quality.
Pros and Cons
The Good ;
- Improved sound quality, ANC, and battery life compared to the original Studio Buds
- Unique translucent design
- Comfortable fit and lightweight design
- Compatibility with both Apple and Android devices
The Bad ;
- ANC and transparency mode performance falls short of the second-gen AirPods Pro
- No wireless charging or in-ear detection
- Some Apple ecosystem features are not available
Conclusion
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers a significant improvement over the original Studio Buds, with better sound quality, enhanced ANC, and a striking translucent design. While it may not outperform the AirPods Pro in terms of audio quality and noise cancellation, the Studio Buds Plus is a solid option for those seeking a unique and comfortable pair of earbuds at a reasonable price. With its improved performance and standout design, the Beats Studio Buds Plus is a worthy contender in the ever-growing market of wireless earbuds.
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