Save $150 on my favorite Beats headphones during Amazon’s big spring sale

What is the deal?

Thanks to spring sales, major retailers Amazon, Best buy And Target are offering steep discounts on Beats Studio Pro headphones. Each retailer has reduced the $350 price of the Studio Pro to $200, a great price for these everyday headphones.

Why is this deal recommended by ZDNET?

Since Beats was acquired by Apple in 2014, the company’s release cycle has been stagnant. However, when new products are released, they are often the only Apple-owned products that appeal to both iOS and Android users.

Since its release Beat Studio 3 In 2017, there were many changes to the design of the Beats Studio product line. The Studio Pro no longer has the flashy, branded chrome metallic finish found on older Beats headphones in favor of a more muted and mature matte finish. Studio Pro boasts noise canceling technology, all-day comfort and reliable battery life, providing all the features you’d expect in a pair of headphones. earphone.

Also: Best noise-canceling headphones: Tested and reviewed by experts

I tested the latest model of Beats Studio Pro, the rich Dark Brown color and minimalist design make them the most aesthetically pleasing headphones I’ve ever seen. But the big question here is how they sound and whether they’re worth the $200 price tag. Here’s what I think.

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I tried the Studio Pro in Deep Brown, and the rich color and minimalist design made them the most aesthetically pleasing headphones I’ve ever seen. Typically, the Beats Studio Pro retail for $350, putting them in the higher end of the headphone segment.

This year’s Studio Pro has a smoother hinge, more subtle colors, and improved earcup material. There are also some meaningful changes on the inside of the headset.

First, the pair now offers noise cancellation and transparency modes, a first among Beats over-ear headphones.

Studio Pro is compatible with spatial audio for iOS via Bluetooth and can play lossless audio when connected to a device via the USB-C port. You can even listen without losing data while charging your Studio Pro when they’re connected Android phone.

I will note that there is no multipoint connectivity for Apple devices, although Studio Pro can switch intelligently between Android and Android devices. Chromebooks.

USB-C connectivity also unlocks Entertainment and Conversation audio modes, enhancing the listening experience when watching movies and calling, respectively.

However, lossless audio playback, headphone charging, and USB-C Entertainment and Conversation modes are not compatible with iPhone (even with the USB-C to Lightning adapter, which is based on my unsuccessful attempts). So to access these features, you’ll have to connect Studio Pro to your iPad or Mac instead.

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The active noise cancellation (ANC) feature on the Studio Pro is great, but I would compare it to the level of over-ear headphones that cost at least $100 less. When music isn’t playing, ANC does a good job of blocking out gentle humming noises, like a distant lawnmower or an overhead fan, but isn’t as effective at blocking out sharper noises, like a pen clicking. or type on the keyboard.

I listened to “Can You Hear The Music” from the Oppenheimer soundtrack after connecting the Studio Pro to my MacBook Air, and it sounded just as catchy as when I watched the movie in the theater.

To be clear, whether you consider yourself an audiophile or not, the difference between lossless audio and traditional high-quality formats is not as great as it seems. You also need to use a music streaming platform that supports audio formats, which most services require you to join premium plans.

Also: Best AirPods: Tested and reviewed by experts

Whether this feature is turned on or not, Studio Pro sounds very good. They produce bass in a controlled manner, and turning up the volume doesn’t result in unwanted distortion. When I listen to Michael Jackson’s music You rock my world the bass and background harmonies are clear and enjoyable.

That said, the custom 40mm drivers in the Studio Pro deliver such balanced sound that some may find it muted and dull. You won’t get the heavy, punchy audio output of older Beats headphones with this year’s model.

It wouldn’t help if there weren’t direct ways to adjust the Studio Pro’s EQ settings. The headphones are not compatible with Apple’s stock headphone audio level settings, and part of the reason may be because the Beats lack Apple’s H1 chip. So your only option is to adjust the EQ settings in your favorite music streaming app.

Phone calls sounded very clear on the Studio Pro, and I had no problems hearing or being heard by the person on the other end.

Also: Best noise-canceling headphones: Tested and reviewed by experts

The Beats Solo 3 headphones I owned for about four years had synthetic leather that, over time, began to tear and separate from the metal part of the earcups. That’s why I was happy to see the Studio Pro use a new ear cushion material that Beats calls UltraPlush, which is memory foam covered with faux leather.

The UltraPlush is more comfortable, but the ear cushions are a bit smaller than other over-ear headphones I’ve tried. I’d say the Studio Pro toes the line between on-ear and over-ear fit, forcing me to retire sooner than other over-ear headphones.

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With transparency mode or noise cancellation enabled, you can listen to Studio Pro for approximately 24 hours or 40 hours without activating any settings. Apple says Fast Fuel charging can get you four hours of use after just 10 minutes of charging, and that’s in line with what I’ve seen.

Bottom line

The Beats Studio Pro is a great pair of over-ear headphones that offers some premium features for both Apple and Android users. It is difficult to find such standards when purchasing audio products from the Apple store.

Given the original price of $350, I would skip the Studio Pros because they lack premium features like multipoint connectivity and wear detection. But if they were on sale, I would recommend them 100%. If you’re looking for a great-sounding, comfortable, and well-rounded pair of casual headphones, the Studio Pro has the right sound, style, and concept.