Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Headphones Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Headphones Methodology v1.0

Beats By Dre Solo 2 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:12 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Beats By Dre Solo 2 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.5

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

6.0

Technical score

20%

8.5

User score

▲Better than 63% of headphones
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.0

Design

8%

5.3

Connectivity

6%

5.2

Battery

4%

7.6

Calls & Controls

▲Better than 57% of headphones
8.5

User score

User score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

8.7

Number of reviews

Based on 3,538 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
▲Better than 82% of headphones
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Beats By Dre Solo 2

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.0

Design

8%

5.3

Connectivity

6%

5.2

Battery

4%

7.6

Calls & Controls

6.0
User score
User score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

8.7

Number of reviews

Based on 3,538 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.5
Popularity
Popularity
8.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Beats By Dre Solo 2 has a popularity score of 8.7 points, which is higher than that of 83.1% of products in this category.
8.7
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.5

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.6
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Driver size
40 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Number of drivers
1
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Number of microphones
1
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
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Connectivity
wireless
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4
Bluetooth version
4
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4, newer Bluetooth version than 57.3% of headphones and equal to 4.9% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
9.1 m
Maximum Bluetooth range
9.1 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 9.1 m, lower Bluetooth range than 97.6% of headphones and equal to 1% of headphones.
Audio latency
155 ms
Audio latency
155 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 155 ms, higher audio latency than 55.2% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Multipoint support
no
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
12 hours
Battery life
12 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 12 hours, lower battery life than 85.4% of headphones and equal to 3.8% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
2 hours
Charging time
2 hours
This pair of headphones needs 2 hours to charge, lower charging time than 47.8% of headphones and equal to 39% of headphones.
Quick charge
no
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
350 mAh
Battery capacity
350 mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 350 mAh, lower battery capacity than 80.4% of headphones and equal to 1.2% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Beats
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
215 g
Weight
215 g
This pair of headphones weighs 215 g, lighter than 50.7% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4.9
Clamp force
4.9
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.9, higher clamp force than 59.7% of headphones and equal to 8.5% of headphones.
Show more

Beats By Dre Solo 2 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 13 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sensitivity
    115 dB/mW
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (115 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    115 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • More flexible connectivity
    Connectivity
    wireless
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
    0.05 %
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    Lowest frequency
    10 Hz
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • AptX Low Latency
    aptX Low Latency
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
  • On-device controls
    On-device controls
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • In-line controls
    In-line controls
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • AAC codec support
    AAC
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • 6% higher user score
    User score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Beats By Dre Solo 2
    the average pair of headphones
    Beats By Dre Solo 2 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (8.48 vs 8.000).
    8.48 vs 8
  • 47.6% more popular
    Beats By Dre Solo 2 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (8.66 vs 5.9).
    8.66 vs 5.87
  • Foldable design
    Foldable
    yes
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 13 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sensitivity
    115 dB/mW
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (115 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    115 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 0.25 % lower distortion
    THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
    0.05 %
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.05 % vs 0.3 %
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    Lowest frequency
    10 Hz
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 12 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    Sound pressure level
    115 dB SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (115 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    115 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Rechargeable battery
    Has a rechargeable battery
    yes
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • More flexible connectivity
    Connectivity
    wireless
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX Low Latency
    aptX Low Latency
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
  • AAC codec support
    AAC
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • On-device controls
    On-device controls
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • In-line controls
    In-line controls
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Sidetone support
    Sidetone
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • 18 hours shorter battery life
    Battery life
    12 hours
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (12 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    12 hours vs 30 hours
  • 15 mm tighter earcup width
    Earcup inner width
    29 mm
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (29 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    29 mm vs 44 mm
  • 39.7% lower battery capacity
    Battery capacity
    350 mAh
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (350 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    350 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Tangle-free cable
    no
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 0.6 higher clamp force
    Clamp force
    4.9
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    4.9 vs 4.3
  • 15 mm tighter earcup width
    Earcup inner width
    29 mm
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (29 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    29 mm vs 44 mm
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Tangle-free cable
    no
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 0.6 higher clamp force
    Clamp force
    4.9
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    4.9 vs 4.3
  • 18 hours shorter battery life
    Battery life
    12 hours
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (12 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    12 hours vs 30 hours
  • 39.7% lower battery capacity
    Battery capacity
    350 mAh
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (350 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    350 mAh vs 580 mAh

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

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uk.pcmag.com
02/07/2014
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13/06/2014
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20/10/2022
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11/02/2016
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24/10/2016
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09/03/2015
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audio-head.com
20/02/2015
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whathifi.com
24/04/2015
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30/05/2016
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04/12/2015
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Third-party reviews

Based on 3,538 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Beats By Dre Solo 2

  • Improved sound quality with better balance compared to previous Beats models
  • Punchy and powerful bass that is ideal for hip-hop and pop music
  • Lightweight and foldable design for high portability
  • Stylish aesthetic with a wide variety of color options
  • Decent battery life of up to 12 hours for the wireless version
  • Includes a RemoteTalk cable and a protective carrying case

What we don't like about Beats By Dre Solo 2

  • High clamping force can cause ear pain and discomfort during long sessions
  • Premium price point is often considered high for the audio fidelity offered
  • On-ear design leads to poor passive noise isolation and sound leakage
  • Plastic build can feel somewhat cheap and is prone to fingerprints
  • Lacks advanced Bluetooth codecs like aptX, affecting wireless sound quality
  • Not suitable for listeners seeking a flat or neutral sound response

Verdict

The Beats By Dre Solo 2 are compact, on-ear headphones weighing approximately 205 grams, featuring a foldable, screwless design for enhanced portability. They deliver a dynamic sound signature with punchy bass, refined mids, and crisp highs, offering a significant acoustic upgrade over the original Solo HD. Main characteristics include a flexible headband for a snug fit, a detachable 1.36-metre RemoteTalk cable for iOS device control, and soft leatherette ear cushions that provide decent passive noise isolation. Key pros include their lightweight build, improved sound clarity across genres, and a 12-hour battery life for the wireless variant. However, some users find the clamping force too tight for long-term comfort, leading to ear pinching, and note that the plastic construction can feel less premium than higher-end rivals.

Compare Beats By Dre Solo 2 with other products in the Headphones category

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