Beats By Dre Studio Wireless Review | 93 Data compared

Overview The 2014 Beats by Dre Studio Wireless headphones offer a premium, fashion-forward package that improves significantly on the structural and acoustic flaws of the first-generation model. Shifting away from AAA batteries, this iteration introduces a convenient 20-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery with microUSB charging and a helpful 10-minute auto-off feature. Visually, the headphones are smaller, sleeker, and more durable, featuring hidden screws, padded leather ear cups, and a dual-mode active noise cancellation system known as the Beats Acoustic Engine. The unboxing experience feels premium and includes a heavy-duty rubber carrying case alongside thick, durable red rubber cables for both standard wired listening and RemoteTalk functionality. Pros and Cons An analysis of the headphones reveals distinct strengths and weaknesses regarding their performance and design: Pros Smooth Bass Performance: The low-end extension reaches 20Hz, providing a smooth, "live concert" thump without the rattling or jarring distortion found in previous generations. Exceptional Comfort: The plush ear cushions and padded headband create an incredibly soft experience suitable for hours of continuous wear. Enhanced Portability: A reliable folding mechanism and seamless Bluetooth wireless controls make...

The Beats Studio Wireless ($380 MSRP) are a lightweight, streamlined redesign of the classic headphones, offering a comfortable fit with soft memory-foam leatherette ear pads, though the underside of the headband remains under-padded. A key highlight of this model is its dual-mode active noise-cancelling circuit and an improved battery life that provides 12 hours of wireless playback or 20 hours when hard-wired. Surprisingly, the headphones actually deliver better sonic performance when streaming over Bluetooth than when wired, as the wireless process pulls back the treble response just enough to make the sparkling highs less aggressive and grating over long listening sessions. Additionally, Beats successfully reined in the low end for a better-controlled, though still intentionally heavy-handed, bass response. Despite these improvements, the review notes several performance flaws, including a distinct lack of dynamics and an audible hiss when music is not actively playing. The sound signature also lacks neutrality due to a forward upper midrange, and the frequency response curve frustratingly changes with the volume, becoming much more aggressive in the treble and upper mids as you turn it up....

The Beats Studio Wireless are deemed decent, stylish over-ear headphones featuring a durable build, comfortable fit, and a balanced sound profile suitable for mixed use. Key strengths include high stability for active use, effective passive isolation that prevents sound leakage, and a punchy audio reproduction. Conversely, the headphones are hindered by weak active noise cancellation (ANC) that fails to adequately isolate ambient noise, alongside high wireless latency. Additionally, they lack a companion app, use outdated micro-USB charging, and feature a mediocre microphone, resulting in a narrow soundstage and limited features.

The Beats Studio Wireless over-ear headphones are a stylish and highly portable option that deliver a crisp, sharp audio experience, especially for users upgrading from lower-end headsets. The sleek design features a beautiful black finish, expandable arms to accommodate different head sizes, and comfortable leather ear pads that effectively keep the head cool during long listening sessions. Setting up the device is quick and reliable via a Bluetooth sync button located directly on the left ear cup, and a standard 3.5mm auxiliary cable is included for wired use. However, the headphones come with notable downsides, primarily their exorbitant and overpriced price tag of nearly $380. While the bass pleasantly thumps, the sound signature is heavily modified and not true to the original source material, resulting in muted mid and high registers. Additionally, the product suffers from sound leakage at medium to high volumes, has a locked-in battery, and alters tracks to the point of dulled nuances.

The Beats Studio headphones feature a comfortable, secure, and lightweight design with a sturdy adjustable headband that folds down easily into a supplied hard-shell case. The audio profile utilizes an integrated Beats Acoustic Engine DSP, delivering a tight, responsive, and powerful bass response that perfectly complements dance, hip-hop, industrial, psy-trance, and classic rock/metal music. Additionally, mid-tones and vocals remain highly detailed and clear, and the 3.5mm headphone cable includes a useful built-in microphone and mute button. However, the headphones suffer from significant audio and battery drawbacks. The built-in active noise-cancelling and DSP cannot be turned off, and the ANC produces a loud, audible hiss on quiet tracks while failing to effectively mute external noises like trains or PCs. The heavily engineered sound profile over-emphasizes bass drums and low baselines, making it a poor choice for audio purists, folk, or classical music fans. Finally, the headphones will not work at all if the 20-hour rechargeable battery dies, and they cannot be used while charging due to intense electrical interference from micro-USB connection.

The Beats Studio Wireless headphones offer a comfortable design and effective active noise cancelling, but their overall sound quality fails to justify the premium £329.95 price tag. On the positive side, this model features a refined, understated aesthetic compared to previous generations, utilizing a compact folding headband and plush leatherette ear cups that make them excellent for travel. Its active noise cancelling successfully blocks out ambient transit drones, and the 12-hour Bluetooth battery life is decent for daily use. Additionally, the inclusion of an optional cabled connection provides listening flexibility. However, the headphones suffer from significant audio and functionality flaws. The sound profile is highly unbalanced, offering punchy mid-bass but lacking true low-end depth, which results in muddy basslines and a thin, flat presentation across jazz, classical, folk, and rock music. On the usability front, the track controls are fiddly and unreliable, the narrow headphone jack rejects most standard third-party cables, and the active noise cancelling cannot be turned off, leaving a noticeable background hiss in quiet environments. Crucially, the headphones become completely unusable—even with the audio cable—once the battery...

The 2014 Beats by Dre Studio Wireless headphones feature a lighter, stronger, and more subtle redesigned plastic build that offers exceptional comfort for long listening sessions without pinching. In terms of performance, the audio signature shifts away from the brand's traditionally massive bass to a boosted mid-range, offering a much more balanced sound that thrives at higher volumes. Additionally, the inclusion of a micro-USB rechargeable internal battery significantly improves convenience, providing a solid 9 to 12 hours of continuous wireless playback. However, the headphones carry notable drawbacks, including a highly expensive price tag of £330 for a design made almost entirely of plastic. While the active noise-cancelling mechanism effectively blocks out ambient noise, it introduces a prominent background hiss that becomes blazingly apparent during quiet music sections or low-volume listening. Furthermore, the updated, balanced sound profile reduces clarity across individual musical sections, causing high-resolution audio to lose its intricate punch, while the cheap feel of the inline cable remote leaves it susceptible to wear and tear.

The 2014 Beats Studio Wireless headphones deliver a high-energy, immersive "concert experience" that caters to consumers favoring a dynamic sound, though they lack acoustic accuracy. Pros include an engaging, bass-forward sound and stylish design, while significant cons are the heavily exaggerated bass and highs that completely mask the midrange frequencies. The review concludes that users pay a premium for the brand logo, with the headphones acting as a poor choice for critical listening or studio use. While the sound profile is inaccurate, they remain a viable option for those prioritizing brand status and a lively, non-neutral audio signature over fidelity.