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Beats By Dre Tour Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£130
Avg. price in US: ~$150
Form factor: in-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Beats By Dre Tour review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.0

Good

4.5

Poor

7.1

Very good

3.2
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
2.1
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
10
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
5.2
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
7.2
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
10
Weight
24.0%
10
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Verdict

The Beats By Dre Tour is a pair of high-resolution, wired in-ear headphones featuring custom large-bore drivers designed to deliver a wide frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz and 16-ohm impedance. Known for their iconic flat 'noodle' cable that virtually eliminates tangling, they include an in-line ControlTalk remote and microphone for seamless music and call management. Pros include a durable build, deep bass-heavy sound profile suitable for hip-hop and electronic genres, and a generous selection of seven pairs of silicone ear tips for a custom fit. Cons frequently cited by users include a bulky earpiece design that can be uncomfortable for smaller ears, lack of active noise cancellation, and a tendency for the sound signature to feel fatiguing or 'shouty' during long listening sessions.

Technical Specifications of Beats By Dre Tour

Overall score

5.0

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Popularity

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.

Sound

4.4

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

7.4

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?

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Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

1.0

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

8.3

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Beats

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

in-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Beats By Dre Tour vs the average headphone

Why is Beats By Dre Tour better than the average headphone?

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90.8% lower weight
Beats By Dre Tour is lighter than the average headphone (20 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Beats By Dre Tour is lighter than the average headphone (20 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.20 g vs 218 g
Clear call microphone
Beats By Dre Tour offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Tour offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Beats By Dre Tour includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Tour includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
In-line controls
Beats By Dre Tour includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Tour includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Wind noise reduction
Beats By Dre Tour reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
What it is: Reduces wind interference for clearer outdoor calls
When it matters: When you take calls outdoors while walking, cycling, or commuting.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Tour reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Water resistance
Beats By Dre Tour is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
IPX4
What it is: Protection level against water exposure
When it matters: When workouts, commuting, or outdoor use expose the headphones to moisture.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Tour is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
Boom microphone included
Beats By Dre Tour includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Tour includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
90.8% lower weight
Beats By Dre Tour is lighter than the average headphone (20 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Water resistance
Beats By Dre Tour is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Beats By Dre Tour includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Clear call microphone
Beats By Dre Tour offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
In-line controls
Beats By Dre Tour includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Wind noise reduction
Beats By Dre Tour reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Boom microphone included
Beats By Dre Tour includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.

Calls & Controls

Why is Beats By Dre Tour worse than the average headphone?

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Fixed cable
Beats By Dre Tour has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
25 mm smaller driver size
Beats By Dre Tour has smaller driver size than the average headphone (15 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Beats By Dre Tour has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
No voice assistant support
Beats By Dre Tour does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
9 years older release date
Beats By Dre Tour was released earlier than the average headphone (2,008 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
December 2008
25 mm smaller driver size
Beats By Dre Tour has smaller driver size than the average headphone (15 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Tour has smaller driver size than the average headphone (15 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.15 mm vs 40 mm
No voice assistant support
Beats By Dre Tour does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Tour does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
Fixed cable
Beats By Dre Tour has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Tour has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Beats By Dre Tour has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Beats By Dre Tour has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.20 Hz vs 18 Hz
9 years older release date
Beats By Dre Tour was released earlier than the average headphone (2,008 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
December 2008
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Beats By Dre Tour was released earlier than the average headphone (2,008 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2008 vs 2017
11.9% lower user score
Beats By Dre Tour has a lower user score than the average headphone (7.15 vs 8.000).
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.
Beats By Dre Tour has a lower user score than the average headphone (7.15 vs 8.000).7.15 vs 8
4% worse value for money
Beats By Dre Tour has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.48 vs 6.736).
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.
Beats By Dre Tour has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.48 vs 6.736).6.48 vs 6.74

Graphic comparison of Beats By Dre Tour and

Attribute category

Attribute

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Beats By Dre Tour?

Signature bass-heavy sound profile ideal for hip-hop, electronic, and pop genres
Tangle-free 'ribbon' cable design that is flat, thick, and durable
Stylish and unique aesthetic featuring the iconic lowercase 'b' logo
Includes a wide variety of silicone ear tip sizes to help achieve a proper seal
Comes with a high-quality, hard-sided zippered carrying case for protection
Integrated ControlTalk for managing music playback and calls (specifically on iOS devices)

What customers dislike about Beats By Dre Tour?

Premium price point often considered 'overpriced' compared to similar-performing alternatives
Unusually long earbud housings can make them unstable or difficult to fit securely in some ear canals
Sound profile lacks mid-range warmth and can sound 'cold' or 'harsh' to audiophiles
Poor passive noise isolation unless a perfect airtight seal is achieved
Red cable color is prone to fading or staining from rubbing against clothing over time
Heavier control module and connector piece can cause the earbuds to pull out during active use

Expert reviews

theheadphonelist.com

05/06/2013

Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour Review - The Headphone List

The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour is a highly colored, aggressive-sounding dynamic driver in-ear monitor reviewed by ljokerl on The Headphone List. Designed with an aluminum housing, plastic stems, and a flat tangle-free cable, the earphones demand a deep insertion seal to reach their intended sound performance. The pros highlight a highly user-friendly, flat Duraflex cable that...Read more

uk.pcmag.com

16/08/2012

Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour High Resolution In-Ear Headphones Notes on newer versions:

The PCMag review awards the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour High Resolution In-Ear Headphones an Excellent (4.0/5) rating for their strong audio delivery and distinct look. Priced at $149.95, these in-canal earphones act as a more compact and significantly less expensive alternative to the brand's bulky 2008 flagship over-ear model. They feature a visually striking design highlighted...Read more

cnet.com

14/06/2011

Beats by Dr Dre Tour review - CNET

Beats by Dr Dre Tour The Beats by Dr Dre Tour earphones deliver an impressive, full, and bassy sound that serves as an excellent upgrade from standard smartphone or iPod earbuds. Their standout feature is an incredibly deep and powerful bass response, making them particularly well-suited for pop and hip-hop music, though they still maintain clear sound detail at higher frequencies....Read more

head-fi.org

11/08/2010

Beats by Dr. Dre Tour Mini Review (Subjective)

The Head-Fi review of the Beats by Dr. Dre Tour in-ear monitors highlights a stable fit, effective noise isolation for transit, and a durable protective case, alongside a distinctive tangle-proof flat cable. However, the reviewer notes significant drawbacks, including long-term wearing discomfort due to deep ear penetration and concerns regarding the fragility of the flat cable....Read more

wired.com

30/04/2009

Review: Monster Beats By Dre Tour High-Resolution In-Ear

The Monster Beats By Dre Tour high-resolution in-ear headphones pack powerful, high-quality audio into a compact, jellybean-sized earbud design. Priced at $150, these earbuds offer a compelling alternative to more expensive audiophile brands like Ultimate Ears and Shure. They stand out as a major performance upgrade over Apple's standard white stock earbuds. The headphones feature...Read more

ubergizmo.com

16/01/2009

Beats Tour Review: The Mobile Monster ‘Beats by Dr. Dre’

The Ubergizmo Beats Tour Review evaluates the 2009 mobile earbud collaboration between Monster Cable and Dr. Dre, positioned as a portable, $149 alternative to the larger, $349 over-ear Beats. The review highlights several major design and performance pros, beginning with a flashy, eye-popping red cable that stands out visually and features a flat, patent-pending design that...Read more

au.pcmag.com

10/04/2009

Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour High Resolution In-Ear HeadphonesGo to product viewer dialog for this item. Review

The PCMag Australia review awards the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour High Resolution In-Ear Headphones an Excellent (4.0/5) rating. Released in 2009 for $149.95, these in-canal earphones serve as a compact, passive noise-isolating alternative to the bulky original Beats model. Visually striking with a flat, fettuccine-like red cable and signature lowercase "b" logos, the design...Read more

cnet.com

10/12/2008

Beats by Dr. Dre Tour (Black) review

This review evaluates the Beats by Dr. Dre Tour (Black) In-Ear Headphones, an ultraportable and highly stylish $150 pair of earphones that sports the signature red and black coloring. On the positive side, the headphones feature a unique, fashion-forward design with a distinctive flat, thick, red ribbon cable that is notably more durable than standard earbud cords. Audio performance...Read more

etm-testmagazin.de

30/04/2010

Beats Tour by Dr. Dre Review - ETM TESTMAGAZIN

The provided webpage from ETM TESTMAGAZIN features a historical product review from April 30, 2010, assessing the Beats Tour by Dr. Dre in-ear headphones. Manufactured by the US-based company Monster Cable Products Inc., these earphones are promoted by the famous modern hip-hop producer André Romell Young, widely known as Dr. Dre. The introductory text emphasizes evaluating how...Read more

computerbild.de

04/12/2015

Beats Tour 2.0 In-Ear Headphones Review - COMPUTER BILD

Overview of the Beats Tour 2.0 Review The Beats Tour 2.0 is a compact, wired in-ear headphone made mostly of soft, robust, and high-quality plastic materials that offer a premium tactile feel. It features an integrated hands-free microphone with dedicated iPhone volume control buttons. The review awards the device a "Good" test rating of 2.3. It notes that the final sound experience...Read more

kopfhoerer.de

07/11/2015

Beats by Dr. Dre Tour 2.0 review on kopfhoerer.de

The kopfhoerer.de review awards the Beats by Dr. Dre Tour 2.0 a 4.13 out of 5 rating, praising them as a stylish, heavy-hitting option optimized for iPhone users. In terms of advantages, the review highlights its excellent, tangle-resistant red flat ribbon cable, a compact pill-shaped carrying case with a premium zipper, and high passive noise isolation. To ensure a secure fit for...Read more

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