Beats Pill Plus Review | 130 Data compared

The Beats Pill Plus offers a significantly fuller, more balanced sound with improved bass and a sleek design compared to its predecessor, featuring a 12-hour battery with a "fuel gauge" indicator and a useful USB charging port. However, the speaker suffers from noticeable distortion at high volumes and lacks absolute vocal clarity, leading to a conclusion that competitors like the Ultimate Ears Boom 2 offer better, more composed performance for the price.

The PCMag review highlights the Beats Pill+ as a sleek, minimalist Bluetooth speaker featuring a stereo active 2-way crossover system, providing roughly 12 hours of battery life and device-charging capabilities. Pros include a solid, rich sound with deep bass at moderate volumes, along with DSP that eliminates distortion. However, cons include DSP that thins out deep bass at high volumes, a lack of crisp highs, and sound performance that changes based on listening angle.

The PCMag UK review of the Beats Pill+ praises its solid deep bass, clear vocals, and 12-hour battery life, while highlighting its redesigned drivers that provide a wider soundstage. However, the review notes the speaker's high price, lack of deep sub-bass, and a tendency for the sound profile to change depending on placement angle, with DSP distorting audio at maximum volume.

The CNET preview of the $230 Beats Pill+ highlights a redesigned compact Bluetooth speaker featuring improved 12-hour battery life, 3-hour quick charging, and enhanced audio with tighter bass and better clarity, all integrated with a Lightning port. While offering a superior, louder sound experience compared to its predecessor, notable drawbacks include a premium price tag, a slightly larger form factor, and a design that favors Apple users over Android users.

The 2015 review of the Beats Pill+ highlights the device as a premium, Apple-influenced speaker boasting a 12-hour battery, enhanced sound profile, and a sturdy, minimalist design, while the accompanying app enables DJ mode and stereo pairing. Despite these improvements, the speaker is criticized for its $229 price point, lack of NFC, omission of Wi-Fi/AirPlay, and reliance on a proprietary Lightning charging port.

The Beats Pill+ is a portable speaker that delivers true stereo sound, a feature that distinguishes it from many mono-only competitors. However, the RTINGS.com review highlights significant drawbacks, including a boomy, inaccurate sound profile with harsh, overemphasized treble and a lack of low-bass extension. Additionally, the speaker lacks any onboard EQ or sound customization options, limiting the ability to correct its muddy, uneven sound signature.

The TechRadar review of the Beats Pill+ highlights significant improvements in sound clarity, volume output, and battery life over its predecessor, alongside useful features like dual-device "DJ" control and stereo pairing capabilities. However, the speaker is criticized for a muddy, uncontrolled "V-shaped" sound signature, piercing high-end frequencies at maximum volume, and noticeable distortion when pushed to its limit.

The Master Switch review of the Beats Pill+ highlights its robust, well-designed construction and an upgraded driver layout that delivers an exceptionally wide, loud soundstage, along with a useful power-bank feature. However, the speaker is criticized for its high price, lacking water/dust-proofing specifications, and thin bass performance at high volumes, ultimately finding it outclassed by competitors.