Finding the perfect over-ear noise canceling headphones can be tricky unless you test them firsthand. For a frequent flyer, comfort will be just as important as noise cancellation. For audiophiles, sound quality is the hallmark of success. And for everyone (well, almost all of them), price is undoubtedly a factor. Below I share my opinion about the Beats Studio3 wireless over-ear headphones – a sleek device that promises to deliver a “premium listening experience.” Scroll below to read my review and see if this Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are worth the $227 price tag.
Walmart
These Beats by Dr. Dre headphones actively block out external noise while maintaining audio quality.
$286 at Walmart
What is it: Over-ear headphones with pure adaptive noise cancellation (pure ANC) to actively block external noise. Beats Studio3 headphones offer up to 22 hours of battery life on a single charge. A quick 10-minute charge gives you three extra hours of playtime when the battery is low.
Where to buy: Walmart | Best Buy Canada | Amazon | Staples | The source
What is included: Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones, a 3.5mm RemoteTalk cable, a carrying case, a universal USB charging cable (USB-A to USB Micro-B), a quick start guide, and a warranty card.
Editor’s assessment: 3/5
Best for: Travel and flights, office work, Apple users.
The details
The Beats Studio3 over-ear headphones feature pure adaptive noise cancellation technology (pure ANC) that actively blocks out unwanted external noise such as aircraft noise, noisy office neighbors and outside traffic.
The headphones feature an Apple W1 chip for industry-leading Class 1 Bluetooth wireless connectivity and battery efficiency. The rechargeable battery provides up to 22 hours of fully wireless playback all day long, and up to 40 hours of battery life when pure ANC is turned off.
The Studio3 headphones connect easily to Android and Apple devices right out of the box and are comfortable to wear all day long. The multi-function on-ear controls let you take calls, control music and activate Siri when you need a hand.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones: Review
While I’m not a headphone expert, I wear them several hours a day and have therefore formed an opinion on what makes a good pair. I love Apple AirPods for their size and convenience, and until recently, mine did too Bose QuietComfort headphones were my first choice for noise cancellation and over-ear comfort (they died after five years – a tragedy!).
Best Buy Canada
Wanting to replace my Bose QuietComfort headphones with another over-ear pair, I opted for the Beats Studio3 – a cheaper device with thousands of five-star reviews on Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy and more.
Scroll down to read my thoughts and find out what I like and don’t like about these Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.
What I like about them
Apple Connectivity: If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the Beats Studio3 Wireless is a breeze to set up. They have an Apple W1 chip for Class 1 wireless Bluetooth connectivity, which, in layman’s terms, equates to seamless pairing with your iPhone, MacBook and Apple Watch. While I can’t speak to the Android user experience, most Android reviewers seem to agree that it’s pretty seamless.
Noise reduction: I have yet to wear the Beats Studio3 on a plane, but the noise cancellation is quite good for office work and commuting. To enable the ANC, double-click the power button. The ANC is designed to adapt to the sound around you and can be turned off to extend battery life. I expected better ANC for the price, but overall it works in quiet to moderately loud areas.
Sound quality: I’m not one of those people who is super picky about sound quality, so I can’t tell you the technical ins and outs of Studio 3 sound quality. However, the sound quality is fine for someone who listens to their music at a low to medium level and enjoys a good audiobook. No crackles, no muffling, no notes.
Watch: The Beats Studio3 Wireless has many color options and a smooth, matte finish. Compared to other over-ear headphones, they’re not too bulky and have the added bonus of keeping your ears warm in the cold (a necessity for winter in the Great White North).
What I don’t like about them
Call quality: If calling loved ones while on a walk outdoors is your love language, then these aren’t the headphones for you. The Beats Studio3 Wireless picks up an incredible amount of external noise during calls, so much so that I often turn them off in the middle of a call.
They are fine for phone calls in quiet rooms indoors. However, when you’re outside, they pick up so much wind, traffic and pedestrian noise that your phone companion becomes concerned about your safety.
Comfort: Thousands of people online are calling the Beats Studio3 one of the most comfortable headphones they’ve ever tried – I’m not one of those people. On your ears, yes, they are incredibly comfortable. However, compared to my previous pair, the Bose QuietComfortI find the padding (or lack thereof) on the Beats headband uncomfortable when worn for hours. Maybe I’m spoiled by my Bose’s (or have an oddly shaped head), but I don’t find the Beats nearly as comfortable.
One other thing: every time I wear them, my hair gets stuck on the outer ear cups. If you have short hair, this is not a problem. However, if you have long hair, be prepared to kiss two to three strands goodbye every time you take them off your head.
Are the Beats Studio3 wireless over-ear headphones worth it?
If you have the budget to spend hundreds of dollars on headphones, I’m not sure I’d recommend the Beats Studio3 Wireless. While they connect seamlessly to Apple devices and provide decent sound quality, the abundance of external noise during phone calls ruins them for me. If you’re not a frequent caller, maybe their selling price is worth a try. However, I much preferred the Bose QuietComfort for comfort, call quality and noise cancellation.
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