Apple Beats Studio Buds Plus Review: Airpods Pro Cheap Version!

What is in the Box?

• Beats Studio Buds +
• pocket-sized charging case
• ear tips with four size options
• USB-C to USB-C charging cable
• Quick Start Guide
• Warranty card

Design and Build

As a trendy brand in the audio field, Beats has always been popular among young users, largely because of the attractive design of Beats headphones. Beats has consistently delivered on style and aesthetics. The overall design of Bests Studio Buds + remains consistent with the previous generation.

1. Appearance Design

Studio Buds + did not use Beats’ signature red color but maintained the signature Beats look and feel with a new twist — a transparent version. Revealing the inner workings of the earbuds. It’s sleek, modern, and very appealing to the eye. The charging case, with its round, pebble-like shape, and matte texture, provides a satisfying tactile experience. What’s more, it provides a crisp feel when opening and closing the battery compartment, which is quite stress-relieving.

2. USB-C charging

The switch to USB-C charging is a welcome addition, ensuring compatibility with a range of devices. This feature might not be so user-friendly for iPhone-only users. However, as Apple’s iPad, Mac, and other product lines are popularizing USB-C, and the next-generation iPhone is likely to adopt USB-C, Apple users don’t need to worry too much about this.

3. 4 Sizes Silicone ear tips

The earbuds also come with four sizes of silicone ear tips for a personalized fit. Even users with smaller ear canals can use it. With the availability of multiple ear tip options and Beats’ years of experience in ergonomic design, the earbuds fit well with the ear canal after wearing. Each earbud weighs only 5 grams and balances weight distribution perfectly, making them comfortable even for long wear periods.

Sound Quality

Moving on to the sound quality, Studio Buds + offers a balanced and pleasing audio experience. Although Beats Studio Buds + retains the exterior design of the previous generation, its internal acoustic architecture has been redesigned. It comes with a custom acoustic platform that packs a powerful sound punch. The earbuds also feature re-engineered acoustic venting, which improves their overall sound quality.

Thought

After testing its performance in various scenarios using multiple music/video apps, my overall impression is: this is a pair of headphones that conforms to popular aesthetics. Compared to the AirPods series known for its “nothing special” sound quality, Beats Studio Buds + will be better. It doesn’t emphasize its unique features with heavy bass or particularly prominent high frequencies. The three-frequency performance is relatively balanced. The vocals stand out, lending a rich texture to the music. The support for Apple Music’s spatial audio feature enhances the listening experience, giving you the feeling of being in a live concert.
However, the lack of in-ear detection is a slight drawback. It will pause playback only after it is put back into the charging case after being taken out of the ear, which is a minor flaw.

Noise Cancellation

One of the key features of Studio Buds + is adaptive noise cancellation. It does a commendable job of blocking out ambient noise in various environments. The transparency mode, while not as top-notch as the AirPods Pro, still allows for clear ambient sound without interfering with the music, making it safe for outdoor use.

One of the key features of Studio Buds + is adaptive noise cancellation. It does a commendable job of blocking out ambient noise in various environments. The transparency mode, while not as top-notch as the AirPods Pro, still allows for clear ambient sound without interfering with the music, making it safe for outdoor use.

I believe many people usually take public transportation for daily commuting and need a quiet environment when working in the office. Thus, noise cancellation is a must-have feature.

Noise cancellation Testing

Beats Studio Buds + offers adaptive noise cancellation.

1. Experience maximum noise cancellation in loud outdoor settings, effectively eliminating background noise while still allowing important high-frequency sounds like car horns.
2. Step into a company building and feel the noticeable decrease in ear pressure, creating a unique sensation. As you enter a quiet office environment, the pressure on your ears decreases even further.
3. With these buds, you can hardly hear the sound of a colleague typing on a keyboard or having a conversation just a meter away, even without playing music. Say goodbye to distractions and embrace a truly immersive audio experience.

Thank the excellent noise cancellation effect, even in the subway, I can keep the volume of the music below half. No need to counterbalance external noise with excessive volume anymore. Say goodbye to straining your ears and cranking up the volume to drown out background noise. It is helpful in protecting hearing.

However, it’s important to remember that the noise cancellation mode should only be used in safe situations. Whether you’re out for a walk, cycling, or engaging in outdoor activities, it’s best to leave this feature off for your own safety.

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The Transparency Mode detail: Beats Studio Buds + vs. AirPods Pro

When it comes to transparency mode, the Beats Studio Buds + may fall slightly short of the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro has long been regarded as having one of the best transparency modes among true wireless headphones. They let you hear your surroundings as if you’re not wearing headphones at all.

On the other hand, the Beats Studio Buds + create a subtle barrier between you and your environment, allowing you to hear ambient sounds clearly while listening to music without disturbing those around you. However, when not playing music and carefully experiencing this mode, there is a slight perception.

The excellent noise cancellation and transparency effects of the Beats Studio Buds + are a result of the headphone’s redesigned internal structure, which optimizes the sound loop. Additionally, the microphone has been significantly upgraded, accurately capturing the external environment and making precise adjustments through advanced algorithms.

Improved call quality

One overlooked benefit is the Beats Studio Buds +’s ability to effectively control wind noise during outdoor calls, ensuring clear communication for both parties. I’ve seen many people who, despite wearing headphones, have to put away their headphones and answer the phone using the handset. This is the problem, but it is also something that headphone buyers often forget to consider. And the Beats Studio Buds + outperform many other true wireless headphones in the Android market.

Battery Life

Redesigned the charging case, Beats have significantly upgraded the battery life in the Studio Buds +. Over the past few days, I’ve been using it for commuting and at work during the day, about three hours each day. After three days, the charging case still has 68% battery left (with the earbuds fully charged). Based on this, I can believe that the charging case can provide over 25 hours of battery life.

Also, if the earbuds are used continuously, the remaining battery after three hours is about 65%, giving the earbuds about 9 hours of battery life, totaling about 35 hours. Therefore, you can easily go a week without needing a recharge, given moderate daily usage.

Compatibility and Features

The Studio Buds + seamlessly pair with both iOS and Android devices, with a smoother process on iPhones. Enhance your experience with the Beats App, offering earphone tracking and customized touch controls. However, pressing the controls may create some pressure in the ear canal.

Compatibility: Apple VS. Android devices

These experiences are almost identical across Apple and Android platforms, although there are differences.

When paired with an iPhone, a prompt will appear as soon as the headphones are near, and “Hey Siri” is supported for easy voice assistant access. It’s no surprise since Beats has Apple’s genes, providing a comparable experience to the AirPods series.

For Android users, simply download the Beats App and follow the prompts to pair by pressing and holding the button on the charging case. Alternatively, manually connect in Bluetooth settings, which requires a few more steps for initial use.

Features: Headphone location tracking and function key settings

The Beats App offers two important features: headphone location tracking and function key settings. Previously, Beats Studio Buds lacked remote location support when paired with Android phones. However, Beats Studio Buds + fills this gap, bridging the user experience on both platforms.

In terms of function key settings, the default state enables long-press to activate the voice assistant and switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode. It can be adjusted for volume control, which is highly convenient. One small detail to note is that, unlike the AirPods series, pressing inward on the ear stem of the Beats Studio Buds + may cause some pressure in the ear canal. Thankfully, this is not a frequent action, making it tolerable.

Pricing – Is it worth buying?

After discussing its actual experience, let’s finally talk about whether it’s worth buying. Priced competitively at $169.99-$179.99 on Amazon, the Studio Buds + is an affordable alternative to the second-generation AirPods Pro (now is $229.00 on Amazon). It integrates well into the Apple ecosystem, making it a great choice for Apple users on a budget. For Android users, the sound quality, design, and brand reputation make it a worthwhile purchase.

If you’re already a Beats Studio Buds user, the upgrade might not be necessary unless you value improved noise cancellation and battery life. For new users, especially those on a budget, Studio Buds + is a strong contender. For fitness enthusiasts, consider the Beats Fit Pro, which offers additional features such as the H1 chip and a secure fit for active use. It can be considered an “AirPods Pro for sports” and is more suitable for fitness enthusiasts.

In summary, the Beats Studio Buds + is a well-rounded product that delivers on sound quality, design, battery life, and noise cancellation. It’s a worthy addition to the Beats lineup and a solid choice for any earbuds user.