The Beats have a slightly better-balanced default sound than the Plantronics. They’re also more comfortable, portable, and have a sleeker design that’s stable enough for the gym and sports. The Plantronics, on the other hand, have a better wireless range and battery life than the Beats.
The Apple W1 chip features Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity — the industry-leading classification for range and signal strength. Beats’ Pure ANC actively blocks external noise and uses real-time audio calibration to preserve clarity, range and emotion. Bottom-placed connections for microUSB charging and 3.5mm wired audio ports . I’ve been wanting a pair of headphones that are noise canceling and don’t require to go in your ear, as those tend to be very uncomfortable after and hour or so of use. I wear glasses and these are great as they as soft on the glasses but offer enough pressure to stay in place while active.
While there is a unique mix that puts a little focus on those low tones, I found it be a well-balanced experience. In a similar vein to having no companion app, there are no extra modes for listening on the Studio3s. You get what you get out of the box, and that’s not a bad thing. Beats sticks with the iconic design that has been worn by athletes and influencers alike, but adds some flare in the form of new color waves. The Studio3s come in defiant black-red, midnight black, desert sand, crystal blue, matte black, gray, white, red, blue and shadow gray.
Using Apple’s W1 chip, connections are the easiest and most useful part of the Studio3 Wireless. Having said that, it’s almost sad that proximity pairing and connectivity is the only good thing about this pair of headphones. It’s also worth noting that newer products, like the aforementioned AirPods Pro, use an even faster chip to connect. The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless.
The Beats Studio3 only connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and therefore aren’t compatible with PlayStation or Xbox consoles. They’re compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs or mobile devices, but their latency is likely too high for competitive gaming. Headphones store-bought and tested, supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We purchase our own headphones and put them under the same test bench, so that you can compare the results easily. If you have an iPhone or iPad, make sure it’s running the most recent version of iOS or iPadOS.
The Beats have a more neutral sound profile, especially in the mid-range, while still sounding exciting. Their ANC feature blocks more noise than the Skullcandy’s and the provided case is better. On the other hand, the Skullcandy can connect to two devices, and their bass isn’t as prone to inconsistencies as the Beats.
The Studio3 Wireless are lightweight, compact, and everything you’d expect from wireless headphones. They weigh 9.17oz, which is on par with other headphones, like the 9oz Sony WH-1000XM3. You shouldn’t have too much of an issue with weight here for long-term use.
Then at the very bottom is a micro USB port, which isn’t a USB Type-C because, reasons. The Studio3 headphones are priced to be one of the best on the market. Unfortunately, though they are quite good, they fall well short of this mark. In more energetic/busy tracks, beats solo pro wireless the powerful bass can conflict with the lower mids, muddying the waters somewhat. The treble is competent but not a strong point of the Studio3. Its detail shines through at times, but other times it is pushed back by more powerful parts of the spectrum.