Details
Brand
Beats By Dre
Model
Studio 3
Battery Life
22 hrs
Latest Version
Yes
Key Features
• Studio ear cup design provides passive noise cancellation• Adjustable headband can be folded for portable transportation• Pure ANC offers additional noise isolation• Fast Charging reduces charge time• 22 to 40 hours of battery life on average
Comfort
One of the biggest advantages that a nice pair of headphones has over a nice pair of earbuds is the comfort. This has to do with the way in which either device comes into contact with the wearer’s ears, while earbuds can establish a firmer connection, headphones are more comfortable since they don’t involve physically lodging anything into the wearer’s ears. On the contrary, the Beats Studio 3 is designed to mimic studio-quality headphones in style and functionality, which means that their ear cups can comfortably fit over the entirety of most wearer’s ears.;Thanks to this roomy design, it’s easy to wear these headphones for long periods of time without experiencing discomfort or soreness. Additionally, the headband connecting these two cups can be extended in a few places, which will allow the wearer to fine-tune the length so they can find the perfect fit for their head shape. While it doesn’t necessarily justify the ludicrously high cost of this product, the way in which the Studio 3 ensures the maximum possible degree of comfort for the wearer is one of its most impressive features.
Style
Since these headphones first hit store shelves roughly 10 years ago, Beats has dominated the market as some of the most stylish music listening devices money can buy. Out of all design aspects that comprise the typical Beats product, the only one that they provide at a level above all other brands is their style. Customers may be able to find a better sounding pair of headphones through Bose or a cheaper pair through Skullcandy, but they will not be able to find a pair that looks better than Beats.;With the Beats Studio 3, the same design that put them on the map remains more or less untouched. Both cups are made up of a series of circles that vary in size and thickness with one long band connecting them consisting of a straight line with slightly larger ends. It’s a simplistic and minimalist aesthetic that has served them well over the years. There are a variety of colorways available for customers to choose from, with some offering additional visual flair through the use of bright metallic accents. However, the end result is essentially the same product made by this company for the last decade, at least as far as style is concerned.
Activities
Since the Beats Studio 3 are wireless headphones, the list of activities in which owners are capable of performing while wearing them is larger than that of standard wired headphones but shorter than that of earbuds. This is the case whether the earbuds are wired or wireless since the nature of their bud design makes them able to provide a more stable fit. With this increased stability comes the ability to perform a wider range of physically demanding activities that wouldn’t be possible with less stable headphones.;With that being said, these Beats headphones are still capable of accommodating a decent range of exercises and activities. Starting with running, these headphones can easily keep up with low to mid-intensity running sessions, although hard sprinting might cause them to be dislodged if movements are too sudden and jarring. These headphones are also perfect for performing various exercises in the gym, especially since their wireless connectivity means that the wearer doesn’t need them to be directly connected to their listening device of choice. Weight training and some calisthenics can be easily managed with this product. Other than that, perhaps the most interesting feature provided by these headphones is their ability to function as studio monitors for professional music production, thanks to their impressive audio quality and noise-isolating design.
Basic Features
Since the Beats Studio 3 are wireless headphones, the list of activities in which owners are capable of performing while wearing them is larger than that of standard wired headphones but shorter than that of earbuds. This is the case whether the earbuds are wired or wireless since the nature of their bud design makes them able to provide a more stable fit. With this increased stability comes the ability to perform a wider range of physically demanding activities that wouldn’t be possible with less stable headphones.;With that being said, these Beats headphones are still capable of accommodating a decent range of exercises and activities. Starting with running, these headphones can easily keep up with low to mid-intensity running sessions, although hard sprinting might cause them to be dislodged if movements are too sudden and jarring. These headphones are also perfect for performing various exercises in the gym, especially since their wireless connectivity means that the wearer doesn’t need them to be directly connected to their listening device of choice. Weight training and some calisthenics can be easily managed with this product. Other than that, perhaps the most interesting feature provided by these headphones is their ability to function as studio monitors for professional music production, thanks to their impressive audio quality and noise-isolating design.
Advanced Features
Although the Beats Studio 3 may seem simple at surface level, the truth is that these headphones have an impressive list of advanced features. For starters, the way in which its ear cups are designed ensures that most sound coming from the wearer’s surroundings are isolated and eliminated while they listen to their audio. In conjunction with this over-ear cup design is Beats’ Pure ANC technology, which ensures that the wearer is provided with the highest audio quality thanks to a powerful combination of passive and active noise cancellation.;When it comes to connectivity, these Beats headphones use Bluetooth to pair wirelessly with compatible listening devices. This may not sound very impressive since just about every modern smart device released in the past ten years has some form of Bluetooth functionality. However, the way in which the Studio 3 offers Bluetooth is through the aid of Apple’s W1 chip. This powerful and tiny piece of hardware provides a stronger and higher quality connection and has the obvious additional benefit of improved performance with other Apple products, such as an iPhone or iPad. Finally, the Fast Fuel technology included in this product’s design means that users won’t have to wait very long before they can start taking advantage of all these features since only ten minutes of charging can provide roughly three hours of playback.
Connectivity
Much like many modern wireless headphones and earbuds, the Beats Studio 3 is designed to connect to the user’s portable audio player via Bluetooth. Right off the bat, this may disappoint some potential customers if they have had a negative experience with Bluetooth technology since it can be prone to interference in some circumstances. However, much of this animosity can be considered overblown mainly due to the fact that these headphones take advantage of Apple’s w1 chip to ensure the highest possible quality in both audio and wireless connectivity. That said, some people may still be disappointed with this kind of connectivity since it means that they will need to charge their headphones in order for them to actually function properly. Additionally, needing to set up their listening device to connect via Bluetooth will accelerate their power usage with the result of an increased need for charging after a shorter period of time. While the Beats Studio 3 can’t offer any amenities for power consumption on the other side of the connection, their Fast Charging feature helps to alleviate the power concerns on its own end.
Ease of Use
Not every person is going to have the same experience using these Beats headphones. There are many aspects of its design that were intended to improve its utility and accessibility, which will be appreciated by a decent amount of customers, but there are also inherent aspects of its design that will cause them to be less convenient for certain customers.;For example, the Beats Studio 3 uses Bluetooth for its wireless connectivity because it is almost universally adopted by modern smart devices and can be operated without much difficulty. They’ve even gone so far as to implement the Apple w1 chip into its design so that the connection will be stronger and more stable. However, the mere fact that these headphones require the user to connect via Bluetooth means that it will both necessitate a power charge before functioning and will make them incompatible with any product that doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity. As previously mentioned, the Fast Charging feature provided by Beats helps to remedy the power consumption issue to a degree and is just an all-around accessibility booster.
Power Source
Since the Beats Studio 3 are wireless headphones, that means that they require their own power source in order to function. That’s why they have a small USB cable and outlet adaptor included in the package, which can be connected to the headphones through a small jack on the side in order to charge it for regular use. On a full charge, the Beats Studio 3 is designed to last around 22 hours. That alone is extremely impressive but what is even more impressive is the fact that they can last for up to 40 hours if the user turns off the included Pure ANC feature.;Additionally, this Beats product comes with a feature known as Fast Charging that accelerates the rate at which it can be recharged. Thanks to Fast Charging, around ten minutes of charge time can be extended into three hours of play time. Although some individuals may be uncomfortable with the fact that they need to charge this product before use, the combination of a ridiculously fast charge time with an insanely long battery life means that most of the inconvenience that comes from this design aspect is nullified.
Sound Quality
Aside from their stylish appearance and convenient wireless functionality, the most impressive and appealing aspect of these headphones is their audio quality. As can be implied from its name, the Beats Studio 3 was designed to function on the same level as a pair of studio headphones and will provide a level of audio fidelity that is roughly on par with something used as a tool in professional music production studios.;In all fairness, it’s worth noting that studio headphones are almost always connected with a large analog audio plug and wouldn’t be wireless like these Beats headphones since that can lead to signal interference and delay. Additionally, the inability for users to fine-tune the EQ settings is also disparate from the authentic experience. However, the rest of the Beats Studio 3’s design is reminiscent of something used in a professional setting. From the fact that these headphones use a sound-isolating ear cup design to their ability to actively cancel background noise, these are headphones that come as close as possible to providing the same experience as real studio headphones without being the real thing.
Durability
Despite the fact that Beats headphones happen to feel very heavy in one’s hand, the truth is that they aren’t as sturdy and durable as that weight would imply. People found out that the average Beats headphones are made mostly from very cheap plastic with large weights placed inside them so they feel more resilient and high-end than they really are. This is especially an issue with headphones over earbuds since they are made up of a comparatively greater amount of moving parts that can then be susceptible to damage.;In order to mitigate these concerns, Beats has a few features included with the Studio 3 that will help in this regard. The first is a sturdy clamshell carrying case with a zipper that can keep these headphones securely stored while they aren’t being used. They won’t be able to withstand severe trauma, such as being crushed by a car or falling from a high height, but they will be able to protect them from casual hazards and abrasions. The second is a one-year warranty included with a new purchase which allows customers to have their product fixed or replaced if it becomes inoperable.
Price
When considering all of the features contained in the Beats Studio 3 and the level of quality in which it plays a variety of audio files, it makes sense that they would cost so much. However, despite being listed at a price that is fully justifiable, many prospective customers are likely gunshy at the point of purchase. Typically, a high-end pair of headphones from most major companies would cost somewhere between $150 to $250.;The main reason why Beats sells their products at a higher price doesn’t have to do with quality, it has to do with its brand appeal. Apple is capitalizing on the fact that people are willing to pay hundreds of dollars just for a logo, it’s a strategy they’ve used to great success with the release of their iPhones and iPads, and it’s working to a similarly impressive degree with their Beats releases. It is entirely possible to find a higher quality product for cheaper with a bit more research.
Bottom Line
Beats headphones are mostly style with a bit of substance to back them up. The Beats Studio 3 has some of the most substance ever found in a pair of Beats headphones, but they’re still sold at an outrageously overpriced cost. Anyone who’s looking for a pair of headphones or earbuds that offer the highest possible sound quality would be better off with something out of Bose’s catalog since they have some of the best-sounding products at lower prices. However, Beats still brings something to the table that can’t be found with any other product manufacturer and customers are more than willing to pay the price for that thing. Although overpriced, the Beats Studio 3 are still very well-made headphones that are certain to provide users with excellent sound quality during their workout for years to come.
