Details
Brand
Beats by Dre
Model
Studio 2
Battery Life
20 hrs
Latest Version
No
Key Features
• Beats Acoustic Engine• ANC (adaptive noise cancelation)• 3.5 mm audio cable• Comes with a case• RemoteTalk cable• USB 2.0• Rechargeable battery• 20-hour maximum battery life• Over-ear design• Bluetooth connectivity
Comfort
The majority of Studio 2 wears found the headphones very comfortable and lightweight. Reviewers liked the well-cushioned earpieces and preferred the tapered headband design over the previous band style. The fit around the head is better, and the band features improved padding.;A few reviewers with smaller ears found the headphones a bit bulky but otherwise comfortable. Most users felt the headphones fit securely and liked that the earpiece material was grippy enough to keep the Studio 2’s stuck in place. A handful of users didn’t find the headphones comfortable enough for extended wear periods and preferred them for shorter listening sessions.
Style
The Beats Studio 2 headphones feature a high-end design with modern styling. The Beats by Dre logo is front and center on each earpiece. The Studio 2 design has a sleeker design than the original headphones. The second edition of the headphones is available in white, red, or black.
Activities
The Beats headphones are not super ideal for workouts, though some reviewers did mention they used them at the gym. They fit securely over the head and ears, but not everyone will feel comfortable wearing this type of headphone for sweat sessions. The headphones are great for listening to music in the comfort of your own home or for a relaxing music-filled commute.
Basic Features
The Beats headphones are not super ideal for workouts, though some reviewers did mention they used them at the gym. They fit securely over the head and ears, but not everyone will feel comfortable wearing this type of headphone for sweat sessions. The headphones are great for listening to music in the comfort of your own home or for a relaxing music-filled commute.
Advanced Features
The headphones feature Adaptive Noise Canceling which is a technology that’s meant to block out unwanted background noise. Some users complained that this feature produced an annoying hissing sound when plugged in, however. Another issue to keep in mind is that some users may experience feelings of disorientation or nausea due to the Adaptive Noise Canceling feature. There is, unfortunately, no way to disable the feature. Users who experienced unpleasant sensations because of the ANC technology did say that the ill-effects were more noticeable when outside noise was minimal.;The Beats brand headphones also come with a RemoteTalk line-in control which is iOS compatible. The remote has three buttons and a microphone for taking calls. Users can control volume, pause or play music, or skip using the RemoteTalk feature. Wearers can also summon Siri using the feature (as long as they are connected to an iOS compatible device).;Reviewers said that call quality was good but nowhere near as clear as with Apple ’s AirPods.
Connectivity
Users report that the Beats headphones pair quickly via Bluetooth. Pairing is straightforward to do, and the Bluetooth range is even greater than advertised, according to some reviewers who reported a range even greater than 30 feet.
Ease of Use
The headphones fold for easy storage (a carrying case is included), and the Beats feature easy access controls either on the earpieces or via the RemoteTalk line-in remote. Reviewers found little to complain about regarding usability.
Power Source
The Studio 2 headphones charge via a micro USB port and contain a rechargeable battery with a maximum life of 20 hours. The headphones also feature a convenient battery indicator – a series of LED lights on the headphones themselves. Weirdly, though, the Beats brand accessory doesn’t have an auto-off feature. Instead, you’ll need to remember to unplug the cable from the headphones which many users didn’t think to do on a regular basis, it seems. There’s a power button, thankfully, which is easier to remember to hit but many users mentioned situations where they accidentally drained the battery. Another drawback of the Beats headphones is that you can’t listen to music and charge at the same time. Most reviewers felt this was a huge omission and many called it a deal breaker.
Sound Quality
Most reviewers reported that the Studio 2 headphones deliver good sound quality with excellent bass. Reviewers agreed that the headphones performed well in terms of noise isolation. The earpieces fully cover the ears, so there’s very little room for sound to leak out or in. A few reviewers complained that the treble sounded harsh, however. We wouldn’t recommend these headphones to true audio geeks, but the sound isn’t the worst. The annoying Adaptive Noise Canceling buzz was the most significant issue concerning sound quality, but with louder, more upbeat music the problem isn’t as glaring.
Durability
The Studio 2 headphones aren’t just sleeker. They’re also more durable than the originals. The included cable is thicker but still flexible. Quite a bit of plastic is used in the construction of the headphones, so they’re not necessarily top of the line, but you’ll still get plenty of life out of them. Don’t toss out that carrying case, though, store your headphones away in there to keep them protected when not in use.
Price
The headphones are expensive, and reviewers weren’t shy about pointing this out. With the Beats brand, you’re paying for the name recognition and contemporary styling of the headphones. Many reviewers called the headphones overpriced but did say that if found on sale, they’re a worthwhile buy. If you’re looking for the best in terms of sound quality, these headphones are unlikely to impress you, especially if you’re an audiophile.
Bottom Line
The Beats Studio 2 headphones are a sleeker, much-improved version of the original Studio model. The sound quality is good, but not great. The headphones are iOS compatible, which is a neat add-on. A line-in RemoteTalk feature is available for those that don’t mind a wired listening experience, but the headphones can be worn and used wirelessly. For a pair of wireless over-ear headphones, the Studio 2 model offers excellent Bluetooth connectivity with few complaints about dropouts. The Studio 2’s are comfortable, stylish, and boast an impressive battery life, but fall short in terms of value. You can’t listen to music while charging and some reviewers had issues with the headphones’ ANC technology. If you don’t mind sacrificing sound quality for style, however, the Beats brand headphones don’t skimp on design. The logo is prominent, and it’s clear a lot of attention to detail went into the look of the headphones.