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I haven’t written much about Beats in the past. In the early days, they gained mainstream popularity due to their association with Dre and some good marketing. However, most enthusiasts hated them; the overall quality was poor, they were overpriced and over hyped. They are also perhaps responsible for the trend of excessively bassy sound profiles.
However, Apple bought Beats back in 2014, and subsequent launches have generally been well-regarded.
Looking at their product lineup, it is quite surprising how rarely they update the headphones. The Beats Studio 3 were launched back in 2017, and they are still sold for on Beats for £350, albeit most other sites have them for under £300.
This year, they launched the Beats Studio Pro, which seems to be the replacement model, and these introduce all the features you’d expect for a premium-priced pair of headphones for 2023.
If you look at competing brands such as Sony, they refresh their flagship headphones yearly.
Beats also has the more affordable Beats Solo 3, which was launched back in 2016!
Beats Studio Pro vs Studio 3 vs Solo 3 Specification Compared
| Feature/Specification | Beats Studio Pro | Beats Studio3 Wireless | Beats Solo3 Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2023 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Price | £349.99 | £349.95 | £199.95 |
| Design | Over-ear | Over-ear | On-ear |
| Sound | Beats’ custom acoustic platform delivers rich, immersive sound Custom-made 40mm active driver enhances sound clarity and near-zero distortion even at high volumes – an improvement of up to 80% compared to Beats Studio3 Wireless, providing increased audio fidelity Integrated digital processor optimises frequency responses for a powerful, balanced sound profile Fully adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) keeps you immersed in the music Transparency mode blends your listening experience with the world around you Personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for theatre-like sound from your favourite content3 Music and films available in Dolby Atmos deliver full immersion with 360-degree surround sound | Noise Cancelling continuously pinpoints, isolates and cancels exterior noise in real time to play sound the way it was intended | Fine-tuned acoustics for clarity and depth with noise isolation Spatial audio immerses you in music |
| Microphones | Six with ANC on, three with ANC off | 2 | 2 |
| Weight | 260g | 260g | 215g |
| Height | 18.1cm | 18.4cm | 19.8cm |
| Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | No (Noise Isolation) |
| Listening Time | Up to 40 hours 24 hours with ANC on | Up to 22 hours (40 hours with NC off) | Up to 40 hours |
| Fast Fuel | 10 mins for 4 hours | 10 mins for 3 hours | 5 mins for 3 hours |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| 3.5mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C, 3.5mm | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Special Features | Lossless audio Personalised spatial audio Enhanced compatibility with Apple & Android | Real-time audio calibration Audio Sharing | Spatial audio Enhanced by Apple W1 Compatible with Android |
| In the Box | Headphones, Carrying case, USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable, Guide, Warranty card | Headphones, Carrying case, 3.5mm cable, USB cable, Guide, Warranty card | Headphones, Carrying case, USB cable, Guide, Warranty card |
Design
- Beats Studio Pro:
- Over-ear design: These headphones cover the entire ear, providing better passive noise isolation.
- Cushioned ear cups: This provides comfort for extended listening sessions.
- Slightly heavier than the Solo 3 due to the over-ear design and additional technology.
- It is worth noting that some people have criticised these for not being very comfortable if you have a larger head.
- Beats Studio 3:
- Similar design to the Studio Pro but with more colours available
- Cushioned ear cups: This provides comfort for extended listening sessions.
- Slightly heavier than the Solo 3 due to the over-ear design and additional technology.
- Beats Solo 3:
- On-ear design: These headphones rest on the outer ear.
- More compact and lightweight compared to the Studio 3.
- Ideal for users who prefer a more portable design.
Noise Cancellation
- Beats Studio Pro:
- Fully adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) keeps you immersed in the music
- Transparency mode blends your listening experience with the world around you
- Beats Studio 3:
- Features Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC) that actively blocks external noise.
- Offers real-time audio calibration to preserve clarity and range.
- Beats Solo 3:
- Lacks active noise cancellation. Provides passive noise isolation due to its on-ear design.
Sound Quality
- Beats Studio Pro:
- Beats state that these should have significantly better sound quality than the older Studio 3. They feature a custom-made 40mm active driver that enhances sound clarity and near-zero distortion even at high volumes – an improvement of up to 80% compared to Beats Studio3 Wireless, providing increased audio fidelity
- While Beats used to have a reputation for being excessively bassy, the new Beats Studio Pro has received positive reviews stating that it stays close to recommended frequency response curves.
- Beats Studio 3
- Beats states that these have real-time audio calibration preserves clarity, range, and emotion to deliver a premium listening experience.
- Beats Solo 3:
- Both headphones offer the signature Beats sound profile: prominent bass response with clear mids and highs.
- However, the Studio 3’s ANC and real-time audio calibration can provide a more immersive listening experience by reducing outside interference.
Battery Life
- Beats Studio Pro:
- The battery life has been slightly improved compared to the Studio 3, with 24 hours with the ANC on, but it matches the 40 hours with the ANC off
- Beats Studio 3:
- Up to 22 hours of playback with ANC on.
- With ANC and Bluetooth turned off, it offers up to 40 hours.
- Beats Solo 3:
- Up to 40 hours of playback.
Fast Fuel Charging
- All three headphones feature Fast Fuel technology with the performance being similar between each model.
- The older models use microUSB, which in my opinion, is a good reason not to buy them.
- The new Beats Studio Pro features USB-C
Connectivity
- Both the Studio3 and Solo3 use Apple’s W1 chip, making the pairing process smoother with Apple devices.
- The Studio3 is listed as using Bluetooth 4.0, which I assume is the same as the Solo3
- The Studio Pro uses the far superior Bluetooth 5.3
Price
- Beats Studio Pro: have an RRP of £350, and because they are quite new, there are no good discounts yet.
- Beats Studio 3: have an RRP of £350, but Amazon has them as low as £260
- Beats Solo 3: More budget-friendly compared to the Studio 3 with an RRP of £200 and Amazon has them for around £180
Overall Recommendation
Unless you get a massive discount, I would personally avoid the older Beats Studio 3 and Beats Solo 3. They are just too old, and I also hate microUSB. The USB-C connection of the Beats Studio Pro also allows them to play lossless audio.
The Beats Studio Pro have significantly better sound quality than the predecessor, better ANC, and they feature all the advanced smart features you’d expect from modern headphones, including Google Fast Pair, Audio Switch, Find My Device, and Hey Siri support.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
