Are Beats wireless headphones worth it?
Bluetooth headphones have been around for quite a few years, but I’d still classify them as a luxury item considering the premium that you’re paying compared to wired-only models.
The Beats Solo2 wireless headphones will set you back $520 – that’s an extra $180 on top of the asking price for the standard Beats Solo2 headphones.
Depending on your budget, you might consider another $180 is a lot to spend just so you don’t need to mess around with a cable.
Then again it might seem a reasonable investment if an audio cable is a serious inconvenience during your daily commute. I’d say it’s easier to justify going wireless if you need to roam around your home or office. Cut the cable
Bluetooth promises a range of around 10m, but I’ve found I can get about 15m away from my phone wearing these headphones – with two closed doors in between – before the sound starts to stutter. These are closed-back headphones with on-ear pads which press against your ears, rather than larger over-the-ear pads which tend to sit around your ears. This makes them more portable but less comfortable than more bulky over- the-ear headphones.
There’s no active noisecancellation, although the closedback design does help muffle background noise. The headphones have built-in power, volume and play/pause buttons on the back of the cans, plus a built-in mic for hands-free calls. Wired for sound
One shortcoming of Bluetooth headphones is that you’re reliant on the built-in battery, which is good here for 12 hours between charges via the a micro USB port (cable supplied, but no AC power adaptor). Thankfully when the battery is dead you can fall back on the supplied ‘‘Remote-Talk’’ 3.5mm audio cable, which features inline volume and play/pause buttons, plus a built-in mic for hands-free calls. Listen up
There was a time when opting for Bluetooth headphones meant sacrificing sound quality, but I wouldn’t say that’s the case here. They offer rich, full, well-balanced sound in both wired and wireless mode. The headphones deliver a vibrant high-end underpinned by solid bass which is full-bodied but not overwhelming or murky. Some people like their sound bass-heavy while others cherish the mid-range or high-end and listen out for every instrument in the ensemble. Whatever your taste, the Beats Solo2 wireless won’t leave you disappointed. So what’s the verdict?
The hefty price tag will be an instant deal-breaker for some but if you buy one you won’t be disappointed in terms of sound quality. If you only care about thumping bass then you might shop around for headphones with more low-end oomph, but if you’re after well-balanced sound for every occasion then the Beats Solo2 wireless should win you over.