The Beats Studio Pro Headphones Shocked Me by Becoming an Essential Part of My Everyday Life

CNET

4 days ago

It all started when my beloved Apple AirPods just stopped working one day. No matter what I did, attempting to charge and revive them, they simply would not turn on, and I had to finally accept that they'd had a good run, and it was time to put them to rest. RIP.
That put me in a tricky predicament, though. I use headphones at least 4 to 5 hours a day, and I desperately needed new ones immediately. I knew I was due for an upgrade, but the AirPods weren't on sale at the time. But coincidentally, the Beats Studio Pro were.
I didn't expect to fall in love with a pair of headphones so quickly, especially because I loved my Apple buds so much. I was just hoping for solid noise cancellation and good sound quality, but the Beats delivered so much more -- and now they're an essential part of my daily routine, practically an extension of my ears. Like I said, I get a lot of mileage out of them every single day. Whether I'm writing, commuting, doing chores or taking my precious pup out for a walk, the Beats Studio Pro are there with me. And now, most colors are $50 off on Amazon.
Here's how the Beats Studio Pro work
Let's start with the specs. The Beats Studio Pro are premium over-ear headphones that bring serious upgrades to the iconic Beats design. Think of these as the grown-up, more refined cousin of the Beats Solo series. They're still stylish, still punchy, but with significantly better sound quality and comfort. Here are some key features of the Beats Studio Pro:
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Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode : Two core features that let you tune out the world or stay aware, depending on your mood. The ANC is excellent, especially for this price, and it's great for navigating travel, open offices or city streets.
and : Two core features that let you tune out the world or stay aware, depending on your mood. The ANC is excellent, especially for this price, and it's great for navigating travel, open offices or city streets. USB-C Lossless Audio : A game-changer for audiophiles. With USB-C, you can listen to lossless audio directly from your device -- no compression, just crystal-clear sound.
: A game-changer for audiophiles. With USB-C, you can listen to lossless audio directly from your device -- no compression, just crystal-clear sound. Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking: This creates an immersive, surround-sound-like experience.
with dynamic head tracking: This creates an immersive, surround-sound-like experience. Custom 40mm drivers : Deliver balanced sound, with punchy bass, crisp mids and smooth highs.
: Deliver balanced sound, with punchy bass, crisp mids and smooth highs. Battery : Up to 40 hours with ANC off or 24 hours with it turned on. That's more than enough to get you through several workdays or even a full international flight without scrambling for a charger.
: Up to 40 hours with ANC off or 24 hours with it turned on. That's more than enough to get you through several workdays or even a full international flight without scrambling for a charger. Built-in microphones and voice-targeting beamforming tech: Translation: your voice will sound clear on calls, even in a noisy space.
They also pair effortlessly with both Apple and Android devices, thanks to support for Find My, Google Fast Pair and one-touch pairing.
CNET audio expert David Carnoy closely reviewed these earphones and found both the sound quality and voice-calling performance impressive.
"The noise canceling is quite effective," Carnoy wrote in his review. "It's the adaptive variety, so it's not a fixed setting, and occasionally I'd hear it shift in strength as it adjusted to the ambient noise around me, whether I was on the subway or walking the streets of New York."
Why I'm obsessed with my Beats
There are plenty of great headphones out there. So what sets these apart for me?
First and foremost, I love the comfort. I've worn lots of over-ear headphones that start to ache or feel heavy after an hour or so. I also have several ear piercings -- five in my left ear and three in my right -- and that means many over-ear headphones push the earring into my skin, digging in until it's quite painful.
Not these. The earcups are plush, the clamping force is just right, and the memory foam actually makes a difference. I can wear them for hours without fatigue, which is saying something when you log four to five hours a day in them.
The sound quality is also great. Beats used to have a reputation for overly bass-heavy tuning, but the Studio Pro strikes a beautiful balance. There's still that satisfying low-end thump when I'm listening to pop, hip hop or K-pop, but it doesn't overpower the vocals or mids. Whether I'm streaming Hozier for the umpteenth hour, catching up on podcasts or listening to a new audiobook, everything sounds great.
Finally, the ANC and Transparency Mode are shockingly good. I've used my Beats in loud coffeeshops, on airplanes and while vacuuming, and they efficiently block out noise like a champ. But when I need to hear what's going on (like when I run into one of my neighbors while I'm walking my dog), a quick button press switches me into Transparency Mode, and I can hear them clearly. It's seamless.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention their style. Frankly, they just look cool. I know that's not the most important thing, but the sleek matte finish, the minimalist design and the range of colors make these headphones feel like a fashion accessory as much as a tech device. I have the "Earth" color headphones, and they look so gorgeous with any outfit. My one request, though, (Beats execs, I'm sure you're reading this!) would be to make these in a sage green color. Pretty please?
They'd make a great gift for any audiophile
Buying tech for someone else can be tricky, but I think the Beats Studio Pro are a pretty safe bet for anyone for a few reasons.
For one, they work across platforms, so it doesn't matter if your gift recipient is team iPhone or Android. The intuitive pairing process, native device integration and wide compatibility make these user-friendly for just about anyone.
They're also great for all types of use cases. Daily commuters? Check. Frequent flyers? Definitely. College students pulling all-nighters, or music lovers who want to hear every nuance of a track? Absolutely. These can suit really any type of person, day in and day out.
The Beats just feel premium, too. This is the kind of gift someone might not splurge on for themselves, but they would certainly be grateful to open up these Beats, no matter the occasion. If you're shopping for a summer birthday or anniversary, these are a hit waiting to happen.
Why this Beats deal matters
Let's get down to numbers. The Beats Studio Pro normally retail for $350 or $450, depending on the color you select. That's pretty pricey. But right now, most colors are marked down to about $300.
I keep a pretty close eye on tech deals, and huge discounts don't come around often, especially on newer, high-demand models. That means I don't expect a much bigger sale on this product anytime soon. Considering the quality, durability and features packed into these headphones, you're getting a lot for your investment, including flagship-level ANC, excellent sound and cross-platform support for less than the cost of most premium earbuds.
My final thoughts on my Beats Studio Pro headphones
In a world full of flashy gadgets and fleeting trends, the Beats Studio Pro are the real deal. They've become an essential part of my everyday life, not because they're trendy or hyped, but because they work. They're reliable, comfortable and sound fantastic. If this discount puts them in your price range, it's a great time to pull the trigger and buy them.