There’s not a lot to the brand new Beats Solo 4 headphones at first look. Starkly lacking on this $200 package deal is any type of noise canceling or transparency mode. There’s no auto pause characteristic or water-resistance score—one thing you may anticipate from headphones proven as jogging companions in advertising and marketing movies.
Beats appears happy with the Solo 4’s stark minimalism, pointing as an alternative to their slimline design, upgraded sound, and versatile core options. Highlights embrace as much as 50 hours of playback per cost, the power to plug in with both 3.5-mm or USB-C for lossless audio, and most handy, in-house options for each Android and Apple telephones like one-touch pairing and a headphones tracker.
I used to be admittedly dismissive of the Solo 4 for his or her lack of firepower at first, however over a number of days of testing, the sound stored calling me again. Their heat, clear, and buttery efficiency stems from a redesigned acoustic structure that proves Apple’s sonic affect on the Beats model runs deep. You may get much more tech from different choices, however there’s sufficient right here to make the Solo 4 value contemplating for some—particularly as soon as the value inevitably drops.
Slick and Easy
The Solo 4’s aesthetic hasn’t strayed removed from its roots. You’ll get all the trimmings of a contemporary Beats system right here, like matte plastic casing in flamboyant colours and the signature Beats emblem on every earcup. The headphones fold down for journey, becoming right into a nifty compact case with pockets inside for the included 3.5-mm and USB-C cables.
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
On-ear headphones just like the Solo 4 are a rarity nowadays, and I typically discover over-ear headphones extra comfy since they press in opposition to your head, not your ears. The Solo 4’s clamping drive could cause some discomfort over time, however I used to be capable of put on them for a number of hours with out main complaints, and had no hassle throwing on some sun shades.
The agency grip retains the headphones in place and supplies some stable passive noise isolation—a very good factor contemplating the Solo 4 eschew any type of ambient audio. It’s undeniably odd in 2024 for such sporty-looking headphones to forgo transparency mode so you’ll be able to hear the world round you when figuring out. A superb water-resistance score, one thing most flagship headphones don’t supply, would have been a pleasant inclusion as a substitute.
I do just like the Solo 4’s simplified management system, providing intuitive quantity and playback keys centered across the left-side Beats emblem. Just like the Studio Professional, the plastic key feels a bit clanky, but it surely’s much less of a priority at this worth. The Solo 4’s different main omission that vexed me over a number of days is the shortage of auto pause sensors or auto power-down. As soon as once more, it’s not an enormous deal given the huge 50-hour battery life, but it surely’s one thing I’d anticipate at this degree.
Both/Or
That’s to not say the Solo 4 are with out superior options. They provide an intriguing double dip of methods for each Android and Apple gadgets courtesy of the Beats Proprietary Platform. The system, which additionally drives the Studio Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends) and most of the newest Beats earbuds, permits for handy one-touch pairing and Discover My options for both system kind, whereas catering to every in a couple of key methods.
Android-friendly options embrace auto pairing and audio switching between Google-connected tablets and telephones, in addition to a Beats app for some primary customization and firmware updates. On the Apple facet, you’ll get “Hey Siri” hands-free voice management, primary in-phone customization choices, message playback, and audio sharing. They’ll additionally auto handoff to your Apple Eatch, however don’t permit for computerized switching between iCloud gadgets like AirPods.
