As we witness the progress and updates in the AirPods lineup, it’s important to remember that Apple has another significant range of headphones. Beats, acquired by the Cupertino company several years ago, continues to thrive by releasing truly intriguing headphones. Today, according to a leak from 9to5Mac, all the details of the upcoming Beats Studio Pro are revealed – the first over-ear headphones from Beats in over five years.
From what we know, these headphones not only offer intriguing features in terms of functionality but could also be direct competition, or even superior—depending on what you’re looking for in headphones—to Apple’s AirPods Max.
Specifications to overshadow the best AirPods
Sound quality is a crucial aspect in headphones, and the Beats Studio Pro promise significant improvements in this regard. They will feature two custom 40mm drivers capable of delivering “near-zero distortion even at high volume.” According to the leak, this represents an 80% improvement in audio fidelity compared to the Beats Studio3.
According to 9to5Mac, these headphones will feature an integrated digital processor that “optimizes the final frequency response for a powerful yet balanced sound profile designed to highlight the subtle details of what you’re listening to.” Like other recent Beats products, the Studio Pro will also support Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Apple Music’s Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio.
It’s worth noting that the Spatial Audio features will include dynamic head tracking and support for Custom Spatial Audio, which are currently only available on third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. As usual, users will be able to toggle between Transparency Mode and Active Noise Cancellation using a button on the side of the Beats Studio Pro.
In terms of connectivity, the Beats Studio Pro outperform the AirPods Max by including both a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. According to the leak, Beats will include a standard 3.5mm audio cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.
Excellent integration and a very pro design
Beats headphones have always been known for their seamless integration with both iOS and Android devices. In the case of the Beats Studio Pro, instead of using an Apple-designed chip like the H2 chip found in the latest AirPods Pro, the Studio Pro will feature a custom chip to provide enhanced multi-platform support. On the iPhone, this will translate to one-tap setup and iCloud syncing, over-the-air updates, Hey Siri support, and compatibility with the Find My network.
In terms of design, the Beats Studio Pro follows the aesthetic of the Studio3 model but with some improvements. According to the leak, “their lightweight and comfortable structure, with upgraded UltraPlush ear cushions made of seamless engineered leather and premium metal sliders, ensure optimal comfort for all-day music listening.”
As for battery life, the Beats Studio Pro promises up to 40 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode turned off, and up to 24 hours with these features enabled. This surpasses the AirPods Max, which offer up to 20 hours of listening time with these features activated. In terms of fast charging, while the AirPods Max provide 1.5 hours of playback with just 5 minutes of charging, the Beats Studio Pro will require 10 minutes to offer four hours of listening time.
Finally, but not least, is the price. According to 9to5Mac, the Beats Studio Pro will have a price tag of $349, matching the current price of the Beats Studio3. When comparing with the AirPods Max, which are currently priced at $549, the Beats Studio Pro becomes a more affordable option.
As for availability, the rumored date is July 19th. This date comes from leaker Myke Hurley in a recent podcast, but it’s important to note that we don’t have any official confirmation yet.
While the AirPods Max excel in sound quality with their computational audio capabilities, which have made the HomePod and HomePod mini standout devices in the market, these new Beats Studio Pro are truly intriguing. Considering that Apple is behind the development of both headphones, we can have high hopes that a second generation of AirPods Max will bring significant improvements and redefine our expectations of what headphones can do.
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