Beats Studio Pro
our rating
3
(out of 5)
Specs
- Driver – 40mm dynamic drivers
- Frequency Range – 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Cable – USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and audio; 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening
- Weight – 260 g
- Impedance – Not specified
- IP Rating – Not specified
- Battery Life – 24 hours (with ANC)
- Bluetooth Version – 5.3
- Codecs Supported – SBC, AAC
Pros
- Convenient Connectivity and Controls: Super easy to connect on Android and iOS.
- Surprisingly Good Sound Quality: A balanced response, which is a huge improvement over previous Beats models.
Cons
- Poor Build Quality: Low-grade plastic and meagre padding.
- Uncomfortable: Tight clamping force, small ear cups that touch the pinnae.
- Limited Soundstage.
- Outclassed by Competitors.
Bottom Line:
Surprisingly good sound quality and reliable connectivity are highlights but their uncomfortable fit and subpar build quality leave them trailing behind competitors.
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Introducing the Beats Studio Pro
Beats headphones have built a reputation for bold design, bass-heavy sound, and strong ties to pop culture, but they’ve been rightly criticized for prioritizing style over substance.
With the Beats Studio Pro, I tried to clear my mind and just give them a solid objective testing and a subjective listen without prejudice. Here’s what I found.
Check out our gear category page for more headphone tests and audio gear.
Who are the Beats Studio Pro for?
The Beats Studio Pro headphones are designed for users who value active noise cancellation, wireless convenience, and a focus on style. They work well for commuters, remote workers, and casual listeners who want reliable performance across various devices. With support for both Apple and Android, they cater to a broad audience.
Alternatives to the Beats Studio Pro
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Best value ANC headphones in our book. Very good sound, massive 60-hour battery life.
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AirPods Max
Apple’s elegant over-ear, ANC Cans. Tied for best noise-cancelling, very comfortable with very good stock tuning. (see our matchup of the Beats Studio Pro and the AirPods Max)
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Sony WH-1000XM5
Some of the most popular ANC Cans for a reason. Best noise canceling, very good sound.
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Who are the Beats Studio Pro NOT for?
These headphones are not a good choice for listeners seeking audiophile-level sound nor those seeking top-tier ANC performance. Additionally, if comfort during extended wear is a top priority, the fit and clamping force may not suit everyone.
What’s in the Box?
The Beats Studio Pro box arrived with the following:
- Beats Studio Pro headphones
- Carrying case
- USB-C to USB-C cable (for charging and audio)
- 3.5mm analog audio cable
Build / Comfort
I was expecting more from the Beats Studio Pro when I opened the box. I review a lot of headphones, and these simply look cheap compared to competitors in the same price range, like the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
The brushed metal headband feels sturdy, but the other components—the headband padding, controls, and earcups—are all constructed from lower-grade plastic.
The earcups are relatively small giving them an almost on-ear headphone look. The small ear cups will definitely be a problem for those with larger ears. The inside of the earcups also touches the pinnae of the ears due to a lack of depth. This is a real problem when it comes to sound, leading to a claustrophobic soundstage and affected frequency response.
The overall comfort is not great for my larger head. The headband’s clamp force is tight, and the padding on the headband is extremely scant.
The folding mechanism allows for compact storage, making them convenient for travel. However, the provided soft carrying pouch offers less protection compared to the hard cases that come with other models.
Sound: Beats Studio Pro
Frequency Response Diagram Beats Studio Pro
My experience with other Beats headphones gave me low expectations for the Beats Studio Pro. They have a reputation for being bass-bloated, and that was always confirmed when I put a pair of Beats cans on.
But I was pleasantly surprised by the overall balance of the Beats Studio Pro. As you can see in the frequency response diagram from our objective tests, the Beats Studio Pro are not far off our target curve (based on the Harman Over-ear 2018 Target Curve).
Frequency response is not everything, but it’s a good start. Let’s dive into the details…
Bass
The bass on the Beats Studio Pro is not bloated! They have a nice lift in the sub-bass to give a satisfying bump to your tracks, but they mercifully drop this boost around 60 Hz, which keeps the 100–200 Hz range modest and allows for balance with the mids.In other words, the bass does not overpower other details in the mix but still has excellent body.
Midrange
Vocals and instruments in the midrange have a present core and come through in the mix. Strings, brass, winds, and vocals all sound natural here.
Treble
The high frequencies are a bit too crispy at times on the Beats Studio Pro but not overwhelming. For example, I hear a little too much definition on string attacks in orchestral recordings or finger squeaks on acoustic guitar tracks.This zing can be helped by dropping the EQ -6 dB from 7–11 kHz. The Beats Studio Pro sounded a little better after I made this adjustment, but they had limits when it came to EQ adjustments.
Soundstage
Due to their tight, small ear cups that touch the insides of the ear, the Beats Studio Pro create a very small soundstage for the listener. There’s very little distance between instruments, vocals, and drums on most tracks.A small gap between the ear and the driver does wonders for our perception of soundstage. No gap has the opposite effect.
Conclusions About the Sound
I’ve seen other reviews of these headphones where they say these have the bass-heavy profile of most Beats headphones. I wonder if these people actually listened to these headphones.
Yes, the Beats Studio Pro have a strong bass presence, but they are not bass-heavy, and the overall balance is surprisingly good.
The sound quality of the Studio Pro is nowhere near audiophile-level ANC cans like the Focal Bathys (full review) nor do they outdo the Sony WH-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4, or AirPods Max in this regard.
That said, the sound of these is definitely on par with the Bose QC Ultra and other Bose models.
Connectivity
The Beats Studio Pro headphones offer solid connectivity with both iOS and Android devices.
They cater to Apple users, leveraging Apple’s proprietary technology to give you features like one-touch pairing and automatic device switching within the Apple ecosystem.
But Beats have made it easy for Android users as well. The headphones support Google Fast Pair, facilitating quick and straightforward connections.
In our tests, pairing the Beats Studio Pro with various devices was straightforward. The Bluetooth 5.3 technology ensures a stable and efficient connection, minimizing dropouts and maintaining audio quality.
Whether connected to an iPhone, Android smartphone, or laptop, the headphones consistently delivered reliable performance. I liked that the Beats Studio Pro includes a USB-C port that supports lossless audio and a 3.5mm audio jack. If batteries are low, the option to use a wire is always appreciated.
Controls
I found the controls on the Beats Studio Pro headphones to be refreshingly simple and intuitive. On the left ear cup, the ‘b’ button handles most of the playback functions—one press for play or pause, two presses to skip forward, and three to go back.
Adjusting the volume is just as easy; pressing above or below the ‘b’ does the job. On the right ear cup, there’s a system button for power, pairing, and switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes.
The buttons are tactile and responsive. They’re just easy to use without needing to look or fumble around. All the controls worked seamlessly, and I appreciated not needing to reference a manual to figure things out.
Overview of the Controls on the Beats Studio Pro
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
| ‘b’ Button (Left Ear Cup) |
|
| Volume Buttons (Above/Below ‘b’ Button) |
|
| System Button (Right Ear Cup) |
|
| Voice Assistant Activation |
|
Noise Canceling
Testing the noise cancellation on the Beats Studio Pro headphones, I found them to be impressive at handling low frequencies. Engine rumble and city hum were almost entirely cut out.
However, when it comes to blocking out midrange and higher-frequency sounds, like conversations or clinking glasses, they don’t perform as well as competitors.
The Beats Studio Pro seemed more focused on the lower end. That said, the noise cancellation still provided enough isolation for most typical environments, like an office or public transport.
Overall, the Studio Pro’s ANC is solid for casual listeners, but if you’re looking for top-of-the-line attenuation, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max (see our comparison of the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5), which excel at canceling sound across the spectrum, still reign supreme.
Battery Life
Battery Life of Popular Over-ear, ANC Headphones Compared
Beats state that on a full charge, the battery provides up to 24 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation turned on. In our tests, at 70% volume on continuous play with ANC on, the battery lasted 22 hours and 10 minutes.
As you can see in our chart above, this puts them at the bottom of the pack in terms of total battery life.
For charging, the Beats Studio Pro support quick charging with the USB-C port. Ten minutes of charging gives you 4 hours of playback, which is good for a quick boost.
Calls
For our call tests, we tested in normal and windy conditions.
The call functions with the Beats Studio Pro were straightforward to use.
The audio quality of calls in normal, indoor conditions was clear without connection issues.
In windy conditions, however, the headphones struggled. You can hear the results below in our tests
Beats Studio Pro Mic Tests
Final Thoughts: Are the Beats Studio Pro Worth It?
After putting the Beats Studio Pro to the test, I can say these headphones are a solid option, but they come with clear trade-offs.
The standout (and very surprising) feature is their sound quality. Unlike previous Beats models, the Studio Pro deliver a balanced profile. The bass is strong yet controlled, midrange vocals and instruments come through naturally, and treble, while occasionally too sharp, can be adjusted for better clarity.
However, the small earcups negatively affect the soundstage, and that brings us to questions about the build of these headphones.
Build quality and comfort are where these headphones fall short. Tight clamping and smaller ear cups that touch the insides of the ears cause issues for long listening sessions.
The connectivity and controls make them attractive to casual listeners who just want convenience, no faff, and decent sound.
Finally, we arrive at the 3 reasons not to buy these: One, the build quality falls short of the competition; two, they are not comfortable; and finally, three, they are generally outclassed by the competition.
Competition in the ANC headphone market is fierce. At around the same price, you can get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 or the Sony WH-1000XM5, which outclass these in build quality, sound, ANC, and battery life. And if you go up a class, you can get audiophile-level sound in the Focal Bathys.
Beats Studio Pro
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Questions or Comments?
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FAQ
Can the Beats Studio Pro connect to more than one device at a time?
Yes, the Beats Studio Pro offer multipoint connectivity, enabling connections to two devices simultaneously. This feature allows you to switch between devices effortlessly, such as taking a call on your phone while listening to music on your laptop. Many users find this functionality helpful for multitasking across devices.
Are the ear cushions on the Beats Studio Pro replaceable?
Yes, you can replace the ear cushions on the Beats Studio Pro. Replacement cushions are available from Beats or third-party sellers and are straightforward to install, making it easy to extend the life of your headphones.
