The Samsung are in-ears that have a more comfortable and stable fit. They have a more neutral sound out of the box, which some users may prefer, EQ presets so that you can adjust their sound to your liking, and better battery performance. However, the Beats are better-built and have an ANC system that can isolate you from a greater amount of background noise. The Bose 700 Headphones Wireless are better than the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. The Bose over-ear design is noticeably more comfortable and isn’t as tight as the Beats. Their ANC feature is also better for blocking out sound in noisy environments and their microphone has a better recording quality and noise handling capability.
While both headphones are very well-built, the Apple are more comfortable, have a virtual surround feature, and block out more ambient noise. They also have a standby feature to help conserve battery life when they aren’t being used and exhibit lower audio latency on iOS and Android. However, the Beats have a more neutral sound profile and their fit is more stable.
There is a control panel on the cable, so you can easily operate the device without having to interact with it. Multipoint allows you to link to more Bluetooth beats solo pro wireless devices and switch between them. For example you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
It feels purposefully restrained compared to older Beats headphones, even the Solo 3s. The Solo Pros carry Beats’ DNA forward into a design that’s more refined than previous models. The greasy, glossy plastics seen on the Solo 3 and earlier headphones are now history, replaced by matte textures and exposed aluminum. These headphones are still predominantly plastic, but they feel sturdier and more robust than the Solo 3s.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the beats studio3 or the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal. The Beats have a more stable fit, a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, and a better noise isolation performance. However, some users may prefer the gaming-oriented design of the Bang & Olufsen, which are more comfortable and have a better microphone performance. They’re more customizable thanks to their graphic EQ and presets, and you can use them with Xbox and PlayStation consoles. The SteelSeries Arctis Prime are better for wired gaming while the Beats Solo Pro Wireless are more suitable for casual use. The SteelSeries are over-ears that are more comfortable, have a more immersive passive soundstage, and can connect to consoles via analog with full audio and mic compatibility.
The headphones turn off and on by folding and unfolding them but taking them off does not pause the music, as has become common with high-end headphones. The Bluetooth connection to a variety of devices including an iPhone 11 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Microsoft Surface Pro 6 was rock solid. You can use them wired with a special Lightning to 3.5mm cable (£35) but it is not included in the box. Apple knows a thing or two about ANC, so the question isn’t whether or not the AirPods Max noise-cancelling is effective, but if the headset is worth it. The AirPods Max retail for $549, which is significantly more than the $150 price of certain Beats Solo Pro color variants. Our partners are electronics experts who test and verify that each product is 100% functional before it leaves the factory.