The new earphone "Beats Studio Buds" of Apple's audio brand "Beats by Dr. Dre" has finally been released in Japan.
"Beats Studio Buds" is the second complete wireless earphone following "Powerbeats Pro" released in 2019. In addition to supporting active noise canceling (ANC), it is the first Beats product to support Apple's "Search" and Android's "Search for devices".
I like the sound quality of Beats products, so I bought this new earphone on the release date. I checked the performance, sound quality, and actual usability. If you are interested in Beats Studio Buds, please use it as a reference when purchasing.
table of contents- Beats Studio Buds design
- Battery case design
- I actually installed it
- Included items
- Pairing and cooperation
- Noise canceling performance
- External sound capture
- Beats Studio Buds sound quality
- Support for 3D audio and lossless
- Supports Apple's "Search" and Android's "Search for devices"
- Battery life
- Call (microphone) quality
- Summary: Think about the value of Beats Studio Buds
Beats Studio Buds design
"Beats Studio Buds" is a completely wireless earphone that uses a canal type. The ear hooks found in the Powerbeats Pro and the stems (branches) found in the AirPods series do not exist, and the feature is that they have a simple rounded design. There is a slight twist in the body, and the beauty of the flowing curves makes you feel like Beats.
AirPods (2nd generation) and AirPods Pro used a slippery plastic material, but Beats Studio Buds is the same plastic, but it feels smooth and smooth to the touch.
The size of the earphones is quite small, only about the first joint of my index finger. As an image, think of it as removing the stem (bar) part from the AirPods Pro. It weighs only 5g per ear and is super lightweight.
| height | 1.5cm |
|---|---|
| length | 2.05cm |
| width | 1.85cm |
| weight | 5g |
The earphone body is small, and the material and shape of the body make it easy to drop it from your hand, so be careful when removing it from the battery case or putting it away.
On the back of the earphones, there is a button with the "b" mark of the Beats brand logo.
The back button can be operated in various ways by pressing and holding it. You can play / stop music with a single press, answer an incoming call, hang up a call, press twice to advance a song, press three times to rewind, and press and hold to cancel noise. You can switch listening modes such as and external sound capture.
As for the long press operation, you can customize it to start Siri. I want you to set it according to your taste.
| Press once | Play / stop music Answer / end call |
|---|---|
| Press twice | Song feed |
| Press 3 times | Song back |
| Long press | Switch listening mode or start Siri |
It is very good that the buttons are easy to press and can be operated according to the image. However, it is a little disappointing that the volume cannot be adjusted with the earphone body. If you want to adjust the volume value, you have to operate it on the connected device side or ask Siri.
There are three colors, white, black, and red, and this time I chose the white model. Of the three colors, white and black have a modest impression and are easy to match with formal wear. If you want a little more flashiness, the red model may be recommended.
Battery case design
The above is a battery case for charging and carrying earphones. It has a horizontally long shape with rounded corners, and the upper part is opened open to insert and remove the earphones.
The battery case is a little larger than the size of the earphones, and is about one size larger than the AirPods Pro battery case.
| height | 2.55cm |
|---|---|
| length | 7.2cm |
| width | 5.1cm |
| weight | 48g |
A slightly matte textured material is used on the case surface. It's less likely to get scratched than a slippery material like an AirPods case, so it has the advantage of being easy to carry in your pocket or bag.
The "b" logo, which indicates the Beats brand, is drawn in the center of the case, and the LED indicator that indicates the condition of the earphones and the case is mounted below it. It is convenient to know the status of the earphones at a glance, such as blinking white during Bluetooth pairing and lighting red during charging.
When you open the battery case, in addition to the two holes for storing the earphones, there is a pairing button between the holes. Keep in mind that this button is here, as you'll need to press and hold this button, such as when pairing a new device.
The bottom of the battery case is equipped with a USB-C port for charging. Most Beats earphones and headphones are charged with Lightning, but this time the USB-C port is adopted.
A USB-C to USB-C cable for charging is included, but a power adapter is not included. If you have a charger that came with your iPad Pro, MacBook, Android smartphone, etc., you can use them, but if you don't have one, buy one separately. If you are particular about genuine Apple products, this product is recommended.
By the way, the Beats Studio Buds battery case doesn't support wireless charging like the AirPods (2nd generation) and AirPods Pro cases. Please note that the charge will always be wired.
▶ ︎ Purchase "Beats Studio Buds" from Apple's official website
Beats Studio Buds – Wireless Noise Canceling Earphones posted with Kaeleva Buy at AmazonI actually installed it
I actually listened to Beats Studio Buds.
The rounded design fits snugly into the ear canal. This high degree of adhesion helps to physically shut out the surrounding sounds. Even if you shake your head violently, it will not come off easily, so it should be usable for sports.
Since there are almost no sharp parts on the earphone body, it is also a point that it does not put a burden on the ear canal. However, since it feels more oppressive when worn than the AirPods Pro, it gives the impression that the ears get a little tired when worn for a long time of about 4 to 5 hours. The best way to use this earphone may be to use it more casually.
Three types of ear tips, S, M, and L, are included to be attached to the tip of the earphone. It is shipped with the M size attached in advance, but if you feel it is small or large, you can replace it with the S size or L size to improve the fit.
The earphone body of Beats Studio Buds has sweat resistance and water resistance of about IPX4, so it can be used safely even in sports or rainy weather when you sweat hard. Coupled with the high fit, it is also recommended for those who are considering purchasing for sports applications. Please note that the battery case is not waterproof.
Included items
About the items included in Beats Studio Buds.
USB-C to USB-C cable for charging the main unit and replacement ear tips. In addition to the instruction manual, a Beats sticker, a paper with instructions on how to pair with various devices, and an Apple Music trial offer were included.
The paper that describes the pairing method describes the pairing method with Android before the Apple product, so it can be seen that it is a product that emphasizes cooperation with Android products.
The Apple Music trial offer is for new subscribers. The free trial period may be different, but when the author, who is an existing subscriber, tried to read the QR code, it was displayed as a 4-month free trial. The duration of the experience may vary from user to user.
Pairing and cooperation
Speaking of Apple products, "easy pairing that can be done just by bringing them closer" with a unique chip such as the W1 chip is famous, but thanks to the "unique chip" installed in Beats Studio Buds, the device is similar to the earphone with the W1 chip. Can be paired smartly.
This close-knit pairing is available for both iPhone and Android. What is an Android device? By using Google's "Google Fast Pair" function, smart pairing is possible like an iPhone.
In addition, Beats Studio Buds is not only compatible with Apple devices, but also with Android devices, so you can use the "Google Fast Pair" function to perform smart pairing just like an iPhone.
The pairing method is almost the same for both iPhone and Android. With the battery case lid open, just bring it closer to the device you want to connect to. The connection is made via Bluetooth. Once paired, you can start using it right away.
"Google Fast Pair" is available on Android devices running Android 6.0 or higher, requires a Google account to be set up, and location services turned on. If that doesn't work, please review these settings.
By the way, probably because the mounted chip is not W1, seamless switching of connection destinations was unfortunately not available in Beats Studio Buds.
It is still the AirPods series that fully covers Apple's services, and in that sense, the main target group of Beats Studio Buds this time is not the users who solidified the devices around them with Apple products, but rather not only Apple products. , It can be said that it is a user who also uses Android products.
You can check the volume control and battery level from the connected iPhone or smartphone. For Android devices, you can check these from the Beats app, and for iPhone, it is built in to iOS, and you can operate the battery level and listening mode switching from the control center and widgets like AirPods.
In addition, Beats Studio Buds is equipped with Class 1 Bluetooth technology, so the connection range is wide and pairing is less likely to become unstable such as interruption of sound. I tried using it in places where radio waves easily interfere, such as in the city, but I was able to continue listening to music almost without interruption.
▶ ︎ Purchase "Beats Studio Buds" from Apple's official website
Noise canceling performance
Beats Studio Buds is the first Beats fully wireless earphone to support active noise canceling (ANC).
As a mechanism of active noise canceling, Beats Studio Buds detects ambient noise using a microphone and outputs anti-noise that cancels the sound, making it difficult to hear unnecessary sounds.
When I actually tried active noise canceling with Beats Studio Buds, I was able to successfully reduce low noise and continuous noise such as wind noise, car running noise, and air conditioner operation noise.
Also, I often work on a PC during the day and often enter a lot of characters with the keyboard, but I felt that the keyboard typing sound was considerably muted.
However, in a quiet environment such as in a room, it is a little worrisome that white noise gets on. If you are worried about it, it is recommended to turn down the volume and apply piano BGM etc. so that it does not interfere with the work and white noise can be reduced.
As a completely wireless earphone equipped with the same noise can, I compared the performance of AirPods Pro and noise can.
Beats Studio Buds' active noise canceling can feel a bit stuffy compared to the AirPods Pro, which naturally cancels out noise. Since the white noise mentioned above is also generated, it can be said that AirPods Pro has better pure noise canceling performance.
External sound capture
In addition to the noise canceling function, Beats Studio Buds is equipped with an "external sound capture mode" that intentionally captures external sounds. By using this mode, you can listen to train announcements and talk with someone while wearing earphones.
When I actually tried using the external sound capture mode, I could certainly hear the surrounding sound, but it felt like the sound was ringing a little far away, and I heard it a little more than the external sound capture mode of AirPods Pro. It was a difficult impression.
Although it was possible to talk with the other party, Beats Studio Buds has high physical sound insulation due to passive noise cancellation, and my voice is muffled like when I put on earplugs, so it's a little bit. Sometimes I found it difficult to talk.
Beats Studio Buds sound quality
Beats Studio Buds has a unique 8.2mm driver inside the housing that uses two diaphragms. By mounting a rigid piston shaft in a flexible housing, sound distortion is reduced and a clear sound is achieved.
I actually listened to music at Beats Studio Buds. Certainly the sound is clear overall, and you can enjoy a crisp sound with a clear outline of the sound. Even in a song where many sounds are mixed, each sound can be heard firmly, and no sound is buried.
And although there are many opinions that Beats is bass, this time Beats Studio Buds may be a nice finish for those who like bass. You can enjoy the bass that is powerful enough to resonate with your stomach, yet is not overly widespread and has a cohesive and smart look.
Compared to the AirPods Pro, which is flat and has no quirks, Beats Studio Buds is a little more quirky, so there are some that fit and some that don't, and some that fit and some that don't. From what I heard, the sound expression of the electronic piano is weak, and I feel that it is an earphone that is not very good at the midrange.
However, when you listen to songs that are just right for you, such as up-tempo songs, you can enjoy the songs with a bit of a habit. I think it's a lot of fun to listen to songs where the bass drum sounds like a nice beat.
▶ ︎ Purchase "Beats Studio Buds" from Apple's official website
Support for 3D audio and lossless
Beats Studio Buds can take advantage of Apple Music's "Dolby Atmos 3D Audio" feature.
Spatial audio is a function that allows you to listen to music in three dimensions. Apple Music has been available since June of this year, and can be used with songs that support Dolby Atmos.
When I actually listened to it, the music that supports spatial audio feels the position of the sound more three-dimensionally, so it was possible to have a listening experience that is one rank higher than the conventional music. There aren't many songs available yet, but as the number of compatible songs is gradually increasing, it will be a very important point for Apple Music users to support this function.
By the way, Beats Studio Buds does not support high resolution lossless audio and lossless audio as well as AirPods. Note that Beats Studio Buds doesn't support dynamic head tracking for 3D audio either.
Supports Apple's "Search" and Android's "Search for devices"
Beats Studio Buds is the first Beats earphone to support both Apple's "Find" and Android's "Find Device".
Even if you drop the earphones somewhere, the location of the last communication will be displayed, so you should be able to recover them safely if not too long.
It's supposed to be in the room, but I can't find it no matter where I look ...! In such a case, you can make a beep sound from the earphone and search for the earphone by relying on the sound. It's a simple feature, but it's a different feeling of security whether it can be used or not.
Fortunately, I didn't have a chance to try the feature in this review, but when I tried it, I was able to find the Beats Studio Buds in a 40m2 room.
Battery life
The Beats Studio Buds battery life is officially announced to be up to 5 hours with noise canceling and up to 8 hours without it. The battery case can be charged twice, and if you use it while charging, you can continue to use it for up to 24 hours.
In order to check the actual battery life, I continued listening to music with noise canceling from a fully charged state. The results are as follows.
| elapsed time | The remaining battery capacity |
|---|---|
| 0:00 | 100% |
| 0:30 | 89% |
| 1:00 | 80% |
| 1:30 | 71% |
| 2:00 | 60% |
| 2:30 | 50% |
| 3:00 | 40% |
| 3:30 | 29% |
| 4:00 | 20% |
| 4:30 | 9% |
| 5:00 5:00 | 0% |
From the above results, it was found that the battery life was achieved as officially announced.
I think it depends on how the user uses it, but if you listen to music when you get on public transportation such as trains and buses, or take a walk while listening to music, you can say that you have enough battery power.
You can check the remaining battery level from the widget "Battery" on the iPhone. On Android devices, you can check it from the "Beats" app.
By the way, it's okay if the battery is low. With the Fast Fuel function, you can continue to play music for about an hour by charging it in the battery case for just 5 minutes. Please use it in an emergency.
Call (microphone) quality
If you get a call while listening to music on Beats Studio Buds, you can just press a button on your earphones and you're ready to make a call on Beats Studio Buds.
When I tried talking to a friend, the sound quality of the microphone seemed to be good. I was at an intersection with a lot of traffic, but I heard that there was no part that was difficult to hear due to the surrounding sounds.
According to Apple, Beats Studio Buds has a dual beamforming microphone that recognizes the user's voice and removes wind noise and ambient noise for clear sound quality.
Summary: Think about the value of Beats Studio Buds
As mentioned above, I checked the functions of Beats Studio Buds in detail, but finally I would like to consider the value of this product based on this verification.
After using it carefully, I felt that this earphone is a product whose functions and performance are "averaged" to cover both Apple products and Android products, for better or for worse.
Instead of not being able to use some of the useful functions that can be used with the AirPods series, the specifications of this unit, whose functions are officially supported by linking with Android devices, should have been a pleasure for Android users.
Even with Beats, the performance of AirPods Pro ...! I feel that there were a lot of users who thought that, but it is technically difficult to create a unique color with completely wireless earphones, and this Beats earphone can not be covered by AirPods “Apple I felt that I was targeting users who use both products and Android products.
Hopefully, there is a slight desire for more users to use Apple Music on Android. In that sense, Beats Studio Buds may be a product that has played the role of a pilot to Apple World.
In this verification, there were some parts that were inferior to AirPods Pro in terms of sound quality and functionality, but on the other hand, the high cost performance that was almost unheard of in previous Beats products is also one of the great attractions of this product. I also noticed.
Despite being better than the entry model, the price setting of 17,800 yen (tax included) is a bit of a big deal for Beats. As a reference example, Powerbeats Pro is 27,280 yen / tax included (review here), which is as cheap as 10,000 yen.
Therefore, this Beats Studio Buds is recommended for those who are looking for earphones in the price range of 10,000 to 20,000 yen. Especially for those who use both Android smartphones and iPhones, and those who have not decided whether the smartphone to be used in the future is iPhone or Android, Beats Studio Buds may be the best choice. Since it is an environment-independent product, it should be safe to use for a long time.
Related Articles ・ AirPods Pro Review | You should consider replacement by purchase! Noise canceling and sound quality that are not ashamed of the professional name ・ [Comparison] Beats Studio Buds and AirPods Pro are compared.I thought about which one to buy based on performance, sound quality, price, etc.
▶ ︎ Purchase "Beats Studio Buds" from Apple's official website
Beats Studio Buds – Wireless Noise Canceling Earphones posted with Kaeleva Buy at AmazonBeats, Beats by Dr. Dre and the "b" logo are trademarks and service marks of Beats, a subsidiary of Apple.