Since Apple bought Beats By Dre in 2014, they’ve been releasing some very good headphones and earbuds like the Beats Studio Pros and the PowerBeats Pro 2. These headphones and earbuds have technologies and features made by Apple, like the H2 Chip and Spatial Audio. In this article, we will review the Beats Studio Buds Plus, and find out if they can compete with other flagships like the AirPods 4 and the PowerBeats Pro 2.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable and lightweight | No H1 or H2 chip |
| Good sound quality with deep bass | No LDAC support |
| Effective ANC and Transparency Mode | Limited Apple ecosystem integration |
Beats Studio Buds Plus: Build Quality And Design
The Beats Studio Buds Plus come in three finishes, Black, Ivory, and an interesting transparent finish. I got the transparent one, and it was different from all of the cases I’ve seen before. You can see the magnets and hinges, you can see the battery going along the bottom, and you can see the USB-C port.
The earbuds themselves are transparent too, you can see the drivers and the wires inside. The earbuds have three microphones, and one of these will go inside your ear to help with hybrid noise canceling. There are three acoustic vents on the earbuds to help with audio precision and pressure.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus are very comfortable to wear, and you will forget that you’re wearing them after a while. There is a physical control button on each earbud, and this is better for control than the haptic buttons. The build quality is solid, and it is very good for the price tag of $170.
Beats Studio Buds Plus: Features
The Beats Studio Buds Plus don’t have the advantage of Apple’s H chips, these chips can be found in the AirPods 4 and the PowerBeats Pro 2. The H chip would have been nice, as it helps with Spatial Audio, ANC, Transparent Mode, and more.
These earbuds have Spatial Audio, which gives you a listening experience similar to one you would get from stereo speakers. The Spatial Audio is good for a pair of earbuds, and it sounds very similar to the AirPods 4. The earbuds also have Active Noise Cancellation and Transparent Mode.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus have a dust and water resistance rating of IPX4, so they can be used during workouts.
How Do You Control The Beats Studio Buds Plus?
You can control the Beats Studio Buds Plus via the app, and you also can play/pause, change the volume, and change tracks by pressing the physical control button on the buds. By default, one press will play/pause the track or video, two presses will skip, and three presses will go back to the previous track. You can change the actions in the app. You can change the EQ, toggle voice assistants, and switch between ANC and Transparency Mode, or turn them off.
How To Pair The Beats Studio Buds Plus?
The Beats Studio Buds Plus have a small button inside the case, which you can press and hold to enter them into pairing mode. These earbuds will quickpair with Android and iPhone, and they will be linked across all of your iCloud devices like your Mac, your iPhone, and your iPad. They will also be linked across devices that have your Google account, like your Android phone, your Chromebook, and your tablet. These earbuds have Bluetooth 5.3 but they only support SBC and AAC, LDAC would have been nice.
What Can You Do In The Beats App?
You can see the battery life of each earbud and the case in your notifications when connected, and the Beats Studio Buds Plus also support Find My on Android and iPhone. Find My will give you the location of when the buds were last connected to your phone or WiFi, if the buds had an H1 or H2 chip then they would have appeared on Find My like the AirPods. You can ring the buds if you can’t find them, which is a nice feature.
Beats Studio Buds Plus: Sound Quality, ANC, Transparency Mode
The Beats Studio Buds Plus sound very good. They have some extra bass, and it is deep and punchy. You can hear each instrument separately in songs, and the extra bass improves your experience a lot when watching movies.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus have three microphones, and one goes inside your ear. This is used for hybrid noise cancelling, so the microphones will measure the sound inside your ear and the sound outside, and then cancel out noise. Voices sound clear on calls and meetings, and there is no jitter in the background.
The ANC itself is great, and the earbuds do a very good job of eliminating white noise. The Transparency Mode is just like what you get with the AirPods, clean and natural, and you won’t feel like you have anything in your ears.
How Long Is The Battery Life Of The Beats Studio Buds Plus?
You can get nine hours on a single charge and 36 hours with the case with ANC off, and if you turn ANC on, the battery life gets bumped down to six hours on a single charge and 24 hours with the case. The case of the Beats Studio Buds Plus can be charged via USB-C, and five minutes of charging will give you one hour of playtime.
What’s In The Box Of The Beats Studio Buds Plus?
- Beats Studio Buds Plus
- USB-C cable
- 4 pairs of silicon ear tips
- Beats By Dre stickers
- Documentation
Verdict
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer a solid combination of sound quality, comfort, and features at a competitive price. While they lack Apple’s H1 or H2 chips, they still deliver an immersive audio experience with Spatial Audio, effective Active Noise Cancellation, and a stylish transparent design. The physical buttons and customizable controls enhance usability, and the earbuds are comfortable for long wear. However, the lack of LDAC support and deeper Apple ecosystem integration may be a drawback for some users. Overall, for $170, they are a great option for those seeking premium sound and noise cancellation without breaking the bank. You should take a look at the Apple AirPods 4, as they are the same price but they have the H2 chip, which has better processing and helps with ANC and Transparent Mode.
FAQs
1. Do the Beats Studio Buds Plus support Apple’s H1 or H2 chip?
No, they do not have the H1 or H2 chip, which means they lack features like automatic device switching and enhanced Find My integration. However, they still support quick pairing with iOS and Android devices.
2. How good is the noise cancellation on the Beats Studio Buds Plus?
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is quite effective at reducing background noise, especially white noise and low-frequency sounds. It’s not as strong as some high-end ANC earbuds, but it’s still impressive for the price.
3. How is the sound quality of the Beats Studio Buds Plus?
These earbuds deliver strong bass, clear mids, and detailed highs. They provide an enjoyable listening experience, especially for bass-heavy music genres and movies.
4. Can I use the Beats Studio Buds Plus for workouts?
Yes, they have an IPX4 water and sweat resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. However, they are not fully waterproof.
5. How do I control the Beats Studio Buds Plus?
Each earbud has a physical control button that allows you to play/pause, adjust volume, and skip tracks. These controls can be customized in the Beats app.
6. What is the battery life of the Beats Studio Buds Plus?
With ANC off, you get up to 9 hours of listening time and 36 hours with the case. With ANC on, battery life is reduced to 6 hours on a single charge and 24 hours with the case. A quick 5-minute charge provides 1 hour of playback.
7. Do the Beats Studio Buds Plus support wireless charging?
No, the case can only be charged via USB-C.
8. How do I pair the Beats Studio Buds Plus with my devices?
Press and hold the small button inside the case to enter pairing mode. They support quick pairing with iOS and Android and will sync across iCloud (Apple devices) and Google accounts (Android devices).
9. What codecs do the Beats Studio Buds Plus support?
They support SBC and AAC but do not include LDAC or aptX, which may be a drawback for audiophiles.
10. What comes in the box with the Beats Studio Buds Plus?
The package includes:
- Beats Studio Buds Plus earbuds
- USB-C charging cable
- 4 pairs of silicone ear tips
- Beats By Dre stickers
- Documentation