Beats Powerbeats Pro Reviews: Larger than AirPods, but with better sound

I'm going to expand: the degree to which you will like the new Powerbeats Pro, Beats' first real wireless headphones, will largely depend on the quality of your ear adaptation. If you get a comfortable and comfortable fit with one of the four silicon tips of different sizes, you'll probably love these headphones and feel good about injecting $ 250 (£ 220, AU $ 350) on them. Finish with something less than that and you can question their value.

I am about to get a good fit. I would say that it is between B + and A-. The problem was not a security problem; I have never had to worry about their downfall. With some adjustments to the iconic ear hooks – they are foldable – the Powerbeats Pro were basically hooked to my ears. I pulled some hoops with them and I guess they would stay even though I was able, say, of a 360 degree slam dunk. (Alas, I'm not.)

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My little problem: even with the larger ear tips (yes, they are big but not big enough), my ear canal was not completely clogged, so more ambient noise has elapsed than I have. 39 would have liked and the quality of the sound was affected. in noisier environments – like in the subway or the streets of New York. I was in the minority, though. I had colleagues from CNET who managed to get a tight seal and who not only really liked the form but were immediately impressed by the sound.

These corresponded to me better and more comfortably than the previous one Wireless Powerbeats3, which – unlike the Pro – have a wire connecting the left and right atria. And, in fact, the Powerbeats Pro have been designed to be compatible with a higher percentage of ears than in the past. Indeed, Beats, which belongs to Apple, has perfected its exterior design. According to Beats, Powerbeats Pro are 23% smaller than Powerbeats3 and 17% lighter. They are not considered completely waterproof, but they resist sweat and water.

One thing that is certainly not compact is the case of charge. Although it's not heavy, it's three to four times bigger than the AirPods ($ 199 at Amazon) load case. This will leave a pretty big bulge in your pocket, so you will probably want to leave it in a bag or locker at the gym. Considering it cost $ 250, it would have been nice if Beats throws in a protective pouch to carry them in times when you would like to leave the case of the charge. I guess you'll see the Powerbeats Pro third-party mounts on Amazon pretty quickly.

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It should also be noted that the case does not offer a wireless charge, unlike the new AirPods wireless charging case. However, it loads via an included Lightning cable, which is better than the Micro-USB. Beats' sooner BeatsX also loaded via Lightning.

Great sound upgrade of AirPods

Beats reports that these types use new, improved piston drivers that are supposed to reduce distortion. They sound much better than the AirPods, which is not that difficult to erase, but the Powerbeats Pro offer a richer and sharper sound with much bigger but tighter bass. As I said, a complete seal is essential to optimize sound quality with these types of noise-canceling headphones. Therefore, if the tips are not perfectly adjusted in your ear canals, you may lose some bass.

In contrast, the AirPods have an "open" design and rest more freely in your ears. As a result, they left a lot more ambient noise. Assuming you get that good seal, the Powerbeats Pro would be much better for, for example, listening in an airplane than the AirPods, for example.