Really wireless, good sound, perfect fit



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Photo: Adam Clark Estes (Gizmodo)

The only headphones more recognizable than the torn white drops that are AirPods could be Powerbeats. These objects look like rubber earrings glued to plastic boxes, spilled and threaded together with a wire. Well, at least they looked like that. Beats has just released a truly new wireless model called Powerbeats Pro, and they feel like a revelation. I can not believe how much I love these headphones and that I want to wear them. I do not even feel embarrassed when I do it.

The $ 250 Powerbeats Pro is a stronger, more fitted and stronger version of AirPods. The design is obviously different, with the inclusion of this familiar ear as well as the thick plastic body that contains the battery and the bowels of the device. The atrium itself connects to it and rests slightly on the outside of your ear canal, which means there is no real seal around the rubber bud. (It also means that they are not very good at noise isolation, so a noisy subway would regularly cover the sound of my music when I travel). to disappear. During my week of testing, I would regularly forget that I even wore them.

Drive

What is it?

Really wireless headphones for activities

As

Impressive connectivity, very comfortable, excellent sound

Not as

Bulky case, big price

A big part of this effortless design is the way the Powerbeats Pro connects to devices, especially Apple devices. The new headphones have the same H1 chip that debuted in the Second generation AirPod, for perfect synchronization with your Apple products. You simply open the enclosure near an iOS device to display a prompt to connect. Once you've reached it, each device connected to your iCloud account is paired. You simply insert the Powerbeats into your ears and, thanks to a proximity sensor, they automatically switch on and connect to the nearby device. The H1 chip also allows Siri hands-free controls on Apple devices, if that suits you. And like AirPods, you can use a Powerbeats Pro listener independently and enjoy the same functionality as when you use the pair.

The new Powerbeats also work as standard Bluetooth headphones for products other than Apple. For this, you have to pair them by pressing a small button of surprisingly bulky charge case while the atria are inside and perform the ordinary Bluetooth matching ritual. After that, they will connect to this non-iOS device when you put the buds in your ear as reliably as for iOS devices. The only hitch that I found in my tests was to switch from an Android phone to a Mac computer. Powerbeats have always wanted to connect to the Mac, which meant that I had to enter the Bluetooth settings of the Android phone to connect. Honestly, it does not matter, because many other wireless headsets require that you do it all the time.

Seriously, the case is huge.
Photo: Adam Clark Estes (Gizmodo)

The new Powerbeats also share all these connectivity benefits with the new AirPods. The versatile design of the Powerbeats Pro is particularly appealing. Thanks to the more efficient H1 wireless chip and larger battery, Mr. Beats said the Powerbeats Pro went up to nine hours of listening. For me, it meant two days of regular use during daily commutes and regular listening throughout the day, although the battery ran out much faster if I used the Powerbeats for my phone calls . That said, 15 minutes of charging earns you 4.5 extra hours of listening. I have therefore never had dead earphones.

Pro Powerbeats are also water and sweat resistant, which is very important if you want to wear these clothes at the gym. Apple does not give the IP rating to its products, but the Powerbeats Pro has withstood several long and sweaty runs and a quick round in the shower. I do not recommend swimming in them. That said, any water resistance is an improvement over the AirPods which, in my experience, will stop working if you wear them in the rain.

The Proximity Sensor on the right works effectively as a power switch for the entire headset, and there is also a convenient volume rocker on the top.
Photo: Adam Clark Estes (Gizmodo)

If you intend to walk around wearing your headphones, the Powerbeats Pro clings to your head. I did not even notice any bouncing when I ran with them, and unlike the AirPods, which fall on my ears if I'm a little surprised, I've never been afraid that Powerbeats will escape and escape . This comfortable and secure fit surprised me because the 3 m Powerbeats has always disrupted. These are interconnected by a cable that constantly pulls and sometimes dislodges the ear cups. Despite its large design, the Powerbeats Pro always feels good because I do not feel it at all.

Here's the kicker: the Powerbeats Pro sound good too. I was not ready for this, because I think the AirPod, as well as the old Powerbeats 3, do not seem inspired. The Powerbeats Pro uses a piston driver that, says Beats, reduces distortion and provides better bass response. A small hole is also practiced in the housing of each atrium to allow air to circulate and improve the acoustics. The details of the improved design sound a bit like jargonized marketing, but I must admit that the Powerbeats Pro have surprisingly good bass for a set of headphones. It even strikes bass notes that most headphones – not just headphones, but all headphones – are missing. One of these on "Revolution" Diplo, which I usually hear in the speakers, but the Powerbeats Pro can touch it. You expect these Beats headphones to be a little heavy bass, because the company is famous for that, but the Powerbeats Pro also offer clean highs in midrange and brilliant.

As voluminous as they appear, the Powerbeats Pro seemed to disappear as soon as I put them on my head.
Photo: Adam Clark Estes (Gizmodo)

Did I mention that the Powerbeats Pro costs $ 250? They should be excellent for this price and they are very close to excellent. However, they are not the most powerful wireless headphones I have ever tested. (The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless at $ 300 could be.) It's also not the most versatile earpiece you can buy. (I would say that Jabra Elite Noise Canceling Headsets from $ 65 to $ 180 win this award.) These are certainly not the most beautiful headphones I've ever seen. (Hey there, $ 300 Master & Dynamic MW07.) Nevertheless, Powerbeats Pro get good grades in all of these categories.

Powerbeats Pro are better than AirPods. And they should be for that price! That said, I already see how the next generation of these Beats headphones could improve. The addition of sound insulation or even improved sound insulation would be a welcome improvement. A small box with wireless charging would be great. (I really can not exaggerate the huge burden of the case, especially in relation to the AirPod case.) We also need to learn how to use the Powerbeats Pro. Navigating the ear was a two-handed effort for the first two days, but eventually I found out how to swing things just to get them with one hand. I'll admit that the design is less annoying than previous generations of Powerbeats, but if there was a way to get rid of that hook, I'd be happy with that change. He still does not want to get along with my glasses. Once again, I am a nerd.

Did I mention that the case is huge?
Photo: Adam Clark Estes (Gizmodo)

In spite of all I can say about the Powerbeats Pro, I'm still hanging at $ 250. It's a lot of cheese for a set of headphones and, at the end of the day, the thicker design is not for everyone. If you're addicted to AirPods and want a real improvement, Powerbeats Pro is a great option. If you are not so rich and want to wear great wireless headphones in the gym, I recommend the Jabra Elite 65t anyway. If you're happy to be simple, stick to the AirPods.

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