Beats Solo Headphones: Same Big Sound In Smaller, Cheaper Package

@sambeckett: Didn't notice that issue. I've been using mine regularly for almost 3 months and haven't exactly been gentle, either. Only problems I've had with them so far are a loud noise-canceling effect and the included cable(s) being really short.

sakanagai

Beats headphones are made very bad. They fall apart after a few weeks of use.

Yay, same crap, smaller packaging.

*watches the suckers line up*

I wouldn't trust a pair of headphones designed by a rapper, I listen to other kinds of music and for that price I'm not willing to risk buying a pair of headphones made only for rap music.

Trust him, he's a Dr.

JimmyJames1

That's umm... I got nothing.

hmmm, it sounds like Monster is trying to venture into the 23 flavor realm. i got my eye on you, monster.

- dr. p

Nick

I had thought the consensus was that the Dr Dre headphones were a complete ripoff and that no one was raving anything about that. Regardless, who wants to give a company like Monster any of their money, even if Dr Dre is involved?

Hmm, I have never heard the original Beats, but I am largely disinterested, due in part to: a) $220 seems like a lot for what you are getting b) These scream bass heavy for obvious reason c) I know of plenty of headphones in the price range that I would rather own d) the upcoming PX100-II

Why get these when you could get the new PX-100 IIs from Sennheiser which will definitely be cheaper and probably have as good or better sound.

The5thElephant

@anoteoftruth: Exactly Gizmodo. WTF? Which audiophiles are you referring to? LAst I checked everyone on head-fi was laughing their asses off at anyone who spent money on these pieces of crap.

What audiophiles were you talking to? These things are'nt worth a quarter of what they are asking.

Oooh aaah yay $80 off.... no thank you

brodie7838

@gadam07: I remember the beef being twofold: 1) a product from notorious rip-off Monster Cable, and 2) context stripping to fake praise from Engadget.

As far as the headphones themselves are concerned, the quality is there, hidden behind the $300 price tag. I got a pair for travel (both for flights and when I travel to noisy places) with a $200 BB gift card and have been mostly pleased; good bass, not as good overall as higher end Sennheisers. After using them, I might be tempted to pay full price, but they are well outside the range of impulse buy. If you have a Best Buy, Apple Store or other "authorized retailer" that has a demo set, at least give 'em a test run before condemning them.

/damn, I sound like a troll/corporate tool here, don't I?

sakanagai

Why are you discussing Monster's products at all, Gizmodo? You'll only encourage them and their goal to sue the planet.

Mobius

I can't in any way trust electronic equipment with Dr. Dre. Last time I saw him, I was DJing at a pretty high-brow party, and outa nowhere, dude comes up, moves me out of the way, and puts a cold Dr. Pepper can on my turn-table. Got condensation all over it and shorted it out.

Bastard.

I have no problem with my beats by dre. i Damaged the headphones and i was replaced in 2 weeks free of charge. i guess everyone's experience is different.

Kamal Rockett

@SEDAGIVE?!:
Scotland: "Ah, wait, no way, you're kidding,
he didn't do what you say he did, did he?"
And Dr. Dre said?

SEDAGIVE: Nothing you idiot!
Dr. Dre's dead, he's locked in my basement! (Ha-ha!)

[*vocal turntable: chigga chigga chigga*]

Scotland

@anoteoftruth:

Indeed. These pieces of shit have nothing on my AKG K701's.

@Nahir: Yeah, I was hoping that first line was sarcastic but it appears to be serious.

Audiophiles are raving? Really? I don't consider myself one, but I reviewed the original Beats nearly a year ago and I'd still recommend a dozen different headphones over them. Value was a big factor at $350, but even at $220 I couldn't justify these over say a Sennheiser 595.

mdk30

@mdoublej: And yes, I do have a big head.

mdoublej

I use headphones for work daily. I have had expensive headphones and cheap ones, and since I've never had a pair where the headband didn't somehow break before the cans did, I'll stick with less expensive.

mdoublej

@SEDAGIVE?!: Did the Basterd say some stupid shit like, "drink it slowly, Doctors orders?"

LEWD98

@Mobius: gizmodo won't get sued now ;)

Since it has something to do with Monster Cable, therefore I'm not considering them out of principle.

unimus

@roflwaffles is terribly unfunny:
Precisely. Monster is a scam... I wouldn't expect these to be much better than Skullcandy.

@anoteoftruth:
The same kind that buys monster cables.

Total rip off

ChunkAhoy

So is there a general consensus on what is the best pair of over-ear headphones, if the Dre and Monster headphones' are so crap? Something by Bose or Sennheiser I guess?

The beats are actually quite nice tested my friends out through a variety of music styles...but I can't justify headphones that cost more than the device they are used for iPhone32GB

For those that knock it without trying, go to BestBuy I have seen the beats demo areas. and give them a listen and even the demo plays more than rap music.

mricyfire

Grado, AKG, Sennheiser, Shure - Lots of others are preferable over these.

daath

@d_r_e:

As a fellow AKG 702 owner, I have to say I agree with you 100 percent.

I bought the ear bud version of Beats by Dr. Dre and they are a rip off. All pretty packaging but sound quality is tinny with no mid range or bass. Stay away from them. My own fault for not researching first...

SmitaSpano

@mricyfire: I beg to differ. I've heard them, at two different BB locations none the less. Both times they sounded muddy for lack of a better term. Def not worth half of their price. Maybe $50 at most.

@Kamal Rockett: Or some just know what quality audio sounds like.

My beats costed me 208 dollars. :D

@brianesser76: those beats sounds good to me. if they're crap then damn i would want to stop listening to music ...with the Sennheiser

Kamal Rockett