Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
It ’s been too long since Beats updated its more low-cost on - spike Solo headphones , and while there are lots of improvements in this version it feels like a missed chance to really force the family ahead . A dated innovation and “ just hunky-dory ” sound make this a good bargain on sale , but not at full cost .
Best Prices Today: Beats Solo 4
The Beats Solo 3 were released in late 2016 , and 7.5 twelvemonth is definitely too long to wait for a refresh of the “ low-cost ” on - capitulum model of one of the humans ’s most popular headphone brands .
As you would expect , a tidy sum has changed . Gone is the ancient Apple W1 chipping in party favor of a proprietary technology program that supports lots of modern feature for both AppleandAndroid devices . good character is improved and the battery lasts 25 percent longer .
But they still look like Beats , and speech sound like Beats , and do very little to move the brand or family forrader . There ’s nothingwrongwith the Solo 4 headphones — they’re skillful . But with such a long interruption from the anterior model , they only just get together expectations rather than surpass or redefine them .
As with most Beats headphones, the Solo 4 fold up for storage.
Same old Beats look and feel
Beats headphones have a sure tone . The vivacious plastic , minuscule “ b ” logo on each side , and the cosmopolitan shape of the earpieces . When you see someone wearing Beats , you love it .
Having state that , the Modern Solo 4 face and experience just a lilliputian too familiar . Outside of the new Slate Blue and Cloud Pink colors , you ’d be firmly - press to recognise this model from the one designed almost 8 eld ago , without taking a skinny looking at the ports .
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As with most Beats headphones, the Solo 4 fold up for storage.
I do n’t expect Beats to desert its design entirely , but it ’s clip for a refresh , and the view that we might be stupefy with this same feeling and feel for thenextseven old age makes me cringe .
As with the Solo 3 , I find the headphones don’tquitecontract small enough for my small head , and just a duo of millimeters less headband on each side would be more comfortable . The earpads are cushy enough but the springtime tautness create the pressure sensation a niggling uncomfortable after long listening period when I wear my spectacles . That ’s a rough-cut trouble with on - auricle headphone and another grounds why I favour over - the - ear cans .
As before , the Beats Solo 4 pen up up to fit into a little carry base . In fact , the bag is nearly identical to that of theBeats Studio Pro . I had to do a close-fitting side - by - side comparison to reassert that the Solo 4 ’s handbag is just a bantam bite small .
Its nice that these come with a carry case, basic though it may be.
They do with a USB - C cablegram and 3.5 mm audio cable , but no business leader transcriber .
New features
Of naturally , we would expect the Solo 4 to have a braggart update to their feature position after almost 8 geezerhood , and they do . This is true for Apple exploiter , who get personalized spatial sound with head trailing and hands - free “ Hey Siri ” support in add-on to all the older stuff ( one - touch pairing , iCloud pairing , and Find My support ) .
The move away from Apple ’s W1 Saratoga chip to Beats ’ much new electronics now sustain Google Fast Pair , swarm geminate with your Google account , Find My gimmick and multi - point conjugation for unlined audio shift .
beat has n’t convert the way you see to it the Solo 4 , though . There ’s a power push on the bottom of the right phone ( no on - ear detection means you have to power them on and off by mitt ) , and the left earpiece has a big clitoris where the “ b ” logotype is that is used for bid / interruption / forward / reverse and to trip the articulation assistant . compact above or below that button changes the bulk .
USB-C and 3.5mm audio input are great options.
go is the bothersome micro - USB hack in party favor of USB - C. You ’ll be glad to know it ’s not just for charging , too . The Solo 4 support USB - C audio output and input , and can even charge and meet USB - C audio at the same time . Over USB - C or 3.5 millimeter you’re able to mind to lossless audio , even ( not that the sound reproduction of these earphone is anywhere confining to good enough to say ) .
All this and undecomposed assault and battery life , too . beatniks claims 50 hours of barrage fire life , up 25 % from the Solo 3 . I certainly have n’t had long enough hearing sessions to assert that , but modest drop curtain in electric battery sprightliness over several day of testing makes me imagine it ’s a sensible claim . It ’s just fantastic battery life , enough to take you through an entire weekend trip without plug in .
Of course , that ’s partly because the Solo 4 offers no active noise cancellation , and ANC is what really stresses barrage animation in modernistic headphone and earbuds .
Beats Solo 4 are a good buy on sale, but not at full price.
Mid-tier sound for a mid-tier product
That ’s right , there ’s no ANC , which is just barely on the leaflet of satisfactory for $ 200 wireless earphone these days . It ’s a feature that is rapidly becoming expected on all but the cheapest earbuds and headphones , and the price of the Solo 4 is veracious about where you might start up to expect it . Any more and they’dhaveto have ANC .
Beats articulate they ’ve done a lot to improve the acoustics , lowering distortion , tuning output , and ameliorate voice call timbre with better microphone . It ’s decidedly a step up from the Beats Solo 3 , but it ’s 2024 and we expect more .
But the profound timbre is what I would only consider good for this damage range , not majuscule . Nothing is right smart out of balance or anything like that , there ’s just a ecumenical lack of crispness and plug to it all .
To some degree that can be expected from on - ear earpiece , which do n’t have the larger diaphragms of over - the - ear models or the tight in - ear scene of earbuds . In a song like OK Go ’s “ This Too Shall Pass , ” they just ca n’t keep up with the palmy bass , which alternatively sounds a little kitschy . The bright mids on Stevie Ray Vaughan ’s “ Tin Pan Alley ” are frizzly and clean , but a “ crank it all to 11 ” metallic element song like “ Kickstart My Heart ” starts to lose clarity in some of the instruments .
Should you buy Beats Solo 4?
None of these things are dealbreakers , not in a $ 200 brace of wireless earpiece . But it ’s not impressive , either . It ’s just … fine . skillful , even . But not great . That ’s not very much merriment to save about , but some thing are just estimable , and the Beats Solo 4 fit out the bill .
At the $ 200 toll , they ’re only a in effect bargain if you ’re in dearest with your aging Solo 3 headphones and have been dying to update them . For everyone else , wait for a cut-rate sale . The Beats Solo 4 are unoffending at the list price , but a steal at $ 150 or less . If you ’re willing to pass a little more , you ’ll get a lot more out of theBeats Studio Pro . If you ’re willing to wait , the Beats Solo 4 will be a expectant buy by Black Friday .
