beats solo 4 review

beats solo 4 review .. Over the course of your life, you have most likely seen Beats Solo on-ear headphones worn by a great number of people. These headphones are among the most popular headphones in history. There are not many improvements made to the outside of the most recent model, which is the $200 Solo 4, and the prices remain excessively high at their stated price. The Solo 4 headphones, on the other hand, are much superior than earlier models due to the improvements made on the interior.

What’s it like to use Beats Solo 4?

Because of its matte plastic design and the fact that it has very few features that truly stand out, the Beats Solo 4 is about as plain as on-ear headphones can go from the outside. The only thing that stands out is the “b” that seems like it’s made of metal that is located on each ear cup. The band itself has a rather minimal cushioning where it hits your head, and the ear cups are joined to the band by a metal slider that has grooved grooves to maintain the adjustment in place while it is being adjusted.

Each of the ear cups is equipped with a foam earpad that is encased in imitation leather and is designed to lay on top of your outer ear. Due to the fact that your outer ears are often less able to withstand weight and pressure than your skull is, this presents a difficulty related to comfort. Therefore, even the relatively little weight of 217 grams may give the impression of being rather heavy when it is placed on your head. After listening to the Beats Solo 4 for an hour and a half, I found that it was difficult to continue listening to it since it was not very good at regulating its weight distribution, which is an issue that is typical for wireless on-ear headphones. There are compromises associated with the designs of every kind of audio equipment, and on-ear headphones have mostly lost popularity in comparison to wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones for a number of compelling reasons. To give you an example, the headphones have a tendency to have poor isolation, the fit is questionable at best, and the majority of their mass will be concentrated on your ears rather than being distributed to your skull.

The Beats Solo 4 does not have an ingress protection certification and it is not waterproof; nevertheless, this does not indicate that it is incapable of dealing with wetness that is present in the environment. It is recommended that you use caution while using the headphones and refrain from taking showers while wearing them. On the other hand, due to the discomfort caused by the fit and the fact that they are not resistant to moisture, I would not suggest them for use in the gym.

You will be pleased to learn that the Beats Solo 4 headphones can be folded up and stored in a compact carrying bag that is provided with the headphones. This feature will be especially helpful for those of you who have limited room to carry your headphones as you travel. Also, there are compartments inside that you can use to keep the USB and 3.5mm cables that are included in the package so that you do not lose them while you are traveling.

however there are some controls available, the “b” button on the left earcup allows you to manage the playing of music as well as calls, however the options are quite restricted. The following is a rundown of the primary controls:

Since the clicky buttons seem to be a part of the chassis, it is simple to overlook them because of their distinctive appearance. In any case, the whole rear of the left ear cup will be responsible for controlling the playing of your music in some way or another. It is important to keep in mind that the volume is not controlled by a touch gesture but rather by the ring that surrounds the option button.

When pressing buttons, it is important to remember not to use excessive force, since this might cause your headphones to get dislodged or momentarily increase the pressure that is being placed on your ears. Of course, it is a nuisance, but if you exercise some self-control, it won’t be a problem at all.

Should you use the Beats app for the Beats Solo 4?

If you are using an Android device, you will require the Beats app in order to get the ability to unlock firmware upgrades, locate your device, and customize the call control. On the other hand, the application itself does not include equalization settings or the capability to modify your sound to your taste. Considering that there is not a significant advantage to utilizing the app if you are not searching for sophisticated capabilities, you may want to avoid using the app if you are concerned about protecting your privacy.

Considering that the Beats app is not available on the App Store, it is fortunate that users who have iPhones do not need an application; hence, there are no considerations that need to be made about iOS. It is possible to include everything into the operating system, including the spatial audio that includes head tracking.

How do the Beats Solo 4 connect?

You have the option of connecting the Beats Solo 4 to your source device using Bluetooth 5.3 using SBC or AAC, or you may listen wired by using the connectors that are supplied in the package, which are 3.5mm and USB-C. If you happen to run out of juice, you will be relieved to know that you may listen wired by either the USB-C connector or the 3.5mm cord. Not all headphones that are mainly wireless are capable of doing this, despite the fact that it seems that this should be more prevalent than it really is.

On the other hand, you should be informed that if you choose to listen to your music over USB-C while connected to an Android smartphone, the app will terminate your installation. This is a peculiar occurrence, but it is not exactly a game-changer. The ability to switch to wired when necessary, whether it be over USB or TRS, is a really convenient feature to have.

How long does the Beats Solo 4 battery last?

During our battery test, the Beats Solo 4 was able to withstand a listening level that was considered to be appropriate, with music reaching its peak at 75 decibels of sound pressure level (dBSPL). You should be able to manage your commutes for a couple of weeks, in addition to the majority of your work days, with that outcome, which is an outstanding achievement.

One of the advantages of not having to charge your headphones very regularly is that the battery should be able to last for a longer period of time. This is because the battery will not be exposed to full charge cycles as frequently as headphones that have a shorter battery life. When it comes to wireless headphones, the battery is often the component that fails, causing you to have to purchase new cans. This may seem like a little matter, but it is really rather important. If you decide to purchase the Beats Solo 4, the ear cushions inside of the headphones should wear out far earlier than the battery does.

How well do the Beats Solo 4 block out noise?

The Beats Solo 4, in contrast to previous Beats devices released in recent years, does not have active noise cancellation. As a consequence of this, the headphones have some difficulty isolating low-end sounds, despite the fact that they are able to prevent a significant amount of high-end noise from entering your ear.

Because they are on-ear headphones, however, the answer to that question is contingent upon whether or not you are able to get a decent fit, which is something that on-ear headphones are famously unable to accomplish dependably. It is important to keep this in mind when you look at the chart that is shown above: it is not exactly what your normal usage will be, but it does reflect the best that you may hope for. I had a very difficult time listening to a review of the Bruins game that took place the night before while I was on the SkyTrain. The fit of the headphones was so terrible, and they allowed an excessive amount of noise that was of a frequency that was comparable to that of voice sounds.

How do the Beats Solo 4 sound?

As much as the days of the really bassy Beats are long gone, the Solo 4 is not quite there yet. It is impossible for all of them to be victors.

(MDAQS) stands for “multi-dimensional audio quality scores.”

Within the context of HEAD acoustics, the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) method was used to evaluate the sound quality of the Beats Solo 4. The chart that follows illustrates this evaluation.

Although the virtual panel of listeners gives the timbre a satisfactory grade, the total rating is just 3.9, which is not very impressive. This is because the distortion and immersiveness mean opinion scores (MOS) bring the overall rating down. Although the sound isn’t really awful, it’s also not very impressive either. In light of the fact that these findings were also obtained under test settings, it is also likely that your experience will be worse when there is noise from the outside.

What do the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores mean?

Notes from the reviewer

From its humble origins, Beats has gone a long way, and the Beats Solo 4 performs a satisfactory job of doing its primary function, which is to play music in your ear. On the other hand, unless you have never listened to headphones before, you won’t be able to receive a sound that completely blows your mind.

If you listen to songs like “Don’t open ’til Doomsday” by the Misfits, the Beats Solo 4 could have a satisfactory and satisfactory sound. However, more recent works, such as “Connecticut” by Promise Game, will have a sound that is relatively thin and uninteresting in comparison to how they would sound on other headphones. “Con te partiro” by Andrea Bocelli and “VOID” by Lil Nas X are two examples of songs that are ideal examples of this phenomenon since they are slower and have less elements. There is a noticeable difference in the volume of the bass guitar in the second song compared to what it should be.

If you take these headphones with you on your commute, the problems become much more severe since the additional noise has a tendency to make the lows much more difficult to hear. The Beats Solo 4 does not do much to filter out the noise from the outside world in these bands. Because of this, you could find yourself cranking up the volume of the music in order to hear it, but you will discover that the experience does not become much better.

Measurements that are objective

A little underemphasis can be heard from 20Hz all the way up to 800Hz on the Beats Solo 4, while an overemphasis can be heard from 3kHz all the way to 9kHz. This results in a sound that is more prominent in the highs and less prominent in the bass area throughout the listening experience. The fact that we are criticizing a pair of Beats headphones for not having sufficient bass is a little peculiar, yet here we are. Middles are also affected. Rush’s “The Spirit of Radio” has vocals that fight with guitars and synthesizers in the sound design. It gives rise to the natural tendency to crank up the volume, but once again, this is not a very good remedy to a situation that cannot be rectified. These headphones aren’t too far off from our home curve, particularly when compared to it. Because of the headphones’ tendency to place an excessive amount of focus on the 3kHz frequency range, you may notice that your ears get fatigued if you listen to them for extended periods of time.

Can you use the Beats Solo 4 for phone calls?

The Beats Solo 4 is able to manage phone calls while you are linked to your phone, much like what the rest of the Beats lineup is capable of doing.

Should you buy the Beats Solo 4?

The Beats Solo 4 is able to manage phone calls while you are linked to your phone, much like what the rest of the Beats lineup is capable of doing.

If you explore around a little bit more, you will find that there is a whole universe of headphones that are far more worth your time, and it is extremely difficult to choose the “wrong” headphones by any means. It is difficult for me to conceive of a circumstance in which I would suggest these headphones above other models, despite the fact that we are not going to encourage someone to completely avoid these headphones. There are just so many other options available available.

If you explore around a little bit more, you will find that there is a whole universe of headphones that are far more worth your time, and it is extremely difficult to choose the “wrong” headphones by any means. It is difficult for me to conceive of a circumstance in which I would suggest these headphones above other models, despite the fact that we are not going to encourage someone to completely avoid these headphones. There are just so many other options available available.

How do Beats Solo 4 compare to Beats Studio Pro?

You want all of the features that the Beats Solo 4 has to offer, but you also want active noise cancellation, a better fit, improved performance, and the same branding. This feature is available on the Beats Studio Pro, which can be purchased from Amazon for $349. However, despite the fact that the ear cups are a touch too tiny for over-ear headphones, these headphones are remarkably comparable to the Beats Solo 4 sans the latter’s most significant drawbacks.

Not only do both headphones support listening over USB-C, but they also include Spatial Audio with head tracking and some of the most advanced technology that Beats cans have to offer. The better fit of the Studio Pro, on the other hand, implies that the performance is less likely to suffer from uneven fit and is more likely to be comfortable throughout the course of a longer period of time.

On the other hand, what should you purchase instead of the Beats Solo 4?

There is a wide variety of options available on the market for the price of $200, each of which comes with its own set of drawbacks. On the other hand, if you are OK with not having spatial audio associated with head tracking, the world is your oyster.

You could save money, find headphones that are more comfortable, and receive better audio quality from the majority of the other easy-to-find kinds of cans that are now available on the market if you are prepared to forego the on-ear design, which is something that I cannot suggest enough. You might, for instance, acquire a sound that is far more suitable for Beats by purchasing the Sony ULT WEAR ($199.99 at Amazon), which also provides a higher level of comfort.

If you would prefer just save money, the JLab JBuds Lux (which can be purchased at Amazon for $79.99), the Anker Soundcore Space One (which can be purchased at Amazon for $99.99), or really any of the headphones that we mention that cost less than $100 would fulfil your needs. When it comes to head tracking, the most significant element that you could have to give up is spatial audio, although this is not precisely a feature that will determine your success or failure.

In-ear headphones that are water resistant are nearly always going to be more beneficial for gym rats. If you are interested in purchasing in-ear headphones, I strongly suggest that you go with them instead of the Beats Solo 4. If you are interested in learning more about the many options available, you may look at our list of the best earphones for working out.

Does the Beats Solo 4 include voice cancellation?

No.

The Beats Solo 4: Is it water resistant?

No. There is no ingress protection rating associated with the Beats Solo 4. Despite the fact that the headphones are not tested to tolerate any certain level of moisture, it is quite likely that they will not be damaged if they are exposed to perspiration.

Can you use the Beats Solo 4 when you’re working out?

Although it has an on-ear design and does not have an IP rating, I would not suggest it.

Is it possible to use Beats Solo 4 with Android?

Indeed.

Is it possible to use Beats Solo 4 on both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox?

You can connect using the TRS socket on the controller, but you cannot connect with Bluetooth.

Do the Beats Solo 4 headphones have an on-ear or over-ear design?

The Beats Solo 4 is a pair of headphones that are worn on the ear.

Modifications to the design of the Beats Solo 4?

In the process of looking at the Solo 4s, I couldn’t help but have a sense of déjà vu since Beats is following the same script as it did with its Studio Pro headphones, which cost $350. In addition, these devices have mostly retained the same design as their predecessors, but they have received certain improvements on the inside that have enhanced their performance. Additionally, they include USB-C charging and a new and better soft cover, and they are priced at the same as their predecessors.

Once again, the Solo 4 is officially priced at $200, which is precisely the same amount that the Solo 3 Wireless was sold for when it was first introduced in late 2016, nearly eight years ago. Additionally, the design of the Solo 4 is almost similar to that of the Solo 3, with just a few minor adjustments. As an example, the chrome accents that were formerly located on the outside of the hinges have been changed with a brushed matte finish. Additionally, the Solo 3 and Wireless labels that were previously located on the hinges have been replaced with a tiny “4” callout.

Changes have also been made to the material that covers the ear pads, which is another minor cosmetic alteration. It is reportedly the same enhanced fake leather that is seen on the Studio Pro, according to Beats. It is claimed to be more robust and assist you in getting more life out of the ear pads, which, regrettably, cannot be replaced but are expected to be more durable. I get the impression that the ear pads will be able to withstand the test of time to a satisfactory degree. On the other hand, I treat my headphones with more respect than some of the individuals I know, such as my children.

Also, the case is brand new, just like the Studio Pro, and it is a significant upgrade over the previous hard case. It is more compact and includes slots for its USB-C charging cord and headphone wire, making it a clear candidate for improvement.

In the same vein as the Solo 3 Wireless, the Solo 4s with their beautifully padded ear pads provide a level of comfort that is comparable to that of on-ear headphones. The Solo 4s weigh in at 217 grams, which is 43 grams less than the Studio Pro, which weighs 260 grams. However, they are more compact and weigh less than the Studio Pro. They do have a little clamping effect, and the headband, which is only somewhat padded, may exert a little amount of pressure on the crown of your head. With a little modifications here and there, however, I was able to use them for extended listening periods without any problems. Having said that, I believe the Studio Pros to be more comfortable in general; yet, on hot days, I may be more likely to use the Solo 4 headphones since over-ear headphones have the potential to cause your ears to get suffocated.

The playback and volume may be simply controlled via the use of the physical controls located on the left ear cup. Furthermore, the ring that surrounds the “b” button serves as a volume control button, and the “b” button itself functions as a global control button. While you are on a call, you may also mute yourself by clicking the b button. This is a wonderful detail that comes in useful for conference calls and video conferences, since it allows you to swiftly mute and unmute your line simultaneously.

Functions of the Beats Solo 4?

In the beginning, when I heard rumors about the Solo 4 headphones, I was concerned about whether or not they would include active noise cancellation, which is a feature that you would anticipate seeing on headphones that cost $200 in today’s market. However, the step-up Solo Pro headphones, which are no longer available, did feature it. The Solo 3 Wireless headphones did not have it.

The Solo 4s, on the other hand, stay true to their origins and do not come with active noise cancellation (ANC), and I can’t say that I’m not a little bit unhappy that it’s not included. Because of the plush ear cushions that are covering your ears, you do experience some passive noise reduction that is satisfactory. I used these when I was on the subway, and while they did not muffle the noise as much as a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones would, they did block out a significant amount of sound.

Another feature that is lacking is ear-detection sensors, which would allow you to stop the music when you remove the headphones from your ears and restart playing when you put them back on. There are a number of headphones in this price range that include it, especially versions that have over-ear design. Unfortunately, the Studio Pros do not have this capability either, and it is one area in which Beats is obviously taking shortcuts over other competitors.

Despite this, Beats did not sacrifice on other features, as the Studio 4s offer a feature set that is comparable to that of the Studio Pro and Beats Studio Plus earbuds, with the exception of the active noise cancellation capability. Instead of being driven by Apple’s H1 or H2 processor, the Solo 4s are powered by a bespoke Beats chip, much like those versions. Additionally, the Solo 4s are designed to appeal to users of both Apple and Android. Additionally, they come with a Bluetooth version of 5.3.

Those who use Android are able to take advantage of Google Fast Pair and download the Beats app for Android onto their respective devices. It is interesting to note that Android users have access to multipoint Bluetooth connection, which allows for automated switching between devices that are tied to their associated Google account. On the other hand, if you are an Apple user, the Solo 4 headphones will connect to your iCloud account; nevertheless, you will still be required to manually switch between devices. In spite of this, there are some individuals who choose manually switching since they find that auto-switching may be a little erratic and annoying.

Even if you walk away from your iPhone, the headphones will continue to be linked to your Apple Watch. The headphones are capable of connecting to both an iPhone and an Apple Watch concurrently. Apple’s Audio Sharing function, which is accessible for users of the iPhone and iPad, is now available for the Solo 4 headphones. Additionally, a software update will bring the capability to the Studio Pro and Studio Buds Plus headphones.

Two additional features that are not available to Android users are spatial audio with head tracking and hands-free Siri. Hands-free Siri is the function that allows users to contact Apple’s voice assistant by just uttering the Siri wake command. According to my testing conducted with an iPhone 14 Pro and an iPhone 15, the head tracking seems to be on par with the spatial audio that is provided by the AirPods Max and the AirPods Pro 2.

There is a function called Find My that is available for users of both Apple and Android devices. This tool assists in locating your headphones in the event that they are lost; however, it is not the more sophisticated precision finding that is featured with the AirPods Pro 2.

Enhancement of the sound quality?

In the end, the most significant enhancements are those that pertain to the sound quality and the performance of voice calls. A revised acoustic architecture and 40mm drivers are included in the Studio 4s. However, these drivers are not the same as the drivers that are included in the Studio Pros. This helps to eliminate distortion. Additionally, Beats used automation in the manufacturing process in order to enhance uniformity from one unit to the next.

The Solo 4s provide cleaner audio with improved overall clarity and bass definition than the Solo 3s, which is instantly apparent. The Solo 4s sound much better than the Solo 3s. The sound quality of the Solo 4 is not much different from that of the Studio Pro; nevertheless, the Studio Pros have a somewhat warmer and more open sound than the Solo 4. I switched between the headphones using just the conventional stereo mode and the spatial audio mode, and I found that the sound does shift depending on whatever mode you are in.

Why aren’t the headphones the most accurate or the ones that sound the most natural?

headphones; yet, they are dynamic and boast highs that are clear and sculpted, as well as bass that is powerful. Despite the fact that I had my iPhone 14 Pro set to 70% volume, the Studio Pros did not provide the same level of loudness as the Solo 4s when I played the Hollow track by Bjork, which is characterized by very deep bass. On the other hand, once I adjusted the volume settings, the Studio Pros did provide a more profound bass with a greater amount of energy.

There are no equalization parameters that may be adjusted for the sound profile of the Solo 4s. Nevertheless, Beats has gone a long way in terms of audio quality from its early days, when it had boomy bass and sound quality that was not very impressive. When listening to high-resolution audio files, the Solo 4s have a sound that is fairly decent, especially when compared to on-ear headphones. Additionally, the headphones have a somewhat superior sound quality when they are in connected mode.

Getting wired may be done in two different ways, by the way. Through the use of the analog cable that is supplied, it is possible to connect the headphones to an audio device that has a 3.5mm input. You may also use the USB-C cable to establish a digital wired connection to your computer or smartphone that is compatible with USB-C, which is another capability that was inherited from the Studio Pro headphones. It is important to keep in mind that when you use the analog headphone wire, the headphones do not need power, and the audio quality is not worse than it would be otherwise. It is a good thing to have.

There is no doubt that they have an outstanding battery life in terms of power. The maximum amount of time that they may be used at moderate volume levels is fifty hours. That is ten hours longer than what the Solo 3 headphones were rated for, and it is helpful that you are not charging any more power for the active noise cancellation feature since there is none. The fast-charging function of Beats, which the company refers to as Fast Fuel, allows you to get up to five hours of playing from a full ten minutes of charging.

Improvements in the performance of voice calls and microphones?

Microphones that use beamforming digital MEMS technology were added to the headphones in order to improve their voice calling capabilities. On the Solo 3s, these microphones were analog in nature. Due to the fact that they use the same sophisticated noise-reduction algorithms as the Studio Pros, their voice-calling performance is quite comparable to that of the Studio Pros, and it is typically extremely excellent. Callers reported that they could hear me well, and the headphones considerably decreased the amount of background noise that was present. However, they did mention that my voice sounded a little bit robotic (or that I sounded like I was in a tunnel). While you are watching my companion video, there is a test call that I recorded that will provide you with an idea of the quality of the conversation. However, it is important to realize that the call was recorded over the internet, which means that you will lose some of the fidelity in my voice.

The primary characteristics of Solo Pro?

In addition to being interoperable with both iOS and Android devices, the Apple H1 chip offers wireless connectivity that is both speedier and more reliable.
Siri that is always on (hands-free) for iOS users allows them to activate Siri without having to touch a button.

Once the Lightning cable that is supplied has been charged for ten minutes, you will be able to enjoy full-featured playback for up to three hours.
With Pure ANC (noise canceling) or Transparency switched on, the battery life may last for up to 22 hours.
Pure ANC (noise canceling) and Transparency may be turned off for up to forty hours without any consequences.
There are 9 ounces (255 grams) of weight.
Black, ivory, gray, dark blue, light blue, and red are colors that are available for selection.
The price range is as follows: $300, £270, and AU$429

What are your final opinions on Beats Solo 4?

In a nutshell, the Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones feature a design that is almost identical to that of the Beats Solo 3s. However, the inside of these headphones has undergone significant enhancements that have resulted in a performance boost of around 25 to 30 percent in terms of sound quality, overall battery life, and voice calling capabilities.

Could I afford to spend $200 for them? That is not the case. On the other hand, if you take a look at what has occurred with the pricing of the Studio Pro, which has been reduced to $200 or $150 off their list price on occasion, and has even been reduced to $180 for Prime Day, you can see that the Solo 4s will not always be priced at $200. In a reasonable amount of time, we will be able to purchase them for the same price as the Solo 3s, which is around $130. If you are searching for a more compact on-ear headset and do not need active noise cancellation, then purchasing them at that price makes a lot more sense than considering any other option.

In that price range, you will discover comparable on-ear models like as JBL’s Live 670NC ($130) and Tune 670NC ($100), both of which offer active noise cancellation and perform well in terms of sound quality. The step-up Live 670NC may occasionally be purchased for as little as $100 and is the model that is most identical to the Solo 4. I believe that the Solo 4s offer a somewhat higher build quality and additional capabilities like as audio that is connected via USB-C and spatial audio that includes head tracking. The Live 670NCs, on the other hand, provide a reasonable price, especially when they are on sale.

 

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