Better call quality AGAIN! 😲 Beats Studio Buds + Review vs AirPods Pro 2
The Beats Studio Buds Plus is positioned by Apple as a more affordable option compared to the AirPods Pro 2. And in this review, we’ll be talking about areas where I prefer the Beats, and why I prefer the AirPods Pro 2 in other areas. Strap on.
Beats Studio Buds + advantages
In terms of fit, I do feel that the Studio Buds Plus fits more snugly, and compared to the AirPods they do seem more suitable for workouts because of that. They also have better compatibility with Android because they support things like Google Fast Pair and the Beats app, which lets you update its firmware, and customize its settings on Android, something that is not possible on the AirPods Pro 2.
AirPods Pro 2 advantages
But if you’re on iOS you really can’t get a better experience than the AirPods Pro 2. They’ve got Apple exclusive features like seamlessly switching between Apple devices, the ability to share your audio with another AirPods user, a feature that I use a lot, and Spatial audio with head-tracking that creates a cinema experience when watching movies and listening to music on Apple TV and the Music app. These are AirPods-exclusive features that are not supported on the Studio Buds Plus.
Other advantages that the AirPods Pro 2 has over the Beats is on-board volume controls, MagSafe wireless charging, and a much smaller case. There is a significant size difference here. The AirPods are simply more portable, and, get this - while carrying more battery endurance inside compared to the Beats. (See below)
So there are reasons to justify paying more for the AirPods Pro 2 if you’re a heavy iOS user. But what about their call quality?
Call Quality Comparison
Under quiet conditions it seems that the AirPods captured more of my voice so it sounds more natural, while the I sounded more robotic on the Beats. But in noisy conditions, the Beats was able to reject background noise, and even block wind noise better than the AirPods Pro 2. Listen to the samples here.
Active Noise Canceling Comparison
But in terms of Active Noise Canceling, the AirPods Pro 2 is more effective. It cancels more noise in general especially in the low-frequency region, which means more silence in public transport such as trains, buses and planes. Hear the difference here.
Transparency Mode
In terms of transparency, the Studio Buds Plus has very good ambient passthrough, but the AirPods Pro 2 still sounds more transparent because it feels like there’s less occlusion and muffling. And there’s more clarity of the outside sounds, and my own voice when I'm talking, compared to the Studio Buds Plus. So wearing AirPods in one ear sounded like wearing no earbuds in the other. Make no mistake, the Studio buds Plus still has one of the best transparencies around, just not at the AirPods Pro 2’s level.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, the Beats is definitely less bassy than the AirPods Pro 2. From the AirPods I am getting a heavier, meatier sound. The AirPods didn’t always sound like this. It was only after the most recent firmware update when it started sounding more full of body in the mids and bass, and that’s actually the kind of sound I prefer.
As you can see in my frequency sweeps, the Beats Studio Buds Plus is tuned VERY differently. Less emphasis on bass and mids with a heavy bump at specific points in the upper mids and upper treble to keep that sparkle in the vocals and brilliance in the soundstage. While the Beats do sound more thin, it also sounds more crisp, and even a bit more open than the AirPods. I do think it’s actually closer to a flatter “Studio” sound. For those of you who prefer that, the Studio Buds Plus are great for that, otherwise do consider the AirPods Pro 2 for a thicker sauce in your spaghetti. (That’s a weird way of saying it.) Listen to the following sound samples and tell me what you think.
Which one should you buy?
Overall, even if you’re on iOS, there are clear advantages the Beats have over the AirPods such as its mic pickup quality. It’s pretty impressive in very challenging conditions, even compared to buds from other brands, something that I’ve covered in this video. And for ANC, it feels a lot more stable on the Beats. Because though ANC seems more powerful on the AirPods Pro 2, it loses ANC power quickly for me because it’s not able to maintain a tight seal in my ears, unless I use foam tips. And, this is stating the obvious, if you’re on Android, having the Beats app definitely helps with the purchase decision.
But the AirPods Pro 2 is surely a more advanced pair in terms of features, tech, battery life, and all in a super tiny, convenient form factor. Being able to share my audio with a friend on iOS is also a big plus. And to me, the AirPods Pro 2 delivers better sound.
✅ To check the latest prices on Amazon, click on the links below.
Beats Studio Buds Plus - https://amzn.to/3XdEslM
AirPods Pro 2 - https://amzn.to/3VbAmsW
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