Beats is finally ready to talk about its next-generation Solo headphones.
These over-ear headphones have proven to be very popular among Apple-owned companies. (AAPL) Audio Brand: More than 40 million pairs have been sold since launch. It's been eight years since Beats introduced the Solo 3 over-ear headphones with a Lightning port and Apple's W1 chip inside.
Now, Beats is launching the $199.99 Solo 4 headphones in three colors and a substantial hardware upgrade, all in a familiar design. Suffice to say, if you're still using the Solo 3, I think you'll feel right at home with longer battery life, better feature parity between iOS and Android, and great audio.
Let's dive into the Beats Solo 4, specifically the over-ear headphones in Slate Blue, which I've been testing for almost a week.
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Super light and familiar looking headphone set
Like the Studio Pros, Beats isn't ushering in a new look for Solo over-ear headphones. The Solo 4 retains the classic Beats Solo look, albeit with less glossy plastic and a more modern color set.
As the name suggests, these in-ear cans won't separate you from the world around you. The left and right sides simply rest over your ears. Fortunately, there's no heavy clamping force and they fit comfortably for multi-hour listening sessions.
Aiding comfort is what Beats called UltraPlush ear cushions, which means more padding under the hood for a listening experience closer to comfort.
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More importantly, the Solo 4 weighs just 217 grams (less than half a pound), making them the lightest Beats headphones yet. This means you can wear them at home, in the city, and while working out.
Beats doesn't rate them by a specific water or sweat resistance designation, but like previous models, these should hold up to light and medium workouts.
Jacob Krol/TheStreet
The main controls are on the right earcup, where the “b” logo acts as a play/pause button, track control, and even a voice assistant button. Even better is that the wider ring around this center physical button is the volume rocker. I'd prefer a touch solution, but considering much of the construction here is plastic, it fits and gets the job done.
The power button is a small circle on the right side. You'll also find two ports: USB-C for power and audio on the left and an audio jack on the right. Two cables are included in the box.
Lastly, Beats is releasing the Solo 4 in three colors, and for those wondering, the product's royal blue and what it calls red aren't here. You can choose between slate blue, matte black, and cloud pink, but considering previous Beats releases, I'd be surprised if there aren't more colors on the horizon.
Strong sound with spatial and lossless cuts.
Like Beats Fit Pro, Studio Buds, and even Studio Pros, Solo 4 ushers in Beats' latest approach to audio: a punchy mix with clarity across lows, mids, and highs that combine for rich, accurate representation. .
Sure, these don't automatically turn up the low end, but on a track that emphasizes bass, the Solo 4 doesn't crackle or distort, but delivers a rich headphone mix.
Under the hood, Beats mixing and audio rendering are supported by a passively tuned 40-millimeter dynamic diaphragm transducer. The latter, a first for Beats, means that whatever you're listening to doesn't have a custom mix or change applied to it, but is instead presented and produced from the original signal.
In my testing so far, it has created a rich, wide soundstage mix that feels full of energy. It also works no matter how you're connected: via Bluetooth, USB-C to USB-C lossless, or even audio jack. It's a great feature and I have a feeling we'll see it in future Beats products and maybe even something in Apple's AirPods line.
Whether I threw “The Tortured Poets Department” by Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, or Taylor Swift on the Solo 4, it all sounded great.
With Warren Zevon's “Werewolves of London” streaming in lossless high resolution via Apple Music, the piano and low-end drums come through clearly, with Zevon's vocals flowing over the top – a fresh mix that shines here. The main repeated rhythms of “Florida!!” They are not only a singular sound but reveal themselves as a two-step drum with great clarity and zero distortion.
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Springsteen’s “Seaside Bar Song” showed how Solo 4 handles a track packed with organ, piano, guitar, drums, bass and even saxophone. The result is a clear separation (when intended) and well-deserved attention to the main instrumental for the first minute or so. The Solo 4's transducer then presents vocals over precise backing instruments.
The only thing missing here is dedicated listening modes, but active noise cancellation and even transparency aren't standard on over-ear headphones. However, for $200, buyers have options for headphones or even over-ear headphones that offer both.
However, it all comes down to what you value most, and the Beats team certainly focused on maintaining a beloved design and core features.
Long battery headphones with equivalent support for iOS and Android
Jacob Krol/TheStreet
In addition to impressive audio quality and an ultralight build that was comfortable for writing this review at a desk and even on a Peloton ride, I also don't stress about recharging these headphones.
Beats promises up to 50 hours of battery life and the Solo 4 lives up to the mark. That's a 25% improvement over the Solo 3 and beats competing headphones. You'll have no problem using them on a vacation or even a day at the beach, and when you're running low, you'll be able to plug them in via USB-C.
Since they are powered by a processor manufactured by Beats, they have parity between iOS and Android devices. This isn't the first Beats product with this, but it's becoming a hallmark of the brand and an attractive feature that makes them a great option whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone like the Pixel 8 or Galaxy S24 Ultra.
You can perform quick pairing by simply turning them on next to an iPhone or a variety of Android phones to see a quick pairing window appear. From there you can connect and be ready to listen.
It's quite useful and worked well in my tests on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Plus, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Pixel 8. Most controls are found in the iOS settings and within the Beats app on Android. , but with the latter, some live as quick settings when the headphones are connected.
Beats Solo 4 Conclusion
Heartbeats
After eight years, Beats' long-awaited next-generation over-ear headphones do not disappoint. The Solo 4 will make people hoping to upgrade from second- or third-generation Solos happy, but it also doesn't eliminate the design ethos that has made them quite popular.
Instead, Beats reworked the hardware in-house for better, more robust audio that works for multiple genres, increased battery life, and added more impressive features for iPhone and Android consumers.
With an MSRP of $200 and potentially cheaper with upcoming discounts, the Beats Solo 4 are a great pair of over-ear headphones that succeed with lightweight construction and robust audio.
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