With current price (100$), should you reconsider mainstream earbuds from Beats? Let’s find out!
Build quality and design
Despite use of plastic, Studio Buds are really well made – just like you would expect from Apple product. The case is great, with everything held securely by magnets.
Comfort is generally good, but here comes the major issue – they do not stick very well to my ear and I need to constantly adjust them… Though I should add, my ear is often a bit problematic for many headphones and I haven’t seen many negative reviews in this regard. Nevertheless, it is a bit disappointing (especially for workouts) but I hope third-party tips can solve this out.
Moving onto physical controls, they do their job, but they can slightly irritate the ear canal when pressed, not ideal.
Sound quality
If you’re into a slight V-shaped sound, you’ll like them. The mids are a bit recessed, bass is strong, and highs are defined, though a bit sharp at higher volumes.
Comparing them to my old Beats Tour 2s from the pre-Apple Beats era, the new Studio Buds are definitely less muddy and more balanced, perhaps aspiring to Hi-Fi standards. The treble can be a bit piercing at times, but at moderate volumes, it’s alright.
Conclusion
There is nothing to write home about. Overall, the sound is just pleasing, especially considering they cost around $100. For that price, you get decent sound, a great design, useful features like transparency mode, and decent noise cancellation.
My biggest gripe was the fit, but since I haven’t seen many complaints online, I won’t let it impact the final rating. Beats Studio Buds earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
