Beats Solo 4 assessment: New sound. Who dis?

In 2016, I survived 30 days on the Whole30 weight loss plan. The purpose of the weight loss plan, I’d name it a “reset,” is to eat unprocessed, entire meals with no sugar added to them for 30 days. Many issues occur to your physique and style buds throughout this time, however probably the most thrilling factor is that your style buds “get up” by the tip. You’ve been consuming meals with a lot added sugar and so many snack meals with sugar profiles grossly augmented with excessive fructose corn syrup that you simply now not know what “pure” sweetness is. By the tip of my 30 days, fruit tasted sweet candy once more; oranges had new life on my style buds, and I now desire consuming a contemporary orange as an alternative of consuming a cup of sugar water orange juice. Follow me; I’m bringing this dwelling.

In 2024, you’ve doubtless turn out to be accustomed to headphones with the bottom-end augmented, some with a grossly augmented “excessive fructose bass response.” Once I first started listening to the brand new Beats Solo 4, I assumed that they had no bass, thus the title of this text.

Nonetheless, after a while to “reset,” I spotted one thing: within the wake of a surge within the reputation of Hello-Res Audio choices, what Beats offers you on this newest era of Solo headphones is a palette cleanser, free from high-fructose bass enhancements. A base sound with which to get pleasure from music as its creators mastered it or as you wish to hear it by sweetening it your self with some EQ.

Beats Solo 4: Worth and availability

Out there to order on April thirtieth from apple.com within the US, Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones price $199.99. Regardless of an upgraded characteristic set from the beforehand launched Solo 3, the Solo 4 launches on the identical value.

They’re at present accessible in three colours: Matte Black, Slate Blue, and Cloud Pink.

Beats Solo 4: What I like

Once I first listened to the brand new Beats Solo 4, I hadn’t but learn the reviewer’s information the corporate had despatched out with the invite to check them. Similar to Ikea directions, that information remained unread till I’d put collectively a few of my very own assessments. Nonetheless, I finally wanted to check with that information as a result of it typically factors out new options and variations between a product’s present and former generations. Studying that doc illuminated my expertise. 

The Beats Solo Pro obtained a lot reward for his or her mature sound in comparison with earlier generations of Beats merchandise. The Solo 4 are extra a sonic religious successor to the Solo Professional, however technically a direct successor to 2016’s Solo 3 wi-fi. Beats Solo 4 take the sonic maturity of the Solo Professional even additional with a brand new development course of for its transducers and an upgraded acoustic structure. The result’s a brand new on-ear with a sound primed for accessible technical listening, being Beats-only passively tuned headphones.

Quote: Earlier than I dove into my technical audio assessment, for reference, I cleansed my listening palette with a while on my Sennheiser 660S2, listening via playlists by way of USB-C DAC.

Since that is an Android website, let’s start with the elephant within the room: Bluetooth codecs. AAC is the star of the present right here, however you’re doubtless utilizing a telephone that helps higher-resolution codecs like aptX HD or LDAC. Whereas I’d desire at the very least aptX HD, AAC nonetheless sounds robust right here, with some caveats.

General, the stereo separation is so detailed it’s lovely to sit down and actively take heed to. The Apple Music lossless model of The Doorways’ “Ryders on the Storm” has much less noise than the variations I’ve discovered on Tidal, so it’s way more pleasing to take heed to. Beats Solo 4’s dynamic vary and readability are ok that I may clearly hear the whispers in Jim Morrison’s backing vocals on the monitor, a component of that blend I’d forgotten about. Mids aren’t so scooped with the Solo 4s as earlier Beats. 

The passive tuning does have an effect on highs; the horns in Artwork Blakey’s “Moanin” aren’t as shrill as they are often with different headphones. The separation of instrumentation within the stereo picture of Moanin’ is a delight when listening by way of Bluetooth.

When you’re a bass head, chances are you’ll want some EQ if you happen to’re anticipating that signature bassy growth bap; these aren’t tuned for that out of the field. For instance, within the Skrillex and Ragga Twins music “Ragga Bomb,” the bass doesn’t have the identical resonance that it does on headphones tuned with a hotter low finish. With the Solo 4 not having that “excessive fructose bass additive,” it will likely be a brand new expertise for some.

It’s a pleasure to take heed to, because the bass and sub-bass might be overwhelming elsewhere. The stability right here is refreshing and never fatiguing like a closely tuned bass response might be with a monitor like “Ragga Bomb.”

Tuned for “seasoning”

With this passive tuning, consider the Solo 4 like cooking with white fish—I really like Chilean Sea Bass. It readily takes on the flavour of no matter you season it with. Within the case of the Solo 4, seasoning comes within the type of which apps or DACs you utilize.

I performed tunes from numerous music streaming apps and the native storage on a Pixel 7 Professional and Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely. Tidal, YT Music, VLC Media Participant, and Apple Music sound a lot higher than Spotify over USB-C and Bluetooth. YouTube Music has probably the most presence and loudness no matter my connection technique. All three connections sound shut to 1 one other, however the 3.5mm wired connection actually exposes the high-quality dynamic vary of the Beats Solo 4 when performed via completely different USB-C DACs.

I examined music via three completely different items: an iFi GO Hyperlink, iFi GO Blu, and THX Onyx. The iFi GO Blu, with its USB-C connection, has probably the most energy, offering probably the most headroom and vary. The GO Blu actually elevates the Beats Solo 4 listening expertise.

Bear in mind after I mentioned these “don’t have any bass” on the outset? Perish the thought. Enjoying via the DACs, the 808 in The Roots’ “Illadelph Halflife” monitor “Push Up Ya Lighter’s” has critical resonance, with the remainder of the weather sounding ethereal, with crisp vocals and tight sonics. The identical goes for the title monitor from their freshman album, “Would you like extra?!!!??!” The resonance of the heavy 808 is delightfully tight, whereas the snare drum is snappy with out being fatiguing, and the bagpipes performed right here, layered towards the again of the monitor, are nonetheless fairly current within the combine.

Spatial audio is included on this package deal, so off to Netflix I went, enjoying some content material that helps spatial audio playback, resembling “Blue Eye Samurai.” The taiko drum battle scene in episode two, “An Sudden Factor,” sounds terrific via the Solo 4s. The taiko drums play a rousing half in upping the strain of this scene. The Solo 4s reproduce the taikos with deep bass that doesn’t overpower the remainder of the sound design, and the battle scene sound results, the swords clanging, had been full and vibrant with out being irritatingly tinny.

Within the opening scene of “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is exchanging some witty repartee with Surtur, who will get up from his throne, dragging his large sword behind him. Good headphones reproduce this layered impact the place it sounds just like the dragging sword is within the again proper someplace. Beats Solo 4 do their spatial job right here!

Apart from content material, Beats additionally says it upgraded the mics from the analog affair within the 2016 Beats Solo 3 to digital MEMs mics in 2024 items. The decision readability in a quiet room is great, though in noisier environments, your mileage could differ. I’ve had some cases in testing the place my voice lower via, however ambient visitors sound was additionally current. I’ve had different calls the place my spouse had points listening to me after I was on the road. These items are troublesome to evaluate as a result of so many variables may have an effect on what the caller hears on the opposite finish, like cell sign energy. I hear callers simply positive on my finish, although.

Rounding out the checklist of options and upgrades, you’ll get 50 hours of battery life, because of Beats’ proprietary chip—no Apple “W” chips right here. When you drain them and have to get in a exercise or commute, 10 minutes of charging will get you 5 hours of playback. You may also use the three.5mm connection, which requires no energy. That USB-C port will cost whilst you’re listening to music, and it really works for taking telephone calls whereas related as effectively.

Beats Solo 4: What might be improved

Like different Beats merchandise lately, the Solo 4s help some native options on each iOS and Android. With them working to convey parity between the platforms, even going so far as together with multipoint connections on Android (which isn’t supported on iOS), I’d wish to see broader Bluetooth codec help. Not that AAC gained’t work for many listeners, however a high-quality, high-bitrate LDAC stream sounds higher to me than AAC. There isn’t a evening and day distinction, however once we’re speaking about audiophile or enthusiast-level listening, these variations in levels might be noticeable to discriminating listeners.

I additionally desire over-ear to on-ear headphones and carry a big backpack with me in most locations, so measurement doesn’t matter. I’ve a big kaiju-size head, requiring that I store XXL for hats. That mentioned, I wore the Solo 4s for hours with no compression fatigue from my left 12 months and, after a few hours of steady put on, some discomfort in my proper ear. After re-seating the headphones, that discomfort went away solely. I believe it was the angle I had them sitting on that proper ear.

Relating to the Beats app, it supplies fundamental performance like name management customization, registering your headphones, firmware updates, and “Find My Beats.” With the passive tuning, I’d like to see a sturdy EQ added to the app. Certain, some streaming apps like Apple Music have EQ in-built, however having it within the Beats app would imply that my sound preferences are persistent throughout apps. There can be no have to EQ my Solo’s in each app I exploit.

Beats Solo 4: Competitors

At present, there actually isn’t any “apples to apples” competitors for the Beats Solo 4. A couple of on-ear headphones are available on the market at considerably lower cost factors, however I wouldn’t essentially say they compete. 

Skullcandy gives their Riff Wi-fi 2 on-ears for $49.99, however they gained’t be wherever close to as impartial or doubtless have an analogous vary. JBL Live 670NC will run you $130 and have ANC and a transparency mode. Additionally they help Bluetooth LE and embrace a 3.5mm cable. I haven’t examined them, so I can’t communicate to their sound high quality. 

Final, for slightly below $60, most likely the closest you’ll get by way of sound high quality will likely be Sony’s WH-CH520 on-ear Bluetooth headphones. They don’t have USB-C audio help or a 3.5mm audio port, however for a 3rd of the worth, you get 50 hours of battery life, AAC, multipoint, and an app with EQ performance.

Beats Solo 4: Must you purchase it?

You can purchase Beats Solo 4 if…

• You desire a impartial pair of “entry-level” audio fanatic on-ear headphones.
• You employ a USB-C DAC/AMP.
• You don’t need/want ANC.
• You need flexibility for energetic listening.

You should not purchase Beats Solo 4 if…

• You want ANC.
• You need Bluetooth Hello-Res Audio.

I completely get pleasure from listening to Beats Studio Professional, which have heat tuning within the low finish with out compromising the remainder of the frequency vary. Nonetheless, with Beats Solo 4’s impartial tuning, these passively tuned transducers are additionally completely gratifying and will likely be a revelation for some listeners—particularly those that’ve made their complete persona hating on Beats.

The Solo 4 symbolize a departure from the signature Beats sound, however that isn’t a nasty factor. They’re an evolution and, in the end, a possibility for listeners to totally expertise the lossless audio they might be paying for on Tidal, Qobuzz, or every other companies streaming high-fidelity audio recordsdata. They’re even higher if you would like one thing wi-fi that’s mild, compact, and straightforward on the go however gives the flexibleness to start that journey into technical listening if you’re in the fitting atmosphere and headspace for it.

If on-ear headphones are your jam, Beats Solo 4 symbolize a few of the finest you possibly can rock out to. Probably the finest accessible proper now!