- Last Updated: 4/4/2023
If you haven’t heard of Beats, then you’ve probably been living under a rock. On the other hand, you may not know the true reason why the Beats Studio3 wireless over-ear headphones are so popular, especially in the gym. It’s not because of the bass-heavy audio or the fact that they’ve become a status symbol.
Beats Studio3: Review Topics
The main reason that the Beats Studio3’s are so popular for working out is their best-in-class clamp strength. Their main drawback is that they have absolutely no water resistance rating, so you’re rolling the dice if you tend to sweat a lot.
For any other use, they’re some of the best in the business for Hip Hop, Pop, electronic, and other similar genres of music. Don’t get me wrong, they’re less bass-heavy than the Solo, Powerbeats, and other Beats headphones, but the mid-range bass is still slightly accentuated. Plus, you can still activate the bass boost for that classic Beats sound.
Beats App?
The great part for Android users is that the Studio 3’s are supported by the Beats app. In the Android-exclusive app, Beats purists can switch on the “Bass Enhancer” feature to give them that classic bass-heavy Beats sound signature. Plus, you can adjust the EQ to get the most out of almost any music genre.
For iPhone users, it’s a little more complicated unless you use Apple Music for everything. Instead of being able to control an EQ for ALL audio coming from your phone by using the Beats app, the control is fragmented.
For instance, Spotify has a great customizable EQ, but it only works for that app. Youtube, Netflix, and other audio sources would not be accessible.
That’s kind of an easy fix. By downloading a paid (or free) 3rd-party EQ app off the play store to control ALMOST all of the main audio output. The drawback is that some of these 3rd-party EQ’s don’t work with iTunes and other DRM-protected content. If you’re willing to pay a small monthly subscription, Boom: Bass Booster & Equalizer is probably your best bet.
Kind of a bummer, but it’s not surprising that they would want to push you toward using their music service and as many other Apple-owned streaming and audio services as possible.
There is one huge benefit to switching to Apple Music and using Beats Studio3’s…. Spacial audio.
360° Spacial Audio
Spacial, or 360° Audio, is one of the coolest features of using the Beats Studio3’s. However, it only works with these devices:
- iPhone 7 or later
- iPad Air 3rd Gen or later
- iPad Mini 5th Gen or later
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch 3rd Gen or later
- Apple computers with the M1 or M2 chip
It’s pretty cool when streaming music, but watching videos, TV, and other streaming media from compatible sources is where the feature really shines. Along with enhancing the surround sound effect, the feature also controls the audio direction depending on where your head is facing. To put it simply, it makes you feel as if you’re IN the video.
When the feature first came out, it had little support, but now it’s available on some of the most popular streaming platforms like:
- Apple TV app
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Paramount+
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Discovery+
- Peacock
- and more!
Two big names sitting on the outside of that compatibility list are YouTube and Amazon Prime Video, but that could change any day.
Premium Color Options
Another great aspect of Beats Studio3 headphones is the stylish and exclusive color options. From bright, sporty solid colors to elegant combinations with shiny metallic accents, they look as premium as they feel. If you don’t like a flashy look, the Matte Black version is great too.
For a more unique and personalized look, there are hundreds of 3rd-party replacement ear cushions. Choose from custom colors and patterns like camo, flowers, marble, abstract shapes, and more. My personal favorite 3rd-party ear cushion brand is Wicked Cushions because of their premium quality and great warranty benefits.
Build Quality
While they don’t offer an official IP water resistance rating, the Beats Studio3’s have some of the best overall build quality in the biz. Even though it makes them a little on the heavier side, their all-metal hinges provide strength in the place where other over-ear headphones fail the most.
The hybrid metal and plastic frame offers a strong yet slim overall profile. The ear cups don’t swivel like many other over-ear headphones, but the positive side effect is better durability since it’s one less thing to break or fail.
Battery Life
While the battery life only last around 22 hours with ANC or Transparency mode turned on, you can definitely squeeze more out of it. Luckily, the Studio3’s offer above-average passive noise isolation, so you shouldn’t need the active noise cancellation feature in many cases.
With ANC turned off (low power mode), you can squeeze an impressive 40 hours of playback out of them.
Conclusion
For Android users, there are many great over-ear headphone choices, but the Beats Studio3’s are definitely worth considering. While their audio quality is only above-average, their overall build quality and luxury features rival the best over-ear headphone options.
If you’re an iPhone (Apple) user looking for the benefits of over-ear headphones but want something more cost-effective than the AirPods Max, the Studio3 over-ear headphones are.
On top of that, Beats are the only non-AirPod headphones that feature Apple’s H1 chip, so they’re literally the budget version of the AirPods Max. You’ll be able to enjoy all of the traditional Apple-exclusive features like audio sharing, one-touch pairing, spatial audio, and more!
Key Specs
- Water/Dust Rating – N/A
- Battery Life – 22 Hours (40 hours in Low Power mode)
- Driver Size – 40mm
- Weight – 260g
- ANC/Transparency Mode – Yes (Adaptive)
- Bluetooth – Apple W1 Chip
Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out
The Beats Studio3’s are great workout headphones for a few different reasons, and their strong fit strength is one. At the same time, everyone’s workout regimen is different and there are some other great options that might work better for you. Check out our review of the best over-ear headphones for working out and see how they stack up against the competition.