The Apple W1 chip features Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity — the industry-leading classification for range and signal strength. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Bose are very comfortable and their sound profile is well-balanced. Their ANC feature is also one of the best on the market and blocks noticeably more background noise than the Beats. On the other hand, the Beats will be slightly better-suited for bass-heavy genres, and they leak less than the Bose. They also have an in-line microphone for calls, which the Bose are lacking.
The Studio3 also contains an Apple W1 chip, which means it will recognize all of your Apple devices once you pair it with just one of them. That Sony has a little bit more transparency and may be the better headphone to listen to over longer listening beats flex review sessions. But the Beats was arguably the more dynamic, exciting headphone. For instance, it brought a little more energy to Rag ‘n Bone Man’s “Human” track. And the Beats is going to be a good fit for those who listen to a lot of EDM and hip-hop.
One of the most desired functions of Beats Studio3 headphones is Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling, which actively blocks external noise. Another feature that ensures high-quality sound is real-time audio calibration, which preserves a premium listening experience. The Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones are better headphones for bass fans, while the Beats Studio3 Wireless have a more neutral sound quality with a not-so-veiled treble range. The Microsoft have a better and more complete control scheme that is satisfying to use. The feedback is better on the physical buttons of the Beats, but you get limited controls. Also, the Microsoft have better noise isolation performance but have about half of the Beats’ battery life.
Even though I’m a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. Prior to my career in reviewing tech, I worked as an audio engineer—my love of recording audio eventually led me to writing about audio gear. Sensors can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused, saving battery life.
The beats studio3 have a good peak and dips performance. The peaks in the low to mid-bass and high bass to low-mid gives a bit more kick and boom to your audio, but a dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. The low-treble is also uneven, so the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments are alternatingly harsh and veiled. Sibilants like S and T sounds also sound a bit piercing. They’re also wireless with a great range, so you can leave your phone on a bench while you run or have a fixed Bluetooth source. However, they can make your ears a bit warm and sweaty after a good 30 minutes of working out.