The Beats Solo 4 offers a well-made, simple design.
While the Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones priced at 230 euros may not offer active noise cancellation, they make up for it with their powerful sound and remarkable endurance. These headphones cater to a specific group of buyers who appreciate great sound, despite the sparse features for the high price.
Many users dislike on-ear headphones due to their design, as they rest on the ears instead of enclosing them. However, their advantage lies in their compact nature, offering a similar sound quality to over-ear headphones if the brand gets it right. The Beats Solo 4 fits this description well.
Comfy Design and Durable Material
The design of the Beats Solo 4 remains similar to its predecessor. The headphones look stylish and offer good comfort with thick, cushioned cups that fit snugly. They stay in place well even during intense activity, making them suitable for long-term use on sensitive ears.
The build quality is top-notch, and the headphones have a robust feel. The headband's joints can be folded to store them in their high-quality case conveniently. However, a downside is that the padding on the cups cannot be replaced, which is expected at this price range. Also, there's no official water or dust resistance.
Simple and Efficient Controls
In terms of controls, Beats maintains the straightforward approach. Repositioning touch gestures to a mechanical button-based system was a smart move. The buttons perform various functions - power, volume control, and music playback. A drawback is the lack of an automatic pause feature when removing the headphones.
While the Solo 4 is compatible with Android smartphones, features like 3D audio are only accessible through an app. The Bluetooth connection establishes quickly on both Android and iOS devices. The compatibility extends to finding lost headphones - a practical addition.
Impressive Sound Performance
The Beats Solo 4 doesn't support high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, with SBC and AAC being the only options. Remarkably, the sound quality is impressive. The bass is lively without being overpowering. The mids are cleanly defined, and high notes are detailed and lucid. This combination creates a spacious soundstage.
Connected to a device via USB-C, the Solo 4 offers an enhanced experience. This is because USB-C supports uncompressed, high-resolution audio, adding more depth and richness to the already excellent audio quality.
The Beats Solo 4 is capable of handling phone calls. The microphone picks up your voice clearly, and the audio is natural and crisp. However, it's recommended to use a smartphone's speaker during noisy environments, as the headphones lack active noise cancelation (ANC).
Lack of ANC and Transparency Mode
With no ANC support, the Solo 4 struggles in high-noise environments like airplanes or busy streets. Additionally, there's no transparency mode, meaning you'll have to remove the headphones to hear announcements at train stations or similar settings. These lacking features make the 230 euro price tag feel reasonable.
The headphones' endurance is outstanding - around 50 hours of continuous use on a single charge. If the battery does run out, you can still listen to music through the included wired audio cable.
Conclusion
The Beats Solo 4 might be an intriguing option for audiophiles who care less about ANC or other advanced features. iPhone users can take advantage of 3D audio compatibility. However, the high price may deter a larger audience until more features are added or the price drops.
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Source: www.ntv.de
