I tried the Beats By Dre...And I liked them! - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Aaquib · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 06:57 PM

Coming from an HD 595 and Total BitHead Amp, I tried out the Beats By Dre at at a CanadaComputers store today, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was very well balanced, really nice highs, and what I loved the most: Extremely precise and detailed bass. The whole song just sounded clean.

Now, it was a display unit and you could only choose between 3 different songs. The whole experience just made me rethink what mostly everybody here says about the Beats By Dre.

Now I'm left with 1 of 2 options. Get the Beats By Dre or look at another pair with similarly satisfying sound (particularly bass). I'm seriously considering the Beats By Dre, but worry that I'm just paying for Dr. Dre' and Monster. But...they just sounded so darn good! What do you guys recommend doing?

GuyDebord · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 07:52 PM

its easy, if you were impressed and liked them then go for it....

dnullify · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:00 PM

hmmm.... i'd check the return policy where you would buy them...

then buy them and try them with whatever music you listen to. 3 songs aren't much to go on, though i did try them at Fry's a while back and found them relatively good...

IMO the highs were a little too sharp, but the bass was DEFINITELY there.

nhancakes · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:08 PM

there's no arguing the comfort and style that comes with those things. they are sexy.

AtomikPi · #5 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:12 PM

Although I've never heard the beats, I think you may want to take a look at the Denon D2000's (which I have heard). I think they're a bit cheaper and have high quality bass. They're generally well regarded at head-fi, versus Monster is obviously not.

Aaquib · #6 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:12 PM

I'm contemplating buying it from Futureshop for $350 + tax (nearly $400CDN) and possibly returning them, as I can get them on CL for about $300. That's why I was wondering whether or not I think it'd be justified. I absolutely can't stand Bose, but the Beats just sounded so vivid and detailed to me.

cuba0555 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:18 PM

I was at BestBuy yesterday and I to had a go at them. Maybe a year or two ago I would have been blown away by them but for fact that the skullcandy-headcrusher displayed right by them and using a type of rumble-like device(much like the *****-Kicker vibrating sub) Had about same heavy bass effect. I would imagine that it would now take a lot more then a bass heavy headphone to convince me to let loose $300+. One thing that might have helped if one was allowed to use their own caparison with what one might have and not assume that the source they are using is not at fault.

dnullify · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:23 PM

I agree with the above post.

Perhaps you should try out some other headphones before deciding on the beats, which in my opinion are pretty overpriced. IMO you're paying for the name and the shiny headband with the red b.

IMO they fit in with all the other mainstream mass-consumer hi-fi products (think overpriced skullcandies, or bose, or what have you... no offense to whatever skullcandy fans that may/may not be lurking out there"

drizzt · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:24 PM

If you like the sound then there's nothing wrong with buying them. Not sure if you're aware or not but they do require batteries work. They don't have a built in rechargeable battery either. I havent done any research on these so I don't know how long they take to drain a set of batteries. If it takes a while then it might not be an issue. I just wanted to give you a heads up on this. Good luck with your future purchase.

JJDyn0mite · #10 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:46 PM

I finally had a chance to check them out at best buy. I really liked them, too. I was surprised by my reaction. I realize they have a limited selection of music that highlights their strengths, but I thought there was much more to them than the bass that everyone talks about. They were much more detailed than I expected. I like the bass effect on them, though, very different than any other headphones I have had or tried. Sounded much more realistic and tangible than even a lot of "bass heavy" headphones.

They did have the Sony MDR-xb500, which also sounded better than I expected, but not nearly as good as the beats. The eXtra BASS was disappointing, sounding like typical dark/closed headphones. They were better than the Bose offerings out for trial.

The skullcrushers were nearby, as well. I literally laughed out loud when I hit the button to activate the subwoofer deal. It sounded like an old caprice with an 18" subwoofer floating around in the trunk nearly shaking the rest of the car apart with each beat. They made the Sony's look like a steal.

The Beats were the best sounding cans there. Are they worth the $350? Not sure about that, but they are certainly a unique sound that I found enjoyable.

brn80 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaquib

Get the Beats By Dre or look at another pair with similarly satisfying sound (particularly bass). I'm seriously considering the Beats By Dre, but worry that I'm just paying for Dr. Dre' and Monster. But...they just sounded so darn good! What do you guys recommend doing?

I know Canadacomputers carry the M-Audio Q40, a bassy can which I was considering. I would give those a try if they have them in the store. I haven't tried the beats as of yet, I might actually like them in a way, since I tend to be bass-inclined, but the asking price, especially here in Canada, is a little on the high side for me. The Q40's will run about half that price ($140 or so).

john53 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 08:59 PM

I've tried these cans at a store some months ago and i couldn't come to a conclusion about their sound quality,because the volume was set very high and there was no way to turn it down a bit.Also,i couldn't use any other music other than the one they had for the demo.
Maybe you were impressed because of the strong bass and the high volume.Be patient and try to audition more headphones(with your equipment)before you buy something new.

Oggranak · #13 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJDyn0mite

They did have the Sony MDR-xb500, which also sounded better than I expected, but not nearly as good as the beats. The eXtra BASS was disappointing, sounding like typical dark/closed headphones. They were better than the Bose offerings out for trial.

That's odd, I tried the XB500 recently and found they were absolutely terrible.

I would advise against buying the Beats until you have heard their competition. Listen to some other options in that price range if you can before deciding on anything.

TubeStack · #14 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 10:04 PM

Hey dude, good to see you.

They're WAY overpriced and you'd be much better off spending that amount on other cans and/or gear.

nhancakes · #15 (**permalink**) 07-10-2009, 12:08 AM

If you have an apple store, they usually have these headphones out on display for you try. Just bring your DAP and portable amp if you wish and see how it fairs with your music library.