Before i get bombarded with "could have got better" or "Uh Monster" or "Bass , Muddy, overpriced" , i will just say this......I like them.
I have seen a few threads on here about Beats and how they "suck" but i couldnt find anyone who had the new HD version of the Solos.
I have several sets of headphones , some portable , some home ones. I run the home ones from a Aune MK2SE Dac/Headphone Amp being fed by lossless files from itunes.
My favourite home phones i have had are the HD600s, they do so much 'right' that its few small failings are easy to ignore, the ones i am using the most though are my Shure 440s as they spare the missus's ears from whatever i am tuned into. My fav portables are probably the ES7 or K430, i love the look of the ES7 and its sound is easy to live with, the K430 actually sounds better to these ears but its spray painted plastic is ugly and unnecessary.
I have only had the Beats a day so i wont really comment on the sound too much as they may burn in a bit.
The packaging these thing come in is immaculate , very high-end , actually reminded me of my HD600 box but even nicer. In the box is a neoprene case, headphone cable with ipod controls (not one without unfortunately!) , a 'patented' cleaning cloth and manuals.
I was laughing when i seen the cloth , thinking "imagine patenting a cleaning cloth" but i swear to god this thing instantly removes fingerprints without much pressure, i am converted.
The build quality is better than the old Solos, the old ones were pretty rattley (is that a word?) , the hinges on the originals didnt line up very well , the new ones are bang on.
The surface is now shiny like the studios and the band seems much bendier (is this a word?) , the pads are the same and thankgod for that as the beats pads are the best i have ever felt , sooo soft and comfy , i swear they could market them for other cans and i would buy a set for all of mine.
noise isolation is as good as it gets for non active cans, my bus is now silent.
The sound, i guess thats whats important , one word BASS.
They have great bass, its smooth and doesnt distort and goes very low, they are tuned for bass.
The older Solos had far too much bass , it invaded the mids and masked them so much that vocals would be hard to hear sometimes.
The mids and treble are present and well defined on the new ones , its snappy and fast.
Paperplanes by M.I.A is a perfect track for these , lots of sparkly treble and mega bass lines, the beats dont mix them up .
They dont fair as well on Indie but a little treble boost at 4,8 and 16k works a treat balancing them perfectly.
So they need some EQ with rock, but are simply amazing with Rap , Hip-Hop and electronic music , Crystal castles sound the best i have heard on the Beats as do Dre , BIG and Eminem.
Are they worth the cash, to me yes , the design is nice , they are super comfy and they make certain genres sound fantastic. I will use them for travel and for Hip Hop , dance etc at home, my HD600s and other cant be replaced with these but they will be happy housemates...
