Nice to something getting it's due here on Head-fi.

damn it man, stop scaring me. Tyle scared me enough on Innerfidelity. You guys are making me wanna try this thing.

Thanks for your kind comments - I think the solo2's just missed the new Head-Fi Summers buyers guide, but maybe Jude will have them featured in the Winters Buyers Guide? We'll see I guess. Thanks again

Isn't Beats still second, behind Sony? 

I LOVE your review, cb3723!  If I didn't already have 33 headphones/IEMs (including 4 Beats!) I would have already bought these.  I appreciate the sample songs that you find them to be particularly effective in playing.
 
I am also pleased to learn the psychological nature of each of the color choices!!
 
How would you compare them to the Studio 2013s (i.e., the new better Studios) ?  Since the solo2 doesn't have active noise cancellation, I would imagine it would be more transparent, doing a better job of giving you a "you are there" feel to acoustic music.  How would you compare its bass to the Studio 2013?
 
Thanks again!

For whatever it's worth, that video isn't Mercer. It's some other jacka***. 
 
But I should note that the Solo2 is a far better headphone than the Studio I took a look at. Tyll's review is pretty comprehensive, but I'll be adding my own thoughts at some point. But for a sub-$200 headphone, this Solo2 sounds good, looks good, and I wouldn't be embarrassed to see my nephew wearing it. 

After hearing them, I would give them a 3.5/5... Better than expected, but nothing special.  And no, they aren't as "game-changing" as you assume.  Sony has done far more.

@vantt1 Not sure what you mean there dude
@kayandjohn Hey dude, big thanks, I'm stoked you liked my review of the solo2 - I know you down this headphone already had your Apple store had them stocked when you visited, but since then I've also noticed you've been getting some heavy duty kick ass booty call gear (colorware HD800 rig and AKG's finest in-ears = very WOW!!) In answer to your question of solo2 Vs Studio 2013's, yes I think omitting the ANC from the solo2 definitely is a more natural less artificial sound that the Studio's ANC detract from and maybe make it a can that has less suitability for as many genres of music that the solo2 is capable of. Bass on the solo2 is less but more in as much it's more controlled and tighter than the Studio 2013's - I think you'd dig the solo2's, but like you said - you've already got a schiit load of awesome to take your pick from already. I'd recommend the solo2 to you if you were looking for something ultra small and portable to take with you if you were on a trip somewhere and wants to pack as light as possible and have a headphone with you that didn't require any charging nonsense, but delivered crips and clear mids and highs with a controlled back end, junk in the trunk, that gave you that all important fun element to sonics. I'd definitely recommend you give the solo2's a little audition next time you pass an Apple store though - thanks again for your kind comment - I appreciate it and good to catch up with you a little.
@Scot Hull Thanks for your comment - are you talking of the original Studio or the new 2013 model? Check my comment to @kayandjohn for my very brief comparison between the solo2 and Studio 2013 - thanks dude.
@thestoebz thanks for your comment - opinions will always vary but I'm gonna have to call you out on your comment that you mention the solo2 isn't "game-changing" - they actually are very much in the sense that beats solo2 is likely to be the worlds most sold and therefore most used headphone that will be delivering quality sound to the masses - not SONY - Tyll Hertsens understands this too and it is for this reason that the solo2 is a genuine bona fide game changer. IMO beats have arrived and the world at large is going to be a better place for the solo2's arrival - this is something to be celebrated.

@Scot Hull Scott! So sorry dude - I got you mixed up with another guy - my apologies - I'll go edit my review now - my apologies - I love your Studio 2.0 review - you deserve big respect and you've got it from me - many thanks!

@kayandjohn"I know you'd own this headphone already...(sorry for typo)

@ch3723... I went to the Apple store the day they were announced and appearing on the Apple store website, but then the actual Apple store only had the old Solos in stock... They promised the new Solos "In a few days" but then I never made it back. I will get them though! Thanks again fort he great review and comparison to the Studio 2013.

Hey cb great review How would you rate them against more popular headphones such HD25/Amperior/M80.. etc?

@orel1994 Thanks, I'm happy you like my solo2 review. I've not heard the Amperior or M80, but do own the HD25 Adidas Classic and V-MODA XS which I can compare the solo2 with. The Adidas Classic is basically the basic HD25 1 mkII with Adidas branding which is now discontinued but the basic version is still available and depending on application ie if I was looking for a headphone which I could also use for DJing with, then the HD25 naturally trumps the solo2 in that regard with it's swivelling left arm. Outside of that, I prefer the solo2 in the SQ dept as I find it more detailed and tighter - more refined if you will than the HD25. The solo2 also has removable cable, folds more conveniently into smaller form and pads are slightly bigger than the HD25 and v-moda xs. The V-Moda XS is beautifully built and very compact with its push up hinge mechanism for sure and I'd say the xs has a feel of indestructibility about them which is assuring. I prefer the solo2's SQ over the xs also as again the solo2 just wins in it's refinement and controlled but present bass. Between the solo2 and xs I think you've gotta just go with what your heart tells you is right for you, but out of the HD25, XS & solo2, you can't really go wrong with any of these options as they are all pretty great on their own rights, but for me if I had to make a single choice from the three, I'd personally go for the solo2 as the sound signature just pips it to the post to the others, the convenience of its form factor and I dig the subtle styling also of the solo2.

Kudos to Beats for upping their game in such a profound manner. I have been among the seemingly few here at head-fi advocating that the new Beats deserve a fresh chance to earn our eartime. Hopefully some of the mindless Beat's bashing will diminish as it was getting very old and stale listening to the same rips at Beat (and I'm sure mostly by members who didn't own any, or who barely listened to a set of Beats). I think the more quality players in the market, the better so we should celebrate Beat's coming of age not spit at it!

@Sonic Defender Thank you bro & welcome to the club of the beats enlightened few. Everything you said - I wholeheartedly agree with in the fullest possible way - and hey, you didn't forget about Dre

@cb3723  even though this is a bit late.... but i thoroughly enjoyed reading your review! it takes a lot of courage to say what you did! i feel the same way with the solo2! maybe not exactly! cause i still prefer my amperiors more (cause i prefer more energy in the treble), but nonetheless in terms of sound i think they are very competitive! and i honestly they are the marriage between the average consumer world and the "audiophile world". they look good and sound good. but sadly even reading youtube comments on other solo2 reviews, there are still many people that completely dismiss the solo2 because their on the "beats hater" bandwagon. i do think its getting stale, if they don't like it, thats perfectly fine but they shouldn't generalize their opinion on that one headphone with the entire product line... i'm ranting but whats funny is that despite this beats hate, their still being sold at an overwhelming rate.... sooo maybe "closet haters"?

I just got a pair of these from my work place today... an man they sound as good as they measure! Which is nice because I can FINALLY recommend the Solo 2 ... from experince! 

Have to give my counter point.
 
I just got Some Solo 2, couldn't resist the Black Friday price at Target (like $96). They do sound pretty good. The bass can be a little much at times but I can live with that, I do like a little extra in the bass department. But I miss the highs and clarity I'm used to. If these where my first headphone I may not notice and really enjoy these, but having several other quality headphones I notice it.
 
Of my 6 headphones (post office has yet to deliver my Fidelio L2, gerrrr!), there are my least favorite in terms of sound quality. Though they aare much smaller than all but my DT 1350. The Solo 2 is more comfortable for longer periods the the 1350s (have to get the updated earpads for those).
 
As mentioned these are the beats beats has ever made, but that's relative to Beats. Good but not great, at least many many people will finally be getting something that is decent and have a better idea of what decent audio is. These aren't bad, they do sound pretty good, I just don't find them to not be as great as some reviews make them sound.
 
Target still at $99 yesterday, today there $129. Glad I got them for less than $99.  Keeping these mainly as a reference for reviews I plan to do in the future.