RTings rated it a 7.0 which is fair, and rated the Solo3 a 7.6 with better scores in nearly every area. Solo3 has impressive imaging and best-in-class harmonic distortion, both of which the Studio3 doesn’t have.
I was extremely letdown by the Studio3 because I expected them to be a bigger, better version of the Solo3 but the sound was unexceptional and imo mediocre. Low-mid bump muddies the mid-range, bass feels unbalanced, and the headphones didn’t even feel premium. ANC is good without a chamber effect so I think you’d enjoy that aspect, but the ANC does cause a white noise hiss.
I still think they’re a mediocre-sounding pair of headphones overshadowed by the Solo3. The comfort level is higher with the Studio3, but that’s really all it has going for it. Every other aspect that matters is better on the Solo3, which is the only Beats headphone that captures the “emotion” of the song in a way that’s punchy without getting overly muddy.
You should try them if you’re looking for a W1 over-ear since I doubt we’ll see a successor anytime soon. Just go into it without too many expectations. They handle sweat fine btw, not a lot of room to breathe though.
I am extremely curious to see what Beats does this year. Probably a new PowerBeats and Solo. Maybe truly wireless earbuds...
IMO the AirPods have a better sound signature than the Studio3. They’re cleaner than most ANC wireless headphones.