So you’re saying the Studio doesn’t have a super defined bass? What do you mean? Like the speed, extension, exaggeration or something else?
I doubt we’ll see Wireless from Audeze until Bluetooth becomes lossless or close, as a standard in BT5.1 around 2018 sometime. Maybe late 2018 is my best educated guess. That’s when wireless audiophile options will really break out.
It's not the tightest bass presentation and bass can come across as slightly bloated at times. However, it's not muddy and it's well-extended though the sub-bass could use more presence.
You're probably right there, at this point Audeze will likely release their wireless headphones next holiday season when there are new Bluetooth codecs.
Separation is solid, but a narrow soundstage gives the music less of an out-of-the-head feeling than I'd like. One major compliment I can give is that the Studio3 is exceptionally clear for wireless ANC headphones. With music playing the ANC isn't noticeable, enough so that I don't even bother taking a second to disable it though I'd prefer to have it disabled by default to save battery life.
Studio3 have an isolating design to begin with so with ANC they are very isolating with audio playing. For people who need ANC and don't want their music to be affected negatively, Studio3 do a great job. Bose's chamber effect is impressive but affects the overall clarity.
Great consumer sound that I think people buying in a retail store will love, but there are a few flaws that don’t make them good enough to be considered audiophile-grade. Consumers will be
blown away by the level of detail though. It’s mid-fidelity approaching audiophile quality. I expect for many people this will be their first pair of decent headphones and many will enjoy them, but it’s difficult to love them when you’ve heard better headphones as they don’t bring anything new to the table in terms of audio. If this is a first pair of Beats though even audiophiles might get roped into the brand and design.
I should also note that Apple/Beats has done the impossible yet again: Studio3 sounds
better in wireless mode. Quality DAC and amp paired with the best Bluetooth in the industry. The only issues are the narrow soundstage that feels a bit claustrophobic and the bass lacks the timing and definition of a better-tuned headphone. If Apple paired this technology with a better over-ear headphone then it would’ve been the best wireless in the industry but it is still the best at its $350 price point.
Apple should buy Audeze and help them develop their wireless headphones. They’re already one of the few third-party brands other than Bose that Apple carries in their store so it isn’t a huge stretch. I expected more out of Beats but make no mistake that Studio3 is aimed at consumers and not audiophiles.
I'm going to make this thread a bit of a "living review" before I write my full review of the Studio3, but the biggest strengths of Studio3 are a) wireless quality b) isolation c)
balanced sound. This may be an effect of the forward vocals, but I'm not sure I've ever heard a headphone with such a balanced signature suited for long-term listening. 50% is the perfect volume for these headphones, non-fatiguing, and isolating enough to not hear somebody speaking. Solo3 and Momentum I have to put a few notches higher to enjoy but Studio3 has a satisfying representation of all frequencies without one being overpowering -- vocals are as prominent as the bass if not more so, no mid scooping here. I wouldn't say neutral, but definitely balanced.
It sounds like the bass favors the mid and high bass with sub-bass lacking some definition but this adds some much-needed weight to some songs like Kendrick Lamar's "Humble." I prefer the presentation on the Solo3 and Momentum that provides a smooth, impactful low-end. Bass is present, but it lacks the impact and bass definition of those two headphones. The headphones become bass anemic with the bass reducer EQ in iTunes so it's obvious there's not a drastic bass boost - under 5dB, probably 2-3dB.
If I had to describe Studio3 in one word I'd say
balance. Its greatest strength is that it's a wireless headphone with a sound signature you could listen to all-day comfortably. For that reason alone I may use the Studio3 more than I'd listen to the Momentum, so that gives it a fighting chance.
I'm actually quite impressed that 50% volume is what I'd consider "just right." (Even one notch higher is too much for me with the way mids are tuned.) I think somebody from Beats realized since they're wireless they can control the volume output/decibel level and decided to make 50% the ideal listening volume decibel-wise, then from that point on they get stupidly loud. Considering how loud the drivers can get I wish there was a dedicated bass boost tuning for the gym. These are more so balanced studio headphones than they are Beats
. Still not for actual studio use though.
To give Studio3 a fair chance, I'll use them exclusively for the next week or two then return back to my other headphones and see how I feel. The narrow soundstage takes some getting used to but there is separation.
It's entirely possible in a week I'll prefer them to the Momentum, though I will admit Sennheiser utilized a fantastic driver in the Momentum so it's not likely.
Ironically the bass on the Momentum is more pronounced, better-extended, tighter, and more impactful -- really excellent quality of bass on the Momentum. Beats did a relatively poor job with the bass on these headphones in comparison. Meanwhile some details in the mids are more apparent on the Studio3 (vocals overall are better on the Momentum) and some instruments like horns and rhythm guitars come through better on the Studio3. Studio3 is also less fatiguing than the Momentum.
I want to believe my unit is defective as the sub-bass performance is lacking but I doubt that’s the case. I’d take the Solo3 or the Momentum’s bass performance over the Studio3 in terms of both quality and quantity.
