SparkOnShore
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Posts
- 917
- Likes
- 313
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/beats/powerbeats3-wireless
Rtings finally got around to testing the PowerBeats3, and the raw response is perhaps the best I’ve seen measured on a Beats headphone. The bass boost is done right (3-4dB with slight emphasis on the sub-bass), with a rising response throughout the mid-range that favors the upper mid-range which I’ve found on Sennheiser headphones to bring out the clarity in vocals, and a slightly veiled treble with a top-end roll-off that prevents fatigue. Imaging and THD also measure extremely well.
This response also represents a significant improvement over the PowerBeats2, which has an almost comical 9dB upper-bass boost. I would try a pair but there are still a lot of critiques against build quality and it’s over two years old at this point but I think if Beats stuck in that direction they could have a winning next-generation lineup.
Mine have been working without hiccups for almost 2 years now! I believe many of the quality complains are either the known exaggerated reaction of Amazon commenting, or real problems because of extreme sweat. If you wear them with cable back, the microphone part is touching your neck continuously taking a lot sweat during vigorous exercise. I wear them with cable in front, which also makes them more comfortable and less moving. This is also their only big problem, which is well mentioned by rtings; they do not seal as well as the BeatsX, and their in ear unit moves a lot, breaking whatever seal quite easily. As a result you may end up having more bass at the right or left side, which is really annoying!
I have always found their sound quality really really good and much more open and transparent than let’s say the BeatsX which have the additional problem of extra long and noisy moving cable. Powerbeats3 and Studio3 are my favorite from last Apple/Beats generation. AirPods is a joke regarding sound quality compared to those 2. AirPods are just convenient for calls, that’s it! I have also been recommending here the Powerbeats3 all along...