FiioforMeOh
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2013
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A lot of people (if not everyone) on the website have heard about Beats electronics revising their best selling headphone, the beats Studio. It was their original pilot headphone when they were produced by monster sometime back in 2008, and since then have become the most popular headphone to this day amongst consumerists. However, the headphone had several caveats that upset both Audio specialists and consumerists alike. The first thing,
1. Build. The beats studios were made from a cheap plastic that somewhat resembles fiber glass on the headband. After some breaking in (if not literally (; ) the stress of stretching the headband over ones head would take its tole on the plastic, causing it to either crack, and in many cases snap in half. All in all, the old models build was a complete joke.
2. Price. They ran for a MRSP of 300+ dollars back then. And for what? Cause they looked cool? Psh, even though they lowered the price to 299.99 without tax, they still did not meet that price to performance ratio.
3. Sound. This is what REALLY put out so many Audio specialists. They sounded like two, cheap subwoofers pressed against your head. Yes, there was a surplus of bass (understatement) but where were the mids and highs? Even with equalization, the mids sounded cheap and artificial, and the highs were tinny and cold. To your average consumer, they would sound pretty good considering they're used to Apple Ear buds or Skulll candy ink'd (Not bad bass-head ear buds I must say) but to an experienced Audiophile, its no wonder that they would sound considerably bad.
4. Sound leakage. Practically you can't listen to your music over 50% volume without turning yourself into a walking stereo. Unless you were by yourself, or didn't care about others hearing your music, they would be a major problem. Definitely not library headphones.
Well, that practically sums up what was really wrong with the old studios. Since then, there has always been a headphone that's been recommended (If not blindly) by Headphone specialists, and it is called the Audio Technica ATH M50.
Now, what makes this headphone so special? Well, from what owners have said, you get great bass thats better than any beats headphone, warm mids and clear vocals (Seems fairly subjective after seeing the mixed reviews) and crystal clear highs (If not sibilant).
Having owned a pair, i was very content with my M50. The sound was clear, not near as muddy as the studios (bought the studios after the M50) Overall, these were the headphones for me.
Or were they....
In august 2013, Beats released their newest headphone, the revised beats studios. And i must say, they really did their Homework! Better build, great sound, and comfort ability that was on par if not better than the original Studio! But how does this New headphone size up to the almighty M50? Lets take a look.
1. Sound.
Now, the M50 is very well known for its great sound for a sub 200 dollar headphone. But after awhile, my ears started to fatigue while listening to these headphones. When this would happen, the bass would muddy up the other frequencies, and the mids would become non existent. However, this is after an hour of listening. before then, the sound is quite enjoyable for Dubstep, progressive house and dance. Country too! for a sub two hundred dollar headphone, these really offer a great bang for your buck!
As for the studios, they have clarity that is easily on par with the M50, having crisp non fatiguing highs, forwards mids, and a lot less bass than the older model. Like the m50, they play Dubstep, house, dance and other electronic genres as well. And to my surprise, even country! Never would have thought. I can wear them hours on end without any fatigue.They also come with improved Noise cancellation. Though not near as good as the Bose QC15, they certainly do their job at blocking out sound when your music is playing. However, unlike the M50, the sound is colored, so these are strictly meant for listening and not mixing (Though IMO they could very well be a pair for that on certain tracks)
2.Aesthetics
For how they look is subjective, the Beats Studios offer a very flashy, eye appealing look with their glossy back, white, or red color. But the M50 look much more professional, so for someone who wants style should go for the beats, or dare I say "swag" should go for the Beats, but someone who wants to look more professional and not like a ****** should go for the M50. But remember, the M50 is not meant to be a portable headphone.
Durability
Heres the interesting part. Now the M50 is praised for being a tank like headphone, where the Studios are well known on the Head Fi forums for breaking and or cracking. However, it seems that beats has possibly corrected this issue by inserting metal bands into the the beats Studios headband to prevent them for snapping in half.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tL-xuefFqs
Now that is some extreme durability. Not saying the M50 is not durable, its quite solid with strong plastic with a few metal components, but it isn't flexible like the new studios. The M50 is solid and built like a tank, where as the Studios are flexible and somewhat solid.
Now, in terms of value. the M50 goes for about 150 on amazon while the Studios for for almost twice that price. So the M50 is a great deal cheaper, but its sweaty and sticky pleather, sibilant highs and shallow ear cups ruin the experience. Where as with the studios, my ears can breathe through the ear cup material, they're not the very least sticky, and they do not fatigue my ears nearly as much as the M50 does. So, in the end, if I had lots of money to just blow on Headphones, *puts on flame suit* I'd buy the New beats studios.
DUN DUN DUNNNN
In conclusion, Beats has really improved their Studio line, and I give them major credit for it. Sound is vastly improved, rechargeable battery, and great comfort ability followed by eye appeal. Though these things are like i said, subjective. Some will like the New Studios, some will hate them. But if you're an open minded Headphone enthusiast, you will find the New Beats Studios to be quite enjoyable.
But if you'd rather save money and buy a flat response/monitoring Headphone, then I'd suggest the Beyerdynamic DT 770 or the Sennheiser HD 380 Pro.
