Beats' Powerbeats Pro look to be a bigger, better (and more expensive) version of AirPods...

[Shawn Knight]

What just happened? Apple subsidiary Beats on Wednesday unveiled its latest creation, Powerbeats Pro – totally wireless earphones that, at least on paper, look to be better than Apple’s recently launched second-gen AirPods in virtually every category.

Powerbeats Pro are 23 percent smaller than their predecessor and 17 percent lighter. They’re also sweat and water resistant and boast up to nine hours of listening time. Using Fast Fuel charging, you can get up to 1.5 hours of playback in just five minutes and up to 4.5 hours with a 15-minute refill.

Powerbeats Pro feature an ambidextrous design with physical volume and track control buttons on each earbud, giving users full control over music and phone calls regardless of which hand they prefer to use.

Like the 2019 AirPods, Powerbeats Pro also utilize Apple’s new H1 chip which offers 30 percent lower latency compared to the W1 used in the first version of AirPods.

Beats said sound quality was its highest priority when developing Powerbeats Pro.

Completely re-engineered from the inside out, the earphones boast an upgraded linear piston driver that leverages an efficient, pressurized airflow to create a powerful acoustic response in a small package. Enhanced sound quality means incredibly low distortion and great dynamic range across the entire frequency curve.

Luke Wood, president of Beats, said customers no longer have to choose between performance and practicality as Powerbeats Pro delivers the best on both fronts.

Powerbeats Pro will be available in black, white, dark green and blue when they ship next month for $249.95. They’re compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/79497-powerbeats-pro-look-bigger-better-more-expensive-version.html

 

[pcnthuziast]

Beats entire line has been over priced and over hyped trash from day 1. If you have the budget to afford any pair of beats, you can absolutely get something better for the same price or less.

 

[Evernessince]

I don't get the point of these. Are you there to workout or listen to your music? If you are focusing enough on your music to critique the sound quality you clearly aren't focusing on your workout enough.

They are also advertising noise isolation, which can be dangerous when working out in the gym. I have to wonder if people at Apple actually tested these for the purpose their webpage is advertising them for.

I'm betting these are more for the sloths I see loafing around the gym in their expensive workout gear that never really goes to use. People there to showoff instead of getting fit.

 

[mctommy]

I don't get the point of these. Are you there to workout or listen to your music? If you are focusing enough on your music to critique the sound quality you clearly aren't focusing on your workout enough.

They are also advertising noise isolation, which can be dangerous when working out in the gym. I have to wonder if people at Apple actually tested these for the purpose their webpage is advertising them for.

I'm betting these are more for the sloths I see loafing around the gym in their expensive workout gear that never really goes to use. People there to showoff instead of getting fit.

The ear loop ones will be always design for a more secure fit for work out or exercise. They use the original design (with the cord) with the tips that act as the noise isolation and kept it as such... a lot of the earbuds (corded or non-corded) out there are like that (anker's, Powerbeats 3, etc...)

I have a love/hate relationship with my airpods, I like them because I have no latency issue, the sound is decent, and their size is perfect... but they always fall out of my ears.

 

[Hexic]

I don't get the point of these. Are you there to workout or listen to your music? If you are focusing enough on your music to critique the sound quality you clearly aren't focusing on your workout enough.

They are also advertising noise isolation, which can be dangerous when working out in the gym. I have to wonder if people at Apple actually tested these for the purpose their webpage is advertising them for.

I'm betting these are more for the sloths I see loafing around the gym in their expensive workout gear that never really goes to use. People there to showoff instead of getting fit.

The ear loop ones will be always design for a more secure fit for work out or exercise. They use the original design (with the cord) with the tips that act as the noise isolation and kept it as such... a lot of the earbuds (corded or non-corded) out there are like that (anker's, Powerbeats 3, etc...)

I have a love/hate relationship with my airpods, I like them because I have no latency issue, the sound is decent, and their size is perfect... but they always fall out of my ears.

That's the one main beef I've had with the AirPods... Their design is horrendous. They (IMO) are uncomfortable for me and many others I've talked to, and they have that nasty habit of falling out. It's almost as if they sacrificed utility for fashion... Apple doing this? No way!

In all honesty, I couldn't be happier with my Jabra Sport Elite wireless earbuds. I have had them for over 2 years now, and they are extremely comfortable, work very well, and the sound quality is fantastic. And they have the same water resistant, noise cancelling, buzzword-esque features from 2016 that the new products now have.

A new chip is great and all, but if they aren't comfortable and fall out of my ears, I'm not buying any earbuds with those detriments... Regardless of who makes them. Utility trumps all.