|
Monster Beats Headphones by Dr. Dre
Specifications
For more info on Beats By Dre Headphones go to www.beatsbydre.com Sound Quality Headphones with noise canceling technology continue to become more common in the marketplace, especially towards the more expensive end of the spectrum that the Beats boldly invade. For a first time entrance into this arena, Monster has a lot to prove. Much like my previous review of a similar product, I was not afforded the opportunity to test the Beats "in the field," such as on a flight to the Bahamas or Fiji to see how they would do at reducing aircraft engine noise. Instead I was forced to use more primitive methods once again. Yes, I'm still working on renegotiating my contract. [Kurtis: I've told you time and time again, Mark, you're free to charter our corporate jet any time - at your own expense.] At any rate, with speakers blaring recorded engine noises and various other background sounds, there was a reduction in bass and lower midrange frequencies when the Beats were turned on. Higher pitched sounds didn't seem to get reduced nearly as much, however. Overall the active noise canceling did make a noticeable difference, but it wasn't nearly as substantial a reduction as I've seen in competing products in this price range. Part of the problem stems from the fact that the Beats aren't all that great at passively reducing background noise to begin with. Since the Beats' earpads rest on the ear instead of fully enclosing them, outside noises are bound to have an easier path into the ear canal. This design choice also means that when you pump up your iPod's volume in order to drown out the engine noise during your flight, your neighbor will undoubtedly be giggling at you under his breath when he hears Aqua's "Barbie Girl" streaming from your headphones. As far as sound quality is concerned, the Beats were quite impressive. Considering Dr. Dre's involvement with this product I was surprised to find that the Beats weren't exceedingly bass heavy, like you might expect with the obvious connections to Rap/Hip-Hop. Instead, there was a good balance between all frequencies. While the bass wasn't overblown, it was well represented and punchy rather than boomy. The midrange and highs stood on their own as well and never felt overshadowed or lost in any of the samples I listened to. One drawback that is inherent with noise canceling headphones, however, is the fact that there is always going to be some amount of noise generated by the headphone itself. In this case the Beats were no exception, although at most listening volumes such noise was hardly noticeable. For audiophile purists, it will be a disappointment to be reminded once again that the Beats can't even be used without the active noise canceling turned on.
Related Reviews Headphones March 11, 2009
Headphones November 21, 2008
Headphones November 10, 2008
Headphones September 29, 2008
Add Comment
9 User Comments 1 - Posted by
someguy
on October 14, 2008 - 11:17 am You can also get them directly from http://www.beatsbydre.com They also have cool music videos from artists who love them 2 - Posted by
Brian Albers
on December 8, 2008 - 12:29 pm Hey Mark. Thanks for your write-up. "there are better sounding headphones to be had at less than half the price of the Beats, and with none of the compromises involved here" Which makes/models? I've been looking to replace my Bose Quiet Comforts and I've considered the Monsters, but after you made that statement I wondered which ones you would recommend. I've had plenty over the years (Sennheiser, AKG, Sony) and have found that I generally like the high end consumer types rather than the proper recording studio cans. The Monsters sound great, but if I can find that sound for less than the fortune that Monster is asking, I'd want to check them out. 3 - Posted by
Mark Korff
on December 9, 2008 - 10:16 am Hey Brian. While there are certainly a lot of good headphones out on the market, I'm only going to recommend the ones I've personally used or reviewed. Right now my personal headphones are the Sennheiser HD 595. I haven't written a review of them, but they're great sounding and very comfortable. They're not meant to be noise cancelling at all though. If you're looking for great sounding noise reducing headphones, take a look at my review of the Altec Lansing iM716 in-ear headphones. They block out just about everything, and it's all done passively so you won't get any of the digital noise you'd experience with active noise reduction technology. Finally, if you really want great bang for your buck, take a look at any of the headphones from Grado. You really cannot go wrong with any of their products. Just pick the model they offer that is closest to what you want to spend and you won't be sorry. Even their cheapest model sounds better than some headphones that cost over three times as much. I've owned both of their lowest models (SR-60 and SR-80) and would recommend them to anyone that loves great sound. 4 - Posted by
Kurtis
on December 9, 2008 - 12:42 pm Heh, we actually just had Cameron review the Sennheiser HD 595 as well: http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/596/Sennheise... Only potential problem with those is that they're an open design, so they're not great for loud environments or for when you are trying to keep the audio to yourself. Another thing worth mentioning is that you -may- want to consider in-ear headphones. We've reviewed several recently, and we've got more on the way: http://www.thetechlounge.com/list-articles/53/ 5 - Posted by
Tyler
on April 24, 2009 - 2:50 am The DrePhones are unreal. I nabbed them 2 weeks ago and realized that I'd been living like an animal, listening to my music with apple earbuds. If you really care about your music, get the drephones. You will hear more detail and aspects to every song with the drephones than you ever thought possible. Thanks Dr. Dre.
6 - Posted by
Intoit
on August 21, 2009 - 4:30 am I would say this novel of a review is upsetting to those who own a pair of the studio headphones. I own one myself and I can't get enough of 'em. I use them when I work out and even just chill around the place, walking or sitting down. They might be pricey, but if Boses' best cost 350 then shit, you have to compete somehow. I've personally listened through the more expensive Bose headphones and would say the Beats win in every category. Especially in the clarity of the music and the comfortness. The style is just a plus. It's new. It fits in ideally in the generation of music. The bass is ridiculously sweet, the highs and low's are easy on the ears and the clarity of the background noises are good. True that it can get distorted but when are you really going to be listening to your ipod at the highest peak of volume? I know when I use them in the gym, I have to turn my up almost to the highest but it still sounds excellent. Can't hear anything at all on the outside either. And I mean NOTHING AT ALL. It's case and cleansing rag are another sweet edition plus it's other little cables and whatnot. Pretty convenient. I give them a 5/5. In other words................. THESE HEADPHONES ARE SIIIIICK! 7 - Posted by
Intoit
on August 21, 2009 - 4:34 am "I have to turn mine* up..." ha
8 - Posted by
Cobra
on September 30, 2009 - 11:04 am Personally, all I hear in these reviews is people mostly bitching about the price. WAN WAN WAN! If they were $100 you'd be sucking yourselves off with your great purchase. Find someone that works at best buy and save $150 off the retail price. Even at $240 I'm sure you're all still crying, but w/e I love them and I don't give a shit. They are step up for me, so I'm happy. Plus, they look mad sexy. And, to the person who posted that there are videos of people wearing them on the dre website...I hope you didn't buy it cause Lady Gaga is wearing them. You noob. You're all noobs. No one gives a shit about your opinions. Just buy them cause you like them, not cause some poodick on the internet is bitching about prices. Sure noise cancelling could be better and changing batteries suck, but buy some rechargeable's. It's 2009 for christ sake! Anyway, much love to all the people in the world! Keep it positive! lol 9 - Posted by
djplasticairplanemodels
on September 30, 2009 - 11:10 am I think all the dead rechargables are piling up in cobras head and it's clouding his vision because the sony v-700's are the best headphones for the price... thanks for comming out!
Add Comment To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields. |
Recent Articles Editorials August 27, 2009
Editorials August 18, 2009
Editorials March 3, 2009
Editorials February 12, 2009
Recent News Tom's Hardware Nov. 6, 2009 - 4:45 pm
Boing Boing Nov. 3, 2009 - 8:22 pm
Destructoid Nov. 3, 2009 - 7:14 pm
Fidgit Nov. 3, 2009 - 6:57 pm
Gizmodo Nov. 2, 2009 - 11:58 pm
Rock Paper Shotgun Oct. 30, 2009 - 7:12 pm
Fidgit Oct. 27, 2009 - 11:10 pm
|
|||||||||||||||
