The Truth about the New Beats by Dre!
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Promos
The new Beats are really good and also a little confusing for $350 MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Headphones provided by Beats for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
The video opens with a provocative comparison, proposing that the new Beats by Dre headphones could be seen as the best Apple headphones ever made if they simply swapped logos and branding. The host argues that, on paper, the Beats design is strong: lighter than AirPods Max, folding for travel, and featuring a practical case with storage pockets. He emphasizes the blend of premium feel and everyday usability, noting the USB-C port, wired option, and longer battery life relative to AirPods Max. The discussion then pivots to the $350 price point and the strategic positioning within the premium over-ear category, comparing them to other high-end models like Sony Mark 5s and Bose QC 45s. The first major reveal is that these Beats lack several “Apple” ecosystem niceties, such as the H1/H2 chip and instant multi-device switching, which keeps them from feeling fully integrated with Apple devices. Overall, the segment sets up a tension between strong raw performance and missing ecosystem advantages, framing the Beats as a compelling but imperfect option in the premium space.
Topics · technology · audio hardware · consumer electronics · product reviews · apple beats ecosystem · headphones · sound quality · design and build
Questions answered
- Do the new Beats headphones support multi-point Bluetooth pairing for seamless device switching?
- No, they do not support multi-point connectivity for instant switching between devices; users must manually switch Bluetooth connections between paired devices.
- What limits exist in the Beats headphones compared to AirPods Max in terms of ecosystem integration?
- They lack the H1/H2 chip, have no wake and instant pair, and provide limited Find My background ping, which reduces seamless integration with Apple devices.
- What are the built-in EQ options when using USB-C wired mode?
- When wired via USB-C, you can choose between three built-in EQ profiles: Signature, Entertainment, and Conversation, activated by a double-press of the power button.