On the one hand, the Solo 4 are demonstrably better headphones than their predecessors, with improved battery life and flexibility, all without changing the price tag. They’re comfortable to wear, seem sturdy, and strike a nice balance between distinct aesthetics without straying into ostentation. Oh, and the fact that they sound pretty darn good — crisp, clear, and with the additional benefit of Spatial Audio support — is the cherry on the proverbial cake.
At the same time, though, the headphones market is ever-more competitive. For the same price as the Solo 4 you can have Sony’s Ult Wear, for example: not only do they allow you to crank up the bass (to, admittedly, levels that only the most low-end addicted might enjoy) but they have active noise cancellation and match (with ANC off) the battery life of the Beats.
Beats certainly deserves credit for its best-of-both-worlds approach to iPhone and Android support, and the Solo 4 are stylish and very listenable. I suspect road warriors will still want to look elsewhere, until ANC graduates down through Beats’ line-up. The biggest takeaway, though, is that you should audition headphones rather than go by reputation before you open your wallet, to ensure Beats’ sound profile of choice matches your ears’ preference.
