Beats Studio2

"The Beats Acoustic Engine™ makes your listening experience intimate, personal, and real. Our signature DSP software is designed to generate the emotional experience that Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and some of the music industry’s greatest rock, hip-hop, pop, electronic, and R&B producers want you to feel."

The DSP tuning definitely has a signature sound... It just isn't good. The execution sounds more like a muddy V-shaped profile than an artist’s true intent. The heavy bass overshadows everything else without excessive EQ. Worse, since even the wired-only version will only work with DSP, the Studio2 are wired headphones that can't be used when the battery is dead. Utter stupidity.

"Silence the noise from your daily commute or the drama from your loud neighbors with our no-compromise dual-mode Adaptive Noise Canceling. When you’re listening to music, ANC automatically strikes a balance between your music and the world outside. If you only want to use the headphone to cancel external noise, ANC only mode automatically increases the level of noise cancellation, for a quieter world."

The ANC isn’t quite “no-compromise.” It introduces a very noticeable hiss that becomes distracting, especially during quieter tracks or when no music is playing. The inability to turn ANC off is an utterly stupid limitation that harshly impacts usability. These are wired headphones that force ANC on. Apple knows best.

"Dead batteries can kill your vibe in a flash. The New Beats Studio fixes this with a 20-hour rechargeable battery. To prevent wasting energy, the Auto On/Off feature turns off the headphone when you unplug, and with the visible Battery Fuel Gauge, you always know how much juice is available. Forget specialized adapters; the New Studio can be charged via micro USB almost anywhere."

You know what else kills your vibe in a flash? Wired only headphones that can't be used with a dead or defective battery. Genius.

"When we reimagined our legendary headphone, we designed it like a beautiful sports car and made disciplined choices. We streamlined the New Beats Studio with fast curves, smooth surfaces, and no visible screws. We shaved 13 percent off the original weight and gave it a lighter, stronger, and more comfortable headband. We created softer ear cups and an ergonomic bellow to create a flexible, custom fit for every head shape, so you can keep your music all to yourself."

The design is sleek and modern, but the comfort falls short due to small earcups and a tight fit. While the weight reduction is appreciated, the overall build quality with its heavy reliance on cheap plastic still feels like a major step behind more premium options.

The small earcups and tight clamping force make the Studio2 uncomfortable for extended wear, especially for those with larger ears or heads like myself. The lightweight plastic construction is portable and light, but the overall build quality feels cheap and plasticky.

The Studio2 has a V-shaped sound signature, emphasizing bass and treble while recessing the mids. The bass is slow, muddy, and bloated, overshadowing male vocals and leaving the low-end lacking in clarity or speed. The mids are passable but suffer from a dip in the low-mid range, resulting in vocals that sound hollow and distant. The treble lacks detail and sparkle, with veiled vocals and minimal clarity across the board. 

The soundstage is narrow, with little vertical extension, creating a closed-in listening experience. The imaging is mediocre, struggling to place sounds accurately, especially in busier tracks or gaming environments. Combined with the sound signature, the Studio2 has an overall sound that, when combined with the poor technicality, leaves the headphones sounding cheap and uninspired even for casual listening.

Compared to its successor, the Beats Studio3, the Studio2 falls short in every category. The constant, audible hiss from the always-on can't be turned off ANC, combined with subpar sound quality and mediocre comfort makes these headphones difficult to recommend. Even at a used price of $60, it’s hard to justify over better alternatives in the same price range.

No.

The Beats Studio2 is an outdated option with significant drawbacks. If you’re looking for Beats on a budget, the Studio3 offers a much better experience.