Beats Studio3

“Bluetooth technology offers the convenience of wireless audio streaming from your compatible devices... The Apple W1 headphone chip brings seamless setup and switching for your Apple devices, so you can easily move about, keep the music going, and stay productive all day.”

The Bluetooth and W1 chip integration make pairing and switching between Apple devices a breeze, though these features bring little extra value for non-Apple users.

“Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC) technology actively blocks unwanted external noise... Real-time audio calibration preserves a premium listening experience.”

The ANC reduces background noise effectively for commuting or casual use but struggles with louder, unpredictable sounds. The "real-time audio calibration" doesn’t noticeably enhance the experience beyond other ANC headphones.

“Rechargeable battery offers up to 22 hours of full-featured all-day wireless playback... Fast Fuel option gives you up to 3 hours of play from just a 10-minute charge when the battery is low.”

Battery life is ok, but while the "Fast Fuel" feature was decent for 2017 (gimmicky branding aside), by 2024 standards it's fine but not impressive. A Sennheiser Momentum 4, for example, gets 6 hours of play time from a 10-minute charge. It also has almost triple the total battery life with ANC on.

“Sleek, lightweight design and soft over-ear cushions ensure superb comfort during extended listening sessions... Studio3 Wireless headphones are engineered for all-day comfort.”

The lightweight build is convenient, but the fit can feel tight for larger heads, and the plastic construction doesn’t scream premium. Comfort is fine for short sessions but less so for extended wear.

“Beats Studio3 Wireless over-ear headphones deliver premium sound while blocking external noise with Active Noise Cancelling.”

The sound out of the box is underwhelming, with muddy bass and recessed mids and highs. While ANC works decently, it’s not on par with today's similarly priced competitors.

The Beats Studio3 is a headphone that struggles out of the box but has potential with the right tweaks. Comfort is passable, with soft padding on the ear cups and headband, but the fit can feel tight, especially for larger heads. The lightweight plastic build makes them easy to carry around but doesn’t inspire confidence in long-term durability. Compared to similar headphones, the comfort and build are serviceable but far from exceptional.

When it comes to sound, the Studio3 leaves much to be desired in its default tuning. The bass is powerful but muddy and slow, overwhelming finer details in tracks. The mids are imbalanced, with a boosted low-mid range that adds warmth but muddies vocals, while recessed upper mids rob voices and instruments of their clarity and energy. The treble is dark and veiled, leaving tracks sounding dull and lacking the sparkle that adds excitement to music. The overall sound signature feels sluggish and overly warm, which can be frustrating for discerning listeners. However, with significant EQ adjustments—dropping the low bass and low mids while boosting the upper mids and treble—the Studio3 transforms into a much more capable headphone. Once EQ’d, vocals become clearer, details are more apparent, and the sound feels far more balanced and enjoyable.

The soundstage is narrow, typical of closed-back ANC headphones, and imaging is disappointing. Sounds blend together on busy tracks, making it difficult to pick out individual elements or their positions. While they’re acceptable for casual gaming and music, their lack of precision in imaging and staging means they’re not well-suited for competitive gaming or immersive audio experiences.

Overall, the Beats Studio3 is a solid upgrade over the Studio2, offering a more refined sound profile with slightly better balance and improved clarity. However, it is an unremarkable headphone at its retail price of $200–300, where its performance struggles to justify the cost. However, at $120 or less on the used market, and with the right EQ adjustments, they become a decent option for casual listeners who prioritize convenience and style over raw audio performance.

No.

If you can find the Beats Studio3 for $100 CAD or less and don’t mind using EQ, they’re a decent pick. However, at full price, and even their discounted retail price, their performance is too hard to justify.