The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones deliver the trifecta of sleek, comfortable design, useful features, and top-notch sound quality. If you can afford them, they're a worthy investment toward an improved listening experience.
It's not always easy to get excited about a pair of headphones at first glance. Generally, the listening experience, which is gathered only after putting a set on and sitting down with some favorite music, is what draws people in. Not so with the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones, a sweet-looking set that will relieve you of $350 (or closer to $300 if you shop around). Though their sound quality is nothing to scoff at, their appeal as eye-candy is undeniable. For audio enthusiasts who are tired of the ... Expand full review
It's not always easy to get excited about a pair of headphones at first glance. Generally, the listening experience, which is gathered only after putting a set on and sitting down with some favorite music, is what draws people in. Not so with the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones, a sweet-looking set that will relieve you of $350 (or closer to $300 if you shop around). Though their sound quality is nothing to scoff at, their appeal as eye-candy is undeniable. For audio enthusiasts who are tired of the same old look, the Beats Studio headphones are a must.
The Beats may not be all about style, but you wouldn't know that just by looking at them. If you wear these headphones in public, you will turn heads. The thick and padded glossy black headband descends seemingly seamlessly into the circles that hold each earcup, which are oblong and padded in a leatherette material that is obscenely cushy. (They also swivel slightly in their supports in order to provide a comfortable fit.)
Closer inspection of the headband discloses a seam on each side where it expands, revealing the metal support band within. This same metal accents the inside of the headband and rings thinly around each earpiece, which also features deep red accents. The outside of the earcups also have a metallic disc containing a red "b" (the one on the right will mute your music when pressed). The overall effect is a sleek and stylish design that is not ostentatious. However, the padding on the band is a bit stiff and may take some breaking in to be truly comfy.
In addition to the Beats Studio by Dr. Dre headphones, Monster includes a variety of accessories in the slick, red packaging. There are two ultrathick 3.5mm audio cables--one red for standard MP3 players and one black with a built-in mic and ControlTalk remote for iPhones and iPods--each measuring 4 feet long. You also get a dual-pronged airplane adapter and a quarter-inch adapter for use with your home audio system, as well as a hard-shell carrying case with a carabiner attached. In addition, the Beats Studio come with a cleaning cloth, and you'll need it: these headphones are highly smudge-prone. Also necessary are the included AAA batteries; the headphones are noise-canceling (activated via a switch on the right earcup) and need power to work.
Of course, a pair of headphones may be the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen, but if they don't hold water when it comes to audio quality, the shine is quickly diminished. Luckily, this is not an issue with the Beats Studio, which offered an exceptionally--
The genres that really shine are electronic, dance, pop, hard rock, and hip-hop, although other genres are also very good for the most part. No matter what the music, be forewarned that these headphones have a fair amount of sound leakage, so your listening experience won't be entirely private. We are happy to report, however, that the Beats Studio headphones don't suffer from the noise cancelation module rattle of their predecessors. Overall, these provide a fantastically comfortable and enjoyable listening experience.
V-Moda Crossfade LP Reviews:
V-Moda has gained quite a reputation for its stylish, low-profile earbuds, so it's not terribly surprising that the company has decided to dip its toes into the full-size headphone waters. As would be expected, V-Moda's entry into the space is every bit as stylish as its ultraportable siblings. The Crossfade LP headphones run about $250 and feature top-notch construction, plenty of features, and a comfy fit. Unfortunately, sound quality is not consistent across all genres of music, so if you ...
V-Moda has gained quite a reputation for its stylish, low-profile earbuds, so it's not terribly surprising that the company has decided to dip its toes into the full-size headphone waters. As would be expected, V-Moda's entry into the space is every bit as stylish as its ultraportable siblings. The Crossfade LP headphones run about $250 and feature top-notch construction, plenty of features, and a comfy fit. Unfortunately, sound quality is not consistent across all genres of music, so if you have eclectic taste, these aren't the best option. However, this set does offer great, encompassing audio for club and dance tracks, as well as provide decent response for some midtempo electronica and big pop, which makes them a suitable option for some.
To say that the Crossfade LP headphones are different than the rest of V-Moda's earphones is a bit of an understatement. The Remix line includes only supertiny in-ear models, whereas the Crossfades are monsters by comparison. These are true full-size cans with large, ultracushy padded earcups and a nice, thick padded headband. The result is a comfy fit for nearly every head size and shape, though the 'phones did tend to make our ears slightly sweaty and itchy after extended wear; it wasn't excessive, though.
The style of the Crossfade LP is definitely eye-catching, to the point where one tester didn't feel "hard core" enough to pull them off, where as another was smitten with the urban-industrial design. The headphones come in a choice of three colors--gunmetal black, phantom chrome, or white pearl--and each version features shiny metallic plates fastened on the earcups and headband with mini bolts. The cups are in turn attached to the headband via skeletal metal arms that click satisfyingly when you're adjusting the size of the headphones.
The good: Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones offer a stylish and comfortable design as well as an exceptionally crisp and balanced audio response with a tight low-end and warm mids. Included are a nice carrying case and a music-phone-
The V-Moda Crossfade LP headphones feature an eye-catching design and solid construction that offers a comfy fit. The package includes several nice extras such as detachable cloth-covered cables, an iPhone/iPod remote and inline mic, and a stylish hard-sided case.
The bad: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones cannot be used without batteries, they're expensive, and the glossy black design is very smudge-prone.
The Crossfade LP headphones don't offer the most balanced audio response, and they don't fold down flat for easy transport.
