High-def bling for the ears
This is one headphone you should be very cautious of when wearing in public.
Why? Because it draws attention like a pair of glittering 60-carat diamond earrings or a red multimillion-peso convertible sports car. As the wearer, you can’t ignore its hefty size and certainly the thick extra cushy faux-leather paddings.
Indeed, there’s nothing low-profile about the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio high definition powered isolation headphones.
The glossy red headphone that was delivered to this writer came in an equally flashy black and red packaging that contained the gadget’s most important component: monster brand of high-performance headphone cable.
Actually, the box contains two—one in red and the other in traditional black—of this expensive and unusually thick 1.21-meter long cable. Both feature a tiny all-in-one switch that controls the volume, serves as an answer button as well as microphone when connected to an iPhone, Blackberry or other music-enabled mobile devices.
The packaging also contains other accessories like a dual-pronged airplane adapter, a quarter-inch adapter for home audio system use, and a rigid shell-like carrying case with a carabiner attached. In addition, the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio also comes with a cleaning cloth, which is necessary because this headphone is highly prone to smudges.
Two AAA batteries are needed to power the headphone as well as activate its noise-canceling function.
The headphone is probably one of the most stylish gadgets in the market today. But, if it doesn’t hold water when it comes to audio quality, it’s definitely not worth the P22,000 price tag.
Fortunately, and as expected, the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio delivers surprisingly crisp, clear sound.
According to Eleksis Marketing, the headphone’s official distributor here, such exceptional audio starts with the headphone’s cable that employs special wiring (four twisted pairs) as well as gold-plated connectors that significantly reduce signal loss as well as interference.
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio also employed extra-large 40mm drivers and a high-power digital amplifier.
Listening to rap and hip-hop songs, the device delivered thumping bass and crystal clear vocals very few headphones could match.
Also, while playing Johann Sebastian Bach’s Air on a G String, the sound quality that came out of Beats by Dr. Dre Studio was first-class—the violins sounded very crisp and clear even at low volume.
The noise cancellation proved effective in appreciating the faint and subtle sounds, allowing this writer to listen to the music at appropriate and safe levels. While fantastic, the device is also power-hungry—the batteries must be replaced often.
Indeed, the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio is for the more discerning consumers who expect premium audio experience and performance.
