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No New Studio Wireless Headphones Coming From Beats in 2016

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Apple recently announced several updates to its Beats line of headphones, debuting new wireless Beats Solo3, PowerBeats3, and BeatsX products, all of which take advantage of the company's new W1 wireless chip for battery life improvements.

Missing from the lineup was a new version of the high-end over-ear Studio Wireless headphones, and according to CNET, no updated Studio Wireless products are planned for the near future due to an inability to improve battery life.

beatsstudiowireless

The reason? Beats can't yet achieve the battery improvements needed to distinguish a Studio Wireless sequel from the current model. That's a big contrast to the major battery life gains in Beats' aforementioned updated wireless headphones, which come courtesy of Apple's new custom low-energy Bluetooth chip, the W1. The Solo3 Wireless, for example, wrings out three times the lifespan from the exact same battery found in the Solo2. But the W1 can't offer any energy savings on the active noise-canceling feature on the Studio Wireless.

The existing Studio Wireless headphones, priced at $380, offer an Adaptive Noise Canceling feature that consumes battery life. The headphones feature a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 hours when used over Bluetooth and 20 hours when plugged into an iOS device.

Apple's new Beats Solo3 headphones are available for $299 from Apple.com. The PowerBeats3 and the BeatsX, priced at $199 and $149, respectively, will debut this fall. Apple is also planning to introduce Apple-branded wire-free "AirPods," which will be priced at $159 and will be available in October.

Top Rated Comments

keysofanxiety Avatar
124 months ago
No new headphones? This is completely unacceptable, Apple. I bought a Dell XPS instead and couldn't be happier.

Am I doing this right?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
124 months ago
That most of the new Beats headphones still use Micro-USB is all kinds of sad. Perhaps my least favourite connector. Just move to Lightning for charging and dump wired used entirely. Solo3 aren't a DJ headphone anyway, and with 40-hour battery life and a 400+ foot range wires are the least concern.

And while Apple are at it just move to Lightning to Lightning for all of their iOS charging cables/plugs.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flat five Avatar
124 months ago
Just cuz it's true it doesn't mean you have to like it.
lol.. so you just try to keep saying the same thing again using different words?
nice

here's something to think about.. next time you're off the internet and start wondering "why does life suck?" (for the millionth time)... realize this -> it's probably not life that sucks.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
124 months ago
They could at least have done a price cut to reflect the fact that they've been out for multiple years. Regardless, I do enjoy my Studio Wireless. Very underrated pair of headphones.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xTIMMYxCOREx Avatar
124 months ago
Anyone buying Beats headphones has no self respect. They're garbage headphones, mediocre sound quality and extremely overpriced.

Why would ANYONE buy them when for that money you could get an incredible pair of Sennheiser headphoes... ones that are wired and don't need constant charging either?
Anyone who uses wired headphones has no self respect. Yes, I'm pointing out how stupid your argument is. People like different things and that's ok. I like convenience and sound like a club PA. Not everyone does. Get over it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
124 months ago
Anyone buying Beats headphones has no self respect. They're garbage headphones, mediocre sound quality and extremely overpriced.

Why would ANYONE buy them when for that money you could get an incredible pair of Sennheiser headphoes... ones that are wired and don't need constant charging either?
Because people like different things.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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