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The world of wireless headphones doesn’t just revolve around the options that have made cable disappear. Yes, products like AirPods and the Powerbeats Pro They have become the most popular choice but wired wireless or Bluetooth headsets have not disappeared. If you need proof, Beats’ first products for 2020 are the Powerbeats – a pair of $ 149 Bluetooth headphones with earhooks and connected by a cable.
Technically, they are the successors to Powerbeats 3 ($ 69.95, originally $ 199.95; amazon.com), which was originally released in September 2016. But instead of being called Powerbeats 4, these are simply Powerbeats. This definitive name cleans up Beats’ current wireless line.
So what do Powerbeats bring to the table? Without a doubt, they are a great improvement over the old PowerBeats 3, and comply with the standard established by the Powerbeats Pro. They have the same audio experience as the Pro thanks to the 12mm drivers and a digital signal processor. By working together, they create a balanced listening experience that delivers strong bass performance.
Feeding the connection is the H1 chip made by Apple. And that’s good news, since this is the same chip inside Powerbeats Pro, AirPods Y AirPods Pro second generation. It enables quick pairing with any iOS device and will sync with your iCloud account to easily switch between any iOS device, macOS, watchOS, and even tvOS. The H1 chip also powers the “Hey Siri” hands-free, and supports “audio swapping” on iOS (where two pairs of headphones connect simultaneously to the same source). When you ask Siri to make a call, turn up the volume, or make a call, you will use microphones on both headphones. Calls and voice control should be as good as on the Powerbeats Pro.
All of this is included in the classic ear hook design, although they go for the updated styling of the Pro models. When you put them on, it’s still best to put the hook behind the ear and then push the earpiece in. It takes a little getting used to, but those familiar with the Powerbeats family should have no problem. The cable connecting the two comes out of the back of the ear hook and is long enough to rest around the neck. Best of all, when these are not in use, you can leave them hanging around your neck. They are also IPX4 rated, so they must be resistant to splashing water. In other words, you can wear them in the gym and sweat on them, just don’t try to dip them.
When it comes to controls, the left Powerbeats headset has a button on top and an LED indicator for power and Bluetooth pairing. The right has a volume control at the top and the Beats “b” button on the side allows you to skip a track, go back, answer a call, and even activate Siri. When it’s time to charge, you can use the Lightning port.
While Powerbeats Pro has an average of 9 hours of battery life on a full charge (with 24 hours of use through the charging case), Powerbeats should give you 15 hours of battery life. That’s pretty impressive for a pair of headphones and over 12 hours of playback on the PowerBeats 3.
For $ 149, you get all of these features, plus a few more in the box: three additional ear cushion sizes, a USB-A to Lightning cable for charging, a case, and some documents. You can also choose between white, red or black as the color.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.
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