It's been a long time coming, but a day after Beats consummated its sale to Apple for $3 billion, it's finally released a successor to its on-ear Solo, one of the most popular headphones in the world. The new, improved Solo 2 carries a list price of $200 in the US and £170 in the UK, and comes in a variety of glossy colors. (Australian details weren't available, but the US price converts to AU$215.)
The Solo 2 looks a lot like a mini version of Beats' revamped over-ear Studio (2013) headphone. For starters, the earpads have been redesigned with swankier materials that make the headphones slightly more comfortable and should hold up better over time. Those pads do offer a slightly tighter seal to prevent sound leakage, as well as better noise isolation form the outside world.
Like the new Studio, the Solo 2, which weighs in at 7.2 ounces (205 grams), is built more sturdily and has no visible screws. The curve of the headband has been changed to deliver a snugger, more ergonomic fit too. The headphones fold up but not flat and come with a soft carrying case and a detachable cord with an inline remote and microphone for making cell phone calls. (It's worth noting that the cord color matches the headphone color, which wasn't the case for the Studio Wireless I reviewed.) This on-ear model doesn't have the active noise-cancellation of the step-up Studio and Studio Wireless models.
I personally wasn't a fan of the original Solos and thought they were overpriced and lacked clarity. Like with the new Studios, Beats has tamped down the bass a little and gone with a more accurate sound profile with better detail -- that doesn't mean there isn't strong bass, but it isn't as hyped.
The Solo 2 doesn't offer quite the fullness of the larger Studio, but it's definitely more pleasant to listen to and sounds better than the original Solo. In other words, the Solo 2 is still pretty pricey, but at least its sound and build quality is more in line with a headphone that costs over $100, rather than one that costs less than $75.
Outlook
Beats has been gradually updating its product line after severing its partnership with Monster in early 2012. While it had huge success with the headphones and Bluetooth speakers built by Monster, it also got a bad rap with audiophiles, who considered the headphones inferior. These new headphones may not win audiophile hearts and ears, but Beats does appear to be moving away from its bloated-bass roots and staking out a more refined sound.
courtesy:www.cnet.com
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