beatniks

After a nearly eight - year spread , Beats finally has an updated version of its Solo wireless on - ear headphones : the Beats Solo 4 . The fourth - gen cans see nearly identical to their predecessors and they sport the same $ 200 price tag . Under that familiar exterior , however , consist a serial of rise , include support for spatial and lossless audio frequency , that Beats hopes will keep the Solo 4 as its most popular product . The Solo 4 can be ordered starting April 30 in Matte Black , Slate Blue , and Cloud Pink , with transport start May 2 . beat alsodebuted its latest wireless earbuds , the Solo Buds .

Physically , very little has changed since theSolo3 Wirelessdebuted in 2016 . The Solo 4 preserves the now - authoritative Beats phone line , with the same fold hinges and a low - visibility headband that transitions seamlessly into the earcups . Some of the chrome - finish accents have been retired , but the distinctive lowercase “ b ” Beats logotype is still front and marrow .

Beats Solo 4 in three colors.

Beats

Beats says the ear cushion have been restructured for dandy puff and support , and if you look at the bottom of the right-hand earcup , you ’ll see one of the more notable changes . Instead of the Solo3 ’s ancient microUSB port , the Solo 4 are equipped with USB - C. And , just like theBeats Studio Pro , this means you’re able to charge the stern from almost any twist , including USB - vitamin C - equipped smartphones like the iPhone 15 .

That USB - C porthole also supports lossless digital sound , include hi - res audio compatibility up to 24 - bit/48kHz . you could charge and hear at the same fourth dimension via USB - C or , alternatively , you could use the 3.5 mm parallel input . rhythm even admit a 3.5 millimeter analog line , something that was strangely absent on the Solo3 .

Speaking of audio quality , Beats says the Solo 4 ’s acoustic have been improved , too . “ Beats Solo 4 has been reengineered for unbelievable , high - fidelity acoustics , ” touts the press exit . “ The custom - built 40 mm transducers minimize electronic artifacts , latency , and distortion for over-the-top clarity and range . ”

There ’s a revamped carry case that uses a toiletry - outfit like design , and Beats has improve compatibility with the Android ecosystem — the Solo 4 can connect via Google Fast Pair , which also brings ascertain My gadget functionality . You ’ll be able-bodied to seamlessly switch over devices within each ecosystem ( Android or Apple ) , but the Solo 4 still lack trueBluetooth Multipointfunctionality for cooccurring connectedness to any two Bluetooth devices .

Unfortunately , only iPhone user will get the other swelled addition : head - trackedspatial audio recording . Now , in addition to letting you discover spacial audio formats likeDolby Atmos Music , you’re able to reverse on a spatialized stereo mode . Both versions use Apple ’s personalization feature of speech to increase the signified of dousing created byspatial audio frequency on earphone .

And iPhone drug user will also get hand - loose “ Hey , Siri ” memory access and audio communion . Battery life was already impressive on the Solo3 at 40 hours , but this has been increase by 25 % to a claim 50 hour on the Solo 4 . Fast Fuel charging birth five additional hours of playback with 10 arcminute of charging .

Are the Solo 4 a good choice for your next set ofwireless headphones?Check out our in - depth reviewfor some potential answer .