The Beats Solo Pro is a stylish on-ear headphone designed for music enthusiasts who want both powerful sound and effective noise cancellation in a compact, portable design. With a reputation for producing bass-heavy headphones, Beats has evolved with the Solo Pro to offer a more balanced sound signature, while still delivering the punchy low-end that fans expect. The Solo Pro combines active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and an Apple H1 chip for seamless connectivity, making it a strong contender in the wireless on-ear headphone market.
1. Design and Build Quality
The Beats Solo Pro boasts a sleek, modern aesthetic with minimal branding, making it visually appealing for a broad range of users. The headphones are crafted from high-quality materials and feature a sturdy aluminum frame wrapped in soft, durable plastic, which enhances both comfort and durability. The design feels premium, solid, and is built to withstand everyday use.
The Solo Pro is available in several color options, from neutral tones to vibrant shades, adding a level of personalization for users. The earcups feature soft memory foam cushions that create a comfortable seal on the ears, though some users may find the on-ear design a bit tight during extended listening sessions.
One of the standout features of the Beats Solo Pro is its intuitive folding mechanism. The headphones automatically power on when unfolded and turn off when folded, saving battery and adding a convenient touch. The on-ear design, while compact, provides decent passive noise isolation and keeps the headphones portable and easy to store in the provided carrying case.
2. Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
The Solo Pro features Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology, which is designed to detect and block out ambient sounds in real-time. The ANC on these headphones is effective in reducing low-frequency noise, such as the hum of an airplane or bus, making it ideal for commuting or travel. However, since these are on-ear headphones, the noise-canceling isn’t as effective as over-ear models due to less physical isolation. Still, it performs well for an on-ear model, providing a noticeable reduction in background noise and enhancing audio immersion.
In addition to ANC, the Solo Pro offers a Transparency mode that allows users to hear their surroundings without removing the headphones. This mode uses external microphones to capture ambient sounds and feeds them back into the headphones, which is especially useful for maintaining awareness in busy or outdoor environments.
3. Sound Quality
Beats is known for its signature bass-heavy sound, but the Solo Pro takes a more balanced approach, appealing to a wider range of listeners. While the bass is still punchy and energetic, it is more controlled and doesn’t overpower the mids and highs.
Bass: The bass response is powerful and deep, yet refined enough to maintain clarity across genres. It’s satisfying for bass-heavy genres like hip-hop, EDM, and pop but doesn’t overshadow other frequency ranges, making it more versatile than previous Beats models.
Mids: The midrange is clear and well-defined, allowing vocals and instruments to stand out without being overshadowed by the bass. This balance in the mids makes the Solo Pro suitable for genres that require vocal clarity, like acoustic, rock, and classical music.
Highs: The treble is crisp and smooth, without being overly sharp or sibilant. The highs are present enough to bring out details in music, adding a level of clarity and brightness that makes listening enjoyable without causing listening fatigue.
Overall, the sound profile is energetic, with a well-rounded balance that enhances the listening experience. Whether you’re looking for thumping bass or clear vocals, the Solo Pro provides a satisfying sound for various genres.
4. Connectivity and Controls
The Solo Pro is equipped with Apple’s H1 chip, which enables seamless pairing and fast connectivity, particularly with Apple devices. With the H1 chip, users benefit from reliable Bluetooth performance, low latency, and faster switching between devices in the Apple ecosystem. The chip also enables hands-free access to Siri, allowing for voice commands without touching the device. While optimized for iOS, the Solo Pro also connects easily to Android devices, although some features, like automatic pairing, are more streamlined on iOS.
The headphones lack traditional buttons; instead, they use intuitive, touch-sensitive controls on the earcups. Volume can be adjusted by pressing the upper or lower parts of the Beats logo, and skipping tracks or taking calls requires simple taps. Although these touch controls add to the minimalist design, some users may find them less precise compared to physical buttons.
5. Battery Life
The battery life on the Beats Solo Pro is commendable, providing up to 22 hours of playback with ANC or Transparency mode active. When ANC is turned off, battery life extends to about 40 hours. This long-lasting battery makes the Solo Pro an excellent choice for travel, extended workdays, or daily commutes.
The Solo Pro supports Fast Fuel charging, where a quick 10-minute charge provides approximately 3 hours of playback, which is ideal for users who need a quick boost on the go. Charging is done via a Lightning cable, which might be a slight drawback for users who prefer USB-C, as Lightning is more common in Apple devices.
6. Comfort and Fit
The Solo Pro’s on-ear design provides a comfortable and snug fit, though the clamping force is slightly stronger than some other models. This firmness is beneficial for active use, as it keeps the headphones securely in place, but it might cause discomfort during extended listening sessions.
The memory foam ear pads are soft and breathable, which helps reduce pressure, but due to the on-ear design, users with sensitive ears or those wearing glasses might experience some discomfort over time. Despite this, the headphones are generally well-suited for shorter listening sessions and regular commuting.
7. Specifications
- Type: On-ear, wireless
- Noise Cancellation: Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Apple H1 chip
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours with ANC, 40 hours without ANC
- Fast Charging: 10-minute charge provides 3 hours of playback
- Weight: 267 grams
- Controls: Touch controls on the earcups
- Compatibility: Optimized for Apple devices, compatible with Android
- Colors: Multiple color options, including black, ivory, and vibrant shades
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Balanced sound profile with punchy bass and clear mids
- Long battery life with quick charging capability
- Stylish, foldable design with multiple color options
- Seamless pairing and connectivity with Apple devices
Cons:
- Strong clamping force may cause discomfort over time
- Lacks USB-C charging (uses Lightning cable)
- On-ear design limits noise isolation and may leak sound
- Limited touch controls, which some users may find unintuitive
Conclusion
The Beats Solo Pro is a well-rounded on-ear headphone that combines powerful sound, active noise cancellation, and a sleek, portable design. Its bass-driven, balanced sound profile, and compatibility with Apple’s H1 chip make it especially appealing for Apple users seeking a seamless experience with iOS devices. The ANC and Transparency modes add versatility, allowing users to adjust to different environments easily.
Although it has a slightly stronger clamping force, making it potentially uncomfortable for extended wear, the Solo Pro excels as a stylish, compact option for commuting, working, or casual listening. With a robust build, long battery life, and quick-charge capabilities, it’s a solid choice for those who appreciate the Beats signature style without sacrificing sound quality or convenience.