Beats Solo 3 vs Studio 3: Get The Best One

Given your interest in headphones, you’re probably already aware of Beats by Dre’s reputation for producing high-quality headphones.

Notably, their experience is evident in offers such as the Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3. Given their similar appearance, it’s easy to confuse the two. However, this is where I come in to provide you with a detailed comparison of Beats Solo 3 versus Studio 3.

By highlighting their differences and benefits, I hope to provide the clarity you need to make an informed decision based on your individual tastes and needs.

Beats Solo 3 vs Studio 3: Get The Best One – A Comprehensive Guide

Before we get into the details, let’s start with a quick summary of these headphones to get you started.

Now, let’s get into the specifics, beginning with design and build – a critical component that frequently draws our attention when considering a headphone purchase.

Specification

Features	Beats Studio 3	Beats Solo 3
Type	Over-ear.	On-ear.
Bluetooth Version	Class 1+Apple W1 chip.	Class 1+Apple W1 chip.
Battery Life	Up to 22 hours (with ANC). Up to 40 hours (without ANC).	Up to 40 hours.
Charging Time	1.5 hours.	2 hours.
Fast Charging Feature	10 minutes of charging = 3 hours of playback.	5 minutes of charging = 3 hours of playback.
Charging Cable Type	USB-A to USB Micro-B.	USB-A to USB Micro-B.
Codec Support	SBC, AAC.	SBC, AAC.
Active Noise Canceling	Yes.	No.
Color	Matte Black, Red, White, Blue, Shadow Gray, Black-Red, Midnight Black.	Matte Black, Gloss Black, Silver, Citrus Red, Gloss White, Gold, Mickey’s 90th Anniversary Edition, Rose Gold.
Dimension	6.3 x 4.7 x 8.9 inches.	7.4 x 5 x 3.8 inches.
Weight	9.2 ounces.	7.5 ounces.
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Beats Studio 3	Beats Solo 3
Headphone	Headphone
Protective Case	Carrying Case
Cable	Quick Start Case
Warranty Card	Warranty Card

Fit & Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the Beats Studio 3 stands out as a top choice. The earcups are well-padded, ensuring even pressure distribution around your ears.

While the headband isn’t as well-padded as the earcups and may appear slightly inflexible, it’s not a major source of pain. Long listening periods were manageable, with little weariness reported.

The over-ear design of Studio 3 gives it a significant comfort benefit over the on-ear Solo 3. The latter may rest on your ears, causing irritation. In contrast, Studio 3’s design envelops your entire ear without generating discomfort. 

In comparison to Studio 3, the Beats Solo 3 is more comfortable and suitably cushioned. Its clamping force and headband padding might be improved, potentially resulting in discomfort over lengthy use.

Both headphones have average breathability, making them acceptable for casual music pleasure but not for more rigorous activity. While these headphones will not generate excessive heat during passive listening, using them during workouts may cause more sweating than desired.

However, for the best gym headphones, I recommend looking into specialist solutions. In this comparison, Studio 3 emerges as the more comfortable option, providing a comfortable fit for extended listening periods.

After considering comfort, the focus shifts to sound quality, which is an important part of any headphones worthy of your consideration.

Design & Build

Beats Solo 3 has an on-ear design, whilst Studio 3 has an over-ear style, which distinguishes them in terms of fit and feel.

Despite this major distinction, their outward look is strikingly similar. Both headphones have a sleek, curved form with no sharp edges, exemplifying Beats’ devotion to clean and basic design.

The majority of its components are made of plastic with a pleasing matte appearance, but certain sections, like as the fold-up hinges and headband frame, are made of metal for increased durability. The trademark “b” emblems on the earcups remain consistent with past Beats models. 

The foam padding is coated in synthetic imitation leather, however, the quality falls short of maximum comfort.

Although synthetic materials have improved in their ability to approximate authentic textures, this iteration appears more plastic-like. Despite this, the entire build quality emanates a luxury and well-crafted appearance, however, the plastic headband coating is prone to scratches.

Both models have adjustable headbands and foldability for compact storage during transportation. As a result, the design and construction of these headphones are very similar.

Moving on, let’s look at their comfort features and see which one shines at offering a delightful and long-lasting wearing experience.

Sound Quality

Both the Studio 3 and Solo 3 have excellent sound quality, with a strong emphasis on bass. Their powerful banging and deep bass notes make them particularly desirable for genres like as hip-hop and EDM. This bass-forward characteristic fits in perfectly with the Beats brand’s reputation.

However, this bass focus can occasionally make vocals and lead instruments seem muddy, notably in Solo 3. Both models exhibit unclear and indeterminate midrange frequencies, but Solo 3 is more prone to this problem.

On the plus side, both headphones provide crisp and clear treble that isn’t drowned out or muffled. Individually, Solo 3 and Studio 3 have good sound quality. 

In a comparison, Studio 3 comes out on top. It produces a louder and clearer sound profile even when the volume is turned up, ensuring distinct audio quality. As a result, Beats Studio 3 is the better alternative for a better listening experience.

It’s worth noting that neither headset offers sound modification options. Now, let’s look at the noise control capabilities of Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3.

Noise Cancellation

As you may be aware, Beats Studio 3 includes active noise cancellation (ANC), whereas Solo 3 does not. While it cannot match with top-tier ANC headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 or the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, Studio 3’s performance is commendable.

This headphone significantly eliminates mid-range sounds, such as ambient talk, creating a conducive setting for focused work or study. It is particularly effective at blocking out voices and high-pitched noises such as AC hum.

However, Studio 3 falls short when dealing with low-frequency noises such as buses or airline engines. Due to its closed-back construction, Solo 3 relies on passive noise isolation. 

However, its isolation qualities are limited, particularly in noisy surroundings. It struggles to reduce mid-range and bass-range ambient noises, making it less useful in crowded areas.

While Solo 3 performs significantly better against higher-pitched noise, its passive noise isolation is no match for Studio 3’s active noise cancellation.

Microphone or Call Quality

The Solo 3’s microphone is noticeably poor, straining to efficiently manage noise. Even in fairly loud surroundings, it struggles to discern your voice from the background noise, making calls difficult.

Your voice is completely muffled out in noisy environments. In comparison to Solo 3, Studio 3 has much better microphone performance.

Whether you’re talking on a busy street or in a quiet home, the call quality remains consistent, ensuring clear communication for the person on the other end.

The battery life of wireless Bluetooth headphones is critical, and while you’ve previously been informed to some extent, further information is accessible in the following area.

Battery Life

Both the Solo 3 and Studio 3 headphones have excellent battery life, with the Solo 3 clearly outperforming Studio 3.

The Solo 3 has a battery life of 40 hours, while the Studio 3 has a battery life of 22 hours with active noise canceling (ANC) enabled. When ANC is disabled, however, Studio 3 equals the Solo 3’s 40-hour battery life.

It’s worth mentioning that the Studio 3 is essentially an ANC headset, and while its battery life with ANC activated is significantly shorter, 22 hours is still a long time for noise canceling.

Furthermore, both models have a quick charging capability that allows for 3 hours of playback after only 5 minutes of charging for the Solo 3 and 10 minutes of charging for the Studio 3.

Taking into account the compromises and benefits of each model, the battery life comparison may be called a tie. Let’s look at their control systems now.

Control System

The control system of Beats Studio 3 and Solo 3 is very similar. All of the playback settings and call management features are easily situated on the left earcup.

By pressing and holding the left “b” button, you may do operations such as play/pause, music skipping, call answering/ending, and voice assistant activation. Changing the volume is as simple as hitting the upper or lower part of the “b” button.

ANC on the Studio 3 can be activated by hitting the power button twice. Given the very same control configuration, this segment could be regarded as a tie between the two models.

Connectivity

The Beats Solo3 has good Bluetooth compatibility, but the Studio 3 outperforms it in terms of performance. Unfortunately, none has multi-pairing or NFC pairing capabilities. Their Apple W1 chip, on the other hand, enables smooth pairing with iOS devices.

While iOS and Android have little latency, PC usage may cause audio-video synchronization difficulties. In comparison to Solo3, Studio 3 has better, more consistent connectivity. Bluetooth codecs AAC and SBC are supported by both.

AAC offers high-quality streaming on iOS, however, Android users may choose SBC streaming because AAC performance is uneven on non-iOS devices.

After discussing different parallels between Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3, the moment of truth has arrived. The ultimate winner is going to be revealed.

Support for Bluetooth Codec 

The Solo 3 and Studio 3 both support standard Bluetooth codecs such as AAC and SBC. The AAC codec, which is accessible on both headphones, is well-known for delivering high-quality audio streaming, particularly on iOS devices.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the Solo 3 and Studio 3 do not support aptX or LDAC, which may compromise audio quality when connected to devices that do.

App Feature

The Solo 3 headphones do not have a separate app for customization or control. However, their smooth compatibility with Apple devices, thanks to the W1 chip, allows for easy integration with the Apple ecosystem. Users may control playback and use Siri hands-free.

The Studio 3 headphones also lack a dedicated app for customization. They do, however, provide easy controls for playback and call management on the ear cups. The connectivity of the Studio 3 with Apple devices is identical to that of the Solo 3, allowing users to simply switch between devices and use Siri.

Extra Feature

While the Solo 3 lacks advanced capabilities, its simplicity and compactness make it appropriate for casual users who value portability. The on-ear design and powerful bass profile are suited to individuals who prefer dramatic and bass-heavy music.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) feature distinguishes the Studio 3 from the Solo 3. By eliminating undesirable external noise, ANC technology creates a more immersive listening experience. This feature is very useful for travelers and those who work in noisy situations.

Beats Solo 3 Vs Beats Studio 3: Pros And Cons

When comparing the Beats Solo 3 and Beats Studio 3 headphones, consider the following pros and cons:

Which is the Winner?

Both headphones are commendable, with Studio 3 taking the lead. Its over-the-ear design gives more comfort and an excellent ANC feature. It excels in audio quality and microphone performance, making phone calls crisper.

As a result, I definitely suggest Beats Studio 3 over Beats Solo 3. If neither option appeals to you, look into the alternatives area below for other options.

Alternative Options

Consider the following alternatives to Beats Studio 3 and Solo 3:

Sony WH-1000XM4: If your budget allows, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a superb pick, providing top-tier noise cancellation and comfort. It has a neutral sound profile and may be customized via the Sony Headphones Connect app.

AKG Noise Canceling Headphones (N60): For a more economical solution, the AKG headphones maintain great wireless audio over Bluetooth, supporting AptX and AAC codecs. They have a lightweight and comfy construction for extended wear.

These alternatives offer a variety of features and price ranges, catering to a wide range of preferences. Select the one that best meets your needs. This finishes the comparison discussion.

Beats Solo 3 vs Studio 3: Get The Best One – FAQs

What is the main distinction between Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3?

The biggest distinction is in their design and noise-cancelling capabilities. Solo 3 is an on-ear headphone with no active noise cancellation (ANC), but Studio 3 is an over-ear headset with ANC for enhanced noise isolation.

Which headset is more comfortable for extended listening sessions?

The Studio 3 is the most comfortable thanks to its over-ear design and well-padded ear cups. The Solo 3 is as comfortable, however, it may be less suitable for long-term use than the Studio 3.

How does the sound quality differ between Solo 3 and Studio 3?

Both types have tremendous bass, which is a trademark of Beats headphones. Studio 3 has a crisper and more distinct sound, especially in the mid and upper regions. Because of its robust bass, Solo 3 may have a muddier midrange.

Is active noise cancellation available in both headphones?

Yes, only Studio 3 has active noise cancellation (ANC). This feature efficiently lowers mid-range ambient noises, making it a good choice for noisy areas. Solo 3 relies on passive noise isolation.

What is the battery life difference between the Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3?

The Solo 3 has an outstanding 40-hour battery life, while the Studio 3 has 22 hours with ANC enabled and 40 hours without ANC. Both devices allow fast charging for faster audio playback.

Final Thoughts

By now, my comparison of Beats Solo 3 vs Studio 3 should have provided you with a comprehensive grasp of the subtle differences between these two models.

Beats Solo 3 versus Studio 3 each have their advantages and disadvantages. While the Solo 3 has a long battery life and good Bluetooth compatibility, the Studio 3 outperforms it in terms of comfort, active noise cancellation, and music quality.

The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities: portability and convenience against expanded functionality and rich sound.

If you value comfort, audio quality, and extensive functionality, Studio 3 is the best choice. Consider your needs and tastes when deciding between these two amazing headphones. I hope this article has helped you find the best headphones for your needs. I wish you a good day ahead.