Marques Brownlee - PowerBeats Pro 2 Review: Still Better than AirPods!
The Powerbeats Pro 2 headphones have been updated with significant improvements, making them a strong contender in the market. They now include active noise cancellation, transparency mode, heart rate tracking, and improved battery life, all while being smaller and lighter than their predecessors. These features are offered at the same price as the original model, making them a compelling choice for consumers. The headphones are particularly popular as workout headphones due to their secure fit and sound quality, which includes enhanced bass and volume. Additionally, the case has been redesigned to be more compact and includes USB Type-C and wireless charging capabilities. The headphones also feature the H2 chip for seamless integration with Apple devices, offering conveniences like instant pairing and spatial audio. The inclusion of heart rate tracking is a unique feature that aligns with their use as workout headphones, providing additional value to fitness enthusiasts.
Key Points:
- Powerbeats Pro 2 includes active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and heart rate tracking.
- The headphones are 20% lighter and have improved battery life, making them ideal for workouts.
- The case is 33% smaller, supports USB Type-C and wireless charging, and offers three full charges.
- Sound quality is enhanced with better bass and volume, suitable for energetic music genres.
- The H2 chip enables seamless Apple integration, including spatial audio and easy pairing.
Details:
1. 🎧 Tech Pre-Briefing Insights
- Tech companies conduct pre-briefs to showcase unreleased technology to journalists and tech media, providing detailed explanations of new tech features with marketing emphasis.
- Pre-briefs help build anticipation and understanding among media before the public release, ensuring accurate and favorable coverage.
- Examples of successful pre-briefings include major tech firms like Apple and Google, which use this strategy to generate buzz and align media narratives.
- One key benefit is the ability to control the narrative by providing journalists with the context needed to understand the technology's impact.
- Challenges may include ensuring confidentiality and managing the timing of releases to prevent leaks.
2. 🎶 Introduction to Powerbeats Pro 2
- Powerbeats Pro are claimed to be the most popular best-selling headphones globally, though this claim is unverified.
- The price point of $250 at launch indicates a premium positioning in the market.
- The success of Powerbeats Pro suggests that they offer significant value or features to justify their price.
- Key features include a secure-fit design, sweat and water resistance, and up to 9 hours of listening time, distinguishing them in the audio market.
- Their compatibility with both iOS and Android and the inclusion of the Apple H1 chip for seamless connectivity highlight their technological edge.
3. 🔋 Enhancements and Features
- Beats added active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and heart rate tracking to the best-selling headphones.
- The new headphones are smaller, lighter, have better battery life and sound, and are more comfortable.
- The headphones now come in a smaller case with more battery, USB Type-C, and wireless charging.
- All these enhancements were made without increasing the price.
4. 🎵 Build and Comfort
- The Powerbeats Pro 2 are more effective than AirPods Pro in several areas, particularly in build quality and comfort.
- The rubber tips now come in an extra size, ranging from extra small to extra large, providing a customized fit.
- The ear hooks are designed to be snug but comfortable, holding the earbuds securely in place.
- These earbuds are 20% lighter than the previous generation, enhancing comfort during extended use.
- Powerbeats Pro 2 are considered the premium choice for workout headphones, staying secure during various forms of physical activity.
5. 🔊 Sound Quality and Performance
- AirPods Pro provide a secure fit for some users, optimizing sound experience.
- Beats headphones, using Apple's H2 chip, enhance performance, especially in noise cancellation.
- Instant pairing with iPhones and easy Android pairing improve user convenience and accessibility.
- Noise cancellation technology samples external sounds 200 times per second, effectively canceling white noise and steady sounds.
- The headphones achieve superior sound isolation, making them effective in noisy environments.
- Users report satisfaction with the sound quality and noise cancellation features, comparing favorably with other brands.
6. ✈️ Versatility for Travel and Workout
- Noise cancellation and transparency mode are highly effective, though slightly less so than the AirPods Pro, attributed to the inclusion of the H2 chip.
- Sound quality is enhanced with more bass, volume, and energy, with a rating of 8 out of 10, compared to AirPods.
- Technical improvements include new amplifiers, acoustically transparent mesh, improved driver alignment, and a venting channel to boost bass response, creating a lively and engaging sound.
- Designed specifically for energetic music genres such as hip hop, pop, and electro, these headphones cater to workout environments, making them ideal for both travel and fitness enthusiasts.
7. ❤️ Heart Rate Tracking Innovation
- The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds include a unique heart rate tracking feature not seen in other earbuds.
- Heart rate is updated every five seconds using technology from the Apple Watch, by collecting data from both earbuds.
- Users can pair the earbuds with Bluetooth-enabled gym equipment to display heart rate data similar to Apple Watch capabilities.
- This integration is particularly beneficial for workout enthusiasts who utilize headphones during exercise.
8. 🔋 Battery Life and Charging
- The case is about 33% smaller than the previous generation but fits more battery, offering about three full charges.
- The earbuds provide a 10-hour battery life without ANC and six to eight hours with ANC.
- The case includes USB Type-C and wireless charging capabilities.
- The earbuds can be fully charged three times from the case, allowing for extended use without frequent recharging.
- Users can perform a two-hour workout daily for a month without needing to recharge the case.