Beats Studio Pro (Kim Edition) Review: Fashion Meets Function in a Premium Audio Package

Apple's Beats by Dre marked its debut in the Indian market this year with three new products, including the Beats Solo Buds, Beats Pill, and Beats Solo 4. However, following the launch, the audio brand released special edition versions of the Beats Pill and the flagship Beats Studio Pro in collaboration with celebrity Kim Kardashian.

I've been using the Beats Studio Pro x Kim wireless headphones for almost a month now and have developed a thorough understanding of what they bring to the table. Over the past month, I've tested them across various scenarios-from casual music listening to intense gaming sessions and virtual meetings. Here's my detailed take on the design, comfort, sound quality, and overall value of the Beats Studio Pro x Kim headphones.

Are they worth the premium price tag (Rs 37,900), or is this collaboration more about style than substance? Let's find out.

Design

These special edition Beats Studio Pro headphones come in three stylish colours - Moon, Earth, and Dune. Unlike the Beats Solo 4, the Studio Pro feels more premium, while its matte finish adds to its polished appearance. There's a Beats logo on either earcup, while the headphones are primarily made of plastic to keep the weight down.

The adjustable metal hinge allows you to adjust the headphones to ensure a comfortable fit. The headphones are particularly compact and can be folded into the included zip-up carry case with ease. The case has a dedicated section for the braided USB-C and AUX cables. The earpads use a plush memory foam/leather material, which makes using the Studio Pro x Kim headphones quite comfortable to wear over long periods.

Features

The Beats Studio Pro headphones offer versatile connectivity and intuitive controls. With Bluetooth 5.3, they support SBC and AAC codecs but lack advanced lossless codec options. For higher-quality audio, the USB-C connection enables streaming lossless tracks from platforms like Apple Music, though smartphone controls are disabled in this mode.

The headphones work seamlessly with iOS and Android, requiring the Beats app for Android controls, while iPhones integrate settings natively. Physical buttons handle playback, calls, ANC, and Transparency mode, though ANC and EQ presets are only available via USB-C. Multipoint pairing supports two Android devices but excludes cross-platform pairing.

Android users benefit from Google Fast Pair and the Beats app, which offers similar features to its iOS counterpart. The app allows you to adjust ANC/Transparency controls, customize call-ending actions, personalize spatial audio, check battery levels, and enable 'Find My Device.'

However, Android users miss out on spatial audio with head tracking and hands-free Siri. While the app is easy to navigate, it lacks advanced sound customization options. EQ presets are only accessible when using a USB-C connection and must be adjusted via the onboard controls, limiting flexibility for users seeking tailored audio experiences.

Noise Cancellation

I was genuinely impressed with the performance of the Beats Studio Pro. The noise cancelling is adaptive, meaning it adjusts to your surroundings, and I could feel it subtly shifting as I navigated the bustling streets of Mumbai or rode the metro. It effectively blocked out ambient noise, making my experience much more immersive.

In Transparency mode, the sound felt natural, allowing me to stay aware of my environment while enjoying music. Voice-calling performance was equally stellar. With six microphones for noise cancelling and calls, the clarity and noise reduction were a significant upgrade from the previous Studio headphones.

Sound Quality

The Beats Studio Pro headphones deliver a rich, immersive audio experience across various genres, combining deep, punchy bass with clear mids and crisp highs for a well-balanced sound profile. Their bass response is particularly impressive, adding richness and depth without overpowering other frequencies, allowing vocals and instruments to shine. This makes them ideal for hip-hop and electronic music lovers seeking a thumping, exhilarating experience.

However, for genres with intricate layering, such as folk-inspired tracks or alternative rock, the headphones occasionally lack rhythmic drive and subtle detail, which can make some songs feel less dynamic and engaging. While they excel in producing an enjoyable soundstage, their performance falls slightly short of competitors in delivering emotional depth and refinement.

Switching to the wired 3.5mm connection noticeably improves cohesion and focus, rectifying much of the muddiness. Using the USB-C cable further enhances sound quality through the built-in DAC and EQ presets, offering a more refined and immersive listening experience. Overall, the Beats Studio Pro Headphones offer a versatile audio experience that caters to all music lovers.

Battery Life

The Beats Studio Pro deliver impressive battery life, offering up to 40 hours with ANC off and 24 hours with ANC or Transparency mode on. From personal use, I got four days of playback (2-3 hours daily, ANC on) with 72% battery remaining-listening at 65-75% volume.

Compared to Sony's WH-1000XM5, which provides 20 hours with ANC, the Beats stand out. Plus, the 10-minute quick charge gives four hours of playback, ensuring you're never left without music. With up to 50 hours on a full charge, these headphones are perfect for long flights or workdays. Battery anxiety? Not here.

Verdict

The Beats Studio Pro x Kim headphones are a solid blend of style and substance, offering a premium design, adaptive noise cancellation, and impressive sound quality. Their deep, punchy bass complements most genres without overpowering other frequencies, while the adaptive ANC and Transparency modes provide an immersive listening experience.

Although they lack advanced sound customization and can fall slightly short in delivering subtle details in complex tracks, the wired USB-C connection significantly enhances audio clarity. With excellent battery life, versatile connectivity, and a comfortable fit, they justify their premium price tag for those seeking stylish, high-performance headphones with minor trade-offs.