From Engadget · Filipe Espósito · · 1m 50s
Beats 360 headphones launch with customizable design
Beats unveils premium headphones with swappable ear cushions and headband, targeting everyone from gym-goers to style-conscious listeners.
In brief
Beats unveils premium headphones with swappable ear cushions and headband, targeting everyone from gym-goers to style-conscious listeners. Beats launched the Beats 360 headphones with interchangeable ear cushions and headband, positioning them as a premium alternative to the Studio Pro with broad appeal across ages…
Beats launches premium 360 headphones
Beats has unveiled the Beats 360, a new premium model sitting above the Studio Pro with a fresh design that keeps the brand's classic identity.
Modular design lets you swap colors
The ear cushions and headband are easily interchangeable, letting users mix and match different colors like changing sneaker pairs.
Two cushion types for different uses
Beats offers fabric ear cushions for workouts and eco-friendly leather ones for style, similar to changing an iPhone case by location.
Beats 360 targets everyone broadly
Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Music and Beats, says the headphones appeal to all ages and genders, though customization resonates most with younger people.
“It's female, male, it's younger people, older people. It's pretty actually broad.”
Beats identity shines through new look
Schusser says the Beats 360 retains the brand's identity through fun colors and the iconic b logo, despite its innovative lighter design.
“It still feels very Beats to me, even though it's a very new, innovative, sort of lighter sort of look.”
Beats uses its own custom chip
Unlike AirPods Max, the Beats 360 uses Beats' own custom chip, optimized for both iOS and Android to maintain the brand's independent approach.
Beats and Apple operate as separate teams
Schusser explains that while manufacturing is integrated with Apple, Beats maintains autonomy to take different approaches, allowing customers to choose both brands.
“The engineering, the operations and the manufacturing is fully integrated to Apple. And we don't ever really question this.”
Beats explores beyond headphones
Schusser says Beats is expanding into accessories like USB cables and iPhone cases, building on expertise from designing custom cables for headphones.
Game controller rumored as next product
Schusser hints at careful expansion beyond audio, with rumors suggesting Beats is developing a game controller for iPhones as its next major product.
“We want to be careful with it, though. We don't want to go into, like, too many things.”
The essence
Beats launched the Beats 360 headphones with interchangeable ear cushions and headband, positioning them as a premium alternative to the Studio Pro with broad appeal across ages and genders.
