From Engadget · Billy Steele · · 3m
Beats 360 review: Customizable headphones capable of double duty
Apple's Beats launches over-ear headphones with swappable cushions for gym and everyday use.
In brief
Apple's Beats launches over-ear headphones with swappable cushions for gym and everyday use. Beats 360 headphones offer customizable cushions and gym-ready durability, scoring eight point two out of ten despite missing wear detection and wired listening. Originally reported by Engadget.
Beats finally makes gym headphones
Beats 360 over-ear headphones cost three hundred fifty dollars and work for workouts and everyday use. Previous Beats models lacked sweat protection and removable ear pads.
Customization is the main draw
You can swap ear and headband cushions to create your own color combination. Beats says there are over two hundred fifty possible color configurations available.
Two cushion types for two uses
Performance Knit fabric is designed for the gym. UltraPlush cushions offer a softer feel for everyday wear. Cushion kits cost fifty dollars each.
New design inspired by AirPods Max
The Beats 360 has a slimmed-down headband with no cable between the sides. Each ear cup operates independently with its own battery, antenna and processing.
Lightweight but tight on big heads
The headphones are surprisingly light. However, the clamping force becomes uncomfortable for people with larger heads.
Button design needs work
Physical buttons control power, listening mode, volume and play. Three buttons are equally raised, making them hard to tell apart by touch alone.
iOS gets full software integration
On Apple devices, the Beats 360 offers one-touch pairing, automatic switching between devices and Siri access. Android users need the Beats app for customization and firmware updates.
Missing wear detection is a bummer
The Beats 360 lacks automatic pausing when you remove the headphones. The gyroscope and accelerometer are used only for head tracking with Spatial Audio.
Powerful bass, subtle details
Beats designed a dual-magnet transducer delivering twelve decibels more power than the Studio Pro. The bass is strong but restrained, with clear detail and no distortion.
Adaptive EQ adjusts on the fly
When noise cancellation is off, Adaptive EQ automatically analyzes and adjusts tuning based on fit. This ensures consistent performance without manual adjustment.
Most powerful ANC from Beats yet
The Beats 360 offers one point seven five times more total noise cancellation than the Studio Pro. A nine-microphone array and higher-powered processor monitor environment and fit.
Good for calls, not perfect
New speech enhancement and environmental noise suppression make calls clear. Transparency mode lets you hear your own voice. Audio processing impacts overall quality slightly.
Battery life exceeds expectations
Beats claims thirty two hours with noise cancellation on. Testing showed forty seven percent remaining after twenty four hours, suggesting the headphones will exceed the stated limit.
Bose QuietComfort offers better ANC
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones cost three hundred fifty nine dollars and deliver better noise cancellation. They lack the Beats 360's IPX four sweat rating.
Customization wins despite omissions
The Beats 360 succeeds as a dual-purpose headphone with rare customization options and energetic sound. It's a solid choice under four hundred dollars despite missing wear detection.
What matters most
Beats 360 headphones offer customizable cushions and gym-ready durability, scoring eight point two out of ten despite missing wear detection and wired listening.
