Earlier this month, Apple unveiled and opened the pre-order link for its latest pair of Beats earphones, the Beats Studio Buds +. Now, Hypebeast has the “Transparent” edition in hand in order to give you a closer look at the brand’s newest music-lover must-have.
While the new Beats Studio Buds + do come in “Black/Gold” and “Ivory” colorways, it’s the “Transparent” set that’s lit the Internet on fire. The aesthetic touch is peak Y2K — a throwback to the transparent gadgets that any and all teenagers yearned for in the noughties, such as the Apple iMac G3, crystalline PlayStation 2, see-through Nintendo 64, and Tamagotchis, all of which showed their innards.
As these earphones were not made 20-plus years ago, materials have come a lot further in quality and feel. With this in mind, the “Transparent” case and buds are still clear, but not crystal-clear, leaving a small amount of blur and haze to the product. However, small details like the “b” branding on both the charging/carry case and the buds now stands out stronger than ever, as does the orange marker surrounding the charging port.
But Apple hasn’t just given the Beats Studio Buds + a visual makeover. When it comes to sound and overall quality, everything has been dialed up to deliver some of the best quality in its price range.
Active Noise Cancellation is up by 1.6x from the former Studio Buds, listening time comes up to 36 hours, and the addition of three acoustic vents means that sound disperses around the ear more comfortably and precisely, resulting in clearer sound without giving you an eventual headache.
Furthermore, the overall design is lightweight, with each bud weighing just 5 grams. The result is a barely-noticeable fit and feel in-ear, something that’s only enhanced by their “Transparent” effect. It’s an impressive package for something so small, as when paired with a spatial audio moment, the Studio Buds + deliver an immersive surround-sound sense, punctuated with plenty of crisp bass.
Lastly, with these being Beats, the earphones can be paired with Apple and Android devices. Aside from customizable hardware allowing you to skip or adjust volumes and so on, there’s plenty of functionality built into the buds — working with both Apple and Google “Find My” programs, and ultimately giving the same quality performance regardless of the handset it’s paired with.
The Beats Studio Buds + retail for £179.99 in the UK, or $169.99 USD in the United States, and can be pre-ordered from Beats’ website now. Expect a full rollout come mid-June.
