By:

J.R. Kimball
3/17/2011
Audience & Scope………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 1

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 1

Products Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….Page 2

“ibeats”………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 3

“tour”…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 4

“solo HD”……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 6

“studio”……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 7

Collective Products Summary………………………………………………………………………Page 9

Which “beat” Best Suits You?........................................................................Page 10

Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 11
The purpose of this article is to provide detailed descriptions of the wide array of headphones
that “beats” audio currently provides. The article is intended to help potential consumers
compare and contrast the different sets “beats” products, thus to help them decide which set
of headphones to purchase. The audience (potential consumers) is geared toward college
students – one of “beats” most marketable demographics – but could also include anyone who
wishes to purchase a quality set of headphones, whether for professional or pleasurable
purposes.

Due to the popularity and use of “beats” products among professional athletes and celebrities,
their headphones are highly sought after by the general public. Those who are familiar with the
“beats” brand and popularity but who are not familiar with differentiating characteristics of its
products should consider reading this article before purchasing a set of headphones.

“Beats” are a new, stylish brand of headphones, endorsed by hip-hop producer “Dr. Dre” (see
Figure 1), which are revolutionizing how people listen to music by providing superior audio
quality. According to Dr. Dre,

"People aren't hearing all the music.

Artists and producers work hard in the studio perfecting their sound. But people can't really hear
it with normal headphones. Most headphones can't handle the bass, the detail, the dynamics.

Bottom line, the music doesn't move you.

With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear, and listen to the music the way they
should: the way I do."

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 Monster® audio company (see Figure 2) collaborated with Dr. Dre to create
headphones which bring superior quality, normally limited to producers and
artists, to the general public. This article will focus on five sets of “beats”
headphones currently on the market.

Figure 1: Dr. Dre

Five different sets of “beats” headphones will be evaluated based on product features,
specifications, and customer reviews. All evaluation criteria is taken from Monster ® audio’s
official products website, http://www.monstercable.com. The headphones to be evaluated
include (by product name):

1. “ibeats”
2. “tour”
3. “solo HD”
4. “studio”

Figure 2: Monster and “beats” logos

Each individual set of headphones will be analyzed separately – listing their features, reviews,
etc. – then a collective comparison of all four products will be presented.
Page |2

Ibeats

Product Description:

“Ibeats” are a set of in-ear headphones specifically engineered to deliver extraordinary HD

audio to accommodate the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. As seen in Figure 3, they are unlike ordinary
in-ear headphones in that they are constructed from solid metal housing. So, essentially, the
user will only hear the music, without unwanted vibrations at louder volumes that occur in
traditional headphones.

Special features specific to “ibeats” include:

Figure 3: "ibeats"
 Specially Designed for
iPad, iPhone, and iPod
-High resolution sound is specifically designed to enhance the listening
experience for these devices.
 Extended Full Range Sound from Compact In-Ear Headphones
-An exclusive driver design to the in-ear headphones delivers the deepest bass,
soaring highs, and ultra-clear midrange.
 Ultra-Lightweight Yet Durable
-Lightweight to accommodate listening while exercising or on-the-go activities.
The hard chrome earphone coating provides for durability and everlasting shine.
  Solid Metal Housing for the Purest Sound Possible
-A precision-machined single-billet metal housing curtails vibrations and
unwanted sonic artifacts from tainting the listening experience.
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 Control iPhone and iPod directly from the headphones
-An on-cable mechanism allows for playback control of the user’s iPad, iPhone,
or iPod, including pause, next track, and volume. “Ibeats” includes a built-in
microphone for online chats and hands-free calls on Apple devices.
 Noise Isolation/Custom Fit
-Sealed in-ear construction and special ear tip design blocks out external noise to
enhance the listening experience. Also, multiple sizes of interchangeable ear tips
are provided to provide the user with the most comfortable fit.

Price: $119.95

Customer Review Rating: 4.2/5 (259 reviews)

Tour

Product Description:

“Tour” is another set of premium in-ear headphones currently provided by “beats.” Monster ®
dedicated years of intensive research to produce the premier feature of these headphones –
tangle-free cables – as seen in Figure 3.

Special features specific to “tour” include:

 Page |4
Figure 3: "tour" headphones

 Control iPhone, iPad, and iPod directly from the headphones

-An on-cable mechanism allows for playback control of the user’s iPad, iPhone,
or iPod, including pause, next track, and volume.
 The World’s first Tangle-Free Headphone Cables
-After ten years of cutting-edge research, Monster® developed a flat cable jacket
known as Duraflex® was developed. Its unique flat profile virtually eliminates
tangling and knots.
 Significantly Enhanced Bass
-Traditional headphones lack the capabilities to reproduce low audio
frequencies. “Beats” has fine-tuned “tour” headphones to further accentuate
bass and other low frequencies within songs.
 In-Ear Noise Isolation
-External noise is eliminated for a better music experience than traditional ear
buds. Five separate pairs of ear bud tips are provided to help optimize comfort
and to curtail external noise interference.
 Ability to Play Music Louder with Full Power
-Most traditional headphones don’t have the power to play music at high
volumes that some users prefer. “Tour” has been engineered to allow users to
play music loudly without distortion – every note can be heard.
 Designed for Apple Sound Check
-Every iPod has a “Sound Check” feature, which balances playback levels so all
music plays at a consistent volume. However, if the volume difference between
tracks is sufficiently large, traditional headphones may not play tracks with
“Sound Check” loud enough. “Tour” provides enough power to counteract these
potentially negative effects of “Sound Check.”

Price: $189.95

Customer Review Rating: 4.1/5 (191 reviews)

Page |5

Solo HD

Product Description:

Like the product title implies, “Solo HD” (see Figure 4) is a set of over-ear headphones designed
to provide users with a clear, well refined high definition sound experience. The technology
associated with “Solo HD” provides ultra-precise highs and mids, as well as deep, distortion-free
base.

Special features specific to “Solo

HD” include:

Figure 4: “Solo HD”

 Enhanced HD Sound
-Titanium coated driver technology provides for a sound experience that the
recording artist intended the user to hear.
 Light and Compact for Multi-purpose Usage
-“Solo HD”’s unique design allows for convenient use at the gym, going for
runs, and everyday purposes.
 Compact Tri-fold Design
 -Unlike traditional over-ear headphones which can be clumsy and difficult to
store, “Solo HD” is equipped with a tri-fold design that makes it easy to
store in bags, suitcases, and jackets.
 Control iPhone, iPad, and iPod directly from the headphones
- An on-cable mechanism allows for playback control of the user’s iPad,
iPhone, or iPod, including pause, next track, and volume.
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 Comfortable Fit/Noise-Cancellation
-The lightweight soft on-ear cushions are perfect for any setting. The ear
cushions will keep external clatter out and crisp music in.

Price: $229.95

Customer Review Rating: 4.5/5 (284 reviews)

Studio

Product Description:

“Studio” (see Figure 5) is a set of over-ear headphones designed to capture the finest details of
songs, regardless of their genre. These headphones are specifically designed to enhance the
quality of hip-hop, rock, and R&B.

Special features specific to “Studio” include:

Figure 5: “Studio”
 Enhanced HD Sound
- Titanium coated driver technology provides for a sound experience that
the recording artist intended the user to hear.

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 Extra-large Speaker Drivers for Deep Bass
-“Studio” features larger speaker drivers to accommodate deep bass. This
feature is ideal when listening to hip-hop, rock, and R&B.
 High Powered Digital Amplifier
-Music can be played more loudly without distortion.
 Unique Quadripole™ Technology
-Quadripole™ allows for extremely balanced sound and clarity. Traditional
headphones sometimes lack balanced sound between earpieces. This
technology eliminates this defect while providing ample clarity.
 Control iPhone, iPad, and iPod directly from the headphones
- An on-cable mechanism allows for playback control of the user’s iPad,
iPhone, or iPod, including pause, next track, and volume.
 Comfortable Fit/Noise-Cancellation
- The lightweight soft on-ear cushions are perfect for any setting. The ear
cushions will keep external clatter out and crisp music in.
 Touring Case Included
-A rugged case is included with the headphones to prevent damage during
travel.

Price: $349.95

Customer Review Rating: 4.5/5 (995 reviews)

 Page |8

A collective comparison of “beats” products is presented in Table 1, as shown below. The key
features of each set of headphones, along with their respective price and review rating are
summarized in a chart format.

Product ibeats tour solo HD studio

Price $119.95 $189.95 $229.95 $349.95
Review 4.2/5 4.1/5 4.5/5 4.5/5
Apple Compatibility YES YES YES YES
Enhanced Sound NO YES YES YES
Exercise-Friendly YES YES YES NO
External Noise
Isolation YES YES YES YES
Knot-Free Cable NO YES NO NO
Quadripole™
Technology NO NO NO YES
Case Included NO NO NO YES
Table 1: Comparative Summary of “beats” Headphones
 Page |9

Why Choose Beats?

As college students, we often find ourselves on a very limited budget. Headphones that cost
upwards of $100 may seem over-priced at first glance. However, due to the fact the most of us
use headphones every single day to listen to music and watch videos, spending a little extra
cash on a quality pair of “beats” is well-worth the investment. With “beats”, the sound of music
and movies is enhanced to a level that traditional headphones simply can’t match.

Which Product Should I Buy?

Any “beats” set of headphones will provide the user with an enhanced listening experience.
However, based on overall features, price, and customer reviews, the two sets of headphones
that appear to provide the best overall value at their listed priced are: “tour” and “solo HD”.

“Tour” is equipped with significantly enhanced bass, a tangle-free cable, and its in-ear design is
ideal for exercise-based activities. These headphones are equipped with ample features and
usability freedom to warrant their $189.95 price.

“Solo HD” is equipped with high definition sound capabilities, compact trifold design, and
comfortable fit, while its over-ear design is not too bulky to prohibit use during exercise-based
activities. For a slightly higher price of $229.95, these headphones provide greater quality while
maintaining usability freedom.

The Bottom Line

“Beats” audio has revolutionized how we will listen to music. Technological advancements
made by “beats” audio have enhanced quality to a level never-before seen within the
headphones industry. If you decide to purchase a set of headphones, consider the four
products mentioned in this article – any of these “beats” will undoubtedly improve the quality
of your music to the level artists intend it to be heard at. As Dr. Dre said, you “are going to hear
what the artists hear, and listen to the music the way they should: the way I do.”

P a g e | 10

"Beats by Dr. Dre." Beats by Dr. Dre Official Site – High Performance Headphones from
Monster. Monster, 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://beatsbydre.com/>.

"MONSTER CABLE® Over Ear and In-Ear Headphones for IPod." Monster Cable® Products |
Welcome to Monster Makers of High-Definition HDMI and Home Theater Cables Premium
Cables. Monster, 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.monstercable.com/headphones/headphoneslist.asp>.