Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian Edition is currently the best alternative to Apple AirPods Max in India. These on-ear headphones from Beats (by extension, Apple) not only boast an attractive design, but also offer a rich sound profile with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support. While they offer seamless connectivity with iPhones, they also work effectively with Android devices thanks to Beats app support.
However, at Rs 37,999, the Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian Edition headphones are a more affordable option than the AirPods Max, but they are still not budget-friendly. The big question is: should you consider them over Sony’s higher-end ULT and WH-1000XM series headphones? Let’s find out.
Design and box contents
Beats introduced the Studio Pro headphones in limited markets in 2023 in classic shades like black, white, navy, and brown. The latest collaboration with Kim Kardashian brings new color options while the overall design language remains the same as the standard edition.
This means the Studio Pro retains the signature look of older Beats headphones, with the iconic “B” logo prominently displayed on the earcups and plush memory foam ear cushions for added comfort. The headphones boast a minimalist aesthetic and continue to target a young, style-conscious audience.
With this collaboration, Beats is clearly targeting Gen Z consumers, especially those who enjoy coordinating their outfits with matching accessories and technology. The headphones come with a luxurious travel bag, which neatly stores the braided charging cable and 3.5mm analog input wire inside the dedicated pocket. This also means that users can fold the headphones to store them inside a custom bag. The bag features a glossy finish, with “Beats x Kim” branding prominently featured in the center.
Notably, the Beats Studio Pro has a plastic build, which contributes to its relatively lower price compared to the Apple AirPods Max. The latter boasts a metal finish for a premium look and feel, but it is about 100 grams heavier than its Beats counterpart. The plastic construction poses no hassles as it ensures better portability and comfortable use for extended periods. Keep in mind, the materials don’t feel cheap by any standards, and the headphones felt sturdy during my use.
Unfortunately, there is no official IP rating, so it’s best to be cautious when using these in the rain or during a sweaty gym session.
sound quality
I mostly used the Beats Studio Pro with my iPhone 14 Plus (Review), though there’s also support for Android smartphones via Bluetooth. The advantage of using these headphones with iPhones is that there is no hassle of downloading a separate app as all the controls are available within the iPhone’s settings. Android users will need to download the Beats app from Google Play to manage the headphones. Anyhow, I didn’t face any issues with connectivity or pairing.
Unlike the Beats Solo 4 (Review), the Beats Studio Pro offers a V-shaped sound profile with prominent bass and treble. The mids aren’t particularly outstanding, although you won’t face any significant issues with vocals. The overall listening experience has been significantly improved, as Apple has enhanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support for a cleaner, richer audio experience. During my use, I found the ANC performance to be good, though not on par with Sony’s WH-1000XM5 or even Apple’s AirPods Max. Transparency mode, on the other hand, feels surprisingly natural, to the extent that I sometimes forgot I was even wearing headphones.
There are no complaints in terms of audio sound with the 40mm custom drivers on the Studio Pro. In most cases, this isn’t a dealbreaker for me at all, as I usually limit the volume to 80 percent to avoid potential hearing damage. As I mentioned, the headphones deliver prominent bass and treble; Therefore, listening to genres like pop and hip-hop was not a problem. If your favorite artists include Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar or even Diljit Dosanjh, the music experience will be immersive and impactful. However, I occasionally listen to classic rock (Metallica and Guns N’ Roses) and contemporary rock bands (Tesseract and Tool) while working out, and I wish the Beats Studio Pro offered a little more thumb in the key mids and bass. .
Sadly, Beats, or for that matter, Apple, doesn’t offer the option to natively customize the EQ. There’s also no support for Apple’s lossless audio codec (ALAC), which is an odd choice considering the price of these headphones. The Beats Studio Pro relies on standard Bluetooth codecs like SBC and AAC, which are compatible with most Android smartphones and iPhones. There is an option to enjoy lossless audio on Apple Music with a wired connection, which offers a slightly better, less-muffled audio scale even at lower volume levels. Interestingly, the wired connection (with a USB-C cable) unlocks three preset EQs for punchier beats, shaper vocals or balanced output. Users can switch modes by double-tapping the power button.
Features and App Support
As mentioned, the Beats Studio Pro supports ANC and Transparency, which is not available in the Beats Solo 4 headphones priced at Rs 20,000. However, while there are some very useful features for a rich audio experience, some of the basics are lacking.
- For example, the Beats Studio Pro supports head-tracking and spatial audio, providing a 3D surround sound experience. However, they lack on-ear detection, which means music won’t automatically stop when you remove the headphones.
- Being an Apple product, the Studio Pro offers quick pairing with iPhones for a seamless connection. However, they skip multipoint connectivity, which means you can’t easily switch between your iPhone and Mac during a phone call.
- Finally, the Beats Studio Pro supports Apple’s Find My protocol in case it’s misplaced. Sadly, it won’t track the headphones consistently, likely due to Apple’s custom H-series processor.
Otherwise, managing the Beats Studio Pro with the app is straightforward, which non-tech-savvy customers will appreciate. The headphones also allow users to activate Siri/Gemini by long pressing the Beats logo on the left earcup.
Lastly, I did not face any issues in the calling experience. There are multiple mics on the headphones, and with Apple’s noise isolation, the calling experience was loud and clear.
Battery and Charging
The Beats Studio Pro (including the Kim Edition) feature a USB-C port for charging, despite launching in early 2023 – the same year Apple first introduced Type-C ports on the iPhone and AirPods. Due to their large size, these headphones offer excellent battery life, lasting at least five days with moderate usage of 2-3 hours per day.
Beats claims that the Studio Pro offers 40 hours of music playback with ANC off. You can expect 24 hours of listening time when ANC or Transparency mode is enabled. Notably, you can also listen to music offline with the 3.5mm analog input, which can be useful during long flights. Beats continues to offer “Fast Fuel” support, which delivers up to four hours of playback on just a 10-minute charge. However, I could not verify this claim during my review.
decision
The Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian edition testifies that style can meet substance, which isn’t always the case with celebrity partnerships. The current collaboration offers new colors that will definitely appeal to GenZ customers looking for trendy tech accessories for their daily fashion.
Apart from its stylish looks, the Beats Studio Pro are one of the most comfortable headphones on the market, offering a great fit with both iPhone and Android smartphones – which is rare in either segment. They offer a rich audio experience and impressive battery life, which are important factors for most users.
However, being an Apple product, affordability isn’t usually a strong suit, and the same is true here. Despite premium pricing, the Studio Pro doesn’t include some basic features like an IP rating and on-ear detection. In comparison, the Sony XM5 headphones offer a better value proposition with their feature-rich offering.
If looks and performance matter to you, the Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian Edition is your best bet on the market.
Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10
Pros
- stylish design
- Comfortable, soft earcups
- Clear audio with ANC
- solid battery life
Shortcoming
- no ear detection
- No official IP rating
- expensive
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