Beats products have gained immense popularity due to vivid advertising campaigns and integration with Apple. However, are their headphones really good? We understand this issue on the example of the model PowerBeats 3 Wireless.

PowerBeats3 are positioned primarily as sports headphones. That is why they are equipped with comfortable ear hooks, waterproof housing made of hypoallergenic material, they work long and quickly charge. However, these advantages will be appreciated not only by athletes but also by all people who in any circumstances do not want to part with their favorite music.

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Specifications

Model: Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless.
Connection: Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, AVRCP).
Working distance: up to 10 m (in open space).
Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz.
Opening hours: up to 12 hours.
Charging time: 1–1.5 hours.
Weight: 25 g
Additional features: microphone, ear hooks.

Equipment

Powerbeats3 are delivered in a small white box with a transparent lid, under which the headphones themselves are visible. The design and durability of the packaging indicate that we face a high-end product, the development of which did not spare the money and effort.

Under the top white backing with headphones there is a second bottom where all the additional accessories are hidden. These include three pairs of ear cushions of different sizes, a black silicone case for carrying and storing headphones, a recharging cable and three brochures with technical specifications, operating instructions and a guarantee. The manufacturer also included a nice sticker with the logo of the company, which you can put on your laptop so that everyone envies you.

Packaging of Powerbeats3 fully consistent with their premium status. It can be seen that the manufacturer did not save on trifles and made the unpacking process not only simple, but also enjoyable. These headphones can be safely taken as a gift: then it will not be a shame.

Appearance and ergonomics

The appearance of the Powerbeats3 has remained almost the same as the previous generation in this series. The case is quite large, especially when compared with some modern wireless models that are difficult to see even in the ear. Perhaps this is due to the presence of a solid battery.

Company logo and model name can be seen on the outer side of the case. Spring-loaded rubber handle securely holds the headphones in place even with vigorous movements. Due to the small weight, Powerbeats3 is so not felt in the ears that you almost instantly forget about their presence.

In the lower part of the case of the left earpiece there is a connector for recharging. Despite the moisture protection declared by the manufacturer, there is no rubber plug at the connector. Small sprays or sweat drops Powerbeats3 will not hurt, but you shouldn’t swim in them, of course. On the opposite side on the same earphone is the power button.

To control playback, there is a small button located on the left side. It contains three buttons. The central one is used to stop and resume playback, as well as switch tracks. Two hidden buttons located on the sides, designed to change the volume. Clicking on them is clear, with a well-felt click.

Sound

Before I share my impressions of sound with you, I want to make a small theoretical digression.

The sound quality of wireless headphones is largely determined by the codec used. The simplest is SBC, which provides compression at about MP3-192 kbps. It is everywhere, but no one likes it, because such a bitrate frankly spoils the sound.

Apple's AAC and Qualcomm's AptX are more advanced codecs. They give a better sound, but not all supported headphones and not all smartphones. Since Beats is a division of Apple, AAC is of course used in its products. For iPhone users, this is great news: by default, they provide better quality playback.

But for the owners of Android-devices everything is not so clear. AAC support in the operating system appeared only with version 8.0 of Oreo. However, the result of the work of this codec is very different from what the iPhone owners hear. I will not go into technical details, but I will immediately draw a disappointing conclusion: on some smartphones with a green robot, the AAC sounds even worse than the ancient SBC. For those who doubt, I recommend reading this article (in English) or its Russian-language adaptation .

I used to test Android-smartphone, so it is not surprising that the sound of Powerbeats3 did not make a big impression on me. Yes, the sound is clear. Yes, there are good bottoms and transparent upper frequencies. But any breakthrough Powerbeats3 do not, even if we compare them with much less expensive models of headphones. I repeat: all this concerns Android. Owners of gadgets from Apple, judging by the numerous reviews and reviews on the forums, adhere to a completely different point of view.

Results

Headphones Powerbeats3 will be an excellent choice if you already have Apple gadgets. Only in combination with them will they be able to unleash their full potential. Particular attention should be paid to this model for lovers of an active lifestyle: I have not seen such a convenient and reliable design for sports.

If you have in your Android pocket, then you need to think twice before buying. And the best way is to arrange a preliminary audition or even a blind comparison with other models. Not the fact that Powerbeats3 will make friends with your device.

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