IT HAS BEEN AN IMPRESSIVE SIX YEARS SINCE THE RENOWNED AUDIO BRAND FIRST INTRODUCED ITS GROUNDBREAKING WIRELESS EARBUDS TO THE MARKET. OVER THE YEARS, THESE EARBUDS HAVE EARNED A REPUTATION FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SOUND QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE. NOW, WITH THE RELEASE OF THEIR LATEST ITERATION, I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A FULL WEEK THOROUGHLY TESTING THE NEW MODEL. MY GOAL WAS TO EVALUATE HOW IT COMPARES TO THE PREVIOUS VERSIONS AND ASSESS ITS OVERALL PERFORMANCE, DESIGN, AND FEATURES. THIS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE ALLOWED ME TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LATEST EARBUDS LIVE UP TO THE LEGACY OF THEIR PREDECESSORS.
A quick look at the Powerbeats Pro 2 and its specifications reveals significant advancements over its predecessor. Right from the start, it’s clear that the design has undergone a noticeable transformation. The new version is much sleeker and more refined, with a modern, stylish aesthetic. One of the standout upgrades is the storage case, which now features wireless charging, offering added convenience for users on the go.
In terms of sound, the improvements are impressive as well. The inclusion of immersive spatial audio takes the listening experience to a whole new level, providing a more dynamic and lifelike soundstage. Alongside this, the active noise cancellation technology is another key upgrade. These two features, spatial audio and noise cancellation, are now standard in the Powerbeats Pro 2 — essential additions for anyone investing in a pair of premium $200+ wireless earbuds.
Adding to the excitement, the Powerbeats Pro 2 introduces heart rate tracking, a groundbreaking wellness feature that is being offered for the first time in a Beats product. This innovation sets these earbuds apart in a market where health and fitness tracking are becoming increasingly important.
Considering the extended wait for their release, as well as the substantial upgrades in both design and functionality, I found myself eager to test out the Powerbeats Pro 2 the moment Beats by Dre first teased them last September. With all the anticipation surrounding these new features, I was excited to see how they performed in real-world use. Here, I’ll provide a detailed breakdown of the product’s design, features, and performance, and share my thoughts on whether the wait was truly worth it.
An Overview of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
- Sleek, Familiar Design
- Exceptional Fit and Comfort
- Outstanding Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
- Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are equipped with finely tuned custom audio drivers, which work together to deliver a powerful, clear, and immersive sound experience. The bass is deep and punchy, providing a strong foundation without overwhelming the other frequencies. The midrange is detailed and rich, ensuring that vocals and instruments are heard with clarity and depth. Meanwhile, the treble is vibrant and crisp, adding brightness and sparkle to the overall sound. Whether I was listening to classical jazz performances, where subtle nuances are crucial, or bass-heavy downtempo tracks that demand a solid low-end, every genre in my eclectic testing playlist was reproduced admirably. The audio performance of the Powerbeats Pro 2 stands out as one of the best you can find in this price range, making it a top choice for anyone seeking high-quality sound in their wireless earbuds.
Unlike many workout earbuds that emphasize bass at the cost of treble and midrange frequencies, the Powerbeats Pro 2 takes a more balanced approach to sound. This well-rounded audio profile ensures that the earbuds will attract both fitness enthusiasts who rely on energizing music to power their workouts and casual listeners looking for a reliable and high-quality set of earbuds for everyday use.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 also delivered an exceptional spatial audio experience, offering a level of immersion comparable to the similarly priced Apple AirPods Pro 2. Enhanced Dolby Atmos content, particularly live performances, sounded far more realistic and three-dimensional than regular stereo audio. When dynamic head tracking was activated, it truly made me feel as though I were part of the crowd, with the sound shifting naturally as I turned my head from side to side.
Beats headphones and earbuds don’t offer app-based sound customization, but this was never an issue for me while using the Powerbeats Pro 2. The audio quality felt perfectly balanced, and I didn’t feel the need to tweak the sound settings. When I disabled the noise cancellation and transparency modes, the earphones produced an even more harmonious sound, with refined bass, thanks to a feature called Adaptive EQ.
The call quality on the Powerbeats Pro 2 is outstanding. I used them for various communication platforms, including phone calls, FaceTime, and Zoom, and the experience was consistently clear. Participants on the other end reported hearing me loud and clear, and voices on my end sounded crisp and natural as well.
Noise Cancellation
True to their premium price point, the Powerbeats Pro 2 excelled at blocking out ambient noise during my testing.
While navigating the bustling New York City subway, the earphones reduced the surrounding noise to little more than a faint hum. In the gym, activating noise cancellation helped me stay focused on my workout, blocking out the distracting clatter of weights.
The transparency mode also performed reliably. This convenient feature allowed me to stay aware of my surroundings during commutes and while at the office, all without needing to remove the earbuds or pause the music I was listening to.
The Powerbeats Pro 2’s overall noise cancellation is not quite on par with the complete silence offered by higher-end models like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds. However, when it comes to ergonomics, the Powerbeats Pro 2 surpasses these more expensive options, offering a more comfortable and secure fit.
Design and Ergonomics
The Powerbeats Pro 2 earphones maintain the iconic Beats look with integrated ear hooks and a sleek, solid color finish available in black, orange, purple, or quicksand, all complemented by contrasting branding. While the design remains instantly recognizable as a Beats product, the new version is noticeably sleeker and more compact. This is due to the slimmer ear hooks and the smoother curves replacing the sharper edges of the previous generation, making the Powerbeats Pro 2 more refined in appearance despite offering a significant upgrade in features.
The Powerbeats Pro 2, featuring the signature Beats ear hooks and smaller housings, offer the most secure fit of any true wireless earbuds on the market. I used them during several high-intensity workouts without ever worrying they would fall out.
My workout routine includes jumping jacks, burpees, rope jumping, crunches, and chest presses, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 handled it all with ease, staying firmly in place throughout. Their fit is unmatched by any other workout earbuds, with competitors lacking ear hooks struggling to offer the same level of security.
The clicky button controls on the Powerbeats Pro 2 also set them apart. A highlight from the previous generation, the volume buttons are once again featured on both the left and right earbuds. Being able to adjust the volume with a tactile button is far more efficient than relying on swiping or long-pressing touch surfaces, a feature that many competitors still struggle to implement.
While the Pro 2’s IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance may not be the highest in the industry, it’s more than sufficient for regular use. The earbuds easily survived multiple sweaty workout sessions and a brisk walk through New York’s Central Park on an unusually warm, rainy day. Though they aren’t rated for full submersion or dust exposure, their secure ear hooks make such extreme conditions highly unlikely.
Information on the Heart Rate Sensor
The heart rate sensor on the Powerbeats Pro 2 functions flawlessly, providing accurate readings that are easily accessible through the Apple Health app on iPhone. It also integrates seamlessly with popular fitness apps such as Nike Run Club and Peloton, among others. Additionally, the sensor is compatible with Android devices as well.
I wasn’t surprised by the reliability and accuracy of the Pro’s new heart rate sensor, especially knowing it leverages Apple Watch technology and expertise. However, unlike Apple’s industry-leading smartwatch, the Powerbeats Pro 2 only tracks heart rate and doesn’t offer activity or calorie tracking. Because of this, I wouldn’t replace my Apple Watch Series 10 with the Powerbeats Pro 2.
Despite its limitations, the heart rate monitoring feature will still be valuable for many who want to improve their exercise and wellness routines with more insightful data. Simply tracking heart rate can be crucial for adjusting pace, modifying rep frequency, and making other real-time decisions during workouts.
Battery Performance
The Powerbeats Pro 2’s eight-hour battery life with noise cancellation is impressive, especially considering their slim design and rich feature set. It surpasses the Beats Fit Pro’s six-hour playtime between charges. By switching to the Adaptive EQ listening mode, I was able to extend the earphones’ battery life to ten hours, reducing the need for frequent trips to the charging case.
The earphones easily lasted me through a full workday at a moderate music volume, with enough power left for a few calls without worrying about running out of battery. A quick pop into the case was all I needed to get enough charge for a workout session. Plus, the charging case offers both a versatile USB-C connection and wireless charging, a must-have feature for high-end wireless earbuds.
Wrap-Up
So, were the design and performance upgrades of the Powerbeats Pro 2 worth the wait? The short answer is “yes.” With an enhanced design, improved ergonomics, superior sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, heart rate tracking, and wireless charging—all at the same price as the original—the sequel exceeded my high expectations. Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, these are the top wireless earbuds for workouts.
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