Beats Solo 2: Iconic headphone gets a new look and sound (hands-on)

It’s been a long time coming, but a day after Beats consummated its sale to Apple for $3 billion, it’s finally released a successor to its on-ear Solo, one of the most popular headphones in the world. The new, improved Solo 2 carries a list price of $199.95 and comes in a variety of glossy colors.

Not surprisingly, the Solo 2 looks a lot like a mini version of Beats’ revamped over-ear Studio (2013) headphone. For starters the earpads have been redesigned with swankier materials that make the headphones slightly more comfortable and should hold up better over time (that said, these are not the most comofrtable on-ear headphones). Those pads also offer a little bit tighter seal to prevent sound leakage, as well as better noise isolation form the outside world.

Like the new Studios, the Solo 2s, which weigh in at 7.2 ounces or 205 grams, are built more sturdily and have no visible screws and the curve of the headband has been changed to deliver a snugger, more ergonomic fit. The headphones fold up but not flat and come with a soft carrying case and a detachable cord with an inline remote and microphone for making cell phone calls (it’s worth noting that the cord color matches the headphone color, which wasn’t the case for the Studio Wireless I reviewed). This on-ear model doesn’t have the active noise-cancellation of the step-up Studio and Studio Wireless models.

Beats Solo 2: Hands-on with Dre’s latest on-ear headphones (pictures)
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I personally wasn’t a fan of the original Solos and thought they were overpriced and lacked clarity. Like with the new Studios, Beats has tamped down the bass a bit and gone with a more accurate sound profile with better detail (that doesn’t mean there isn’t strong bass, but it isn’t as hyped).

The Solo 2 doesn’t offer quite the fullness of the larger Studio, but it’s definitely more pleasant to listen to and sounds better than the original Solo. In other words, the Solo 2 is still pretty pricey, but at least its sound and build quality is more in line with a headphone that costs over $100 rather than one that costs less than $75.

Beats has been gradually updating its product line after severing its partnership with Monster in early 2012. While it had huge success with the headphones and Bluetooth speakers built by Monster, it also got a bad rap with audiophiles, who considered the headphones inferior. These new headphones may not win audiophile hearts and ears, but Beats does appear to be moving away from its bloated-bass roots and staking out a more refined sound.

Whether that shift is real remains to be seen, but in the coming days we’ll put the new Solos up against some other leading on-ear models in this price range and let you know how they stack up in our full review.

Note: The Solo 2 is now available for pre-order and scheduled to hit stores on June 1.