Beats Solo (2009) vs Beats Solo 4

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Solo (2009) compared with Solo 4

	BeatsSolo (2009)	BeatsSolo 4
Overview
Released
Released	2009	May 2024
Sound
Type
Type	On-ear	On-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	–	No
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	–	Yes
Driver size
Driver size	–	40 mm
Back
Back	–	Closed
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	SBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	–	Yes
Drivers
Drivers	Original maker announcement describes a compact driver but gives no diameter.	Custom-built 40 mm transducers
Audio features
Audio features	–	Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking on compatible Apple devices; creating a personalised profile requires an iPhone with a TrueDepth camera; lossless audio over USB-C
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	No battery (wired)	Up to 50 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	–	Apple's playback test used 256 Kbps AAC tracks at 50% volume; 3.5 mm passive playback requires no battery power; USB-C audio can play while charging
Fast charging
Fast charging	–	Fast Fuel gives up to 5 hours of playback from 10 minutes of charging
Design
Weight
Weight	–	217 g
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	–	5.3
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	–	No
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	ControlTalk cable supports music playback, volume and calls on compatible devices.	Physical b button for playback and calls; volume buttons and power button; Siri on compatible Apple devices
Microphones
Microphones	Microphone built into the ControlTalk remote cable.	Multiple digital beamforming microphones with a voice-targeting algorithm
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Folding headband and padded on-ear cushions; original Solo, distinct from the later Solo HD.	Folding headband with brushed metal hinges, ergonomically angled ear cups and UltraPlush cushions
Dimensions
Dimensions	–	Length 17.7 cm, width 15.8 cm, height 6.8 cm (Beats' published dimensions)
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No water or sweat resistance rating published
Works with
Works with	Detachable 3.5 mm analogue cable. Original maker announcement lists remote and microphone support for specific iPod nano, classic and touch models, iPhone 3GS and some BlackBerry models; support varies by model and software version. Remote-only support is listed for the third-generation iPod shuffle.	Class 1 Bluetooth; one-touch pairing and automatic pre-pairing across iCloud or Google accounts, Apple Find My and Android Find My Device; SBC and AAC codecs (SoundGuys); no simultaneous Bluetooth multipoint (TechRadar)
Colours
Colours	Black and white in the original maker announcement. Planned November 2009 availability is published, but the first actual sale month is unproved, so the release retains year precision. TIME describes the headphones in November 2009.	Matte Black, Slate Blue, Cloud Pink
In the box
In the box	Les Numériques' reviewed package contains a semi-rigid carrying case and two cables, one standard and one with an Apple-compatible remote.	Headphones, carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 3.5 mm audio cable, quick start guide and warranty card