Beats Solo (2009) vs Beats Solo HD

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Solo (2009) compared with Solo HD

	BeatsSolo (2009)	BeatsSolo HD
Overview
Released
Released	2009	February 2010
Sound
Type
Type	On-ear	On-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	None (wired)
Drivers
Drivers	Original maker announcement describes a compact driver but gives no diameter.	Original maker announcement describes redesigned drivers; no diameter is published in the sources read.
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	–	Passive isolation from the ear pads, described by What Hi-Fi? and AVForums; no active noise cancelling.
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	No battery (wired)	No battery (wired)
Design
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	ControlTalk cable supports music playback, volume and calls on compatible devices.	In-line remote supports playback, track skipping and scanning, calls, voice commands and volume; functionality varies by device.
Microphones
Microphones	Microphone built into the ControlTalk remote cable.	Microphone built into the detachable remote cable.
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Folding headband and padded on-ear cushions; original Solo, distinct from the later Solo HD.	On-ear design with folding hinges; AVForums describes metal hinges, pivoting ear pads and a padded headband.
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.	Analogue audio through a detachable 3.5 mm cable. The original Monster manual lists remote and microphone support for specific iPod, iPhone and iPad models; the later Beats guide also lists HTC, BlackBerry and Android with device-dependent functions.
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.	AVForums' reviewed range includes black, white and red. The maker confirmed the PRODUCT(RED) edition was already available on 5 February 2010; its general launch announcement had stated March 2010.
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.	Maker announcement lists a carrying case. AVForums' reviewed bundle includes two detachable cables, one with an in-line microphone remote; bundles may differ.