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Beats Solo 4 · Photo source

Beats Solo 4
Photo 1 of 13

Beats Solo 4 · Photo source

Beats · Solo

Solo 4

Released May 2024

Folding on-ear headphones with Bluetooth, USB-C and battery-free analogue listening, suited to people who want Apple spatial audio and a small travelling pair.

Model history · 3 models, 2014–2024
  1. 2014Solo2 WirelessCompare
  2. 2016Solo3 WirelessCompare
  3. 2024Solo 4
Type
On-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Battery
50 h
With case
–
Best codec
AAC
Weight
217 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the battery life and choice of wired connections, but find the sound and features limited for the price. Both report discomfort during longer sessions. TechRadar praises passive isolation, while SoundGuys finds it weak against low-frequency noise.

From soundguys.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
On-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Transparency mode
No
Spatial audio with head tracking
Yes
Driver size
40 mm
Back
Closed
Bluetooth codecs
SBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-C
Yes
Drivers
Custom-built 40 mm transducers
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)
Up to 50 hours
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 Fuel gives up to 5 hours of playback from 10 minutes of charging

Design

Weight
217 g
Bluetooth
5.3
Two devices at once
No
Headphone cable
Yes
Controls
Physical b button for playback and calls; volume buttons and power button; Siri on compatible Apple devices
Microphones
Multiple digital beamforming microphones with a voice-targeting algorithm
Fit and ear tips
Folding headband with brushed metal hinges, ergonomically angled ear cups and UltraPlush cushions
Dimensions
Length 17.7 cm, width 15.8 cm, height 6.8 cm (Beats' published dimensions)
Water resistance detail
No water or sweat resistance rating published
Works with
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
Matte Black, Slate Blue, Cloud Pink
In the box
Headphones, carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 3.5 mm audio cable, quick start guide and warranty card

Pros and cons

Pros

  • USB-C audio and 3.5 mm listening, including passive playback without a battery
  • Up to 50 hours per charge and 5 hours from a 10-minute charge
  • Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking on compatible Apple devices

Cons

  • No active noise cancelling or transparency mode
  • No equaliser in the Beats app
  • No published water or sweat resistance rating

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
SonyWH-CH520
On-earNo50 h–AAC147 gMar 2023
SteelSeriesArctis Nova 5 Wireless
Over-earNo60 h–SBC265 gMay 2024
JBLTune 720BT
Over-earNo76 h–AAC220 gFeb 2023

Previous model: Solo3 Wireless.

Sources

  1. beatsbydre.com/uk/headphones/solo4-wireless
  2. businesswire.com/news/home/20240430448719/en/Introducing-Beats-Solo-Buds-Looks-…
  3. soundguys.com/beats-solo-4-review-115347
  4. techradar.com/audio/headphones/beats-solo-4-review

Photo: beatsbydre.com

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