Review: beats by dr. dre solo HD headphones

If you're a music junkie you've probably heard of 'beats by dr. dre'. I'm reviewing the solo HD's, do they live up to the hype? 

The beats line comes in a couple the different models, including over-ear, on-ear and in-ear versions. The solo HD line is in the middle tier of the higher end; not quite the powerhouse as the beats Pro but still a very high quality piece of technology. Pricing in at $199 at BestBuy, they are the 2010 model of the original solo line. I’ve been using them for about two weeks and let’s just say that when you listen to music with a pair of these you’ll never want to go back to another pair of headphones.

The first thing you'll notice when you open the box is the high quality, these aren't just another pair of headphones. On the left is a compartment that can be opened by pulling a fabric tab, inside sit a couple of booklets and two pairs of cables. The cables are thick and don't get tangled; one of them has a nub near the end that can be used to control an mp3 player or phone. Anyone who’s ever had to unlock their iPhone every time they want to skip a song will appreciate how useful a feature this is. On the right side is a soft carrying case which contains the headphones and a cleaning cloth. The headphones can collapse onto themselves and fit pretty well into the case, but since it is soft they won’t be protected if you drop something heavy on them.

The headphones themselves are the on-ear style, the padding sits right on top of the ears. The fit is pretty comfortable although after many hours of use I started to feel some pressure on the ear. A warning for those who wear glasses, these headphones will push the legs of your frames against the side of your head and you might feel some pressure after extended use. The design is very stylish, a sort of minimalist retro fusion. I especially love the red color scheme on the (RED) special edition, although they are available in black and white versions. The top of the frame is lined with padding so the top of your head will feel comfortable even after extended use. The only complaint I can levy is that the frame itself does feel a little bit plasticky, although you’re supposed to be able to completely twist the frame without it snapping. I wouldn’t recommend trying it.

Now for the important part, the sound! I would describe listening to music with these on as similar to having a party in your head. They definitely immerse you in the music and you’ll catch little nuances in your favorite song that you’ve never heard before.  These headphones have the effect of closing the world out and letting you focus on the music. But, they are not completely noise canceling, you will still hear voices from the people around you but very muffled, and once the music starts you won’t notice at all. The bass is incredible and any fans of hip-hop or techno will have a blast. The only complaint about the sound is that by enclosing the ear it does give the music a sort of hollow sound.

Would I recommend these headphones? I would say it depends on if you’re going to use them. Remember you are going to pay over $200 for a pair. If you spend a lot of your time listening to tunes, then definitely invest in something that will help you enjoy your passion. If you only listen to music in the car well then these aren’t for you. (Would any headphones be for you?) Of course they are very stylish so for the person looking to make a splash at the office or who hangs around the types who would care about something like this, well that’s an added incentive.

Pros:                    

• Good quality
• Great bass  
• Very stylish   
• Buy the (RED) version and some of the profits go to fight AIDS in Africa

Cons:

• A bit over-priced.
• Can exert pressure on ears after extended use
• Frame feels somewhat plasticky
• Sound may be a bit hollow