When Beats headphones were launched in 2008, they became a statement of fashion as much as sound. The newest wireless Beats headphones carry on that tradition of combining style with improved audio.
Music moguls Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine co-founded Beats Electronics in 2006 and the original $300 Beats Studio headphones, brought to market in 2008, became a pop culture touchstone with ambassadors such as Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams, LeBron James and Michael Phelps wearing them.
Beats expanded its line of products to include wireless on-ear headphones, portable speakers and a Beats Music streaming service before Apple acquired the company in 2014 for $3 billion.
The brand's newest entry, Beats 360 headphones ($349.99), in stores and available
online now, are designed to not only treat your ears to better music, but serve as a customizable fashion accessory.
Shop Beats 360 headphones
Kendall Jenner is on board with Beats, starring in a digital ad campaign showing off the new headphones' customizable aspect.
Kendall Jenner stars in a social media campaign showing off customizable options of new Beats 360 headphones." id="91917492007">
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes can be seen sporting the headphones on Instagram, and he wore them during warmups of the season's first "Monday Night Football" game.
New Beats 360 headphones – what's inside
You have multiple ways to listen with the new Beats 360 headphones. Enhanced active noise cancellation technology promises better blocking of external sounds for uninterrupted music listening. Those who prefer to maintain some connection to their environment can listen in Transparency mode. An Adaptive EQ mode tailors sound to your ears when you don't want to listen with noise cancellation or transparency.
The Beats 360 internal speaker system has been designed to deliver better sound than the brand's current flagship Beats Studio Pro headphones (the price of those headphones has dropped to $299.99 in Apple stores and on apple.com). New voice processing software and a trio of built-in microphones allow the headphones to better capture and transmit the wearer's voice on phone calls.
But many may migrate to the Beats 360 headphones for style points. You can choose from four colors – Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky (pastel blue) – and each set of headphones comes with a pair of color-matched UltraPlush cushions. However, with swappable ear cup cushions and headbands, you can achieve 256 different color combinations.
Shop Beats 360 headphones
“Beats didn’t just participate in the rise of over-ear headphones – we helped define the category,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports, and Beats, in a news release. “Beats 360 is the next chapter of that story. We combined our most advanced acoustic performance ever with a perfectly balanced design that moves effortlessly with you. And with our new interchangeable cushions, our customers can express themselves in a way no other over-ear headphone can.”
The UltraPlush cushions that come with the headphones have the traditional cushy feel found with other Beats Studio Pro and Beats Solo 4 headphones. But additional Cushion Kits can be purchased to customize your Beats 360s.
Additional Cushion Kits come with a pair of Performance Knit ear cups, made with microthreaded textured material, and a matching headband cushion in a choice of six colors: Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy, and Volt (a hot lemon-lime color). Or you can opt for a pair of UltraPlush ear cups and cushions in Black and Cloud colors. For a limited time, you can get Beats 360 Cushion Kits for an introductory price of $9.99 each on apple.com, in the Apple Store app and in Apple stores.
Beats 360 headphones: A heads-on hot take
For years, I’ve relied on Beats Fit Pro in-ear headphones as my go-to for gym workouts. I have always found over-ear headphones unwieldy while working out, despite their being essential for other tasks including podcasting and listening at home or while traveling.
While test driving the Beats 360 headphones, I almost forgot I had them on in the gym, whether it was stretching, rowing or lifting weights. The well-balanced headset stayed put without feeling tight.
The over-ear headphones also created a bigger musical sound field than I expected. The noise cancellation mode spared me from hearing the room's piped-in music and the sound from a pair of nearby treadmills. When I tapped a button on the left headphone to switch to Transparency mode, I could hear sound within the room, but the music remained prominent. Other buttons turn the headphones on and off, adjust volume and pause music.
After my workout, I removed the slightly-damp blue Performance Knit ear cups with a twist and replaced them with some black UltraPlush ear cups. I could listen to music in my resort room while my wife watched television.
The Performance Knit ear cups feel as if they are designed for workouts and handled some sweat. The headphones are water and sweat-resistant but are not designed for water sports.
Beats 360 headphones can deliver up to 32 hours of continuous play on a single battery charge. And if you forget to charge them, you can get an hour's worth of use in a quick five-minute USB-C charge.
If you are looking to replace your headphones – or want a pair to jazz up your look – the new Beats 360 headphones are worth a look and a listen.
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can email him at msnider@usatoday.com and follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I tried the new Beats 360 headphones. Here's what I liked
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