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In the midst of Apple acquisition, Beats tries to solidify its high end (sound) rep with new Solo2 cans

beats-dre-solo-2-headphones

We’re less than 24 hours removed from Apple announcing its acquisition of Beats and the Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine headphone empire has already announced a new product.

The Beats Solo2 headphones are a follow-up to the massively popular Solo model that sold nearly four units every minute last year. It seems that Beats has addressed one of the biggest criticisms of previous models. Some said they were too bass-heavy which resulted in what some critics called “poorly-mixed hip-hop sound”.

The Solo2 headphone has a more dynamic, wider range of sound, with a clarity that will bring you closer to what the artist intended, whether you’re into hip-hop, heavy metal, jazz, electronic, or country.

These new cans sport a nearly identical design, while some tweaks have been made to increase overall comfort.

…the frame of the headphone has been curved like never before, giving the Solo2 a custom-fit feeling. The earcups have been ergonomically angled to complete this natural fit, with pivots for optimal comfort and sound delivery. Finally, the earcups’ premium material helps dissipate heat and minimize sound leakage.

Apple obviously had no impact on this product release since the deal isn’t expected to be finalized until the company’s fiscal Q4 of this year, but it’s interesting to see Beats trying to shake of some its old stigmas to appeal to audiophiles as well as music listeners who put bass and fashion first.

The Solo2 headphones are now available for preorder for $199.95 in a range of colors from Best Buy, beatsbydre.com, and are expected to hit other authorized retailers late this week…

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CULVER CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Beats Electronics LLC (Beats), the leading audio brand co-founded by legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, is once raising the bar for excellence across both form and function with the introduction of the new Solo2 headphone.

“When you think about Beats you think about iconic design, incredible sound, premium quality, profound comfort and of course, portability; we’ve worked hard to earn this reputation and along with that comes very high expectations”

In 2013 nearly four Solos were sold every minute around the world. With no signs of slowing down, Beats is taking the beloved headphone to the next level with Solo2 offering a robust listening experience with a wider range of sound and enhanced clarity.

“When you think about Beats you think about iconic design, incredible sound, premium quality, profound comfort and of course, portability; we’ve worked hard to earn this reputation and along with that comes very high expectations,” said Beats President Luke Wood. “Solo2 delivers on all fronts while finding new frontiers in audio performance to bring the emotion back to music.”

Solo2 is designed with you and your lifestyle in mind

Sound: The Solo2 headphone has a more dynamic, wider range of sound, with a clarity that will bring you closer to what the artist intended, whether you’re into hip-hop, heavy metal, jazz, electronic, or country.

Design: The Solo2 headphone maintains the same sleek, streamlined aesthetic as the iconic Beats Studio with fast flowing curves and no visible screws. Starting at the center of the flexible headband, the frame of the headphone has been curved like never before, giving the Solo2 a custom-fit feeling. The earcups have been ergonomically angled to complete this natural fit, with pivots for optimal comfort and sound delivery. Finally, the earcups’ premium material helps dissipate heat and minimize sound leakage.

Colors: The Solo2 headphone will be available in Black, White, Red, Blue, Gray, and Pink.

Partnership: Beats has once again teamed up with project (RED), making the red Solo2 an official (RED) product, helping to fight the battle against AIDS.

Solo2 headphone retails for $199.95 and is available globally for pre-order starting May 29, 2014 on www.beatsbydre.com. It will be widely available on June 1, 2014 also at www.beatsbydre.com and authorized Beats retailers.

The Beats Studio takes design and style to new heights

When we reimagined the legendary Beats Studio headphone, we reinforced our commitment to exquisite form, function, and most importantly sound. Today, we’re extending the Studio color palette to include Champagne and Metallic Sky. Both colors compliment the fast curves and smooth surfaces of the Studio, enhancing the sound experience with sophistication and style.

The Beats Studio headphone in Champagne and Metallic Sky retails for $299 and is available at select retailers today. It will be available on www.beatsbydre.com in mid June.

Beats also announced a partnership with Snarkitecture, a collaborative practice operating in territories between the disciplines of art and architecture. Inspired by a shared love of music, the two teamed up to turn the iconic Studio headphone into a piece of art. The completely matte white object strips away the familiar colors and logos, so the headphone can be experienced in its purest form accompanied by Snarkitecture’s famed Pillow made from white cultured marble.

The Snarkitecture X Beats retails for $600 and will be available on June 9, 2014 on www.beatsbydre.com.

About Beats Electronics, LLC

Formally established in 2008 as the brainchild of legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records Jimmy Iovine, Beats Electronics (Beats) comprises the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ family of premium consumer headphones, earphones, and speakers as well as patented Beats Audio™ software technology and streaming music subscription service Beats Music™. Through these offerings, Beats has effectively brought the energy, emotion and excitement of playback in the recording studio to the listening experience and has introduced an entirely new generation to the possibilities of premium sound entertainment.

Led by Co-Founder & CEO Jimmy Iovine, Co-Founder Dr. Dre, and President Luke Wood, Beats Electronics is based in Culver City, CA.

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Comments

  1. I still don’t like the idea of headphones when we have equally capable, less douchey inearphones.

    • o0smoothies0o - 10 years ago

      Equally capable meaning equally capable of omitting sound? Sound quality is the point, though I’ve never been interested in headphones.

      • I’d think so. I have a pair of Bose SoundLink Mini speakers (which sounds amazing btw) and SkullyCandy Titan in ear phones and they sound equally as good, although the Bose speakers have less mids and slightly more bass.

    • Dean Lubaki - 10 years ago

      LOL, you’re tripping?

    • luciano (@lucianotb) - 10 years ago

      In general, headphones are way more healthier than inearphones.

  2. sinthesisml - 10 years ago

    Beats headphones…the item that screams douchey at the gym.

  3. Where’s Apple logo? :)

  4. Nick Greco - 10 years ago

    Apple is acquiring a great marketing company that also happens to sell headphones. Even though you can buy equivalent quality headphones at a cheaper price, people care more about their personal status and will shell out more money to represent themselves as “Big Spenders”. Great write up, Dan.

  5. Robbie Catto-Smith - 10 years ago

    Beats Solo and high end sound can’t fit in the same sentence….

  6. zoidbert - 10 years ago

    Needs more purple.

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