BeatsX: AirPods In A Neckband-style Headphone
Apple’s AirPods have been a focus of the headphone world ever since they were announced alongside the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus back in September 2016. But there’s another Apple wireless headphone from the company’s Beats by Dre subsidiary.
The First One With Apple’s Design.
The BeatsX utilizes Apple’s new custom low-power Bluetooth chip, the W1. The same chip is also found in the AirPods, PowerBeats3 Wireless and the Solo3 Wireless. It allows for automatic coupling it with Apple devices that are updated with the latest versions of its operating systems (iOS 10, MacOS Sierra and WatchOS 3). The BeatsX is the only fresh model, and also the first one designed with the help of Apple’s design and engineering teams.
Interchangeable Silicone Ear Tips.
The BeatsX is a fresh take on the neckband-style wireless headphone. Apple gives you an option of four interchangeable silicone ear tips for a more customized fit. Two pairs of “wing tips” are also included for extra security. You will find a medium dome tip fitted to the device out of the box, while a separate packet includes small and large dome options and one medium flange-style tip for enhanced noise isolation.
Like other portions of the earphone, the cable is wrapped in soft-touch material that offers a premium feel and helps resist moisture. BeatsX can also be considered a variation of the company’s new Powerbeats3. Both are tethered designs that connect one earbud to the other via a cable.
Flex-Form Cable.
The BeatsX’s neckband called a Flex-Form cable, has two wires running through it that are made of nickel titanium alloy or nitinol, which was developed by the US Navy in the late 1950s. The wire is malleable, durable and lightweight. The key to it here is that it gives the band just enough rigidity. It also allows you to roll up the headphone in a way so that it fits in an included compact carrying case. You can’t do that with an LG Tone headset.
The lightweight magnetized buds come with 8mm drivers, that cling to each other, so you can pin them together when they’re not in your ears and wear them like a pendant. Like other neckband-style headphones, they are designed in a way that they can be worn around all day. They’re also light enough to make you forget you’re wearing them.
Use The Eartips That Suit You.
In the box, there will be four different sizes of eartips and a couple of sizes of fins to anchor the buds in your ears in the box. You can opt to use the fins or not, but if you’re doing anything active, like exercise, you’ll want to use them. They work well and fit comfortably. According to Beats, the headphones are water-resistant, but are not waterproof.
Performance.
BeatsX is far refined than most recent Beats products. The bass plays a huge part in the sound signature. But the low tones now serve as a base for crisp and clean treble notes. The overall profile is dynamic and colored in nature. The BeatsX has more bass and overall bigger, and slightly richer sound than the AirPods. Now whether one prefers that deeper sound to that of the AirPods is totally a personal preference.
The headphone delivers up to eight hours battery life at moderate volume levels, which is decent for this type of headphone. The good news is that if you give the headphone a quick five-minute charge via its Lightning port you get two hours of usage.
Verdict.
The BeatsX are comfortable and lightweight to wear. They have a neckband-style with a secure in-ear fit and good sound quality and are also water resistant. It pairs instantly with Apple devices. The headphones roll up easily to fit in an included carrying case, and charges quickly via Lightning, not MicroUSB. BeatsX earphones are available now from Apple for $149.95.
Rajiv Patil is the founder & Managing Director of Nimblechapps, an innovative iPhone app development company. He takes a keen interest in topics related to mobile app development and mobile game development and often like to share his knowledge through informative posts on leading blogging sites.