The Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian Edition are currently the best alternative to the Apple AirPods Max in India. These on-ear headphones from Beats (by extension, Apple) not only boast a chic design but also deliver a rich sound profile with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support. While they offer seamless connectivity with iPhones, they also work impressively well with Android devices, thanks to Beats app support.
However, at Rs 37,999, the Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian Edition headphones are a more affordable option than the AirPods Max, but they’re still far from budget-friendly. The big question is: Should you consider them over Sony’s highly rated ULT and WH-1000XM series headphones? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Design and box content
Beats introduced Studio Pro headphones in 2023 across limited markets in classic shades such as Black, White, Navy, and Brown. The latest collaboration with Kim Kardashian brings new colour options while the overall design language remains identical to the standard edition.
With this collaboration, Beats is clearly aiming at Gen Z consumers, particularly those who enjoy coordinating their outfits with matching accessories and tech. The headphones come with a luxurious travel bag, which neatly stores the braided charging cable and 3.5mm analogue input wire inside dedicated pockets. That also means users can fold the headphones to store them inside the custom bag. The bag has a shimmery finish, prominently featuring the “Beats x Kim” branding at the centre.
Unfortunately, there’s no official IP rating, so it’s best to be cautious when using them in the rain or during sweaty gym sessions.
Sound quality
I mostly used the Beats Studio Pro with my iPhone 14 Plus (review), although there’s support for Android smartphones as well via Bluetooth. The benefit of using these headphones with iPhones is that there’s no hassle of downloading a separate app as all the controls are available within the iPhone’s Settings. Android users will have to download the Beats app from Google Play to manage the headphones. Either way, I did not face any issues with connectivity or pairing.
There’s no complaint in terms of the loudness of the audio with the 40mm custom drivers on the Studio Pro. In most cases, this isn’t exactly a dealbreaker for me, as I usually keep the volume capped at 80 percent to protect against potential hearing damage. As I mentioned, the headphones offer prominent bass and treble; therefore, listening to genres like Pop and Hip-hop wasn’t an issue. If your favourite artists include Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, or even Diljit Dosanjh, the music experience will be vibrant and punchy. However, I occasionally listen to classic rock (Metallica and Guns n’ Roses) and contemporary rock bands (Tesseract and Tool) while working out, and I wish the Beats Studio Pro offered prominent mids and a little more thumb in the bass.
Features and app support
As mentioned, the Beat Studio Pro support ANC and Transparency, which aren’t available in the Rs 20,000-worth Beats Solo 4 headphones. However, there are some very useful features for a rich audio experience, while some basics are lacking.
- For instance, the Beats Studio Pro support head-tracking and spatial audio, delivering a 3D surround sound experience. However, they lack on-ear detection, meaning music won’t automatically pause when you remove the headphones.
- Being an Apple product, the Studio Pro offer quick pairing with iPhones for a seamless connection. However, they skip multipoint connectivity, which means you can’t effortlessly switch between your iPhone and Mac during a phone call.
- Lastly, the Beats Studio Pro support Apple’s Find My protocol in case of a misplacement. Sadly, it won’t constantly track the headphones, likely because of no Apple’s custom H-series processor.
Otherwise, managing the Beats Studio Pro with the app is straightforward, which non-tech-savvy customers will appreciate. The headphones also allow users to activate Siri/ Gemini by long-pressing the Beats logo on the left earcup.
Lastly, I did not face any issues with the calling experience. There are multiple mics on the headphones, and combined with Apple’s Noise Isolation, the calling experience was sharp and clear.
Battery and charging
The Beats Studio Pro (including the Kim edition) features a USB-C port for charging, despite launching in early 2023 – the same year Apple introduced the Type-C port on iPhones and AirPods for the first time. Due to their large size, these headphones offer excellent battery life, lasting for at least five days with moderate usage daily for 2-3 hours.
Verdict
The Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian edition testifies that style can meet substance, which isn’t always the case with celebrity partnerships. The current collaboration offers new colours, which will surely appeal to GenZ customers seeking edgy tech accessories for their daily fashion.
Aside from their stylish looks, the Beats Studio Pro are among the most comfortable headphones on the market, offering a great fit that pair seamlessly with both iPhones and Android smartphones – a rarity in any segment. They deliver a rich audio experience and impressive battery life, both of which are key factors for most users.
However, being an Apple product, affordability isn’t typically a strong suit, and the same holds true here. Despite the premium pricing, the Studio Pro skip some basic features, such as an IP rating and on-ear detection. In comparison, the Sony XM5 headphones present a better value proposition with their feature-rich offering.
If looks and performance matter to you, the Beats Studio Pro Kim Kardashian edition are your best bet on the market.
Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Pros
- Stylish design
- Comfortable, soft earcups
- Clean audio with ANC
- Solid battery life
Cons
- No ear-detection
- No official IP rating
- Expensive
