Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones
Manufacturer: Monster Cable Part number: 127801
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The unique and stylish Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer solid audio, useful accessories, and a look that's anything but copycat. For fashion-forward folks with cash to spare, they're a great option.
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CNET editors' review
Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones price range: $259.00 - $299.95
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 08/28/2008
The good: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer a stylish and comfortable design as well as exceptionally crisp audio response. Sound quality is mostly balanced, with warm mids and thumping bass. Included are a nice carrying case and a music-phone-compatible cable.
The bad: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones cannot be used without batteries. Glossy black design is very smudge-prone, and a few songs sound harsh. Right earcup rattles while you walk.
The bottom line: The unique and stylish Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer solid audio, useful accessories, and a look that's anything but copycat. For fashion-forward folks with cash to spare, they're a great option.
It's not always easy to get excited about a pair of headphones on first glance. Generally, the listening experience, which is gathered only after putting a set on and sitting down with some favorite music, is what draws people in. Not so with the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, a sweet-looking set that will relieve you of $350. While their sound quality is nothing to scoff at, their appeal as eye-candy is undeniable. For audio enthusiasts who are tired of the same old look, the Beats are a must.
The Monster Beats may not be all about style, but you wouldn't know that just by looking at them. If you wear these headphones in public, you will turn heads. The thick and padded glossy black headband descends seemingly seamlessly into the circles that hold each earcup, which are oblong and padded in a cushy leatherette material. (They also swivel slightly in their supports in order to provide a comfortable fit.) Closer inspection of the headband discloses a seam on each side where it expands, revealing the metal support band within. This same metal accents the inside of the headband and rings thinly around each earpiece, which also features rings of deep red accenting. The outside of the earcups also feature a metallic disc containing a red "b" (the one on the right will mute your music when pressed). The overall effect is a sleek and stylish design that is not ostentatious.
In addition to the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, Monster includes a variety of accessories in the slick, red packaging. There are two, thick 3.5mm audio cables--one red for standard MP3 players and one black with a built-in mic for music phones--each measuring 4 feet long. You also get a dual-pronged airplane adapter and a quarter-inch adapter for use with your home audio system, as well as a hardshell carrying case with a carabiner attached. In addition, the Beats come with a cleaning cloth, and you'll need it--these headphones are highly smudge-prone. Also necessary are the included AAA batteries; the headphones are noise-canceling (activated via a switch on the right earcup) and need power to work.
Of course, a pair of headphones may be the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen, but if they don't hold water when it comes to audio quality, the shine is quickly diminished. Luckily, this is not an issue with the Monster Beats, which offered an exceptionally--one might say shockingly--crisp response. Maybe we're pigeonholing here, but we expected Dr. Dre's headphones to be excessively heavy on the low-end. That's not to say there's no bass--it does thump--but these 'phones are nicely warm and balanced in the mids and truly impressive in their delivery of high-end detail. At no point did we suffer through the muddiness that can ail bass-heavy headphones.
If anything, some songs were a bit bright for our tastes and a few (but very few) tracks sounded harsh. More irritating is that the right earcup tends to rattle while you walk, so the Beats are probably best for stationary use. The genres that really shine are electronic, hard rock, and midtempo hip-hop, although other genres are also very good for the most part. No matter what the music, be forewarned that these headphones have a fair amount of sound leakage, so you're listening experience won't be entirely private.
User reviews
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Form & Function Outstanding, Exciting Sound Sleek Looks
by antonirex on September 28, 2008
Pros: Not only do they look great but they sound even better. I enjoyed the Excellent noise canceling which in turn functions as some sort of amplifier that boosts volume to insane levels with out distortion. Best for beats but does fantastic on classical.
Cons: You'll fall prey to Jealous looks on the A train, not inconspicuous at all. Loving use will require lots of AAA's, only one pair included. Airport Homeland Security Guards will get nervous, red wires, black glossy casing, and a big red B. for bomb?
Summary: Wondering if the price pertained only to name recognition being that Monster and Dr. Dre need to make a profit, I wondered if the sound quality would at all match ...
Summary: Wondering if the price pertained only to name recognition being that Monster and Dr. Dre need to make a profit, I wondered if the sound quality would at all match the detailed thought that went into design. I tried these headphones at Best Buy but the volume was so ridiculously high that I was not able to appreciate sound quality. I was also interested in finding out if any other type of music other than R&B, hip-hop or rap would sound good. So I bought them. I took them out of the very expensive packaging which by the way does not have any technical specifications. I examined all the accessories and I can say that anything Monster puts its name to has a very high quality feel. The hard carrying case is very nice but also very big, I think that mostly this carrying case is to store them at home, although it has a hinge as if you were going to attach it to your backpack or baggy jeans. It has two cables the red one which is a regular cable that you will use to plug it into your stereo and the black one which can plug into your iPhone because it has a microphone. Then it comes with a couple of adapters, a silky cleaning cloth that claims to be antibacterial I guess in case you are asked by some stranger in the subway to try them out. And the ridiculous little quick start guide that tells you how to install the batteries turn it on and use the mute button located on the right ear cup, again no specifications. And it also tells you to visit beatsbydre.com for a full manual. so once you have everything plugged in and batteries installed you turn them on and start listening to music in a very different way. These are powered headphones that not only isolate the music to cut out the noise but definitely gives your player a lot more volume. The sound quality is excellent at low volumes and really pumping at higher volumes. You will enjoy any kind of music with these headphones. I was listening to classical music and was very impressed. I compared these to another set of professional headphones that were not powered. The beats headphones are much better for iPods, iPhones, portable audio players. They deliver the full sound that you are supposed to be hearing. They're also very comfortable and light, they look durable and the design can't be beat. One thing I experienced was that I don't think they're meant to be slept on, while resting my head on the pillow with the left cup towards the pillow I started hearing a loud beep like the sound some microphones make When you move them around. Overall these are very fun to have, I think I will be keeping them. P.S. I'm very picky about sound.
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE MUSIC LOVER'S SOUL
by blazin asian on January 24, 2009
Pros: Incredible balanced sound, noise cancelling, sleek design, comfortable ear cups, sturdy cords for studio, iPhone, DJ
Cons: After listening to these, I will have problem listening to anything else
Summary: Ok.. I'm a professional deejay and have had enough experience with headphones. Had 3 pairs of Sonys which sounded crisp (all broke), 2 pairs of Technics which sounded warmer (...
Summary: Ok.. I'm a professional deejay and have had enough experience with headphones. Had 3 pairs of Sonys which sounded crisp (all broke), 2 pairs of Technics which sounded warmer (broke too), Shure SE530 in-ears (loved but lost ON an airplane!), V-Modas (hated) etc.
I am not one to write reviews, but I just got these in the mail & can say that I am truly blown away. I ran a comparison test to my current Allen & Heath XONEs, and the beats destroyed them.
In my line of work, I play everything from Hip Hop to Rock to Fela, and listening to all these different genres on these headphones, I haven't been disappointed. I even tried them with the Nutcracker Pas De Deux and heard the arm movements of the violinists plucking, and the conductor taking a breath in! I could even tell what side of the room each instrument was.
I haven't taken these off my head yet. I'm hearing elements I didn't hear before and it's opened me up to more creative possibilities. Plus I love the fact that they come with an iPhone mic cord so I can rock these in the street. But I have to agree with someone who said they might hate you on the A train! =)
GET THEM, GET THEM, GET THEM4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very good sound and looks
by StirUp12 on December 4, 2008
Pros: Nice headphones to show off. They have a great sound and the noise cancelling featre makes it even better.
Cons: The only con I have about this product is that When you are listening to a song, it is very easy for the people around you to also hear your music.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Sound. Excellent
by softrecon on September 19, 2008
Pros: Headphone is nicely built. The sound is excellent and you can use it for so many hours without feeling any fatigue. The result of meticulous research and new technology. One of the best.
Cons: Opening and replacing battery is cumbersome.
Summary: I owned Grado high end headphones three times as expensive as this Beats headphone and with all honesty, this headphone is better. The sound is just sweet and warm. The ...
Summary: I owned Grado high end headphones three times as expensive as this Beats headphone and with all honesty, this headphone is better. The sound is just sweet and warm. The mids is really amazing. They really did their homework.
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Had these for 4 months now
by Dmammah on November 19, 2009
Pros: great bass
Cons: price
clarity is a level higher than normal but not to the upper echelon
NOT DURABLE AT ALLSummary: so i went to bestbuy about 4months ago and bought these after testing them out and the did not dissapoint.... that is until 4 days later when the shell cracked ...
Summary: so i went to bestbuy about 4months ago and bought these after testing them out and the did not dissapoint.... that is until 4 days later when the shell cracked in half WHILE IN THE CASE! And the bad part is, they wont fix them because the said that the damage "must have been user inflicted", that's how monster likes to treat it's customers who drop $400 on their flimsy headphones. now tonight i pull my dre beats out of the case only to find out that the headphone cable is broken. I have treated these headphones as if they were my life and they look like i took a sledgehammer to them. meanwhile my old sonys i bought 3 years ago are still workin fine and after 2 years of hard use (football games and such). I am never gonna recommend monster cable for anything ever again after this little misadventure. fool me once shame on you, they're not gonna fool me again
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not for everyone, but oh-my-goodness are they good.
by kosterhout on November 17, 2009
Pros: -Sound separation
-Deep, enveloping bass
-Clear, resonating highs
-Balanced mid-range
-They look as cool as Dr. Dre himself
-Extremely comfortable.Cons: -Pricey (but you get what you pay for)
-Build quality could be better
-Noise cancellation is a bit of a gimmick.Summary: Okay. First, I want to clear up ANY misconceptions that some people have been throwing around (and, without a doubt, haven't tried this product).
First, these headphones are absolutely, ...Summary: Okay. First, I want to clear up ANY misconceptions that some people have been throwing around (and, without a doubt, haven't tried this product).
First, these headphones are absolutely, 100% phenomenal in most aspects. Most noticeably, their sound separation is next to nothing I've ever heard. When they say you'll hear things you've never heard before, they aren't kidding. The separation allows you to hear nuances that aren't heard through conventional means. You hear every note, every instrument, and every voice as if they are singing to you on stage.
Separation: 9/10
As far as the sound quality, it all depends. If you listen to high-quality, "lossless" (or close to) tracks, then they will sound out-of-this-world good. I will say that there is a slight amount of muddiness if you have the volume up and the song is very bass heavy, but this is rare and usually only happens on lower quality tracks. Second, you need to listen to it on something with a good sound processor. Your iPod will sound good, but if you put it on a sound card known for good sound (SoundBlaster X-Fi, for example), it will let the Beats shine for everything they are. The only design flaw in the sound quality category is the balance of sound from left to right. In the upper mid-range area, the right driver is louder than the left. This has been seen on numerous pairs, but you'll only notice it if you look for it. Treble is clear, bass is deep and oh-so-satisfying, and mid-range is good. I will say that the noise cancellation is a bit of a gimmick compared to the new QC 15's from Bose. However, the Bose headphones are not nearly as good in the sound quality area. If you turn the music up, though, you won't hear anything. With the music off, the sound canceling does very little other than drown out low-tone sounds, such as air conditioners and such. Overall, extremely well balanced headphones with exceptional clarity.
Sound Quality: 9/10
Comfort is great. I've worn these things for hours with no fatigue. The ear cup lining is comfortable and soft. They aren't heavy on your head. There is very little pressure. They'd be great for traveling if they didn't have such HORRIBLE sound leakage. I'm sorry, but there is NO way to keep these things from leaking sound other than listening to your music at the lowest volumes. I've had people come out of a back room of my house and say "I love this song!". Yikes. Most definitely not library cans.
Comfort: 10/10
Build quality is the only deficiency these 'phones have. The plastic seems very weak. I could see accidentally sitting on these and snapping them in half. The headband and ear cup fabrics are comfortable, though. It's just the plastic. It seems very flimsy. I'm very, very careful with them and I've not seen any problems yet, but I'm paranoid that they may break. Thank goodness for the three year guarantee, but I couldn't imagine a month without my Beats...
Build Quality: 6/10
The value is a debatable point. Yes, they're $300. Yes, that is a lot of money. However, you get what you pay for. I understand that people claim that there are 'phones out there for much less that provide a similar experience. I've heard most of the ones they claim, and they definitely don't provide a similar experience. Yes, they're good, but they don't have the same separation and most certainly not the same power and bass response. For "audiophiles" (read: snobs), these cans aren't for you. They aren't flat. They do emphasize the lower end of the sound spectrum. So go play with your Sennheisers and leave us "low-brow" kids to our Beats.
Value: 8/10
Overall, these 'phones are phenomenal. I sell high quality audio for a living. I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I know great audio, and oh do these cans deliver. If you love music, you'll love the Beats. Yes, they're pricey, but you get what you pay for. Anyone saying the Skull Candy Hesh headphones are of equal quality needs to go have a hearing examination, because you would most certainly need hearing aids if you think those horrible, muddy, unbelievably unbalanced headphones hold even a match to these.
Overall: 9/10 "Outstanding"1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Consumers Win in the Noise Cancelling Wars...
by johncreasy on June 3, 2009
Pros: Wonderful sound and suprisingly good high end performance. Great looking headphones with audio performance to match. I am still impressed after 8 months.
Cons: Bleeding sound from my headphones may be an issue for those not enjoying my music or movies. I question if they are really closed over ear headphones because they bleed like nobodys business.
Summary: These are great headphones and are well worth your time if you are looking at over ear cans. In ear performers can be narrowed down to Shure 530s pretty quickly ...
Summary: These are great headphones and are well worth your time if you are looking at over ear cans. In ear performers can be narrowed down to Shure 530s pretty quickly but all over ear cans with noise cancellation seem to be operating in hotly contested territory. Currently and in the past I have owned PC 250s, QC3s, Grado SR60s, Ultrasone 650s and some other not so noteworthy cans. Beats are definitely not perfect but they are well worth the performance you would expect from portable headphones with noise cancelling. The BoseQC3 are also good for travellers but I am much happier with the Beats as I do not use my headphones for noise cancelling exclusively, and I appreciate music and audio performance from my headphones as well. If you just want walk-around noise cancellation I would strongly recommend the Bose, but once fidelity is added to the mix the Beats are definitely the better choice.
*If I could only own one set of headphones it would have to be the Beats because of their extended wear comfort and noise cancellation. I would be my Shure 530s but I do not like like Push to Hear cables/module and my ear canals get pretty raw after hours of extended wear. If I did not travel internationally this would not be an issue. If extended wear is not an issue for you you may want to try the Shure 530s.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great comfy cans with a nice crisp base sound.
by rikkibhoy on December 2, 2009
Pros: love the tickle from the bass (yes tickle) Feel very comfortable and light. They fit a big baw head like mine without squeezing. Cant help but nod your head to the music. Fecking Superb!!!!
Cons: The only down side is the noise. if you are sat next to someone you will **** them off !!!! but little price to pay for great sound!
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Severly Overpriced and Poorly Designed
by Jake511 on November 10, 2009
Pros: These do sound good, no question about it. Comfort is good.
Cons: Fell apart 25 minutes into a 6 hour flight. The shiny black plastic is held together with allen head screws which cracks the plastic. The right phone literally fell off my head. The battery lasted apprx 8 hours- the caribiner strap tore off quickly
Summary: For what they charge for their stuff, I expect better from Monster. This is completely unacceptable for $300 headphones. They should never break unless they are run over by a ...
Summary: For what they charge for their stuff, I expect better from Monster. This is completely unacceptable for $300 headphones. They should never break unless they are run over by a Mack truck. These do sound good and have much better depth than Bose, but the bad far outweighs the good.
The battery cover takes a severe case of luck to get open (they devour batteries by the way) and the nifty caribiner on the case, although great in utility, ripped off over the course of a very light duty weekend. Even if these design flaws were fixed, I don't see them being worth $300. -
own them their freaking awesome
by slimmfady on October 31, 2009
Pros: great bass true sound
Cons: one of the cups quirks when you move
Summary: suuuuuuuuper great
Summary: suuuuuuuuper great
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Monster Cable
- Part number: 127801
- Description: Experience music the way the artist wants you to. Beats high definition headphones are precision-engineered to reveal the full sound of today's digital music including the most sonically demanding rock, hip hop and R&B. with advanced speaker design, powered amplification, and active noise canceling, Beats delivers all the power, clarity, and deep bass today's top artists and producers want you to hear.
General
- Recommended Use The noise canceling feature keeps out ambient sounds on buses and airplanes. Plus, they are portable for easy transport.
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 9.2 oz
- Color Black
- Additional Features Foldable
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
- Dynamic Range 115 dB
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x Headphones cable - 4.3 ft, 1 x Headphones cable - External
- Included Accessories Storage case, Cleaning cloth, 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter
Power
- Power Device None
- Battery 2 x Headset battery - AAA type
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Manufacturer info
- Monster Cable
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Monster Cable products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.monstercable.com/
- Address:
455 Valley Drive, Brisbane, CA 94005 - Phone: 1-877-800-8989
