Apple may need owned the Beats model since 2014, however you wouldn’t understand it by trying on the lineup. Over the previous few years, Apple has largely stored the Beats id intact. Final summer season, it gave the Beats Tablet speaker a brand new lease on life, and earlier this yr, it gave the Powerbeats Professional 2 a heart-rate sensor earlier than its personal AirPods Professional. This week, Apple’s Beats launched one other member of the non-AirPods household, the Powerbeats Match.
If Powerbeats Match look acquainted, that’s as a result of they’re. Beats is revamping the superb Beats Match Professional to convey them below the high-end Powerbeats model. I had the possibility to check out the brand new earbuds at an occasion held by Apple and Beats and walked away impressed.
A really gym-friendly design
The very first thing I observed once I picked up the Powerbeats Match was the wingtip. Beats says it’s 20 % extra versatile than earlier than, and it’s undoubtedly noticeable. The previous Match Professional wing was safe, however might really feel considerably uncomfortable after a long term. Nevertheless, the brand new one has a bit extra give with out sacrificing the locked-in stability that makes these nice for intensive exercises.
The Powerbeats Match’s new wingtips are softer and extra comfy in your ear.
Foundry
The opposite instantly apparent change is the case. It’s about 20 % smaller than the Beats Match Professional case. The previous case wasn’t enormous, but it surely was a bit unwieldy, so having a extra compact case means it can match into tight pockets extra simply.
That alone makes the Powerbeats Match really feel like a product I’d really toss in a pocket on the best way to the fitness center quite than cramming right into a bag. The case can be IPX4-rated now (as are the earbuds themselves), so a bit sweat and drizzle gained’t be a fear.
The earbuds themselves haven’t drastically modified form. They’re a bit slimmer and really feel barely higher sculpted, however in case you’ve used Match Professional earlier than, you’ll immediately acknowledge them.
Similar stable core expertise
After all, Beats stored a lot of the options that customers beloved within the Match Professional, together with Lively Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. The sound high quality can be fairly related – the Powerbeats Match nonetheless have that basic punchy bass signature from Beats that’s good for exercise playlists, however the vocals and mids are additionally clear sufficient.
The sound was respectable and acquainted – not precisely a leap ahead, however nonetheless satisfying for informal listening and for exercises. ANC blocked a lot of the surrounding occasion buzz, and Transparency Mode labored properly for listening to my environment with out having to take away the earbuds from my ears.
The brand new Powerbeats Match case is a bit smaller than earlier than.
Foundry
Simply don’t anticipate a dramatically totally different sound from the Beats Match Professional in case you’re already acquainted with it. ANC additionally feels just about the identical. Powerbeats Match are extra about bettering the design of each earbuds and the case.
In terms of battery life, Beats says that Powerbeats Match lasts as much as 7 hours on a single cost. Mixed with the charging case, they will attain as much as 30 hours of use.
All of the software program options powered by Apple’s H1 chip stay intact, reminiscent of Adaptive EQ, Personalised Spatial Audio, computerized gadget switching, Audio Sharing, Discover My, and Hey Siri. Android customers nonetheless get fast pairing and a full-featured Beats app with match exams and controls.
For me, the one draw back is that Powerbeats Match case nonetheless lacks wi-fi charging assist, so all charging must be performed with a USB-C cable.
Consolation and elegance
Consolation is the actual story right here. The brand new wingtip materials makes a surprisingly large distinction throughout motion. I ran on the treadmill for some time and tried a number of jumps, and the earbuds didn’t transfer in my ears. And in contrast to the Beats Match Professional, the brand new softer wing didn’t trouble me in any respect.
Beats contains the identical 4 sizes of silicone ideas, from extra-small to giant, so getting a correct seal isn’t troublesome. And since the acoustic profile depends on that seal for the very best bass and ANC, discovering the best tip nonetheless issues.
The brand new Powerbeats Match have a deeper orange that matches the iPhone 17 Professional.
Foundry
The colour choices out there for Powerbeats Match are extra enjoyable than ever: Jet Black, Gravel Grey, Energy Pink, and the standout Spark Orange.
When you purchased an iPhone 17 Professional in Cosmic Orange, the Spark Orange possibility completely matches the favored shade possibility. I don’t assume that’s an accident. Beats has a protracted historical past of matching its palettes to present iPhone colours, and it’s good to see that synergy once more.
The Energy Pink possibility is daring too, whereas Gravel Grey feels refined and understated in case you’d quite not put on one thing flashy on the fitness center.
A brand new semi-pro possibility
With Powerbeats Professional 2 sitting above it because the true ear-hook mannequin for hardcore athletes, Powerbeats Match now clearly serves because the extra compact, everyday-friendly sport possibility. They’re priced at $200, the identical because the outgoing Match Professional, so that you’re not paying further for the refinements.
For most individuals who run, bike, or simply need buds that gained’t budge on the treadmill, these strike an important steadiness: lighter and smaller than the Powerbeats Professional 2, however safer than AirPods.
You don’t get wi-fi charging on the case, however battery life is a bit higher than the AirPods Professional 3.
Foundry
Powerbeats Match appears like what Beats Match Professional all the time wished to be: a sport-first earbud that’s extra comfy and simpler to pocket, with a daring look. The sound hasn’t modified, and that’s high quality – it was already ok for the target market.
When you already personal Match Professional and are pleased with them, you in all probability don’t have to rush out and improve except the smaller case or softer match solves a ache level for you. However in case you’ve been on the fence, otherwise you like the thought of matching your earbuds to your new orange iPhone, this replace makes a powerful case for giving Beats’ sport buds one other look.
Powerbeats Match is out there now for $200 within the U.S., with in-store availability starting October 2.