Beats Solo 4 Review : Premium Sound, Sleek Design, But No Active Noise Cancellation
The new Beats Solo 4 pack great sound quality in a compact and comfortable package attracting both iPhone and Android customers equally.
After years of anticipation, Beats by Dr. Dre has officially launched in India. At $3 billion, Beats remains Apple’s costliest acquisition to date, and the brand’s presence in India has been a long time coming. Now, the arrival of the Beats Solo 4 marks a significant moment. These on-ear headphones, first released in the U.S. last year, are lightweight, compact, and deliver excellent sound quality, including for voice calls. They also offer impressive battery life. But, of course, there’s a caveat: they are priced in line with the premium Beats brand and, as on-ear headphones, they do not feature active noise cancellation.
From a design standpoint, the Beats Solo 4 stays close to its predecessor, the Beats Solo 3, and even bears a resemblance to the Beats Studio Pro. What’s new? USB Type-C connectivity, allowing for wired lossless audio—a crucial feature for audiophiles. They are also very portable, folding into a small, soft case that makes them ideal for on-the-go users.
The brushed metal finish on the hinges feels premium, and the folding mechanism clicks into place with a satisfying snap. The faux leather earpads, borrowed from the Studio Pro, are soft and comfortable, though not replaceable, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Nonetheless, they’re expected to hold up over time.
At just 217 grams, the Solo 4 is a lightweight alternative to the larger Beats Studio Pro, which also boasts active noise cancellation but weighs in at 43 grams heavier. Despite sharing the same 40mm drivers as the Studio Pro, the Solo 4 manages to shed weight, a noteworthy accomplishment considering even the bulkier Dyson OnTrac headphones feature drivers of the same size yet are almost two times the weight.
The Solo 4 also features physical buttons on the left ear cup, making it easy to control playback and volume. A central “B” button acts as a universal control, while the surrounding ring manages the volume. A mute option is an added convenience, especially for video calls or conferences.
Comfort hasn’t been compromised. The cushioned headband prevents discomfort during prolonged use. In fact, I tested these headphones alongside Apple’s Vision Pro, which has its own headband that applies pressure, and the Solo 4 remained the most comfortable pair I tried. In terms of comfort and stability, they even outshined the AirPods Pro 2, making them an excellent choice for travel.
However, being on-ear headphones, the Solo 4 has its drawbacks. The earpads rest directly on your ears, which can become uncomfortable over extended use. Additionally, there’s no active noise cancellation. While the passive noise isolation is commendable, especially in quieter settings, it falters in noisy environments like airplanes. For instance, while flying on an ATR 72-600, I found the passive noise isolation inadequate. There’s no transparency mode either, and without on-ear detection, the headphones won’t pause music when you take them off. Some users may find these omissions frustrating.
That said, the Solo 4 excels in other areas. If you’re not looking for noise cancellation, the lightweight design, strong audio performance, and impressive battery life make these headphones an attractive option.
The sound quality is backed by 40mm drivers, a custom Beats chip, and Bluetooth 5.3 support. Android users benefit from Google’s Fast Pair protocol and a dedicated Beats app. There’s also multipoint pairing, allowing seamless switching between devices linked to your Google account. Ironically, while the Solo 4 is detected by all Apple devices linked via iCloud, switching between them is still manual.
This isn’t as frustrating as it was with Dyson’s OnTrac headphones, but switching between a Mac, iPad, and iPhone could certainly be more fluid. On the plus side, the Solo 4 can connect to both an iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously. For Apple users, additional features include Spatial Audio with head tracking, voice-activated Siri, and Find My support. However, the precision-finding feature present in the AirPods Pro 2 is missing, as expected. The Solo 4 also supports wired lossless audio through its USB Type-C port, which is a feature even the pricier AirPods Max can’t offer.
Overall, Beats has done a remarkable job of maintaining feature parity between Apple and Android devices, and in some areas, it even surpasses Apple’s own ecosystem.
Sound-wise, the Solo 4 marks a departure from the bass-heavy reputation that Beats was once known for. Instead, it delivers a more balanced, mid-forward sound, with the bass present but not overpowering. This makes it a good choice for all types of music, as well as for voice calls, where the microphones deliver excellent clarity.
The enhanced sound quality is due to new 40mm drivers and an upgraded acoustic architecture that reduces distortion significantly. The audio is notably clean, especially for Beats, reflecting Apple’s influence. Songs like Hanumankind’s “Big Dawgs” benefit from well-defined bass, but if you’re looking for studio-grade precision, these aren’t the headphones for you. For most users, however, they will offer a satisfying listening experience across genres—whether you’re rocking out to Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle,” enjoying Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime,” or diving into electronic tracks like Midnight’s “Neon Medusa.” Beats has evolved beyond its bass-heavy roots, a mantle now carried by Sony’s ULT headphones with their aggressive ULT mode.
The Solo 4 also supports Spatial Audio with head tracking, adding a new layer of immersion to the listening experience. Watching The Wolf, starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, on the Apple Vision Pro was a cinematic experience, amplified by the comfort and sound quality of these headphones. They are also great for listening to and watching podcasts on because they are lightweight and can be used for hours on end.
For wired use, you’ll notice slightly better sound quality via the USB Type-C connection or a 3.5mm jack. The digital audio output is clear and detailed.
Battery life is another area where the Solo 4 shines. They offer up to 50 hours of playback at moderate volumes, though in my testing, with the volume set between 80-90 per cent, I consistently achieved between 35-40 hours. Over the course of a week, I only had to charge them twice. Fast Fuel charging is also a standout feature, providing 5 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge.
The new MEMS digital microphones with beamforming technology, coupled with noise-cancellation algorithms from the Studio Pro, ensure excellent voice clarity during calls.
At Rs 22,900, the Beats Solo 4 comes with a premium price tag, especially considering the lack of active noise cancellation. However, they compete more with products like the Sonic Lamb headphones than with ANC models. For anyone who can live without noise cancellation, the Solo 4 offers a blend of strong audio quality, compact design, and robust feature parity across Apple and Android ecosystems, making them a solid choice.
