Beats Solo 4

Measured

RTINGS labels the bass 'Slightly Underemphasized (-1 dB)', the treble 'Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)' and the signature 'Bright', and rates its frequency-response consistency as amazing once the cups are seated. Its B&K 5128 curve, normalised at 500 Hz, stays within about 1 dB of RTINGS' target from 20 to 300 Hz, sits about 3 dB above it at 1 kHz and 3 kHz and 4–5.5 dB above it at 4–5 kHz, and stays 2–4 dB above it from 6 to 12 kHz. On the same rig it has about 4–5 dB less deep bass than the over-ear Studio Pro and 5–7 dB less upper bass (100–200 Hz) than Sony's WH-1000XM5. SoundGuys and TechGearLab both measure less bass and more treble than their own preference targets (SoundGuys' MDAQS overall score: 3.9 of 5); Fnac's lab scores the frequency response 7.5 of 10.

vs. listeners — The measurements support the balanced and bright camps — bass close to neutral, upper mids and treble lifted — and neither the dull nor the bass-led verdicts. Which camp a reviewer lands in tracks the reference: against a neutral target it measures nearly flat in the bass, while against bass-boosted consumer headphones and older Beats it sounds lean and bright. As an on-ear headphone it also depends on how well the pads seal; RTINGS and SoundGuys both note the result changes with how the cups are seated.

Measured

RTINGS labels the bass 'Slightly Underemphasized (-1 dB)'; its curve stays within about 1.2 dB of its target from 20 to 300 Hz. SoundGuys measures an underemphasis from 20 Hz to 800 Hz against its house curve, and TechGearLab 'somewhat recessed lows' against its own target. On RTINGS' rig it has about 5 dB less bass at 20 Hz than the Beats Studio Pro and about 5–7 dB less between 100 and 200 Hz than Sony's WH-1000XM5. Fnac's lab scores distortion 7 of 10, falling to 5 at 200 Hz; Les Numériques calls distortion impeccable.

vs. listeners — On a neutral target the bass is close to flat, which the controlled camp hears as balance; the lean camp is judging it against bass-boosted rivals and earlier Beats, and on an on-ear headphone a weaker seal costs bass first. Frandroid hears a steep drop below 100 Hz that RTINGS' curve doesn't show, which points to fit rather than the driver.

Measured

RTINGS describes the mid-range as flat. Its curve, normalised at 500 Hz, sits about 3 dB above its target at 1 kHz and within about 1 dB of it from 2 to 2.5 kHz before rising again from 3 kHz. SoundGuys measures the low end, up to 800 Hz, below its house curve.

Measured

RTINGS labels the treble 'Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)'; its curve sits 4–5.5 dB above its target at 4–5 kHz and 2–4 dB above it from 6 to 12 kHz. SoundGuys measures an overemphasis from 3 to 9 kHz and links it to listening fatigue; TechGearLab measures 'overemphasized highs' against its target.

vs. listeners — Every lab that measured it finds the treble lifted, which supports the 'too far forward' camp. The 'dull' camp isn't contradicting the level so much as describing a lack of precision and air — TechGearLab measures the lift and still finds the highs short on detail. Les Numériques and Trusted Reviews say the treble grows harsher as the volume rises.

Measured

Beats rates it at 217 g; TechGearLab and Fnac's lab weigh 218 g and Frandroid 220 g. TechGearLab measures the earcups at about 35 × 30 mm and scores comfort 1.5 of 10; Fnac's lab scores comfort 8 of 10. On Amazon, 1,064 buyers mention comfort — 477 positively and 587 negatively.

vs. listeners — The split tracks head size and session length more than taste. Trusted Reviews found smaller-headed testers had no trouble while its own larger head got sore, Les Numériques and hifi.de single out larger heads, and owners who like it often describe the fit as snug. Short sessions are fine for most; the complaints start after an hour or two.

Measured

On Amazon, 913 buyers mention reliability — 431 positively and 482 negatively, mostly about one ear or the right side no longer working. Reddit's Beats community carries a steady run of one-side and charging-failure threads; commenters there attribute the dead-side fault to an internal wire.

Measured

RTINGS rates noise isolation poor and leakage low. Les Numériques measures the pads attenuating a few decibels in the low mids and working effectively from about 400 Hz up, with almost nothing in the deep bass; SoundGuys measures weak isolation in the low end and a notable reduction in the highs. Fnac's lab scores isolation 5.9 and leakage 9 of 10.

vs. listeners — Both camps describe the same curve. The pads do little below about 400 Hz, where engine and road rumble sit, and much more against voices and higher sounds. Office and street listeners praise it; commuters on planes, trains and buses don't. On-ear fit also varies: SoundGuys says its chart is the best case, and a poor seal on the train let speech through.

Measured

List price $199.99 at Apple and Beats (November 2026). RecordingNow reports frequent sales at $149.95 and a low of $99; Reddit owners report $79.99–$129.99 holiday deals. On Amazon, 1,028 buyers mention value — 716 positively and 312 negatively.