Beats Fit Pro doesn’t look like AirPods or AirPods Pro, but they’re basically a mix of the two Apple earbuds in one fitness case. The reason these wireless earbuds exist, even with such a function and sound overlap, is their shape and innovative wing tips. These earbuds are about staying in position no matter how rigorous the fitness activities are – and they work.
I have turned to Beats earphones many times for physical activity. For example, the Powerbeats Pro’s over-the-ear hooks were helpful for keeping them on my ears while I was running. Now, there’s nothing wrong with these earbuds – they still work – but in hindsight, Powerbeats Pro are a big, clunky fix. These new Beats Fit Pro are a small, sleek, and sleek update for the same use case.
After spending some time with the Beats Fit Pro, I can say they are great for sports. Athletes of all skill levels will appreciate their minimal size, big sound, and advanced features. Most of all, people will appreciate their secure fit. And yet, these earbuds are so focused on their fitness goal that they may not be the right choice for everyone.
TL; DR
advantages:
- Innovative, securely seated wing tips
- Solid Android experience
- All the technical advantages of AirPods for iOS devices
disadvantage:
- No wireless charging case
- Long, prolonged use can cause discomfort
Buy from Apple.
The fit of the Fit Pro
The wing tips of the Beats Fit Pro are flexible and suitable for all types of ears.
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The flexible, minimal wing tips are the main advantage of these earphones over other competitors. They flex to accommodate a variety of ear shapes. Pixel Buds have a similar-looking rubber nub, but they are significantly stiffer and stiffer. I’ve found the ones on the Fit Pro to be very natural to press into my ears, and in general, they’re comfortable.
The Fit Pro earbuds create some pressure in my ears. In the first few days of use, I had to move it back and forth a few times to find the right position. Most of the discomfort for me was when removing the earbuds. However, I find this wingtip solution to be my preferred method of achieving a secure fit when compared to other options. After a week of use, I find these even to be the best earhooks that the Powerbeats Pro use.
My preference for the fit of these earbuds is related to running and fitness. When I use earbuds to sit on a couch and work on a laptop, I prefer the feel of regular AirPods. For example, I liked to stick these in my ears when I went outside, but I almost never wondered if I had any other choice to work at the table.
Beats Fit Pro features
Most of the Fit Pro features work on Android too, including quick pairing and spatial audio.
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Some Beats products have glaringly malfunctioned. Not this one. These get Apple’s H1 chip to support wireless technologies, including simple Bluetooth pairing and sharing capabilities. You can activate Hey Siri hands-free on Apple devices. You even have head tracking in Spatial Audio with the iOS 15 software.
Adaptive ANC is included for better sound isolation. This can be helpful in keeping the noise in the gym to a minimum. These tiny earbuds also have long battery life per charge. Overall, they are packed with desirable features.
For listeners with an Android device, these earbuds forego some iOS-specific features like hands-free Siri or head tracking for spatial audio (on Android devices), but they still get most of the functionality available through the Beats Android app can be used. I would rate them as top notch earbuds on all major mobile platforms.
For the curious, the Beats Fit Pro supports all of these features on Android: adaptive ANC, transparency mode, adaptive EQ, spatial audio, autoplay and pause, class 1 Bluetooth connectivity, beamforming microphones, fast fuel charging, one-touch Pairing, earplug fit test, listening mode controls, customizable controls, battery status, product renaming and OTA firmware updates. It’s hard not to conclude that Beats-branded audio products continue to exist as a sub-brand within Apple to target the sports and Android categories of the consumer market.
The most egregious decision for this $ 200 product was not to include a case that could be wirelessly charged. Getting excited about the other aspects of the earbuds probably isn’t a deal breaker, but it hurts. The case in which the earphones live can be charged via a USB-C port. The charging case is definitely the weak point of this product. The plastic feels cheap and seems bulkier than it needs to be.
Beats Fit Pro sound
After testing the new AirPods, I found it hard not to compare the Beats Fit Pro sound directly to those. Both earbuds sound similar, with the main difference being the Fit Pro’s silicone earbuds. The seal that the silicone tip creates makes the sound fuller, deeper, and overall more detailed.
The Fit Pro earbuds are fairly evenly balanced and have a pleasant sound. This might be different for other people with Adaptive EQ who customize the listening experience for everyone, but I haven’t heard any evidence that this feature made things any worse.
I got lost in Teen Dazes songs like “Reality Refresh” because of the enveloping sound. The earphones cope well with the outer frequencies, but the mids also cope well. “Futures” by Jimmy Eat World is a song full of crisp guitars and tons of sounds fighting for space.
The actual dimensions of the Beats Fit Pro earbuds are small but still deliver robust sound.
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The listening experience described above is natural after using these earbuds with ANC while listening in a mostly quiet house. Walking outside on the street is, as expected, a slightly different experience, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the natural sounding music.
The low frequencies of the synthesizer strings were present when Griff’s “One Foot in Front of the Other” was heard. The softer strumming sounds of the acoustic guitar on “Missing Piece” by Vance Joy could also be heard. I was pleased with the way the earbuds compete with leaf blowers and car noise and still bring the music to life.
I run with transparency turned on so I can hear my surroundings as well as possible. I didn’t notice any wind noise that can sometimes be seen with earphones with external microphones that can let in outside noise.
These are not, and are not intended to be, audiophile earbuds. They’re wireless earbuds that sound about as good as their price suggests. They should be able to deliver a full sound to help you pump up during your workout.
The Beats Fit Pro (right) have a much larger charging case than the AirPods.
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Should You Buy Beats Fit Pro?
The Beats Fit Pro are wireless earphones for athletes, from amateurs to professionals. In that context, these are great. These tiny wireless earbuds allow for hats, sunglasses, and other head devices that might get in the way of other types of earbuds.
However, as all-purpose wireless earbuds, there are tradeoffs to consider. Even on the surface, the Beats Fit Pro charging case is bulky to carry in a jeans pocket. The in-ear fit can also cause too much pressure for long, casual periods of listening. However, listeners with an Android device or people with an active lifestyle should look carefully to see if this is right for them.
Buy from Apple for $ 199.99.
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