Beats headphones have become cultural icons since their launch in 2008 through a combination of bold branding and bass-rich sound catered towards hip hop and pop music fans.
The Solo Pro and Solo 3 represent two of the company‘s newest on-ear models that aim bring Beats‘ trademark audio profile to a lightweight and portable wireless form factor.
In this comprehensive guide with over 2500 words, we‘ll scrutinize every aspect of their sound, design, features, and value to determine how they stack up for shoppers evaluating the Solo Pro vs Solo 3.
A Brief History of Beats and Bass
To understand Beats‘ audio tendencies, it helps to know the brand‘s origins. Beats Electronics was launched in 2006 through a partnership between music producer Jimmy Iovine and the famous rapper Dr. Dre, who lent his name and persona to the company and headphones.
The goal was to reproduce the deep bass and crisp detail that musicians and audio engineers hear in the studio. And market research revealed that loads of consumers craved more powerful bass when listening to contemporary genres like electronic, hip hop, and pop too.
So Beats tuned their over-ear and on-ear headphones to accentuate low frequencies and market them not just on sound but also slick design and branding endorsed by musicians and athletes.
This bass-boosting approach earned Beats both critical acclaim and criticism over the years. But bassheads gravitated towards the powerful rumble and thump for modern music, cementing Beats as a household name.
Even after Apple acquired Beats in 2014 for $3 billion, new models like the Solo 3 and Solo Pro continue the sonic legacy by accentuating bass and modern genres.
However, thanks to Apple‘s engineering resources, the latest Beats also incorporate more advanced drivers, noise cancellation, and wireless tech into slick on-the-go packages at affordable prices.
Now let‘s examine how the Solo Pro and Solo 3 live up to expectations for audio, tech specs, and value in this epic showdown.
Beats Solo Pro vs Solo 3: Design and Build Quality
As two of Beats‘ newest on-ear headphones, the Solo Pro and Solo 3 share strikingly similar aesthetics true to the brand‘s heritage.
You immediately recognize the iconic Beats look on both models with oval-shaped earcups trimmed in chrome, plush leatherette padding on the ear cushions and headband, and exposed metal extensions for adjusting the fit.
The "b" logo is emblazoned prominently on the earcups as well, leaving no doubt as to their inspiration.
However, the Solo Pro exhibits noticeably higher build quality thanks to aluminum earcups, a stainless steel headband spine, and tighter tolerances. By contrast, the Solo 3 uses cheaper and hollow plastic for virtually all external parts, resulting in a lighter but less durable feel.
For travel and outdoor use though, both models can withstand getting tossed in a bag without worry thanks to their durable frames and materials. You just need to be more careful not to dent or scratch the Solo Pros.
In terms of comfort, the well-padded ear cushions distribute clamping pressure evenly on both models for multi-hour listening sessions. And the clicky sliders grant almost an inch of vertical adjustment to find the right fit depending on your head size.
The Solo Pros feel slightly heftier and snugger around your ears while the Solo 3s practically disappear thanks to supreme lightness. But sound isolation and security remains similar, with both models effectively blocking external noise passively.
Winner: Solo Pro for more durable and premium materials but Solo 3 offers competitive comfort and wearability.
Audio Quality Comparison: Drivers, Frequency Response and Bass
Now on to arguably the most important category differentiating these iconic headphones: sound quality and bass reproduction.
After all, Beats built its reputation on catering to bass lovers. So do the Solo Pros and Solo 3s deliver thundering low frequencies?
Based on published specifications and professional reviews that analyze their sound objectively, here‘s how the drivers, frequency reproduction, and bass quantities shake out:
Beats Solo Pro
- 40mm drivers
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20kHz
- Solid bass depth albeit less muddy than old Beats
Beats Solo 3
- 40mm drivers
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Ultra boosted bass that overshadows mids
On paper, both utilize similarly sized 40mm dynamic drivers to handle the full frequency spectrum. However, the Solo 3 specs reveal weaker bass extension down to only 20Hz rather than the very deep 10Hz on the Solo Pros.
What this means perceptually is that the Solo Pros render those palpable sub-bass vibrations on hip hop tracks more audibly while the Solo 3 downplays the lowest octave slightly.
However as professional frequency response measurements confirm, the Solo 3 pours on way more mid-bass, i.e. kick drums and basslines. While some enjoy this ballooning low-end presence, it tends to overshadow vocals and guitars that inhabit the midrange.
By contrast, SoundGuys‘ in-depth testing found the Solo Pro more balanced through the midrange and treble compared to old Beats thanks to Apple‘s tuning. The bass still sounds big and bold but with tighter control for modern genres without as much boominess clouding details.
So for listeners wanting huge yet more refined bass than the skull-rattling Beats of old, the Solo Pro delivers. But bassheads still craving that intense Beats rumble of previous generations will favor the Solo 3‘s more boosted and bloated low end.
Winner: Draw depends if you prefer the Solo Pro‘s more accurate yet still impactful bass or the Solo 3‘s traditional overemphasized Beats sound
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes
With music pumping directly into your ears, over-ear headphones already passively mute external noises reasonably well. But the Beats Solo Pro goes further by introducing top-notch active noise cancellation (ANC) powered by Apple‘s H1 chip.
Using dual outward and inward facing microphones, the Solo Pro effectively silences ambient noise from jet engines to office chatter by generating anti-noise to cancel it out. You can better immerse in music, movies or calls without distractions.
Impressively, SoundGuys measured the Solo Pro‘s noise cancelling performance as highly effective, on par with category leaders from Bose and Sony. Beats also smartly tunes the ANC frequencies to best counteract low-rumble noises like planes that fall in the bass region.
When you do need to chat with seatmates or tune into flight announcements, pressing a dedicated button instantly pipes in ambient sounds via transparency mode. Rather than constantly removing your headphones to hear surroundings, the Solo Pro mixes them into the background as needed.
By contrast, the cheaper Solo 3 completely omits active noise cancelling capabilities altogether. You only hear and feel your audio content. While the on-ear seal still passively isolates reasonably well, loud environments permeate through more easily without ANC rejecting them.
Winner: Solo Pro for vastly superior noise cancellation, albeit expected given the huge price difference.
Control Scheme and Device Pairing
In terms of controlling music playback, call management, volume, and device pairing, both the Solo Pro and Solo Pro keep things streamlined.
Located on the bottom of the right earcup, you‘ll find virtually identical sets of tactile buttons for both models. Single, double and triple presses handle play/pause, skipping tracks, activating voice assistants, powering on/off, and even toggling active noise cancellation or transparency modes on the Solo Pro.
Everything becomes intuitive through muscle memory within minutes. And raised markers help you identify each control by touch when wearing them.
Pairing works seamlessly with both models remembering up to eight device connections. Android and iOS users simply need to enable Bluetooth on their phones for the Solo Pro/Solo 3 to automatically pair again upon powering on.
However, the Solo Pro does support hotter Bluetooth 5.0 and Apple‘s swift H1 pairing chip for lower latency and enhanced reliability compared to dated Bluetooth 4.2 on the Solo 3.
You can expect snappier response times if watching videos or gaming on the Solo Pro as audio visual sync will hold up better. And Apple users can summon Siri or share audio streams between devices more conveniently.
Winner: Essentially a tie for controls but Solo Pro pulls ahead for Bluetooth 5 and Apple chip perks specifically benefiting iPhone/iPad owners.
Battery Life and Charging Compared
Thanks to large built-in batteries and Bluetooth efficiency improvements, both the Solo Pro and Solo 3 deliver excellent battery life compared to earlier wireless Beats models:
- Solo Pro: 22 hours ANC on; 40 hours ANC off
- Solo 3: 40 hours
The Solo 3 technically achieves longer max run-times up to 40 hours by lacking any current-draining noise cancellation circuitry to power.
But practically, the Solo Pros still provide all-day battery life for most users. Keeping ANC engaged, you‘ll easily fly from Los Angeles to London or endure a full workday without recharging. For shorter commutes or nights out, feel free to leave ANC on indefinitely without battery anxiety.
When juice eventually dwindles, both models share convenient quick charging that juices up 3 hours of playtime from short 10 minute plug-ins. So you can dash off to your next activity quicker.
Fully refueling the Solo 3 requires two hours connected to a microUSB cable compared to 1.5 hours for the Solo Pro over Lightning. Fortunately, sinks rarely run dry so slowly thanks to that quick charging insurance policy.
Winner: Essentially dead even for all-day battery life though the Solo Pro offers handy Apple/Lightning charging integration if you own an iPhone.
Call and Microphone Quality
Thanks to built-in beamforming microphones in both earcups, the Solo Pro and Solo 3 enable you to field calls, video chats, voice assistants and other voice-driven interactions without removing your headphones.
This allows you to seamlessly transition from tunes to taking an important call when your phone rings. Or cue up a playlist when popping onto a Zoom conference.
However, the Solo Pro eqips six of the latest Apple mics compared to just one on the Solo 3 and also applies noise cancellation to suppress ambient interference.
As such, SoundGuys recorded noticeably cleaner voice pickup on calls from the Solo Pro with background noises better suppressed. While you‘ll still sound comprehensible from the Solo 3‘s single mic, expect more hiss and environmental chatter bleeding through.
So if call quality is paramount while on the move, the extra mics and ANC give Solo Pro an advantage to sound more professional over its sibling. But either works fine indoors where noise is less disruptive.
Winner: Solo Pro again for noticeably superior call and microphone clarity applying advanced noise reduction.
What‘s Included in Box
Opening up the packaging reveals a couple small accessory differences as well beyond the headphones themselves:
- Solo Pro: Includes Lightning charging cable, 3.5mm audio cable, warranty card
- Solo 3: Includes microUSB charging cable, warranty card
Since the Solo Pro utilizes Apple‘s Lightning connector built into the headphone, Beats throws Lightning charging cables into box. Meanwhile the Solo 3 still uses dated microUSB.
While cables are cables, iPhone/iPad users may appreciate keeping extras handy that also work for their headphones and don‘t require adapters.
Oddly though, Apple‘s Lightning port on the Solo Pro only handles charging and not audio playback when wired. So Beats strangely still includes an old school 3.5mm audio cable for the Pro while the Solo 3 just sticks to wireless.
Winner: Essentially tied, with Solo Pro better catering to iPhone owners through Lightning charging but lack of wired audio support cancels any advantages out.
Price and Value Comparison
With enhanced acoustics, noise cancelling, and design touches over its predecessor, the Solo Pro unsurprisingly demands a higher retail price:
- Beats Solo Pro: $299.99 MSRP
- Beats Solo 3: $199.99 MSRP
However, the Solo 3 sees such deep discounts nowadays that you can readily grab it for under $150 if shopping around for sales. Effectively a 30% price cut from launch.
That makes the Solo Pros exactly twice the price of the often discounted Solo 3s. While hardly cheap, you are getting far more technology including that invaluable noise cancelling which itself demands a premium.
So if keeping budgets modest, the Solo 3 undoubtedly pulls far ahead for value thanks to similar core functionality and styling for half the money. Just don‘t expect the finest Beats listening experience or construction possible.
But viewed instead as an investment into your listening enjoyment, the Solo Pro makes a compelling case with big upgrades sonically and for noise handling in noisy environments. Factor in Apple compatibility perks as well if you live amongst iDevices.
Winner: Solo 3 for much cheaper cost of entry while Solo Pro justifies its high price tag with substantially more features to enhance music enjoyment on-the-go.
Beats Solo Pro vs Solo 3: Which Should You Buy?
So if you‘ve made it this far through our uber in-depth Solo Pro vs Solo 3 examination spanning over 2600 words, hopefully the better option for your needs is obvious! To recap:
Overall Winner: Beats Solo Pro
- Significantly better sound quality: Tighter, cleaner bass and balanced sound
- Active noise cancelling massively cuts ambient noise
- Noticeably improved microphone and call quality
- Premium design and materials with aluminum and steel
- Apple H1 chip for iOS conveniences and audio sharing between devices
- Twice the price but high-end features justify cost for serious listeners
Best Value: Beats Solo 3
- Enjoyably exaggerated bass still pumps out despite aging internals
- Surprisingly comfortable and durable with plastic build
- No noise cancellation but decent passive isolation
- Easy device pairing, long 40 hour battery, and convenient on-ear wearing
- Routinely found on sale under $150 making it a audio bargain
So while the Solo 3 remains compelling for shoppers wanting basic wireless Beats on a strict budget, we recommend most buyers ante up a bit more for the Solo Pro.
You‘ll appreciate the tighter bass, sound improvements, and vastly superior noise handling during travel or working in noisy cafes. And the polished stainless steel styling better matches the iconic Beats aesthetic as well in our opinion.
That said, bass junkies wanting the most thumping and bloated lows possible should stick with the traditional Solo 3 instead. Audiophiles seeking balanced reference sound can find better performing options elsewhere.
But for everyday listeners wanting an enjoyable listening experience with trademark bold Beats attitude in a slick wireless on-ear form factor, either latest Solo variation nails the core vibe at very appealing prices.
Let us which model you end up choosing in the comments! And don‘t hesitate to ask any lingering questions.
