Beats Studio Buds vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: which are the best headphones? – Frandroid

Wireless headphones are on the rise. Recently, we were able to test the Beats Studio Buds and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, which have a close price and similar features. We have therefore decided to help you make the choice between the two, in the segment of headphones at 150 euros.

The old sound elephant Beats who tries his hand at wireless headphones comes to rub shoulders with the new batch ofwireless earphones offered by the Korean giant Samsung. Our comparison aims to determine what are the weak points and the strong points between the two products.

This comparison is all the more interesting as the two products have a fairly close price and they both obtained very good marks: 9/10 for the Beats and 8/10 for the Galaxy. So, is this point of difference really justified?

Beats Studio Buds and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 datasheets

Design: Beats climb a little higher on the comfort ladder

Design level, and more specifically when it comes to comparing the comfort between these two pairs of headphones, the Beats win by a short head. Indeed, if the two pairs of headphones are quite similar on many points (in-ear format, three silicone tips, discreet and light design), the Beats offer a small vent that greatly reduces the plug effect that can sometimes feel with in-ear.

In addition, during our tests, we found that the Beats are overall more compact, that the presence of physical buttons is often more practical and that their casing is more satisfying to the touch. They also offer better waterproofing, with IPX4, against IPX2 at Samsung. In short, the Beats prevail over the design part.

Usage and applications: Beats sets the tempo

The two pairs of headphones offer fairly similar controls, with a set of shortcuts that can be triggered using physical buttons (for Beats) and touch buttons (for Galaxy). What will really allow them to be differentiated in use is their applications.

And there, the Beats still win by a short head. If the apps are very similar overall, the Galaxy Wearables app will require the installation of an additional plug-in to use the Buds 2, which is always annoying. In addition, only the Beats app allows you to customize the shortcuts.

But what finally convinces us is the Bluetooth connection, and as much to say that in terms of audio equipment, it is far from being a small advantage. In our testing, the Buds 2 tended to disconnect with the phone in the pocket and your hand on it. Conversely, the Beats were doing without any alteration to this little game. One more point for the Beats.

Noise reduction: fairly close mid-range

On noise reduction, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 and the Beats Studio Buds offer a fairly similar score. Namely that they offer exactly what you expect from mid-range headphones, without equaling the capabilities of Bose QC Earbuds, from AirPods Pro or even Sony WF-1000XM4.

In fact, the two pairs of headphones do very well on continuous noise, but they struggle to filter sudden noise. The two pairs also offer a transparency mode which allows listening to surrounding sounds by reducing passive isolation.

In short, in terms of noise reduction, you can choose a pair like the other, you will not be disappointed.

Audio: Galaxy Buds 2 win this premier class

This is the point where the Galaxy Buds 2 clearly stand out, and some would (perhaps correctly) say that on headphones this is perhaps the most important point.

If they manage to stand out in this way, it is because the Buds 2 have two dynamic transducers, where the Beats only have one each. Clearly, the Buds 2 will therefore be able to benefit from a tweeter focused on the treble and a woofer that takes care of the bass. As a result, the sound is better defined and the bass is more polished. Note also the presence of an equalizer on the Galaxy side which makes it possible to attenuate the orientation towards the bass chosen by Samsung.

Let’s talk in two words about codecs which are the same, namely SBC and AAC for both. The two pairs of headphones are therefore unable to use the higher-end aptX or LDAC codecs.

Pickups: Beats less messy

There is no picture, the microphones of the Galaxy Buds 2 offer a much poorer sound quality than that of the Beats Studio Buds. The latter are at the same time less compressed in the rendering, and they filter parasitic noise better.

In order to compare further, feel free to listen to the difference in treatment between the two pairs of headphones yourself.

Beats Studio Buds:

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Samsung Galaxy Buds 2:

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Battery life: for Galaxy, an earphone is fine, it is when there are two that there are problems

The autonomy of the two pairs of Samsung and Beats headphones could have been very close, if this is not a detail. Both reach 5:31 and 5:35 hours of battery life, respectively for the Beats and Samsung. Except, and this is a significant point: Samsung’s Buds 2 end the listening session with a single, working earbud. The two-earpiece session with the Buds 2 ends after 4:11, leaving the left earbud to complete the job for 1:18 anyway.

The recharging time of the two boxes is quite close. Allow 42 minutes for the Beats and 38 minutes for the Galaxy. On the other hand, only the Galaxy case offers Qi wireless charging.

But this advantage alone does not give the victory to the Buds 2. On arrival it is again the Beats which are better in terms of autonomy.

Who to choose between the Beats Studio Buds and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

Let’s be clear. If the Galaxy Buds 2 offer a more detailed sound thanks to its system of dual transducers, they lose in almost all other categories. Autonomy, microphone, comfort, applications… the Beats are simply better on all these points. There is hardly that on active noise reduction or the two pairs of devices can not be differentiated, as their proposals are close.

In short, to choose between the Beats Studio Buds and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, we recommend the Beats more. If you’re really into sound, and only sound, however, the Galaxy Buds 2 might capsize your heart. If you consider all the other parameters, there is clearly no match.

To learn more about these headphones, here are our full reviews:

Pricing and availability of Beats Studio Buds and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

The Beats Studio Buds are available in three colors to choose from: black, red or white. The headphones are priced at 149.95 euros.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are available since August 27 at a price of 149 euros. Four colors are available: olive, graphite, lavender or white.