The Powerbeats Match are a little bit too acquainted

I used to be skeptical about Beats’ latest fitness-forward buds: the Powerbeats Match. I’ve by no means been one to stray from my beloved earhooks, particularly as somebody who’s usually between sizes in terms of the internal eartips. Earhooks give me peace of thoughts that even when the sound-seal breaks throughout a run or power-lifting session, I can all the time depend on that hook tucked behind the shell of my ear.

However, after over a month of every day use, I can confidently say that the Powerbeats Match handed (virtually) all my exams with flying colours — from desk work to half-marathon coaching. These Energy Pink buds held up via sweat periods, dozens of cellphone calls, and no less than 40 miles of runs via the neighborhood. Whereas I want I may say they reinvented the workout-bud wheel, the one actually important upgrades they’ve over their predecessors (the 2021 Beats Match Professional) are available {hardware} type — and a reputation change.

Nonetheless, that is to not say that the Powerbeats Match aren’t my new favourite working companion. The upgrades are sufficient for the brand new health buds to earn that Powerbeats premium identify, and open up a complete path ahead for the road within the coming years. Although the Powerbeats Match took a small step for Beats, it is going to imply an enormous leap ahead for the Match line.

What’s new in regards to the Powerbeats Match

Small standouts that push into premium territory

The Powerbeats Match can be found on the Apple and Beats web sites for $200 and are available Gravel Grey, Jet Black, Spark Orange, and Energy Pink. It’s also possible to buy them from Amazon.

Let’s begin with the charging case. The very first thing you discover in regards to the case is that it is smaller — 17% smaller, to be actual — than the unique Beats Match Professional case. It is also thinner, making it simple to toss right into a again pocket or purse. It is not a life-changing discount, however the slimmer, the higher, particularly in terms of packing or minimizing any disruptions to your rigorously curated outfit.

Now, whereas Beats did not stray from Beats Professional Match’s signature wingtip that adheres to your higher outer ear, it did barely enhance the design (and due to this fact, enhance consolation). The versatile wingtip is softer each to the contact and to the attention and rather more pliable for a common match — one thing I used to be involved about with my smaller-than-average ears and earhook loyalty. They’re additionally barely shorter and extra rounded than the Beats Match Professional wingtips, which featured an edge, one of many solely design parts that really distinguishes them from the originals.

So, these are the {hardware} bits. What’s it truly prefer to put on the Powerbeats Match and am I bringing them to the beginning line for my half-marathon?

Why I like sporting the Powerbeats Match

Nothing significantly new — which is not a foul factor

Let’s keep bodily for a second. The Powerbeats Match include 4 ear tip dimension choices: XS, S, M, and L, and so they match like a glove as soon as I discovered the appropriate one for me. Concerning the Ear Tip Match Check, I did it onsite in one in every of Apple Music Studios’ soundproof cubicles (proper in my iPhone’s Bluetooth settings) the place I figured the atmosphere could not get higher. It informed me that the S ideas have been proper. Nonetheless, after I received again to North Carolina (and my half-marathon coaching schedule), they felt a lot bulkier than I wished. I troubleshooted by swapping them out for the XS ear ideas, and out of the blue, they lastly lived as much as the buds I hoped they’d be.

Nothing is extra distracting than awkward {hardware} — particularly someplace like in your ears the place it is borderline unattainable to lose consciousness of them. However the buds aren’t cumbersome or obtrusive. I’ve run into buddies on walks who have not even observed the Energy Pink buds beneath my hair till I’ve taken them out.

Battery life

Beats is aware of nothing if not consistency. The buds supply as much as seven hours of battery life on a single cost and as much as 30 hours with the charging case. In fact, turning on ANC zaps the battery quicker, however since utilizing these buds for nearly a month, I’ve solely needed to cost the case as soon as each ten days or so.

Sound high quality

Let’s get into the sound — not a lot has modified right here in comparison with the Beats Match Professional. The Powerbeats Match ship a clear, full-bodied sound throughout the numerous genres I take heed to, from peaceable film scores to hard-style EDM.

The primary music I examined was Supermarine by Hans Zimmer, from Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. The Powerbeats Match completely nailed the frantic, suspenseful music and did not lose any sense of readability or management. The uneasy piece is eight minutes of pure pressure that sneaks within the phantasm of a continually rising pitch, which the buds deal with with precision. Zimmer’s inventive fashion for Dunkirk’s rating layered increased pitches — like strings, brass, and air raid sirens — that keep distinct from low-frequency, rumbling builds that do not bleed into the mids. It is immersive, managed, and fully nerve-racking (which is precisely what Hans meant on this case). Bravo on the Zimmer entrance, Powerbeats Match.

The second music I all the time use to check headphones is RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Innerbloom. Thought-about one of many emotional hallmarks of home, Innerbloom is a slow-burn expertise with comfortable synths, regular pulse, and spacious reverb — to not point out the enduring saxophone solos. It is nice for testing spatial dynamics and tonal steadiness, with refined transitions that the Powerbeats Match deal with superbly. They keep readability and spotlight RÜFÜS’s intricate synth additions with out taking away from the fluidity of the monitor.

ANC, Spatial Audio, and extra

The Lively Noise Cancellation works properly. It would not fully block out seems like Apple’s AirPods Professional 3, however it positively muffles a very loud espresso store or perhaps a passing prepare. On a number of flights, I ended up in complete silence after the ANC canceled out the infamous white noise of the cabin.

The Powerbeats Match have Spatial Audio, head monitoring, and auto-switching between your iCloud gadgets, which is a pleasure after I’m leaping from my iPhone to my MacBook Professional. Fingers-free Siri can be a plus, so I can stow away my cellphone throughout a 10-mile run and never miss a single joke within the group chat. There’s additionally cross-platform compatibility — Android customers, rejoice — and I can simply join my iPhone or Motorola Razr to the buds.

Transparency mode was the whole lot I hoped for. A couple of weeks in the past, after I ran a 10K, there have been some factors the place I wished to lock in and solely hear my tunes, and different occasions I wished to listen to the group cheering me on for a little bit encouragement. I do know that in my half-marathon, I will wish to toggle between ANC and Transparency mode all through the race.

The place the Powerbeats Match may enhance

Alternatives throughout all departments

First, I will all the time ask for a greater IP ranking than no matter any tech affords. Nonetheless, I do really feel just like the Powerbeats Match needs to be extra sturdy than IPX4, which makes them waterproof (i.e., splashes, steam rooms, or a very sweaty exercise). Much more peace of thoughts is an improve Beats should not shrink back from within the subsequent technology.

Consolation-wise, I begin to turn out to be conscious of the buds after a couple of hours of fixed use. Throughout my lengthy runs (as much as two hours some days), I do not really feel any discomfort. Nonetheless, after I pop within the Powerbeats Match from 9AM to 5PM to chip away on the workday, I’ve to take them out after three hours or so. After they begin to get barely uncomfortable, I launch the wingtip from the tighter tuck and let it grip farther up my outer ear. I will reserve the snugger maintain for the racetrack.

Whereas we’re speaking match, I am glad they included an XS dimension for ears even smaller than mine. Nonetheless, I could not assist however take into consideration the opposite finish of the spectrum. If some folks have extra-small ears, there should even be individuals who would profit from an XL ear tip. And not using a large enough seal, loads of people are certain to maintain sighing and accepting that they’re going to proceed reaching for his or her buds between automotive seats and health club tools.

Additionally on my want record are wi-fi charging and Adaptive mode, which appear to be restricted by the corporate opting to make use of the Apple H1 chip over the newer Apple H2 chip discovered within the AirPods Professional 3 and Powerbeats Professional 2. If Apple had kicked it up a notch within the chip division, the Powerbeats Match may’ve held extra of a candle to these greater gamers.

Do you have to purchase the Powerbeats Match?

The underside line

The redesigned case says all of it — it is 17% smaller, and that’s about how a lot of an improve the Powerbeats Match really feel like over the Beats Match Professional. It is no revolution, however extra of a refinement used to assist pioneer the brand new lineup’s identification. And you recognize what? I am completely okay with that. I nonetheless assume they’re among the finest health earbuds you should purchase (and that is coming from an earhook loyalist). Whether or not I am sprinting or power coaching, the wingtip shocked me with each its consolation and safety — to not point out the booming however balanced sound in my ears.

No, they do not match up towards the H2-powered options that the AirPods Professional 3 and Powerbeats Professional 2 boast. However they do maintain their very own as workout-first buds, particularly for Android customers, who aren’t banging on the door of the AirPods walled backyard.

At $200, the worth proposition will get a little bit murky, particularly when you possibly can nonetheless discover the Beats Match Professional for a lot much less. However, when you discover them on sale — and hopefully you’ll, quickly — they’re completely price including to your cart. The Powerbeats Match could not redefine the health lineup, however they do rename it and confidently assert the Powerbeats premium on it.

Battery Life

As much as 30 hours with charging case

Charging Case Included?

Sure

Microphones

6

Model

Beats

The Powerbeats Match wi-fi earbuds are the primary of the Powerbeats namesake to forgo an earhook for an in-ear wingtip. The buds boast improved sturdiness, all-day consolation, Lively Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency Mode, as much as 30 hours of battery life, and extra.