$310
Technical specifications not stated by manufacturer
The PowerBeats2 is Beats' first wireless in-ear model. Like the
Jabra Sport Pulse, it is aimed at athletes with its sweat-resistant
design. But it lacks the fitness-tracking features of the Jabra, so it
is meant purely for music playback.
Unsurprisingly, the PowerBeats2 has the same bass-heavy sound that
the brand is known for. However, this is not a bad thing to have in
fitness earphones.
The tilted-up bass response also compensates for the loss of bass
that comes with the earphones' looser seal to the ear. Indeed, most
fitness earphones are designed this way so that runners are not
completely shut off from their surroundings.
The strong, boomy low end and hyped highs were not to my liking.
Overall, I found the sound unremarkable especially considering its
price. But then again, accuracy is not what Beats is known for -
branding, attractive design and a "fun" sound are.
At $310, the PowerBeats2 are among the more expensive wireless
sports earphones around. The cool factor that comes with the Beats
brand could be an enticing factor to get them. But the Jabra Sport
Pulse has more accurate sound and doubles as a heart-rate sensor - and
all for about $20 less.
The PowerBeats2, however, edges the Jabra Sport Pulse out with its six hours of battery life against the Jabra's five.
- Unremarkable sounding for its price, unless you like bass-heavy sound.
