The Beats Studio Pro x Kim Special Edition headphones might just be very underrated
By MW Desk
There I was, about to step into a biker bar. Surrounded by a sea of motorcycles, the ultimate symbols of rugged masculinity, gleaming Arai helmets, heavy motorcycle jackets, and boots thicker than my CTC, all in the oppressive Goan humidity. And in my hand? A pair of Kim K headphones. Not just any headphones. The Beats Studio Pro x Kim Special Edition in Moon. Not exactly what you take to a motorcycle festival. I hesitated. My biker friends were already gathered a few feet away, debating the finer points of fuel injection versus carburettors (I assumed), sipping beer out of mugs. Could I walk into this testosterone- soaked scene wearing something that practically screamed rosé all day? Reader, I did it. Not out of boldness, but because deadlines and unemployment have a knack for overriding dignity. As I slipped them over my ears, the world around me faded. Not literally, but close enough.
The noise cancellation was so good it could almost silence an unmuffed Enfield. Kendrick Lamar’s latest track from his GNX album kicked in, rapping smoothly into my ears. And there I stood, amidst a festival of manly men, as another man, rocking bright coloured headphones designed by Kim Kardashian, with a different manly man rapping in my head. But let’s circle back to what makes them fun. For the better part of three years, I’ve rotated between my Sony WH-1000XM4 and AirPods Pro (Gen 1), both of which have served me well. But therein lay the problem. The Sonys, while excellent, are a bit too heavy for all-day wear. The AirPods, though incredibly convenient, don’t quite deliver the noise cancellation or audio quality needed to drown out the wailing babies on long- haul flights.
Enter the Kim Special Beats Studio Pro, which strikes a near-perfect balance . They come packaged in an eye-catching, mesh travel-friendly bag and are as sleek as they are functional. The rectangular minimal packaging fits easily into travel bags and takes up far less space than my bulkier Sonys. Inside the soft case, you’ll find a USB-C to USB-C cable and a colour- matched, gold-plated 3.5mm analogue cable. The headphones themselves are well designed: sleek, neat, and polished, from the cuffs to the bridge. What really makes these brightly coloured headphones a confidence booster among a sea of leather-clad bikers is the impressively balanced transparency mode.
It lets just enough ambient noise filter through to keep you aware of your surroundings, like a gate change announcement at the airport. That said, the transparency isn’t too sharp; you won’t accidentally start eavesdropping on your neighbouring seat’s awkward overshare while Kendrick Lamar belts Mustard into your ears at full throttle. Active noise cancelling is highly effective, better than my AirPods and nearly on par with my Sony, but the most comfortable of the three. The over-ear cushions, made of “seamless engineered leather,” are soft and snug. Weighing just 260g, they’re so light you barely notice them. Setup is effortless: a single press, and they’re connected to my iPhone in seconds. Sound quality is excellent: immersive, clean, and crisp. While the bass isn’t as cavernous as the Sonys, it’s punchy enough to power a bass-heavy playlist. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 40 hours without ANC. A quick 20-minute charge gave me hours of playback. In all honesty, I’ve found my new favorite headphones. Stylish, lightweight, and built to last, the Skims-inspired design has grown on me. Mock away, biker friends. I’ll just noise-cancel you out.
Reproduced with permission from Mansworldindia.com
