Short answer: the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. It ranks #176 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $249 and is still sold new; the Beats Powerbeats Pro ranks #217 (rated 4.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
Why pick the Beats Powerbeats Pro: Bass and midrange follow the Harman target closely, with 60 to 200 Hz within 0.2 dB and upper mids 0.7 dB above, so voices and bass lines sound natural and warm for a preference score of 75. The tradeoff: Treble is well under target, about 5.2 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with an 8.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz, so cymbals, hi-hats and sibilance sound muted.
The case for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: A preference score of 77 in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a smooth 1.8 dB standard deviation and every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target, gives a balanced and natural sound. The catch: Treble above 10 kHz runs about 8 dB below target, with a 13.6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals and room ambience lose their airy shimmer.
Buy the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Beats Powerbeats Pro is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 Discontinued | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #217 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #176 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.09 dB standard deviation | 1.78 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.37 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (45 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (8.7 g) per earbud |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Beats Powerbeats Pro: $189.99 TWS Discontinued Amazon $189.99 eBay
Pros: Bass and midrange follow the Harman target closely, with 60 to 200 Hz within 0.2 dB and upper mids 0.7 dB above, so voices and bass lines sound natural and warm for a preference score of 75. The true wireless design adds Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC and AAC, a built-in microphone and an IPX4 rating. Battery lasts about 9 hours per charge, 24 with the case.
Cons: Treble is well under target, about 5.2 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with an 8.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz, so cymbals, hi-hats and sibilance sound muted. The air band above 10 kHz is another 4.4 dB low, which adds to a dark, closed-in sound. It has no active noise cancelling, and the Etymotic EVO has a higher rating. Discontinued.
Full Beats Powerbeats Pro review and specifications →
| Released | May 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.09 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.37 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,596 Hz | +6.1 dB | 2.51 |
| Peak | 2,703 Hz | -4.4 dB | 2.80 |
| Peak | 1,362 Hz | -2.1 dB | 1.94 |
| Peak | 3,607 Hz | +3.7 dB | 4.72 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 143 Hz | -1.2 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 374 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.21 |
| Peak | 4,688 Hz | -2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.34 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: $249.00 TWS Amazon $249.00 eBay
Pros: A preference score of 77 in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a smooth 1.8 dB standard deviation and every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target, gives a balanced and natural sound. Bass holds to 30 Hz within 1 dB of target, so low notes keep their weight. Battery life is a standout at 10 hours per charge and 45 with the case, alongside active noise cancelling and IPX4 splash resistance.
Cons: Treble above 10 kHz runs about 8 dB below target, with a 13.6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals and room ambience lose their airy shimmer. At 8.7 g per earbud it is heavier than most true wireless buds, and codecs are limited to SBC and AAC.
Full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (45 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.78 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8.7 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons