The neckband is also the most comfortable I’ve used, even more comfortable than Powerbeats. The area that rests against your neck is molded so it rests perfectly against the next. The controls are on both sides of the buds, the volume, play/pause, and Siri controls are on the left while the power/Bluetooth button is on the right. The wires that connect the control panels to the earbuds are a little awkward — they’re thick and flat to help avoid tangling, but they are so stiff they feel weird.
Again, the best sound is experienced outside of music, with Beats’ drivers emphasizing vocals to hear dialogue better. I loved using these buds to take in my daily dose of political news via CNN clips, along with other YouTube content I normally binge during downtimes. Even poorly recorded podcasts like The Game Informer Show received a boost in clarity. Beats keeps the full plastic construction intact, along with the tangle-free wire and magnetized earbud housing, all of which still feel premium. You’ll notice the inline mic and multifunctional button on the left module have been modified for enhanced usability; no more pulling the mic close to your mouth on phone calls. We’re testing with an older iPhone 8 running on the most recent iOS update and find the promised auto-pause functionality when the buds’ magnets click together a little hit and miss.
The Beats Flex have a flexible but formed neckband that grips the back of your neck ever so slightly. Pair that with low weight and you beats studio3 have the perfect mix for a runner’s fit. I still wish that Apple would offer at least some basic EQ adjustments for bass and treble.
Beats Flex sound quality will not blow anything out of the water but with the price of A$79.95, its combination of sound, design, and comfort combined makes it a good value, wireless earphones from Beats. If you are looking to replace your Apple EarBuds without paying too much, Beats Flex makes a great choice. The main issue with the sound quality is that everything feels a little bit flat. Whether you’re listening to pop or rap, there’s no sense at all of a wide soundstage that gives songs their individual identity.
It’s intuitive and serviceable for when you want to stop songs to engage in brief chats. Bundled with the earbuds are a USB-C charge connector, quick start guide, warranty card, and four sets of ear tips, in various sizes. The necks of the buds are nicely mounted at a slight angle from the driver housings with the aim of offering a fit that doesn’t tug on the cable when worn. Their integrated mic has a mediocre recording quality, so your voice sounds muffled and thin over the phone. It struggles to separate your voice from background noise, even in moderately loud environments. They also don’t do a very good job isolating you from bass-range noise like rumbling bus and plane engines, although they can passively isolate you from a good amount of mid-range noise like ambient conversation.