The Beats EP On-Ear are surprisingly decent headphones for neutral sound but are a bit tight on the head for long listening sessions. They're not as portable as some other on-ear headphones, and the tight fit could be a bit uncomfortable for some. They also don't block out the low rumble of bus or plane engines, which could be frustrating if you commute a lot. However, they're sufficiently lightweight and well-padded.
Our Verdict
The Beats EP are sub-par for mixed use. They have a balanced sound that's good for casual and more neutral sound. They're also comfortable and tight enough for sports use. They're not ideal for commuting or in loud environments since they don't block a lot of noise, but overall they perform well enough for most uses.
- Good recording quality.
- Sturdy build quality.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Slightly tight on the head.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The Beats EP are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have balanced audio reproduction with a good amount of bass and caters well to instruments and vocals. They don't sound too sharp but won't be the ideal headphones for more neutral listeners. They have a relatively small soundstage, and sound quality varies a lot depending on the position and whether or not you wear glasses.
The Beats EP are disappointing for commuting. They have a decent control scheme, and they're not too bulky but don't block a lot of noise. You can hear a lot of ambient noise on a busy train or bus ride. They also don't fold, so they won't be as portable as the Beats Solo2 Wireless.
The Beats EP wired headphones are mediocre for sports. They're stable and comfortable enough to jog with and have a fairly efficient control scheme. However, they're not as portable, and they're a bit tight on the head, which can get slightly fatiguing. Their audio cable can also snag on something and pull them off your head.
The Beats EP are average for office use. They don't leak much, so you won't distract your colleagues when listening to music at moderate volumes. Unfortunately, they don't block a lot of noise, meaning that you can hear the noise of a lively office environment.
The Beats EP are wired-only headphones and you can't use them wirelessly.
The Beats EP are satisfactory for wired gaming. They have a wired connection, so they have negligible latency, which is suitable for gaming. They also have a decent microphone that's compatible with some consoles. Unfortunately, they lack a good app to customize their sound profile like most gaming headsets, and they're a bit too tight on the head to wear for really long gaming sessions.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 24, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Beats EP are wired on-ears with a sturdy and stable design. However, they can be a bit tight on the head and don't isolate well enough for very noisy commutes. On the upside, their sound profile is suitable for a variety of audio content.
See our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones, the best DJ headphones, and the best wireless headphones.
While the Beats Solo3 2018 and the Beats EP have a very similar sound profile, the Solo3 are more versatile thanks to their wireless design. Their headband also feels more durable. On the other hand, if you don't want to manage battery life, the wired EP are better, although the Solo3 have an incredible 42-hour battery life.
The Beats EP and the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x have different strengths. The Beats have an in-line remote that makes using them with iOS devices and mobile phones a little easier. They also have a slightly more compact and sturdy build quality, although not by much since they don't fold into a more compact format. On the other hand, the Audio-Technica come with three audio cables that make them more suitable for a studio setting. They're also not as tight on the head as the Beats. Finally, the Audio-Technica have a slightly more balanced sound that some listeners may prefer over the EP's.
The Sony WH-CH510 Wireless and the Beats EP are both mediocre on-ear headphones. The Beats are a bit more comfortable, feel better built, and have better controls, but are wired, unlike the Sony that are only Bluetooth. The Sony are much more consistent every time you put them on, but as long as you find a proper fit, the Beats have a more accurate treble range.
The Logitech Zone Wired and Beats EP are both wired-only on-ear headphones but with different priorities. The Logitech are fractionally stronger office headphones thanks to their plusher fit, more comprehensive and intuitive control scheme, and dedicated app support. That said, the Beats aren’t far behind, with an integrated microphone that delivers similar recording quality and a better-balanced sound profile. The Beats also use a non-detachable 1/8” TRRS audio cable compatible with more devices, although it doesn’t provide microphone compatibility when plugged into an Xbox One controller.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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