Do Beats Fit Pro support Spatial Audio?
Spatial audio is a surround sound technology that creates an immersive 3D audio experience for listeners. It uses head-tracking to make it seem like sounds are coming at you from all directions, as if you’re right in the middle of the action. Spatial audio has become highly popularized thanks to Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max headphones. These AirPods models support spatial audio when used with Apple devices, delivering an incredibly engaging listening experience.
Given the popularity of spatial audio on AirPods, many listeners are now seeking out other headphone options that also support this advanced 3D sound technology. One new entrant is the Beats Fit Pro,Beats’ first fitness-focused earbuds. With their active noise cancellation and secure fit, Beats Fit Pro aim to deliver exceptional sound during workouts. A key question for prospective buyers is whether these new earbuds also support immersive spatial audio.
Beats Fit Pro Overview
The Beats Fit Pro true wireless earbuds were released in November 2021 with an MSRP of $199.99. As the name suggests, these earbuds are positioned as ideal for fitness and active lifestyles. Key features include:
- Active Noise Cancelling to block out external noise during workouts
- Secure, flexible wingtips for a customizable fit that stays put
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance rating
- Up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC on (24 hours with charging case)
The Beats Fit Pro feature Apple’s H1 chip for easy pairing with Apple devices, hands-free “Hey Siri” support, and Audio Sharing. They also have an adaptive EQ that automatically tunes music to your ears. With their sport-oriented design and features, Beats Fit Pro aim to be the perfect workout companion for active users.
Spatial Audio on Beats Fit Pro?
Beats Fit Pro do support Apple’s Spatial Audio feature, which provides an immersive surround sound experience by utilizing dynamic head tracking technology (Source: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/use-spatial-audio-beats-fit-pro/). Spatial Audio aims to make it seem like the audio is coming from all directions, as if you’re in the middle of a theater or concert hall.
In testing, reviewers found that the Spatial Audio effect on the Beats Fit Pro earbuds was impressive, with a wider and more enveloping soundstage compared to standard stereo audio. The head tracking worked smoothly to adjust the direction of the audio based on how you turn your head (Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102469).
Compared to the AirPods Pro, the Spatial Audio experience on the Beats Fit Pro was noted to be quite similar and on par, which is expected since they both leverage the same H1 chip from Apple. Overall, the immersive Spatial Audio adds substantial value to the Beats Fit Pro, making music, movies, and videos much more engaging.
Head Tracking
One of the key features of the Beats Fit Pro is head tracking, which allows the earbuds to detect the position and movement of your head and adjust the audio accordingly in real-time. This works together with spatial audio to create an immersive listening experience that mimics directional sound coming at you from all angles.
The head tracking feature on the Beats Fit Pro works similarly to the AirPods Pro. Both use accelerometers and gyroscopes built into the earbuds along with software algorithms to track the motion and orientation of your head as you move it. This positional data is then used to adjust the audio so that it stays anchored to your device even as your head turns.
One difference in implementation is that the Beats Fit Pro rely on the Apple H1 chip for head tracking, while the AirPods Pro use the H1 chip along with Apple’s specialized motion-detecting H2 chip. However, both deliver robust head tracking performance allowing audio to remain focused in front of you.
Overall, the head tracking abilities of the Beats Fit Pro are on par with the industry-leading AirPods Pro. This allows Apple device owners to experience the same level of immersion and realism from spatial audio regardless of which earbuds they choose.
Sound Quality
The Beats Fit Pro deliver very good sound quality with a lively, bass-heavy sound signature that many listeners find fun and exciting for workout earbuds (Rtings.com, 2023). The sound profile emphasizes thumping bass and energetic treble, while the mids take a bit of a backseat. This v-shaped sound gives pop, hip hop, EDM, and other beat-driven genres a punchy, engaging listening experience.
The active noise cancelation (ANC) is quite effective at blocking out ambient noise like voices, office chatter, airplane cabin noise, and traffic. According to SoundGuys.com (2023), the ANC can reduce background noise by up to 25dB, allowing you to focus on your music without distractions. The seal created by the ear tips also passively blocks noise before the ANC kicks in.
Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, the Beats Fit Pro have a warmer, bassier sound signature that some prefer for workout listening. The AirPods Pro meanwhile have a more neutral sound profile. Both deliver very good ANC, though the AirPods Pro may have a slight edge. Overall, the Beats Fit Pro compete well with the AirPods Pro on sound and noise canceling ability.
Fit and Comfort
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are designed to offer a secure yet comfortable fit for exercising and long-term wear. They come with three eartip options – small, medium, and large – to allow you to find the perfect fit for your ears (1). The flexible, wingtip design helps lock the earbuds in place during vigorous workouts and movement, preventing them from falling out easily. Many reviewers mention how the Beats Fit Pro stay put while running and training, making them ideal for active use (2).
Despite the snug fit, the Beats Fit Pro are lightweight and avoid placing too much pressure inside the ear canal. The smooth, tapered shape allows them to rest comfortably in the ear for extended periods of time. Numerous customer reviews praise the earbuds for offering all-day comfort without causing ear fatigue or pain (1). The soft silicone eartips conform to the unique shape of each person’s ears to reduce discomfort. Overall, the Beats Fit Pro achieve an excellent balance between a very secure yet still comfortable fit for exercise and daily use.
(1) https://www.beatsbydre.com/earbuds/beats-fit-pro
(2) https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/beats-fit-pro
Battery Life
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds have impressive battery life compared to competitors. According to Apple, the Beats Fit Pro provide up to 6 hours of continuous playback on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency turned off (Apple).
With ANC or Transparency mode turned on, the battery life is reduced to 4.5-5 hours of playback. The charging case provides an additional 18-21 hours of battery, delivering up to 24 hours total listening time (Beats by Dre).
This battery performance is quite impressive compared to competitors like the AirPods Pro, which get up to 4.5 hours playback per charge, and the Sony WF-1000XM4 with 8 hours playback. The Beats Fit Pro match or exceed most competitors in terms of battery life.
Other Features
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds come with several convenient features beyond their great sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities. The earbuds have touch controls on each bud that allow you to play/pause music, skip tracks, adjust volume, and toggle between ANC and transparency modes without needing to touch your phone (Beatsbydre.com, 2022).
Transparency mode uses the external microphones to let in ambient sound so you can hear your surroundings and conversations while still listening to music. This is useful for safely navigating busy environments like city streets (Apple.com, 2022).
For charging, the Beats Fit Pro case has a USB-C port, allowing for fast and convenient charging. The earbuds themselves can provide up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge, with the charging case providing 3 additional charges for up to 24 hours total (Beatsbydre.com, 2022).
Other features include acoustic mesh venting to relieve ear pressure, an IPX4 water resistance rating, and onboard volume and playback controls (Apple.com, 2022). Overall the Beats Fit Pro pack an impressive array of features into a comfortable and portable true wireless design.
Who Should Buy Beats Fit Pro?
The Beats Fit Pro are a good choice for people who prefer an exciting, bass-heavy sound signature. The extra thump and punch from the bass make them well-suited for rock, hip-hop, and EDM. They also work well for intense workouts where a energetic, impactful sound can help push you through exercises (Engadget).
iOS users will get the most out of the Beats Fit Pro’s features like spatial audio with head tracking, “Hey Siri” voice commands, and one-touch pairing. However, Android users can still take advantage of active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Battery life is solid at around 5-6 hours per charge (TechSpot).
The secure fit wing tips provide a stable and comfortable fit during workouts and running. So they are a good option for fitness enthusiasts looking for fully wireless sport earbuds. Overall, the Beats Fit Pro deliver a feature-packed experience at a cheaper price point than the AirPods Pro.
Conclusion
When it comes to Spatial Audio support, the Beats Fit Pro deliver an excellent listening experience. They have head tracking capabilities that dynamically adapt the sound as you move, providing an immersive soundscape. The overall sound quality is top-notch, with punchy bass and clear mids and highs.
For fitness purposes, the Beats Fit Pro are a great choice. They have a secure, comfortable fit with flexible wingtips that keep them stable during workouts. The IPX4 water resistance allows you to sweat without worry. Battery life is strong at up to 6 hours of listening time per charge.
Compared to the AirPods Pro, the Beats Fit Pro match up very well for fitness uses. The added stability from the earwing tips and longer battery life give them an edge for workouts. However, the AirPods Pro have convenience factors like always-on Siri and seamless Apple device integration.
Overall, the Beats Fit Pro deliver robust Spatial Audio support and excel as wireless earbuds for fitness. If you want earbuds focused on stability, sound, and battery life for workouts, the Beats Fit Pro are an excellent choice worth buying.
