Beats 360 Launch: Apple’s £280 Over-Ear Headphones Hit Shelves September 24

Apple’s Beats brand announced the Beats 360 over-ear headphones on September 22, priced at $349.99, with full availability beginning September 24. These are Beats’ first IP-certified over-ear model, rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance. The headphones feature removable, interchangeable ear cups in six colour options, 32-hour battery life, and active noise cancellation powered by eight microphones. Pre-orders opened immediately across Apple, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

What makes the Beats 360 different

The Beats 360 represent a complete redesign of Beats’ over-ear line. They deliver 1.75 times more active noise cancellation and a 12dB increase in output compared to the previous Studio Pro model, which Beats has repriced to £240. The new headphones weigh 294 grams and feature a stainless steel arch with rotating ear cups. Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports, and Beats, said the headphones combine “our most advanced acoustic performance ever with a perfectly balanced design.”

Customization and durability for workouts

The Beats 360 are the first over-ear headphones from the brand to carry an IP rating. Rated IPX4, they protect against splashes and sweat, the minimum standard recommended for workout headphones. The removable knit ear cups wick away moisture effectively, though reviewers found them wet after intense exercise. Beats recommends cleaning the cups with soapy water, then a damp cloth, then drying completely. Additional cushion kits cost £40, but an introductory offer reduces them to £8, an 81% discount.

Sound quality and competition

The Beats 360 deliver clear, balanced audio with Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking for Dolby Atmos content. However, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones offer richer audio with more pronounced bass, according to tech reviewers. The Beats 360 include nine microphones total, with eight dedicated to noise cancellation. They support Bluetooth 5.3, one-touch pairing for Apple devices, and Google Fast Pair for Android users.

Availability and early reviews

The Verge’s review noted the headphones are durable and built to withstand sweat, earning a score of 7 out of 10. Reviewers found the clamping force adequate for most workouts, though the headphones can shift during high-intensity movements. Beats 360 come in four colours: black, cloud (off-white), sky (light blue), and pink. Apple released firmware version 4A262 on launch day. The headphones are available in all four colours at Apple and Beats, but only black and cloud at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

Final Thoughts

The Beats 360 target fitness-focused listeners willing to pay premium prices for customization and water resistance. With IPX4 durability and 32-hour battery life, they address a gap Beats’ previous models left open. Investors in Apple should note this positions Beats in the growing premium audio segment, though Sony and other rivals maintain stronger sound credentials.

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