A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats EP are on-ear headphones with closed enclosures, making them suitable for casual listening and maintaining some degree of noise isolation. However, they lack a microphone, which limits their use for calls or gaming. Their overall sound quality is good and can be a better fit for exercise due to their light weight. In contrast, the EPOS PC38X are over-ear, open-backed headphones that offer superior comfort, sound quality, and have an exceptional microphone, making them excellent for calls, meetings, and gaming. The open-back design provides a spacious soundstage but offers poor noise isolation, making them less ideal for noisy environments or commuting. If budget is a concern, the Beats EP are more affordable, but the EPOS PC38X gives a more immersive experience for at-home use, especially for gaming or communication-heavy tasks. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Beats EP
- The Beats EP has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Beats EP is very good.
Gaming
6.3
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.2
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Beats EP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats EP is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats EP is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats EP and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
Cost
$100
$139
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the EPOS PC38X costs $139.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and Beats EP both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Get a great deal on the Beats EP or the EPOS PC38X
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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