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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 are wireless with the convenience of a built-in microphone, which can be useful for calls and are portable due to their foldable design. However, they offer average sound quality, moderate comfort, and are less suitable for gaming or critical listening. On the other hand, the EPOS PC38X, though wired and bulkier, deliver superior sound quality, making them excellent for gaming, calls, music, and other critical listening scenarios. They are also highly comfortable for long sessions, though they aren't suited for exercise or noisy environments due to their open-back design. Choose the Beats Solo 3 for wireless convenience and portability, or the EPOS PC38X for top-tier audio performance and comfort. 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 Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
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
6.3
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$139
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the EPOS PC38X costs $139.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
EPOS PC38X
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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 Solo 3 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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