Beats Unveils Customizable 360 Headphones with Swappable Cushions
New Beats 360 headphones offer interchangeable ear cups and headband cushions for personalized style and comfort.
Beats has launched a new line of headphones, the Beats 360, featuring interchangeable cushions designed to offer users greater customization and comfort. The headphones, priced at £299.95, come with a selection of ear cups and headband cushions that can be swapped out quickly, allowing users to adapt their headphones to different activities or personal preferences.
Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports and Beats, stated that the Beats 360 combine advanced acoustic performance with a balanced design. He also highlighted the new interchangeable cushions as a feature that allows for self-expression not typically found in other over-ear headphones.
The core headphone units are available in four colors: Black, Cloud, Pink, and Sky, each accompanied by matching knit ear cups and headband cushions. Additional cushion sets are offered in six colors—Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy, and Volt—and two fabric options: knit and UltraPlush. The knit cushions are made from memory foam with a breathable knit covering, while the UltraPlush cushions are crafted from leather.
Beats suggests users can switch cushions based on their mood, activity, or outfit. For instance, a gym session might call for the vibrant Volt knit cushions, which can then be exchanged for more subdued Cloud UltraPlush versions for post-workout use. The headphones are also designed to be sweat and water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating.
In terms of audio quality, the Beats 360 feature a bespoke acoustic platform with custom-designed drivers. Beats states these drivers provide powerful bass, precise tonal range, and low distortion, aiming to reveal greater detail in music.
The headphones also include improved Active Noise Cancellation, offering modes to block external sounds, allow ambient sound through, or use an adaptive setting. Controls for volume, playback, and listening modes are located on the ear cups.
Battery life is cited at up to 32 hours, with a "Fast Fuel" feature providing one hour of playback from a five-minute charge. Additional cushion kits are available at an introductory price of £9.99.
The Beats 360 are available for online order starting today and will be in stores from September 24. Beats, acquired by Apple in 2014, has been producing headphones for 20 years, but the Beats 360 marks their first truly customizable headphone offering.