Beats Urbeats vs. Klipsch R6i: An Honest Comparison
A surprising turnaround for a brand once written off.
Sound Quality Comparison
I recently scored a pair of Beats Urbeats Earbuds from a friend who switched to Bluetooth-only headsets. Initially, I was skeptical since I had previously owned a pair of Series 1 Beats Studio headphones and was disappointed with their performance. However, after trying on these earbuds, I was surprised and impressed by their sound quality.
The bass on the Beats Urbeats was toned down, which is unusual for Beats products, while the mids and treble were tuned to be a bit brighter. I had to compare them against my Klipsch R6i earbuds to see how they measured up.
- →Sound Source — iPhone 6s
- →Volume — 50%
- →Drivers — 6.5mm
- →Frequency Range — 10 ~ 19,000 Hz
- →Sensitivity — 110 dB/mW
- →Impedance — 18 Ohms
- →Noise Isolation — -22 dB
- →Plug — 3.5mm (Gold)
- →Cable — Flat (Tangle Free)
- →Microphone — Yes
- →In-Line Control — Volume Up/Down, Start/Pause
- →Price — $60 @ Amazon
- →Drivers — 9mm
- →Frequency Range — 10 Hz ~ TBD Hz
- →Sensitivity — 112 dB/mW
- →Noise Isolation — -20 dB
- →Plug — 3.5mm
- →Price — ~$50 @ Amazon (discontinued, replaced with Urbeats 3)
Build Quality
In terms of build quality, both the Beats and Klipsch R6i are equal, but the Beats win on aesthetics. Beats have always excelled in creating visually appealing headphones, utilizing metal in their construction and designs. The Beats earbuds feel substantial due to their all-metal housing.
The flat cabling is comparable to the Klipsch R6i, although the Klipsch's simpler design feels sturdier and more reliable. Overall, I prefer the Beats for their aesthetics.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, the Beats come out on top. I find the ear tips and the angle at which the Klipsch R6i sit in my ears to be uncomfortable, although I have grown accustomed to them. The Klipsch earbuds provide a snug fit and better noise isolation, but at the cost of comfort.
In contrast, the Beats are much more comfortable. I can wear them for several hours while listening to music and working on my computer. They are in-ear, so they are not as comfortable as larger earbuds like Apple or AKG.
Sound Performance
The sound performance is a toss-up: the Klipsch R6i wins on bass, while the Beats excel in mids and treble. This comparison may sound repetitive, similar to my previous AKG vs. Klipsch review, but I find the Klipsch R6i unique in emphasizing bass. Other pairs of earbuds often sound brighter in the mids and treble, with weaker bass.
Listening to the same song on both headphones highlights different elements of the music, making it more interesting and enjoyable for analytical listening, even if I’m not an expert.
Overall Impressions
Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by the Beats Urbeats. While the Klipsch R6i may give the appearance of a larger soundstage with stronger bass, it tends to muddle the mids and treble, making them feel overpowered. Some songs, like Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell," sound fantastic on the Klipsch.
The Beats earbuds are more aggressive and forward with the mids and treble, allowing me to hear every hi-hat and cymbal in each song. This is ideal for pop and female vocal-heavy genres; I enjoyed listening to artists like Sia, Ariana Grande, and Beyoncé on the Beats.
Beats seems to be improving, and I am impressed. Although I'm not an audiophile and lean more towards Audio Technica, I am now interested in trying larger Beats headsets to see how they have evolved since the original Studio series.
Update (4/30/2020)
I have been using the Beats Urbeats regularly for conference calls and find them more useful than the standard Apple EarPods or AirPods. This revelation is surprising to me, considering my initial skepticism towards Beats as a brand since the original Studio headphones. Something must have changed since their acquisition by Apple, whether due to Apple's influence or another factor. All I know is that Beats' recent offerings are worth checking out.
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