How does beats audio work

The resulting digital collage is then compressed to create the MP3 file that you download [sources: LeLoup and Ponterio , Self ].

But that's just part of the aural journey of a song. Basically, as the digital version of a song is translated back into physical vibrations by the speakers in your computer or your headphones, Beats Audio again tinkers with the frequencies, altering them in a way that's supposed to sound good to your ears.

How exactly Beats headphones do that isn't easy to discern, since the Beats Electronics Web site is slim on technical info, and there isn't much in the five U. The features cited in the filings are mostly "ornamental" flourishes, and there's little explanation of what would make them produce a more accurate sound [source: Google Patents ].

Similarly, in a lawsuit -- since settled -- between Beats Electronics and Signeo, a rival manufacturer that marketed a headphone endorsed by the rapper Ludicris, most of the dispute seems to be about whether the headphones looked too similar [source: Signeo USA et al vs. Beats Electronics LLC et al ].

We do know that Dre and Iovine reportedly spent two years trying different headset prototypes with their own finely-tuned ears until they found a design that, in their judgment, offered the best sound. They also had various music stars -- Jay Z. Blige, and Bono and The Edge from U2, among others -- try out the headphones to confirm their verdict. Dre comes in. We probably ran about prototypes before we got it just right" [source: Jones ]. The Beats Audio technology in computers and phones is a bit less of a mystery.

HP, which uses it in laptops, was kind enough to post a YouTube video that details its distinctive performance-related design features. The latter includes a redesigned headphone jack that's been grounded to reduce distortion, and a more powerful amplifier with better stereo separation. Also, the audio components on the computer's system board are isolated, away from other parts that might mess with the signals. But the key feature seems to be something called the "Beats Audio profile," which audiophile critics say is a fancy name for the equalizer setting, or EQ, on the computer's software operating system [sources: YouTube , Tunelab].

What that means, basically, is that when the computer plays a song -- specifically, the sort of a bass-heavy hip-hop music that Dre produces -- its software automatically jumps in and tweaks the frequencies a little more, for your benefit. If you thought we had a tough time explaining how Beats Audio works, it's even tougher for us to say whether or not Beats Audio really produces superior sound.

Part of the problem is that people have different opinions about what sounds good. Some people hate distortion for example, while others actually like it -- evidenced by the popularity of the Kinks' hit "You Really Got Me," for which guitarist Dave Davies mutilated the speaker cone on his amp with knitting needles [source: Buskin ].

I had a pair of beat studio 2 wired and i only used them for 3 months today as i went to un fold my beats one side snaps off and exposed the cord and complitly broke them I am very mad because I am at school and music is the only thing that gets me threw the day and I did not bring a backup pair of headphones if your looking for good sound quolity i would recomend these on the down side they have a very flimsy design if you want beats because you heard how reliable they were and strong dont get these ones would not recomend.

Beats under Apple is a different beast all together and while Beats have garnered a largely negative rep by many, its important to be objective and evaluate the Beats today without prejudice. Beats under Apple have revamped itself and transformed itself from merely an accessory to a real option in the headphone market with its tremendous battery-life, easy of pairing, excellent wireless range, above-average noise-cancellation and a more balanced sound signature while keeping the stylish design of Beats.

Totally agreed. However, the hive mind is strong with regards to mainstream consumer audio products like Beats and Bose. Sometimes this meant that the quiet music would be clipped completely silent. Has anyone experienced anything like this with the headphones? It failed to take long for users to figure out the superb fee Audio Technica supplied at a far greater inexpensive fee variety.

I have listened with a bunch of Beats headphones, but the one that I have purchased are the Mixr David Guetta model. After trying and definitely not paying for high priced models over the years, I felt that these were the best out of the Beats line up.

I still was not going to pay top dollar for them, I bought mine on eBay new in the box for I currently use a set of in ear wireless Otium buds that I purchased on Amazon for 25 bucks. They sound just as good as the high priced buds so test out a bunch and buy what you think is best. Noel lee started those headphones and they did him dirty at the end he was left out the only thing dr dre did for those headphones was putting his name the rest is history.

I only have my pair. Because my brother got tired of his. But he is the kind of person that buys a toddler Nikes. Which I view as wasteful. I think Beats are cool. Mostly because they are name brand and so expensive. I can also brag on how well my brother is doing. That he can just give them away to me. I have a pair of cheaper headphones.

That I am putting up and keeping; for when the Beats eventually fall apart. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. A fashionista would approve. If you still hear distorted sound, try a different audio source and an alternate cable. Volume too high Turn the source volume down. Phone not responding to button presses Make sure that the headset plug is securely connected.

Compatibility issues Remember to install the latest software updates on your device. Microphone does not pick up sound Make sure that the headset plug is securely connected and that the socket is clean and clear. But how Beats Audio actually achieves superior sound -- or whether it does so at all -- are questions that work some Web writer audiophiles into a lather. To understand what Beats Audio does -- or what its maker claims it does --you first have to know a little bit about the science of recording and reproducing sound.

When you're listening to, say, "Single Ladies Put a Ring on It ," what you're actually hearing is a bunch of different sounds -- the singers' voices, the bass line, the drums, a synthesizer mimicking the sound of a string section -- that are vibrations of molecules in the air at different frequencies.

Those frequencies are picked up by your eardrums and other structures in your ear, which are capable of detecting frequencies from just 20 Hz 20 vibrations per second all the way up to 20, Hz, and noticing and analyzing tiny shifts in frequency, intensity, duration and direction. They also can differentiate between parts of complex sounds such as a guitar chord. With that sort of sophisticated gadgetry connected to your brain, it's no wonder that we tend to be picky in our musical tastes [source: Whitehead].

But it gets trickier. Remember that when you listen to a song, you're not actually hearing the singer or the backup musicians, but rather a digital reproduction of them.