Why Are Beats by Dre So Popular?
This post may contain affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
There are many reasons why Beats by Dre are very popular. Foremost, Beats by Dre are so popular because they are one of the main headphones that started the era of costly headphones that are endorsed by well-known celebrities. As a result of this, Beats by Dre have become so popular among people, especially those that fancy a celebrity endorsement as a primary reason for buying their headphones.
Similarly, Beats by Dre are known for its powerful branding which has continued to draw more wiling customers to the brand. In fact, there are hardly other brands of headphones that have been endorsed by as many celebrities as Beats by Dre.
Due to this reason, Beats by Dre are sometimes regarded as things that reflect social status, particularly among kids and young adults.
Lastly, the popularity of Beats by Dre is associated with its ability to customize the sound to suit the particular needs of the listeners. It provides arguably the best bass; therefore, people that want to enjoy almost perfect bass as they are listening to music also often choose Beats by Dre. Considering the varying reasons for the popularity of Beats by Dre, different people go for these headphones for many purposes.
The History of Beats by Dre headphones
The Beats by Dre headphones came into existence in 2006 and brought lots of changes to the market of headphones. The idea of creating this brand was conceived by Jimmy Iovine who was concerned about two main issues facing the music industry. The first problem was related to how privacy was affecting music sales while the second issue was about the low sound quality of the plastic earbuds produced by Apple. While looking for solutions to these problems, Iovine discussed with Dr. Dre who also had sad experiences about the two issues.
Following their discussions, Iovine told Dr. Dre about the idea of creating a brand that would take care of the issue of substandard earpieces. After agreeing on the deal, Iovine went ahead to get the opinions of wonderful musicians who could give him a few ideas of the things to do right. The musicians he spoke with include Pharrel Williams, Gwen Stefani, M.I.A, and will.i.am.
At the beginning of the production, Beats was in partnership with a California-based company that was producing audio and video components. The name of the company is Monster Cable. The company handled the development and production of the first sets of products from Beats. In July 2008, the groundbreaking Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones were officially launched. The headphones made good marks on the headphone market and Beats have produced many products afterward.
Two years after the release of the first Beats products, over 50% of Beats was bought by HTC, a phone manufacturer; thus, this company became the biggest shareholders of Beats. The shares were worth US$309 million. The acquisition was a part of the overall plan of HTC to win the competition with other brands that were producing mobile phones. As a result of this, HTC got the exclusive rights to produce mobile phones that would be made with the audio systems of Beats. However, HTC still granted Beats the autonomy to function as a separate company. At this stage, the partnership between Beats and Monster Cable was still functional.
However, in January 2012, Beats and Monster could not reach an agreement on their partnership which finally stopped at the end of the year. From that moment, Dre and Iovine took over the operation of Beats; thus, managing all of its processes. The first self-developed products of Beats are Beats Pill wireless speakers and Beats Executive headphones.
Over the next few years, the company has undergone various changes with the acquisition of the stake that HTC bought previously being one of the major changes. Also, there have issues of acquisition by Apples that prolonged for a few months. Apple Inc. finally bought Beats by Dre in March 2014 for a whooping sum of $3 billion. Similarly, several lawsuits were filed from Monster Inc. and Bose.
Beats by Dre has manufactured several headphones that are customized based on the agreement with P.DIddy, Justin Beiber and Lady Gaga. It is worthwhile to note that Beats bought MOG Inc., which was a music-streaming firm. The acquisition cost Beats around $10 million. Over the new few years, the music streaming company grew to as many as two hundred thousand subscribers. However, this company became defunct after the Beats was acquired by Apple Inc. This was perhaps due to its competition with Apple Music.
Would you like to learn more about the history of Beats by Dre? If yes, check out this amazing video that discusses the history of this company within a few minutes.
You can also learn more about Beats and how it was acquired by Apple here.
About the Founders
James Iovine
Beats by Dre is the brainchild of James Iovine, an American record producer. Born in 1953, this producer is a serial co-founder who established Interscope Records (later known as Interscope Geffen A&M) along with others. At the beginning of his career, he worked primarily as a recording engineer with various media outlets such as Record Plant, the Voyager Golden Records and Death Row Records.
In the past years, he was able to work with musicians and music groups like John Lennon, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and the Heartbreakers, The Pretenders, Stevie Nicks, Tupac Shakur, Eminem, 50 Cent and a lot more. In addition to this, James Iovine was actively involved in the production of movies such as Sixteen Candles, Scrooged, 8 Mile, Get Rich or Die Trying. He also worked on the documentary of LeBron James called More than a Game.
Dr. Dre
Born in 1965, Dr. Dre is a popular American rapper who is also a record executive, record producer, serial entrepreneur, audio engineer, and actor. His birth names are Andre Romelle Young. He co-founded Beats Electronics as well as Aftermath Entertainment. This American celebrity came into the limelight due to its association with the well-known rap group called N.W.A. He was actively involved in singing above the violence of American street life. Dr. Dre was one of those that made West Coast G-funk, a subgenre of hip hop, to become popular. In 2018, his network was estimated to be around $770 million; thus, he was regarded as the third richest hip hop personality.
Dr. Dre has released many albums as a rapper, producer, execute recording director and so on. His effort has not gone unnoticed as he was awarded several Grammy Awards as a rapper, producer, director and lots more. Some of the popular musicians he has worked with include 2Pac, Snoop Doggy, Eminem, 50 Cent, Xzibit, Kendrick Lamar, Knoc-turn’al, The D.O.C, Anderson Paak, and The Game. Also, Dr. Dre took part in Training Day, Set It Off, The Wash, and lots more.
Products of Beats by Dre
When it comes to over-ear, in-ear, and on-ear headphones, Beats has been known as one of the biggest and most reliable brands all over the world. Years after the manufacturing of the first products, Beats has released several other products. These products vary in terms of prices, features, and designs. However, one is common to all of them – they produce good quality sound. If you want to know more about Beats headphones, some of these products are reviewed below.
These headphones are the over-ear types that are targeted at offering audiophiles great audio quality. These products are wireless and come with exceptional noise-canceling ability. When used, these headphones are capable of replicating studio quality; hence, lots of audiophiles have been choosing it over the past years. The initial generation of Beats Studio was bulky but the recent ones are not. Resultantly, these headphones are comfortable to wear over the ear to enjoy great music or other kinds of sound. Also, they are available in more than 10 designs and colors. They are stylish and high-quality.
Beats Executives headphones are noise-canceling products that are perfect for most music lovers. It was the first product of Beats after the company was acquired by Apple. These headphones feature a beautiful yet sturdy design. Also, they are sleek and fit; hence, you can use them comfortably with any form of issues. The products have two cords that are strong and durable. Overall, Beat Executives are not as lightweight as some of the recent products of Beats, but they are good enough to maximize your music experience. Its other features
At less than $130, these headphones are definitely the cheapest over-ear headphones from Beats at the moment. It is perfectly designed for people that are tight on budget but want medium-quality headphones. They are wired headphones whose audio cable is the tangle-free type that is fixed to the headphones. Hence, the cable cannot be detached from the headphones. Since the product is made with lightweight steel, users cannot have any issues with bulkiness. The headphones also feature an adjustable headband and ear cups that have been properly cushioned to ensure that you can enjoy music seamlessly.
Beats Solo2 headphones are of two types – the wired and wireless. Both types are excellent and have a long-lasting headband that can be adjusted to suit your particular needs. Its cushioned ear cups also make it possible for you to use the headphones for long without any forms of discomfort. These headphones feature the RemoteTalk controller. This controller is a kind of microphone-remote system that can be utilized for changing tracks and volume and receiving calls. Other features of these headphones include Bluetooth, touch and voice control, and long-lasting battery life. This product is recommended for people that need quality Beats headphones without spending too much.
Beats Pro is the biggest and most powerful model of headphones ever produced by Beats. Audio engineers and DJs are the target audience of these great headphones. Built with lightweight stainless steel and aluminum, users can be rest assured that they will not feel any kind of bulkiness from the product. The materials are also strong enough to guarantee you long-lasting use of the products. The ear cups are designed with leather; hence, you can enjoy additional comfort as you listen to music with these headphones.
These headphones are the latest products from this company. Their amazing features make them stand out among other headphones that have been produced by Beats by Dre. The Solo3 Wireless headphones come with a battery that can last for as long as 40 hours. The enhanced on-ear control puts you in total control of your music without having to look at your media player. With the control, you can activate Siri on your mobile device, change tracks that you are listening to, change the music volume, and receive calls using built-in buttons that are found on the canisters. It has different collections that people can easily choose.
The built-in microphone of these headphones is designed for easy communication. Charging has been made easy with the FastFuel feature that lets the headphones charge as quickly as possible. You can use the headphones for 3 whole hours if you charge for just 5 minutes. It works perfectly with the iPhone 7 and latest versions of the iPhone as well as other mobile devices.
These earphones are probably the cheapest and the simplest products from Beats. It is basically designed for regular listeners who just need a beautiful, simple and functional earphone that can produce high-quality sound. Its buds feature a nice-looking metal casing and improve the production of the bass component of the earphones. Similarly, it has the RemoteTalk cable that provides users with everything they need to control their music experience on the go. These wired earphones have a long-lasting, flexible cable that is capable of coping with wear and tear irrespective of how long you have been using the earphones. With the availability of a beautiful storage pouch, you can be certain that your UrBeats earphones are always secure and dirt-free.
The Beats Tour2 is a pair of relatively affordable earphones that are often recommended for athletes and other fitness enthusiasts that are looking for portable earphones that they can use while enjoying a wide range of exercises. These products are capable of resisting both water and sweat; hence, you can go ahead with your exercises without fear of your earphones falling off. They also have a cable management clip that primarily makes sure that there is tangling. The Beats Tour2 earphones also have several earbuds and wingtips of different sizes that can be fitted into different kinds of hard-shell carrying cases.
The BeatX earphones were first released in 2017 as neckband-style earphones that can be used for listening to sound in different circumstances. These everyday earphones are relatively affordable and are often comfortable in the ear and around the neck. They feature the FlexForm cable that allows the earphones to stay put as you are listening to music. Also, BeatsX comes with multiple-size ear tips that further add to the comfort you get from using these products. Since the earbuds are made with magnetic materials, these products can easily come together so that you can coil or store them without much hassle. They have Bluetooth connectivity; hence, you can connect the earphones to any Bluetooth-compatible devices of your choice. In addition, there is RemoteTalk control that ensures that you are fully in charge of your music experience. Whether you want to answer calls via the earphones, switch from one song to another or adjust the volume of your songs, this RemoteTalk control makes it possible. These earphones are the perfect and one of the most comfortable products for commuters who want to listen to music on the go.
These are wireless earphones that are meant for active users who want the best quality of sound during the workout sessions and other activities. Over time, lots of athletes and fitness enthusiasts have chosen these earphones due to their great quality and features. These earbuds are generally sweat-resistant; hence, you will not be disturbed by sweat as you continue with your rigorous workouts. Also, they have secure ear hooks that make sure that they stay put in your ears through your session. The cable management clip of these earbuds also contributes to their ability to avoid falling off the ears. These earphones come with a battery that can last for as much as 12 hours; therefore, you can enjoy music for as long as you want. The FastFuel charging system of the earphones allows you to enjoy one hour of use after charging for just five minutes.
In a nutshell, Beats has a wide range of great headphones that fit the needs of different types of users.
