Premium headphones have evolved from being primarily about sound to becoming an everyday device that needs to get several things right. Comfort, ANC, call quality, battery life and how well they fit into an active lifestyle now matter just as much. That is also why the premium headphones space has become increasingly competitive, with brands finding different ways to make their products stand out.
Design and comfort
Beats has made the earcups and headband cushions removable, which gives you more flexibility than most premium headphones. You get Performance Knit cushions for workouts and UltraPlush cushions for everyday listening. The Performance Knit material is better suited to an active session, while the softer UltraPlush option makes more sense when you are working or travelling. The IPX4 rating also adds some much-needed practicality. Sweat and water resistance is still uncommon among premium over-ear headphones. However, the degree of comfort is subjective. The clamping force can feel tight, particularly if you have a larger head. That is something to consider if you plan to wear these for several hours at a stretch. Beats has also stuck with physical buttons. However, the layout takes some getting used to. The buttons are difficult to identify by touch, especially when you are wearing the headphones. Android users also get fast pairing and ecosystem-level features, although the Beats app is still required for additional functions. There are some notable omissions, though. It also does not support wired listening or lossless audio through USB-C. Sony also offers a more mature feature set, particularly around app-based personalisation and spatial audio. Beats has retained the sound signature that has become part of its identity. There is enough detail and dynamic range to make the headphones enjoyable across different genres. The area I found more interesting is call quality. Beats has put considerable processing into voice performance, using AI-trained algorithms, dedicated audio processing and a beam-forming microphone setup. The result is a call experience that is genuinely usable for work and everyday conversations. The Transparency mode also helps here. It sounds natural enough to hear your own voice, without feeling disconnected from your surroundings. On the other end, callers should hear you clearly, while background noise is largely suppressed. Testing also suggests that the headphones can potentially go beyond the advertised figure. That is enough for several days of normal use for many people. However, Sennheiser remains in another league here.
Because it makes sense beyond just customisation, i particularly like this idea. Because buttons are more predictable than touch controls, i prefer this approach. The Beats 360 enters this space at ₹42,900, bringing interchangeable earcup and headband cushions, IPX4 resistance and a design aimed at both workouts and everyday use. These additions give the Beats 360 a distinct identity, but the bigger question is how well that approach works in daily use. And with the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sennheiser HDB 630 also competing in this price range, the Beats 360 has some serious benchmarks to contend with. So, let’s find out if the Beats 360 has what it takes to stand out. The biggest change with the Beats 360 is its approach to design. It gives the Beats 360 two personalities without changing the headphones themselves. That gives the Beats 360 an advantage if you plan to use them during workouts. The headphones weigh around 295 grams, and the overall construction feels premium. The Beats 360 works particularly well within the Apple ecosystem. The Beats 360 does not have wear detection, so playback does not automatically pause when you remove the headphones. This is where the Sennheiser HDB 630 has a clear advantage. It supports USB-C audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz, 3.5mm wired connectivity and comes with the BTD 700 Bluetooth dongle. The Beats 360 delivers a bass-forward sound, but it does not stop there. Battery life is one area where the Beats 360 does quite well. Beats rates it for up to 32 hours with ANC or Adaptive EQ enabled. It also puts the Beats ahead of the Sony WH-1000XM6 on paper, which is rated for 30 hours. The HDB 630 is rated for up to 60 hours and can add around seven hours of playback with a 10-minute charge.
The bass can sometimes feel a little too prominent for my liking. However, it works particularly well with energetic music. Tracks with strong beats sound lively without completely losing the finer details. The headphones manage distortion well even at high volumes. There is also Adaptive EQ, which automatically adjusts the tuning based on the fit. Beats includes Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking as well. I found the standard sound more appealing for most of my listening, though, as Spatial Audio can make the bass feel more pronounced. Sennheiser takes a much more neutral and controlled approach. Its bass is tighter, the mids feel more natural and the overall presentation is aimed at accuracy rather than excitement. So, if you want a more analytical listening experience, the Sennheiser makes more sense. The nine-microphone system also adjusts the noise cancellation based on the surroundings and fit. Fans and other continuous sounds are reduced effectively. However, voices still get through, which is common even among premium ANC headphones.
This is where the comparison with the Sennheiser HDB 630 becomes interesting. The Beats 360, however, is more immediately enjoyable, especially if you like a little extra energy in your music. ANC is good on the Beats 360, although it is not the strongest reason to buy these headphones. Beats claims 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than the Studio Pro. During daily use, the Beats 360 handles constant background noise well.
It brings a more lifestyle-focused approach to the segment, and that is what makes it interesting. The interchangeable cushions, IPX4 resistance, energetic sound and dependable call performance give it a distinct character while still keeping it practical for everyday use. More importantly, it raises the standard for what premium lifestyle headphones can offer.
The Beats 360 is not trying to be just another premium pair of headphones. At ₹42,900, it also shows how the premium headphones category is moving beyond the traditional focus on sound and ANC. With the Sony WH-1000XM6 pushing personalisation and all-round performance, and the Sennheiser HDB 630 raising the bar for audio control and high-resolution listening, the Beats 360 adds another dimension to the competition. For someone who wants headphones that can move from a workout to the office and then into everyday listening, the Beats 360 makes a strong case for itself.
