Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless portable ear-insert model can provide very good sound. When fitted as a non-isolating earphone it provides its best sound quality--it doesn't muffle outside sounds so you'll be able to hear a doorbell or car horn. It does have an earplug-like design, and when fitted as an isolating earphone it helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment, but the sound quality suffers. The Powerbeats 2 Wireless has an integrated microphone, and volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls that work with Bluetooth devices. It can remember up to eight Bluetooth devices, and it supports voice-activated dialing when used with Bluetooth-capable cell phones with that feature. Also, when connected to Apple devices running iOS version 5 and above, it can show the earphone's battery level. The manufacturer claims that this model is moisture resistant. This model has firmware that can be updated, and comes with four pairs of earpieces of various types and sizes, a USB charging cable, and a carrying case.
Sound quality: The Powerbeats 2 Wireless can deliver very good overall sound, with a neutral to cool character. Bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is slightly prominent and lacks a bit of definition. Midrange is fairly even, but is slightly grainy and edgy, and treble is extended but slightly dry. The overall sound is somewhat open, with good dynamics. These earphones have to be positioned in the ear very carefully to get the best sound quality: The earpiece needs to form a light seal in the ear canal without seriously muffling external sounds. Inserting the earpieces far into the ear canal will muffle external noises more, but it will also degrade the sound quality and result in a bass-heavy, muddy sound.
Comfort: We found that depending on how these earphones are positioned, they can produce a sense of pressure in the ear opening that ranges from slight to moderate; depending on the degree, it could be uncomfortable for some users. They stay in place with no problem in most cases, but vigorous head movements can shake them out of position.
