New Delhi: Apple-owned audio brand Beats has launched its new Beats 360 over-ear headphones in India, introducing interchangeable ear and headband cushions, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), IPX4 sweat and water resistance and up to 32 hours of battery life.
Priced at Rs 42,900 in India, the Beats 360 are positioned as the company’s new flagship over-ear headphones. They are available to order in four colours — Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky — while retail and in-store availability begins on September 24.
The biggest highlight of the new headphones is their customisable design. Users can change both the ear cushions and the headband cushion, allowing them to alter the headphones’ appearance and wearing experience depending on their preference or activity.
Beats 360 brings interchangeable cushions
The Beats 360 are the first Beats over-ear headphones to feature interchangeable ear and headband cushions. The headphones come with Performance Knit cushions, which are designed with active use in mind.
Beats says the Performance Knit material is breathable and designed to manage moisture, making it suitable for activities such as workouts. The ear cushions can also be removed for cleaning.
For users looking for a different feel, Beats offers UltraPlush cushions made with engineered leather. These can be purchased separately and are designed for more conventional everyday listening.
The cushion system also affects the headphones’ audio performance. Beats says the headphones can detect which type of cushion is installed and automatically adjust acoustic tuning and noise-cancellation filtering to maintain a consistent listening experience.
Additional Performance Knit cushion options are available in Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy and Volt. UltraPlush cushions are available in Black and Cloud. In India, additional cushion kits are priced at Rs 6,900.
Price and availability in India
The Beats 360 are priced at Rs 42,900 in India. Customers can order the headphones in four core colours — Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky.
The headphones are available to order now, while in-store availability starts on September 24. Globally, Beats has priced the headphones at $349.99 in the US.
Beats 360 pricing at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| India price | Rs 42,900 |
| US price | $349.99 |
| Colours | Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky |
| Battery life | Up to 32 hours |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Fast Fuel | Up to 1 hour with 5-minute charge |
| Water resistance | IPX4 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Additional cushion kit | Rs 6,900 |
Up to 32 hours of battery life
Battery life is another major feature of the Beats 360. The headphones offer up to 32 hours of playback, including when ANC and Personalised Spatial Audio are enabled, according to Beats.
The headphones also support Fast Fuel charging. A five-minute charge through USB-C can provide up to one hour of playback.
Battery performance can vary depending on settings and usage. Beats says the headphones can provide up to 24 hours of continuous playback when Transparency mode is active.
The headphones use Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and work with both Apple and Android devices.
Advanced ANC and Spatial Audio
Beats is also highlighting improvements to sound and noise cancellation with the new model.
The Beats 360 feature Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode and Adaptive EQ. The company says the new ANC system delivers up to 1.75 times more total noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro.
The headphones also support Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Dolby Atmos. This allows compatible audio content to create a more immersive listening experience.
The Adaptive EQ system adjusts audio based on the headphones’ fit, while the cushion-detection system helps maintain consistent acoustic performance when users switch between different cushion types.
For voice calls, the Beats 360 use nine digital MEMS microphones, with the microphone system also designed to help reduce environmental noise and improve voice clarity.
IPX4 rating makes them workout-friendly
The Beats 360 are also the company’s first over-ear headphones with an IP certification.
They carry an IPX4 rating for resistance against water splashes and sweat. This gives the headphones an additional advantage for users who want to use over-ear headphones while exercising or travelling.
The Performance Knit cushions are designed to handle moisture, while the removable cushions can be taken off for cleaning. However, the IPX4 rating does not make the headphones waterproof, and Beats notes that sweat and water resistance can decrease with normal wear.
Apple and Android features
Despite being an Apple-owned brand, Beats has retained broad compatibility with Android devices.
Apple users get features including one-touch pairing, automatic iCloud pairing and device switching, Audio Sharing, Find My and hands-free Siri support.
Android users get Fast Pair, Audio Switch on supported devices and Find Hub integration. This means the Beats 360 are not restricted to Apple’s ecosystem.
The headphones also include a dedicated button for listening modes, while volume and playback controls are built into the earcups.
Beats 360 focus on customisation
The interchangeable cushion system is the defining feature of the new Beats 360. Instead of treating the ear and headband cushions as fixed components, Beats has made them replaceable accessories.
The standard headphones come with matching Performance Knit cushions. Users can subsequently purchase additional kits to change colours or switch to UltraPlush material.
Globally, Beats has also introduced different cushion combinations, giving users the option to change the look of the headphones without replacing the entire device.
The headphones are designed for commuting, work, training and travel, according to Beats. Their over-ear design, noise cancellation, sweat resistance and interchangeable cushions are aimed at making the same pair suitable for different situations.
Beats 360 vs Beats Studio Pro
The Beats 360 sits above the Studio Pro in Beats’ current over-ear range. While both offer ANC and support Apple’s and Android’s ecosystems, the newer model introduces a different design and the interchangeable cushion system.
Beats has not discontinued the Studio Pro. Instead, the Studio Pro continues as a separate, lower-priced option, while the Beats 360 takes the position of the company’s new flagship over-ear model.
The Beats 360 also brings a new acoustic architecture, improved noise cancellation and IPX4 protection, making it a distinct product rather than simply a refresh of the existing Studio Pro.
Conclusion
The Beats 360 marks a new direction for Beats’ over-ear headphone range, combining interchangeable cushions with ANC, Personalised Spatial Audio, IPX4 protection and up to 32 hours of battery life.
In India, the headphones are priced at Rs 42,900 and will be available in Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky. With additional cushion kits priced at Rs 6,900, Beats is also making personalisation a significant part of the product’s appeal. The headphones are available to order now, with in-store availability beginning September 24.