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Beats Powerbeats vs Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Beats Powerbeats comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 68. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Beats Powerbeats - Good overall at around $155.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD leads on 3 of 5 measures.

  • Beats Powerbeats
  • Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD
HearWiki score
68
36
Sound
7.7
7.8
Battery
8.4
3.8
Calls
6.5
7.3
Price (USD)
$160
$110

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD (2020) against Beats Powerbeats (2019). The Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.2 against 5.0, Top codec aptX Adaptive against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • Powerbeats2019
  • Blue BYRD20201 yr newer
What differsPowerbeatsBlue BYRD

Platform

Bluetooth
5.0
5.2
Top codec
AAC
aptX Adaptive
ANC type
None
Adaptive

Everyday features

Wireless charging
Yes
No
USB-C
No
Yes

Level on: Multipoint pairing, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

PowerbeatsBlue BYRD
Type
Neckband
Neckband
Price (USD)
$160
$110
HearWiki score
68
36
Released
2019
2020
Availability
Discontinued
Still sold new
Driver
dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
10 Hz - 25 kHz
Impedance
-
18 Ω
Bluetooth
5.0
5.2
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
9 h
14 h
Battery incl. case
24 h
-
Full charge time
-
100 min
Quick charge
5 min → 1.5 h
-
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
buttons
-
Voice assistant
Siri
Alexa
Weight
8.7 g
32 g
Case weight
80 g
-
Water resistance
IPX4
IPX4
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
No
Yes
Model code
-
717649
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
cVc

What reviewers said

Beats Powerbeats

These wireless neckbuds are built for workouts, offering a secure fit, long-lasting battery, and quick charging to keep you moving. They deliver a balanced sound with clear vocals, though the treble can be a bit soft, and they rely on Apple's H1 chip for easy pairing and Siri access. While they lack noise cancellation and modern USB-C, their sporty design and reliable performance make them a solid pick for active listeners.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life with fast charging
  • Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for exercise
  • Pro:Stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection with multipoint
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs
  • Con:No USB-C charging port

Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD

The Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD is a lightweight, feature-packed neckband earphone that delivers solid, dynamic audio performance for its price. It includes adaptive noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth 5.2, and support for high-quality codecs like aptX Adaptive, all wrapped in a comfortable, water-resistant design. However, its real-world battery life falls short of the listed figure, and the control layout and neckband ergonomics can be frustrating in daily use.

  • Pro:Good sound quality with dynamic drivers
  • Pro:Adaptive ANC and multipoint support
  • Pro:Supports aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs
  • Con:Battery life is shorter than advertised
  • Con:Remote control is awkward to use
  • Con:Neckband comfort can be hit-or-miss

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonBeats PowerbeatsBeyerdynamic Blue BYRD