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Beats ExecutiveImage © Beats

Beats Executive

34/ 100
Weak
HearWiki score

Poor value

$22
typical price, USD
Discontinuedupdated
Manufacturer pageBuy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Beats
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
-
Connection
Wireless
Noise cancelling
Yes
Released
2012

Score breakdownweak overall

Sound5.3
Noise cancelling3.2
Calls4.5

The Beats Executive are over-ear, consumer-level wired headphones introduced in 2012 by Beats by Dr. Dre, focusing on durability and noise-cancellation.

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The Beats Executive is a foldable, over-ear wireless headphone from 2012 that focuses on style and bass-heavy sound. It offers decent active noise cancellation and long battery life, but its performance is held back by a noticeable hiss from the ANC system and a sound signature that may not suit everyone. While it's comfortable and sturdy, it's generally considered a mediocre all-rounder rather than a standout choice.

What works

  • Stylish and comfortable design
  • Strong battery life
  • Effective noise cancellation for its era
  • Foldable and sturdy build

What doesn't

  • Noticeable hiss from ANC
  • Bass-heavy tuning can distort at high volumes
  • No passive mode when battery dies
  • Sound quality is only average overall

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Beats Executive
Driver40 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size40 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance32 Ω

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

3 source(s) feeding this product's score.

t3.com

T3 is broadly favorable, praising comfort, privacy, and effective active noise cancelling, and calling them strong for music, movies, and gaming. The main criticism is the high price and the fact that they stop producing sound when the batteries die.

Read the full review

tomsguide.com

Tom's Guide describes the Executive as a stylish, comfortable noise-cancelling headphone with big bass and strong battery life, aimed at mobile professionals. The review is positive overall, while noting the price, battery dependence, and a faint hiss from ANC.

Read the full review

whathifi.com

What Hi-Fi says the Beats Executive has attractive design and decent mids and treble, but the overall sound is let down by hiss from the noise-cancelling system, weak dynamics, and bass that is too bloated. Their conclusion is that the performance is too compromised to recommend.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Mixedacross 3 videos

Reviewers agree the Beats Executive headphones stand out for their premium aluminum and leather build, sleek professional design, and comfort for extended wear, making them a stylish choice for travel.

Reviewers liked

  • Premium aluminum and leather build
  • Sleek, professional design
  • Comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Effective noise cancellation for travel
  • Includes hard case and accessories

Reviewers flagged

  • Constant hiss from noise cancellation that cannot be turned off
  • Muffled mid-range sound quality
  • Overpriced at around $300
  • No cable pouch in the case
6:01

Beats Executive Unboxing & Review (Beats Over-Ear Executive Headphones - Silver)

Unbox Therapy384.7K viewsOct 2012

The reviewer praises the Beats Executive headphones for their premium aluminum and leather build, calling them the best-looking Beats to date. He notes they are comfortable for extended wear despite initial weight concerns, and appreciates the inclusion of accessories like a hard case and Android-compatible remote cable. However, the video focuses heavily on unboxing and design, with limited discussion of sound quality or noise cancellation performance.

7:00

OFFICIAL Beats Executive Review

UrAvgConsumer178.5K viewsOct 2012

The reviewer finds the Beats Executive headphones to be a classy, comfortable, and well-built option aimed at an adult audience, with a sleek design and a more reserved sound profile. However, the active noise cancelling produces a noticeable hiss that can be distracting, and the lack of a cable pouch in the case is a minor drawback. Overall, the reviewer is satisfied with the product despite these issues.

11:29

Beats Executive by Dr Dre Headphones Review

2.5/5
phototristan34.7K viewsOct 2012

The reviewer finds the Beats Executive headphones to be stylish and well-built, with effective noise cancellation that is useful for travel, but criticizes them for being overpriced, having a constant hiss from the noise cancellation that cannot be turned off, and lacking in mid-range audio quality. They recommend them only for frequent travelers who need noise cancellation, not for audiophiles.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

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Alternatives in the $11–$44 range

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Where it sits in our rankings

The data-driven guides this model qualifies for.