Beats by Dr. Dre has become one of the most recognizable brands in headphones and earbuds, offering bass-driven sound aimed primarily at fans of hip hop, EDM, and other beat-heavy genres. Since being acquired by Apple in 2014, Beats has further expanded its lineup with wireless models featuring integration with Apple devices.
Two of the company‘s neckband-style wireless earbuds, the Beats Flex and BeatsX, share a similar design but have some key differences under the hood. In this in-depth guide, we‘ll compare every aspect of these two models to help you decide which is better for your needs and budget.
A Brief History of Beats and the Flex vs X Models
Beats Electronics was founded in 2006 by producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Records executive Jimmy Iovine to create premium headphones tuned to enhance bass and amplify the energy of rap/hip hop music. The brand‘s iconic studio headphones and later on-ear headphones became extremely popular fashion statements as well as music accessories.
In 2014, Apple purchased Beats for $3 billion in the largest acquisition in the company‘s history up to that point. The move allowed Apple to add Beats‘ successful product lineup and music streaming service to its ecosystem while allowing the Beats brand to operate independently.
The BeatsX neckband Bluetooth headphones were released in February 2017 as a wireless evolution of the earlier urBeats wired earbuds. The X model gained positive reviews for its comfortable secure fit and punchy, bass-heavy sound in a fairly compact wireless package with onboard headphone controls.
In October 2020, Beats introduced the Beats Flex as a follow-up to both the BeatsX and urBeats, aiming to improve battery life and audio quality while lowering the price and keeping the convenient neckband design.
The BeatsX has since been discontinued, making the Beats Flex the natural successor retaining the same driver design in a more streamlined product.
Beats Flex vs BeatsX: Side-by-Side Specs
| Model | Release Date | Style | Battery Life | Noise Cancelling? | Still in Production? | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beats Flex | October 2020 | Wireless neckband | 12 hours | No | Yes | 1 year |
| BeatsX | February 2017 | Wireless neckband | 8 hours | No | No (discontinued) | 1 year |
Design and Comfort
The Beats Flex and BeatsX sport nearly identical collared neckband-style designs, allowing you to secure them comfortably around your neck when not listening. A flat, no-tangle cable runs between each earbud, fitted with magnets to clip them together when not in use.
Both models come with four pairs of interchangeable silicone eartips in different sizes, alongside a set of "wingtips" for the X version only to keep them anchored more securely. Despite having a slightly bulkier neckband, the X feels marginally lighter at 24 grams versus the Flex‘s 26 grams. Available colors vary across the product lines.
In terms of comfort, having proper-fitting eartips is key whichever pair you choose. The Flex may feel slightly more flush and streamlined to some users. However, both are designed for all-day wear and let you take calls and control music playback straight from the in-line remote modules.
Sound Quality and Performance
The Beats Flex and BeatsX house Apple‘s proprietary W1 chip (used before the H1 and now W2 chips in later models), allowing easy wireless pairing with iOS/Mac devices and Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity.
Audio Quality
As wired urBeats predecessors tuned by Beats engineers for amplified bass response, both the X and Flex earbuds emphasize low-end power over a flat frequency range. However, the Flex edges out its predecessor by sounding warmer and punchier rather than muddied.
Here‘s a breakdown of the sound profiles:
-
BeatsX: Relatively well balanced sound with clear mids/highs and rich lows, if lacking in soundstage width. Good overall clarity across genres.
-
Beats Flex: Mids scooped out for even more thumping bass depth, sounding more closed-in as a result. The low-end emphasis suits bass fans but overwhelms instrumentation.
For podcasts, audiobooks, vocals and acoustic genres, the BeatsX presents a more natural listen where details shine through. The Flex brings the boom for electronic dance, hip hop, metal and similar pumped-up genres.
Call Quality
Built-in mics on both models enable you to take calls directly through the headphones. Voice transmission sounds fuller and more accurate on the BeatsX compared to the thinner-sounding Flex mic.
Connectivity
The W1 chip ensures quick, reliable wireless connectivity with Bluetooth Class 1 tech that maximizes range up to 100+ feet and reduces dropouts. Both pairs also enter power-saving sleep mode when magnetically clipped together.
You‘ll get the most seamless experience across Apple devices thanks to the W1 chip. However, both the X and Flex work with any Bluetooth audio source like Android phones.
Battery Life
Battery life is a major point of improvement with the Beats Flex over the older BeatsX.
Here is the max duration you can expect per charge cycle:
- BeatsX: About 8 hours from an 2-3 hour charge via Lightning. Fast Fuel quick-charging adds 2 hours from 5 minutes plugged in.
- Beats Flex: Around 12 hours per full USB-C charge taking 1.5 hours. Fast Fuel yields 90 minutes of playtime from a 10-minute quick charge.
So while neither model offers class-leading battery life spans reaching 24+ hours like some competitors, the Boost Flex should reliably get you through your day if fully topped up. The BeatsX in comparison leaves you pushing it a full work shift without a charger handy.
Price and Availability
Since being discontinued in favor of the Beats Flex, the BeatsX is difficult to find brand new at authorized resellers. However, you can still find them via third-party Amazon sellers and refurbished/renewed condition units with full warranties.
Here‘s a look at current pricing ranges:
- BeatsX: $100 to $150 for new and renewed options (limited stock)
- Beats Flex: $49 MSRP, often discounted below $50 brand new
Unless you luck out getting the X heavily discounted under $100, the Beats Flex clearly provide better value for money as well as improvements like battery stamina. Of course condition is key with renewed audio products, so carefully read seller item descriptions before purchasing.
Verdict: Which Model is the Best Buy?
With punchier bass response, improved battery life of 12 hours per charge and compelling pricing under $50, the Beats Flex makes the most sense for shoppers wanting these convenient collar-style wireless headphones.
The predecessor BeatsX holds up well on sound with great clarity and more balanced profile. However, average battery life under 8 hours and scarcity of undiscounted new pairs make the Beats Flex a superior value.
Casual listeners wanting fuller lows can save some money getting renewed BeatsX units in good condition. But the Flex still wins overall as the culmination of Beats‘ neckband earbud efforts in a smarter overall package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Beats Flex/BeatsX waterproof or water resistant?
No, neither model sports official sweat or splash protection so they‘re not suitable for workouts or exposure to moisture. Handle them as regular consumer electronics.
Do these headphones have the new H1/W2 chip?
No, both the Flex and X utilize Apple‘s previous W1 wireless chip. This still enables convenient iOS/Mac pairing and efficiency.
Can you take calls with the Flex/X earbuds?
Yes, both models feature built-in mics that allow you to handle calls directly from paired phones by tapping buttons on the remote modules. Voice transmission quality is noticeably better on the BeatsX though.
So in summary, while the discontinued BeatsX were an early success bringing the brand‘s lively sound to a convenient lightweight wireless form factor, the subsequent Beats Flex improves upon it in nearly way – battery duration, audio refinement, pricing and availability.
Casual listeners, athletes and commuters alike will appreciate the impressive 12-hour battery life and sweat-resistant fabric neckband housing Apple‘s headset technology for great iOS integration out of the box. For just $50, they make a compelling iPhone companion.
