Beats" Signature Headphones Get an Upgrade The updated Beats Studio over-ear headphones from Beats Electronics. Responding to consumers who are seeking more features from headphones, Beats Electronics recently updated its ubiquitous Beats Studio headphones, which were originally released in 2008. The most noticeable enhancement is the streamlined design, which the company says has no visible screws or straight lines. The Studio headphones are lighter than their predecessors, but made with sturdier materials. The headband is stronger and more flexible, making it less prone to cracks, and the ear cups are softer and include a rotating ball joint for added swivel. All of these features add up to a more comfortable fit, even after extended use. But the biggest improvement came on the inside, with new digital software the company calls the Beats Acoustic Engine. The bass is still thumping, but it does not overpower vocals. Dance and hip-hop tracks are vibrant and full of energy, but even quieter music, like classical music and jazz, sounds rich and full. The Studio headphones have an "adaptive" noise-canceling feature with two modes: the first strikes a balance between music and your environment, and the second increases the noise-canceling when the music is off, allowing you to more fully disconnect from outside noise. To power the noise-canceling feature, Beats mercifully ditched the AAA batteries and opted instead for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which the company says has a 20-hour life between charges. The headphones automatically turn off when the audio cable is detached, a beneficial power-management feature. An LED indicator on the right cup indicates how much charge is left, providing a helpful reminder to recharge the headphones - because if the battery dies, the headphones, unfortunately, won't work. Included with the headphones are a USB cable and wall adapter for charging, two audio cables (one with a microphone and remote control and one without), a carrying case and a cloth for removing fingerprints from the exterior's glossy finish. The best part is that the price is still $300.