Even if you aren’t very well-versed with how Bluetooth technology works, you would be aware of the fact that wired transmission is always a more efficient way of transmitting any sort of signals, be it sound or power. This means that however good a pair of wireless earphones may sound, a pair of wired earphones for the same price or even a lower price might sound better. It’s not just about the quality of sound though. The major reason why gamers also tend to prefer a pair of wired earphones over wireless ones is because of the latency that wireless earphones carry. However premium a pair of truly wireless earphones are and despite the lowest of millisecond values in the delay that brands claim, the fact is that no pair of wireless earphones can give you 0ms latency that is required while gaming. The Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd that we have been using for the past couple of weeks caters to this exact niche. If you’re looking for a pair of earphones for gaming or you want a premium music listening experience, the Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd can be a good option under Rs 1,000, but with some caveats of course which we will address in this review.
Build and Design
The Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd is sold in an orange colorway that we absolutely loved. It looks funky and stands out from the typical black wiring that we’re used to. Of course, if you’re going for a low-key look, these are surely not for you. Given the slightly fluorescent nature of the color, the Beat Byrd can be noticed from a distance even when it’s slightly dark. If you are a fan of rocking unorthodox colors on you, the Beat Byrd does a good job of standing out.
The orange 1.2m long wires are rubberized and while they look good, we would have preferred a braided exterior to increase the longevity of the earphones. There are other pairs of earphones in this price range that have a braided cable like the Mi Dual Driver earphones so it would have been nice of Beyerdynamic included it on the Beat Byrd. The 3.5mm connector is gold plated and is vertically aligned. It would have been more convenient for gamers if the connector was angled. Moving to the buds, the Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd has its drivers fit into a plastic housing with angled ear tips. The housing has the Beyerdynamic branding on one side and the logo on the other. The plastic used feels slightly cheap and could have been better. There are three sets of silicone ear tips provided within the box that feels comfortable even when worn for long durations.
Sound Quality
The quality of sound produced by the Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd is the primary reason you should get them (duh). The packaging of the earphones mentions “punchy bass” since that’s evidently one parameter that most people seem to consider with top priority. While the bass is punchy, it also leaves enough room for higher frequencies to not get crushed. Overpowering bass can often lead to an unpleasant listening experience which is thankfully not the case with the Beat Byrd. The vocals sound clear and the soundstage is wide which means you can distinguish between the various instruments being played. Loudness levels are also very good and overall, the sound signature is very pleasing to the ears and you will enjoy listening to music on the Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd. If you’re a gamer, the Beat Byrd is good with the sounds of gunshots or footsteps in PUBG too. Given the in-ear fit, the sound isolation is good which means you won’t be hearing much of the environmental sound of the traffic or people around you, especially at high volumes. The sound leak is also very little so people around you will not be able to hear whatever you’re listening to. Compared to the Mi Dual Driver earphones, the Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd sounds ever so slightly better due to a more balanced output.
Functionality
This section highlights the biggest downside of the Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd and that’s the absence of an in-line remote control which means the Beat Byrd does not have a push button to play/pause music on controls for volume. What’s worse is that there is no onboard mic either so you can’t take calls with the Beat Byrd unless you are going to keep your phone’s mic close to your mouth while speaking. This also means that while the earphones are good for audio while gaming, you will not be able to communicate well with your teammates since the mic on the phone will be picking up your voice. Since your phone would be at a distance from your mouth while speaking, the quality of voice picked up may not be very good or it may not even be able to pick up your voice if your hands while holding the phone is covering the microphone. This can be a major deal-breaker if make a lot of calls especially while commuting since your phone is then going to be in your pocket most of the time. The Mi Dual Driver has an advantage in this department since it has both an in-built mic and controls for media.
Verdict
The Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd is one of the best sounding pair of earphones under Rs. 1,000 if you’re solely into listening to music. However, the lack of an onboard mic and controls can be a deal-breaker for a lot of people. In which case, the Mi Dual Driver earphones for Rs. 799 are a better option as they sound almost similar to the Beat Byrd but also include a good quality mic and in-line remote for lesser the price. Buy Beyerdynamic Beat Byrd
