LIVV Pro vs Beats Studio Pro
LIVV Pro vs Beats Studio Pro: Which Over-Ear Wins for Workouts?
Both are premium over-ear headphones at $349. One was designed to stay on your head when you start moving. Here’s a head-to-head, written by the team that built the LIVV Pro — with no spin we wouldn’t want a customer to fact-check.
The Short Version
If you want over-ears for the gym, the run, or any active part of your day, the LIVV Pro is the right call. The patented zig-zag headband and triangular earcups were engineered for movement, the IPX4 rating means sweat won’t kill them, and you get 50 hours of battery to Beats Studio Pro’s 24 with ANC on.
If you mostly want headphones for commutes, plane rides, and the desk — and you’re already deep in the Apple ecosystem — the Beats Studio Pro is a solid pick. Its iPhone integration and Personalized Spatial Audio are genuinely good. But it has no IP rating, and the tight clamp loosens over time once sweat enters the picture.
Spec Comparison
| Spec | LIVV Pro | Beats Studio Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $349.99 |
| Battery (no ANC) | 50 hours | 40 hours |
| Battery (ANC on) | 40 hours | 24 hours |
| Sweat / water resistance | IPX4 | None |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes (up to −35 dB) | Yes |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | 40 mm dynamic |
| Microphones | 5 | 3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Wired audio | USB-C and 3.5 mm | USB-C (lossless) and 3.5 mm |
| Replaceable ear pads | Yes, magnetic | No |
| Designed for | Active use, workouts, all-day | Listening, commute, casual use |
| Founder / design lead | Mark Clayton, ex-NFL WR | Apple / Beats design team |
Fit and Security
The Beats Studio Pro uses a clamp-and-cushion approach that works fine sitting still. Reviewers consistently note that the clamp force softens with use — which is exactly what you don’t want for working out. A loosening clamp means slippage the moment you bend over for a deadlift or pick up a run pace.
The LIVV Pro was designed around the opposite problem. Mark Clayton spent ten years prototyping a headphone that would stay locked in during NFL warm-ups, training, and field work. The result is a patented zig-zag headband geometry and triangular earcups that hug the head without crushing it. You get the secure fit of a sport earbud in a full over-ear form factor.
Winner: LIVV ProSweat and Durability
This one is short. The Beats Studio Pro has no IP rating. Apple doesn’t recommend it for workouts and doesn’t warranty sweat damage. The LIVV Pro carries an IPX4 rating — the same protection standard used on premium sport earbuds — meaning it’s built to handle sweat, rain, and a water-bottle splash.
The LIVV Pro also ships with magnetic, replaceable ear pads. When the cushions wear or get gross from training, you swap them in 10 seconds. Beats Studio Pro pads are not user-replaceable.
Winner: LIVV ProSound Quality
Both headphones use 40 mm dynamic drivers. The Beats Studio Pro tunes a touch warmer with strong sub-bass — the classic Beats signature, dialed back from earlier generations. The LIVV Pro is tuned for the bass and dynamic range a workout playlist actually needs, without burying the mids the way older sport headphones did.
Honest take: if you do critical listening to acoustic recordings, you’ll find audiophile over-ears that beat both. For training mixes, podcasts, and the music people actually play at the gym, these are very close.
Verdict: EvenActive Noise Cancellation
Beats Studio Pro ANC is good for the price and integrates beautifully with the iPhone. LIVV Pro ANC is rated at up to −35 dB attenuation with a 3-level transparency mode, which puts it in the same class for gym, commute, and open-plan office use. Neither matches the Bose QuietComfort Ultra at the very top of the ANC bracket — that’s a different cross-shop.
Verdict: EvenBattery Life
LIVV Pro delivers 50 hours of playback without ANC and 40 hours with ANC engaged. Beats Studio Pro delivers 40 hours without ANC and 24 hours with ANC on. That’s a roughly 67% advantage for LIVV when you actually use the noise cancellation feature.
For active users this matters more than it sounds. You charge less, you grab a charged pair of headphones more often, and you don’t have to think about it on a long travel day.
Winner: LIVV ProEcosystem and App
Beats Studio Pro integrates with Apple’s H1-chip features: one-tap pairing on iPhone, Find My, Personalized Spatial Audio. If you live inside iOS, that’s real value.
LIVV Pro has its own free app (iOS and Android) for EQ control, ANC and transparency modes, and firmware updates. It pairs with any phone, any laptop, anything with Bluetooth or USB-C, with zero brand lock-in.
Beats wins if you’re iPhone-only. LIVV wins for everyone else.Microphones and Call Quality
LIVV Pro uses a 5-microphone array with dual-mic ENC for clearer calls in noisy environments. Beats Studio Pro uses 3 microphones. For calls from a treadmill, a busy street, or a coffee shop, more mics means better noise rejection and a more natural voice profile on the other end.
Winner: LIVV ProWho Should Buy What
Buy the LIVV Pro if…
- You work out, run, lift, or move in any serious way.
- You want one over-ear that handles both the gym and the desk.
- You’re not on iPhone, or you don’t want to be locked into one ecosystem.
- You care about battery life and not having to charge constantly.
- You want replaceable ear pads so the headphones outlast the cushions.
Buy the Beats Studio Pro if…
- You’re an iPhone user who wants the seamless H1-chip experience.
- You’ll only use them for commutes, plane rides, and desk listening.
- You won’t sweat in them — ever.
- You specifically want Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio.
Ready to Move?
The LIVV Pro ships in Matte Black and Creme Latte, with free shipping and a 30-day return window. Built by athletes, for athletes.
Shop the LIVV Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
Are the LIVV Pro and Beats Studio Pro the same price?
Yes. Both retail at $349.99 at MSRP. Beats Studio Pro is occasionally discounted on Amazon and at Apple. LIVV Pro is sold direct at livvaudio.com and on Amazon.
Can I work out in the Beats Studio Pro?
Apple does not market the Beats Studio Pro as a workout headphone, and it has no IP rating for sweat or water. Light gym use may be fine; sweaty training will eventually damage the headphones and is not covered by warranty.
Can I work out in the LIVV Pro?
Yes. The LIVV Pro carries an IPX4 sweat-resistance rating and a patented secure-fit geometry designed for active use. It’s the use case the product was built for.
Which has better ANC?
Both have effective ANC for gym, commute, and office. LIVV Pro is rated at up to −35 dB attenuation with 3-level transparency. Beats Studio Pro ANC is well reviewed but typically rated slightly behind class leaders like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. For most users, the two are practically comparable.
Which has better battery life?
LIVV Pro: 50 hours without ANC, 40 hours with ANC. Beats Studio Pro: 40 hours without ANC, 24 hours with ANC. LIVV Pro lasts notably longer with noise cancellation engaged.
Can I use either with an Android phone?
Yes to both. The Beats Studio Pro loses its H1-chip iPhone features but works as a standard Bluetooth headphone on Android. The LIVV Pro is built platform-agnostic from day one, with full app support on Android via Google Play.