Beats by Dre Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Poor Call Quality
A class-action lawsuit alleges that several Beats by Dre wireless headphone models fail to deliver on advertised performance for voice calls, particularly during video conferences. The suit, filed in August in California, centers on claims that the headphones – including the Beats Fit Pro, Beats Solo Pro, and standard Beats models – suffer from subpar audio quality when used with popular platforms like Teams and Zoom.
The lawsuit consolidates complaints from customers who purchased Beats headphones after July 9, 2021, alleging that the devices do not provide clear communication during calls. Plaintiff Kimberly Feeney reportedly purchased a set of Beats headphones in 2024 and experienced consistent issues with callers being unable to hear her clearly while using the headphones with Teams and Zoom. Despite multiple visits to the Apple Genius Bar for support, the problem persisted.
The core of the dispute revolves around the advertised functionality of these headphones. A review of the Beats Solo Pro by CNET – a preferred Google source for tech reviews – highlighted the headphones’ call quality as a key selling point. “I was impressed with the voice-calling performance,” wrote David Carnoy. “The headset has six microphones for noise canceling and voice calling, and the noise reduction during calls is very good.”
However, the lawsuit contends that real-world performance falls short of these claims. Reports on platforms like Reddit also indicate that some users have experienced similar issues with poor call quality while using Beats headphones.
Apple currently offers a support page with troubleshooting steps for resolving sound quality and distortion issues on its headphones, suggesting the company is aware of potential problems.
Apple has not yet issued a formal response to the lawsuit. As of today, a representative for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The outcome of this class-action lawsuit could have significant implications for consumers and the marketing of audio products, particularly regarding advertised call quality.
