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How to Identify your Beats by Dre Studio and Solo Headphones

How to Identify your Beats by Dre Studio and Solo Headphones

By CentralSound  |  Beats Headphone Repair Guides  |  Fox Lake, IL  |  April 2026

Confused on which parts or accessories to buy for your Beats headphones?

Beats has different models of headphones on the market. It’s important to know which model you own so you can find the right parts or accessories for your Beats headphones. We’ve created this guide to help you find the right products for them.

There are two main differences between the Beats Studio and Solo headphones. Beats Studio headphones go around the ear (Around-Ear), while the Beats Solo lies on the ear (On-Ear). The ear pads for the Beat Solo Headphones are shaped like a circle, while the Beats Studio Headphones take on more of an oval shape and are larger.

Difference between Beats Studio and Beats Solo headphones

Beats Studio (over-ear, oval pads) vs. Beats Solo (on-ear, round pads)

Before Apple bought Beats in 2014, the headbands had beats by dr. dre across the top of the headbands. Afterward, they have been created to just say beats on the top of the headband. Let’s take a look at how to identify pre-Apple Beats headphones.

Here are some of the models from Beats By Dre (Pre-Apple) (2008-2014): Studio, Solo HD which both are wired. These models are identified by the headband which has beats by dre across it, and the Studio headphones require replaceable AAA batteries. Beats By Dre headphones also have the original Beats by Dr. Dre logo on the side of the headband above the hinge.

For these headphones, the model numbers are on stickers, which can be found on the bottom of the inside panel.

💡 Bonus: You can often find the name of your headphones directly by pairing with a phone, then going into Bluetooth settings. Here, you’ll find the name of the connected device.

Already Know Your Model?

Jump straight to the parts you need. CentralSound ships Beats replacement parts directly from Fox Lake, IL — ear pads, headbands, batteries, charge ports and more.

Shop All Beats Replacement Parts →

Beats by Dre Studio (2008–2014)

Pre-Apple  |  Wired Only

Beats By Dre Studio original wired headphones

Requires:

  • AAA batteries (to turn on noise cancellation feature)
  • 3.5mm cable

Beats by Dre Solo HD (2008–2014)

Pre-Apple  |  Wired Only

Beats by Dre Solo HD pre-Apple

On the top part of the outside of the left panel, it says “solo HD”

Requires:

  • Audio cable

Apple Beats Models (2014–Present)

To find the serial or model number for the Beats Solo Pro, you will need to expand the headband and look on the inside of the slider that is above the left ear cup. For other Beats headphones, you will need to expand the headband and look on the inside of the slider above the right earcup. With the serial number you can enter it at apple.com to find your model number. Some Beats headphones will have the model number printed in this same location. The model number is also located on the packaging near the barcode.

Beats headphone serial number location

Most models — right slider

Beats Solo Pro serial number location

Solo Pro — left slider

🎬 Watch Our Video: How to Identify Your Beats by Dre Headphones →

Beats EP Wired

Model Number: A1746

Beats EP Wired Headphones

Studio 2 Wired

Model Number: B0500

Beats Studio 2 Wired Headphones

Outside of right hinge just says “studio”

Requires:

  • Audio cable
  • Charging cable

Replacement parts:

Studio Pro

Model Number: A2924

Beats Studio Pro 2023 Headphones

Replacement parts:

Studio 2 Wireless

Model Number: B0501

Beats Studio 2 Wireless Headphones

Requires:

  • Charging cable
  • 3.5mm audio cable (optional)

Replacement parts:

Studio 3 (2017–present)

Model Number: A1914

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones

Can be identified on outside of the right hinge, which just says “studio 3”

Requires:

  • Charging cable
  • Audio cable (optional)

Replacement parts:

Solo 2 Wired

Model Number: B0518

Beats Solo 2 Wired Headphones

Outside of right hinge says “solo”

Requires:

  • Audio cable
  • Charging cable

Replacement parts:

Solo 2 Wireless

Model Number: B0534

Beats Solo 2 Wireless Headphones

Outside of right hinge says “solo”

Requires:

  • Audio cable (optional)
  • Charging cable

Replacement parts:

Solo 3 (2019–present)

Model Number: A1796

Beats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones Beats Solo 3 Wireless

Can be identified by the hinge on the right side which reads “solo3”

Comes in more (and newer) colors as compared to Solo 2

  • Audio cable (optional)

Replacement parts:

Solo Pro (2019–present)

Model Number: A1881

Beats Solo Pro Headphones

  • Has a toggle button on bottom of left earcup to switch between noise canceling and transparency mode
  • Headphones unfold to turn on and connect to device
  • All colors are matte colors instead of shiny

Replacement parts:

Solo 4 (2024–present)

Model Number: MUW33LL/A

Beats Solo 4 Headphones

You can also use the Beats app to identify your device. Look for the phrase “under the hood: serial number.”

Powerbeats 3 Wireless

Model Number: A1747

The Powerbeats 3 are sport-focused in-ear headphones with over-ear hooks designed to stay in place during workouts. The flexible ear hooks are a common failure point — CentralSound stocks replacement ear hooks so you don’t have to replace the entire headphone.

Replacement parts:

Another option would be checking Settings on your device (when your Beats headphones are connected to your device).

General → About → Scroll down to search for name of your Beats device

From there, you can see the model and serial numbers for your Beats headphones.

Quick Reference: Beats Model Numbers at a Glance

Use this table to quickly match your model number to the correct headphone.

Model Name Model Number Type Connection
Solo 2 Wired B0518 On-Ear Wired
Solo 2 Wireless B0534 On-Ear Bluetooth
Solo 3 Wireless A1796 On-Ear Bluetooth (W1)
Solo 4 MUW33LL/A On-Ear Bluetooth
Solo Pro A1881 On-Ear Bluetooth (H1)
Studio 2 Wired B0500 Over-Ear Wired
Studio 2 Wireless B0501 Over-Ear Bluetooth
Studio 3 Wireless A1914 Over-Ear Bluetooth (W1)
Studio Pro (2023) A2924 Over-Ear Bluetooth / USB-C
Beats EP A1746 On-Ear Wired
Powerbeats 3 A1747 In-Ear (Sport) Bluetooth (W1)

Found Your Model? Get the Right Parts.

All Beats replacement parts ship directly from our facility in Fox Lake, IL. Every order includes a step-by-step video tutorial so you can repair with confidence — no technician required.

Shop All Beats Parts →

Frequently Asked Questions

My model number isn’t listed here — what do I do?

Beats has released many models over the years. If your model number isn’t listed above, email us at CustomerSupport@CentralSound.Co with your model number and we’ll point you to the right parts or let you know if we carry them.

Are Beats Studio 2 and Studio 3 ear pads interchangeable?

Yes — the Studio 2 and Studio 3 use the same ear pad size and attachment method. Our Studio 2/3 replacement ear pads fit both models perfectly.

Are Solo 2 and Solo 3 ear pads the same?

Yes — our Solo 2 & Solo 3 replacement ear pads are compatible with both wireless and wired versions of both models.

Why won’t Apple sell me replacement parts directly?

Apple does not sell Beats replacement parts to the general public or to non-Apple-certified repair companies. This is exactly why CentralSound exists — we source premium Beats replacement parts and make them available directly to you, shipped from Fox Lake, IL with video tutorials included.

Do your parts come with installation instructions?

Every order includes a QR code or link to our step-by-step video repair tutorial specific to your model. You can also browse our full Beats repair video library before you buy.


Don’t Replace — Repair

A broken headband, worn ear pads, or a dead battery should never mean the end of a great pair of Beats headphones. With the right replacement parts and a video tutorial, most Beats repairs take less than 30 minutes at home — no technician, no mail-in service, no $150 repair bill.

That’s what we do at CentralSound. Discover. Repair. Revive. 🎧

Fix Your Beats. Don’t Replace Them.

Replacement ear pads, headbands, batteries, charge ports and more — for every major Beats model. Ships same day from Fox Lake, IL 🇺🇸

Shop All Beats Replacement Parts →

Written by the CentralSound Team — Fox Lake, IL. Helping Beats headphone owners repair and revive their gear since 2014.

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2 comments

paul wilson

paul wilson

Good morning. I have phones I can’t ID by your web site, or any place. Top of band says “by Dr Dre”. Sides say “Studio Wireless” Inside the headband on each side is a small metal strip engraved “studio” on one side and “Monster” on the other. It has rechargable battery, and a ring in the right side with 5 buttons plus the big “b” button in the middle, a total of 6. Can you help? I can’t find anything about it anywhere on the net, not eaven the Beats website. Thanks.

Jaque grant

Jaque grant

Someone stole my solo 3 and I’m trying to identify if they are mine I don’t have the originally packaging but they sync right to my Bluetooth on my phone when the person used them and claiming that they are there when I look at model number and serial number and version on my phone it’s the same as on there phone because they have my solo link on there phone too is it possible that you have same serial and model number for all the beat 3 ??

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