TechAudioHeadphonesEarbudsBeats Studio Buds Plus finally make sense of this hidden iPhone featureBackground Sounds needed the active noise cancellation prowess of the Beats' latest earbuds to work wellWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioHeadphonesEarbudsBeats Studio Buds Plus finally make sense of this hidden iPhone featureBackground Sounds needed the active noise cancellation prowess of the Beats' latest earbuds to work wellWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Background Sounds needed the active noise cancellation prowess of the Beats' latest earbuds to work well
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
I confess I’m getting addicted to myBeats Studio Buds Plusearbuds. I had them for about two weeks, and it’s been a game changer, both in terms of fit but also sound quality. Most importantly, it has impeccable active noise cancellation (ANC), allowing me to almost seal my ears off from my surroundings when needed. And this ANC is what was required for theiPhone’s Background Sounds feature to make sense.
We live noisy lives, something myApple Watch Series 8often reminds me of, thanks to its sound level detector that prompts when I’m in a loud environment. I’m also sensitive to sound and prefer to work (and exist) in a comparatively quiet environment. Not complete silence, but also not one riddled with trains/buses/cars zooming past me at full speed.
I was on the tube headed to a meeting the other day, and two people were talking near me about their wedding experiences. The conversation not only went on for too long, but the sound level of the two people drowned out the tube’s not-so-gentle noise. So, I popped the Studio Buds Plus in my ears and let all the disturbance melt away. And melt away it did.
There is something surreal in listening to ocean sounds on the tube without hearing the metal box’s clickety-clack around you. However, that’s exactly what the Buds Plus allow me to do, thanks to their adaptive ANC and excellent volume output. I often don’t even put music on and just let Background Sounds do their magic. Listening to music is so 2010s, anyway…
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
How to activate Background Sounds on the iPhone?
Background Sound is an iPhone,iPadand Mac feature that plays ambient soundscapes in the background, such as ocean sounds, rain, bright noise and more. You can play these without earbuds, just on the device, but I found that for the calming effect to make sense, you need to listen to them wearing earbuds or othernoise-cancelling headphones.
The feature requiresiOS15 or iPadOS 15 or later, and you can find it in the Control Centre under ‘Hearing Devices’. If you can’t see it, add the Hearing Devices button to Control Centre (the icon looks like an ear). To start or stop playing background sounds, tap the Background Sounds icon, and you’re good to go.
Tap on the name of the current sound to view other sounds. After you’ve chosen a sound, tap outside the card to go back. Tap outside the card again when you’ve finished. Background Sounds play even when you’re listening to music on your headphones or phone, so make sure you disable it if you don’t like the sound of rain falling in your ears while listening to Metallica.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Today’s best Beats Studio Buds Plus deals$169.95View$331.96$169.95View$169.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Beats Studio Buds Plus deals$169.95View$331.96$169.95View$169.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Beats Studio Buds Plus deals
$169.95View$331.96$169.95View$169.99View
$169.95View
$169.95View
$169.95View
$169.95
$169.95
$331.96$169.95View
$331.96$169.95View
$331.96$169.95View
$331.96$169.95
$169.95
$169.99View
$169.99View
$169.99View
$169.99
$169.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSiphoneapple
TOPICS
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
A new Apple TV 4K box is reportedly coming, it’s just a matter of whenWhat will it offer though and will it change design?
What will it offer though and will it change design?
Apple’s affordable iPad set for major speed boost and Apple IntelligenceIt’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
It’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
Apple already sells a device thinner than the rumoured iPhone 17 AirThe slimming world of Apple
The slimming world of Apple
Apple MacBook Pro set for its biggest upgrade in many yearsIt’s great news for Apple fans
It’s great news for Apple fans
YouTube is getting a killer security upgrade for iPhone usersIt puts extra protections on your privacy
It puts extra protections on your privacy
Apple promises to fix Apple Intelligence feature that’s causing concernA big update could be coming to Apple Intelligence
A big update could be coming to Apple Intelligence
Apple iPhone could get a major camera boost… thanks to SamsungYou’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
You’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
If the iPhone 17 Pro looks like this, I’ll eat my hat!Surely this is highly unlikely?
Surely this is highly unlikely?
