Apple

Apple ML992ZM/A Beats EP Wired On-Ear Headphones (Black)

4.5 (4348 reviews)

Zero batteries, unlimited playback — the Beats EP delivers a wired listening experience built on a stainless steel frame that outlasts the trend cycle.

$152.49*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Beats EP is a straightforward proposition in a product category that has largely moved to wireless: it is a wired on-ear headphone with no active electronics, no battery, and no power dependency of any kind. That simplicity is its most distinctive engineering characteristic — the EP works by plugging in, full stop. The stainless steel headband reinforcement addresses the structural failure mode that affects most on-ear headphones at this price range: plastic headbands crack, warp, and eventually snap at the stress points where the sliders contact the band. Stainless steel doesn't. The result is a headphone whose physical structure is meaningfully more durable than its price tag suggests.

Sound performance sits within the established Beats house sound — elevated bass energy and a bright upper treble that makes consumer music genres like pop, hip-hop, and electronic sound lively and engaging at comfortable listening volumes. The 20Hz–20kHz rated frequency response covers the nominal full range, though the tuning is consumer-focused rather than reference-flat. The included RemoteTalk cable handles calls and basic playback control across iOS and Android, keeping daily device interaction manageable. For students, commuters, and everyday listeners who want dependable headphones without battery anxiety and don't need wireless, the EP occupies a practical niche that active noise-canceling and Bluetooth alternatives don't serve as efficiently.

Key Features

Beats EP wired on-ear headphone in black delivers masterfully tuned sound.

Durable, lightweight design reinforced with stainless steel

Take calls and control music on your iOS and Android devices with the microphone in the RemoteTalk cable

Battery free for unlimited playback

Adjustable vertical sliders for a personalized fit

Specifications

Brand
Apple
Model
ML992ZM/A
Type
Wired On-Ear Headphones
Color
Black
Reinforcement
Stainless Steel
Microphone
In RemoteTalk Cable
Controls
Music and Calls on iOS and Android devices
Power Source
Battery-free
Fit Adjustment
Adjustable vertical sliders

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Battery-free design eliminates the charging obligation entirely — the EP is always ready to use without checking a battery level or hunting for a cable.
  • Stainless steel headband reinforcement provides structural longevity that outlasts the plastic hinges and headbands found in similarly priced on-ear headphones.
  • 3.5mm wired connection works with any audio source without pairing, latency, or wireless interference — functional everywhere without setup.
  • Adjustable vertical sliders allow the headband to extend for larger head sizes while the stainless structure maintains its shape over the life of the product.
  • RemoteTalk cable provides hands-free call capability and basic playback control on both iOS and Android without requiring phone interaction.

👎 Cons

  • No volume isolation from ambient noise — on-ear passive headphones without active noise cancellation let environmental sound through, making them unsuitable for loud commute environments.
  • 3.5mm wired connection limits freedom of movement compared to Bluetooth alternatives — cable length constrains how far you can be from your audio source.
  • On-ear design rests on the ear rather than around it, which causes pressure fatigue during multi-hour listening sessions more quickly than over-ear (circumaural) designs.
  • Beats tuning favors elevated bass and treble over flat frequency response — not suitable for studio monitoring, mixing, or reference listening applications.
  • Incompatible with devices lacking a 3.5mm port (iPhone 7 and later, many recent Android flagships) without purchasing an additional adapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

No power source is required — the EP is a purely passive wired headphone. Because it has no active electronics, it draws no power from any source, meaning playback is available as long as you have a device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. There is no battery to charge, no charging cable to carry, and no power-off state to manage.
The Beats EP uses a 3.5mm (1/8") audio jack for connection. Any device with a standard 3.5mm headphone output — laptops, Android phones, dedicated audio players, older iPhones, and most desktop computers — works without adapters. Devices without a 3.5mm port (iPhone 7 and later, some Android flagships) require a Lightning-to-3.5mm or USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter, sold separately.
Yes. The RemoteTalk cable includes a built-in microphone and inline remote that functions for call answering, call ending, and music play/pause on both iOS and Android devices. Full three-button function control (volume up/down) is optimized for iOS; Android devices may see limited function button compatibility depending on the specific phone model.
The stainless steel reinforcement runs through the headband arc, providing structural rigidity that prevents the headband from cracking or snapping under flex stress — a common failure point in all-plastic on-ear headphones. The adjustable vertical sliders on each ear cup allow the headband to extend for larger head sizes, with the stainless structure maintaining its shape rather than bending out of alignment over time.
The Beats EP is rated 20Hz to 20,000Hz — the full nominal human hearing range. Like most Beats products, the tuning favors an elevated bass and upper-treble response over flat reference monitoring. This makes them enjoyable for consumer music listening across pop, hip-hop, and electronic genres but not suitable as reference headphones for audio production or mixing work.