There are many, many reasons to mock CNET for no longer being a credible site. This is not one of them. I listen to podcasts, talk radio, and watch movies much more than I listen to music, and when I listen to music it isn't usually bass heavy. If I were going to buy an overhyped, over priced headphone set, Bose would fit my usage better. If I listened to more music (particularly bass heavy rock, rap, and hip hop), beats would be a better fit (or if I cared much at all about style). However, as others have said, both are over priced for what you get and your money is better spent else where. Id take a pair of klipsch image s4 buds over Bose or beats any day.