Features Plantronics BackBeat PRO is simply impressive: the ability to connect two devices, switching between noise cancellation and sound capture, answering incoming calls with one touch! And that's not all, users note such significant pluses as the reception range - up to 100 meters (well, almost) and long battery life (and this is definitely it).
Design and ergonomics
It is not a shame to give these headphones as a present - they are packed in a thick box, inside they are put in a separate fabric case with soft padding, there is even a branded black package.
It is worth noting separately a case for headphones. Not a compact tube or pencil case, but a full-fledged bag with two zippered compartments. The larger compartment holds the headphones, the smaller compartment holds the 3.5 mm cable for connecting to transmitting devices and the USB cord.
The headband is plastic on the outside, inside it is covered with a breathable mesh fabric. So the headphone does not rub your head. Height adjustment of the cups is standard - with the sliding brackets with projections.
In contrast to the budget models here metal fasteners. That's why the cups stay at the correct height, do not slip and the teeth do not wear out even after years of use.
The ear cushions are made of eco-leather and they are the ones that get the most complaints. After a few months the stitching on the ear cushions can come apart, some users report that the ear cushions deteriorate after a couple of years.
The problem is easy to solve by replacing the ear cushions, they can be removed, you just have to turn the fabric tabs counterclockwise. True, the repair will not be budget-friendly, the cost of the ear cushions ranges from 700-1000 rubles.
Owners of the headphones note the special ergonomics of the cups. The ear cushions are large, completely covering the ears without squeezing them. The eco-leather does not let in extraneous sounds, and the fabric insert on the speakers does not allow the temperature to rise significantly in the closed space. Sure, your ears may get sweaty, but only in extreme heat with prolonged use of the device.
The controls for playing music tracks are on the left cup:
- A large playback start/pause button;
- side "dots" buttons to switch tracks;
- on the perimeter of the cup - a scroll to adjust the volume.
On the left cup there is a lever, which activates the suppression of external noise or increases the perception of the surrounding sounds. These functions will be explained in more detail below.
There are also function blocks on the right cup:
- A lever that turns on the headphones and triggers a Bluetooth connection;
- port for connecting the charger;
- 3.5 mm wire connector;
- At the end of the cup there is a large answer/reject button;
- At the bottom there is a battery level indicator, 5 LEDs.
The wire to connect to the phone is thin, it is fixed to the right earpiece and is required, according to the owners of the headset, only when the charge runs out. Walking around with a cord is not entirely comfortable, especially considering that the microphone is disconnected when the cord is plugged in. But thanks to the corded connection with these headphones, you can listen to music even on an airplane.
Features
Headphones are optimal for prolonged listening to music, they do not squeeze your head, despite the weight of nearly 300 grams does not feel on the neck. Every feature Plantronics BackBeat PRO delighted their owners.
Additional features:
- if the headphones are removed and placed on the table - the sensors are triggered and the music stops playing. As soon as the headphones are put on your head, the tunes continue to play;
- you can connect to two transmitting devices at the same time, enjoying watching a movie on your laptop and answering calls from your phone;
- voice commands are supported (start the function by holding down the main button on the right cup).
Without removing the headphones you can call the last number dialed or set the voice to dial a number from the list of quick calls. All actions to change the functions are accompanied by a female voice, which in English informs about the execution of the command.
About the noise cancelling it is worth mentioning separately. If you move the lever to the active mode, the sounds "behind the headphones" are muted. They certainly may not disappear completely, but they almost cease to interfere with listening to music or an audiobook. Low-frequency sounds are "damped" particularly well, so you can comfortably listen to your favorite tunes in the subway or on a busy street.
The headset also has the inverse function of amplifying ambient sounds. Thanks to it, the music in the headphones "goes" into the background. At the same time the sounds of the outside world can be heard clearly, clearly, which is very convenient in transport, when you need to pass the fare or not to pass your stop.
Sound playback in headphones
In Plantronics BackBeat PRO manufacturer provided support for AptX codec. So if this codec is built into the transmitting device, you can greatly improve the quality of the played music. And given the excellent noise cancellation, the headphones can really enjoy listening to your favorite tunes, classical music or rock concerts.
In reviews the owners of the headset write:
- "The bass is deep pleasant and velvety. The sound quality is high, excellent detailing, lively reproduction. You can feel the volume, the flight, the brightness in the melodies. Especially pleased with the jazz compositions."
- "From the point of view of a mere layman the sound is good. I really enjoyed watching movies with Dolby sound. Just a perfect reproduction of the sound effects. Impressive."
- "The noise modulator doesn't handle harsh sounds, but it does a good job of eliminating the hum in the subway. You can watch videos and listen to music. The bass is excellent, the middle is also good.
- There is an application in the phone, with which you can configure the headphones, selecting the most optimal mode and adjusting the equalizer for yourself.
Microphone
Evaluation of the microphone varies considerably from user to user. Someone notes that it works just fine, even in a noisy office all can hear the interlocutor. But there are also users who say that headphones Plantronics BackBeat PRO can not be used as a headset - the sound of the voice is drowned out by extraneous noise, which prevents the perception of speech the other party.
The problem is that the microphone is not retractable, it is built into the cup. Therefore it is located much higher than the mouth, right near the ear. Accordingly, to talk on the phone, you need to raise your voice, clearly and diligently pronounce the words.
The same applies to communication in game chat, if the gamer is not alone in the room. Microphone captures the clicks of keys, extraneous sounds that can distract and irritate the game companions.
But in the work with computer telephony microphone has proven to be the best. At home or in your personal office, you can use this headset to conduct online lessons or take courses on your own.
Autonomy
When listening to music for 3-4 hours a day, the headphones charge for at least a week. The manufacturer claims up to three weeks of battery life in standby mode. Highly appreciated by the owners of the headphones charging speed - 3 hours and economical consumption (pausing when you remove the headphones from the head).
Conclusion
At first glance, the Plantronics BackBeat PRO combo headset is large and massive. But their heavy weight is deceptive - the headband sits comfortably on your head and the ear cushions do not press on your ears.
Such ergonomics, combined with excellent music reproduction quality, a data transmission range of up to 100 meters and a battery life of up to 24 hours make the headphones almost ideal for music lovers. Sportsmen will not appreciate the bulkiness of the device, but fans of TV series and gamers-beginners will be glad to use the headset.