Plantronics got so much right when they made their BackBeat Sense headphones that I just can’t nitpick; they are worth every cent for the buyer who is seeking to take a giant leap into a pair of headphones that has that “classy” look and feel. If you are out to find a pair of wireless headphones that you can wear all day long and look good with them on, then the Plantronics BackBeat Sense bluetooth headphones are just the kind for you. Its valuable features, compatibility with devices of all types and long battery life combine to make this the perfect “bang for your buck.” Here in Singapore, Plantronics have them in a either a classy black/expresso color and or a sophisticated white/tan model.
Let's take a look at CNET's review
Design
The BackBeat headphones series is in much the same design area as Philips’s Fidelio line — each maker pushes hard to create products that are office-friendly and translate into a day working in the café. Its lightweight band of stainless steel makes for a sharp first impression, but the best thing is that your head never directly touches these headphones; a flexible, leatherette-coated material comes between the two. When doing a product demo, a Plantronics Singapore representative told me that the goal for these sense headphones was to fit 99 percent of all heads. I was impressed to see how much they could be stretched; I initially thought that they would fit only small heads.
Stability is provided by white plastic sidearms, and the matte texture makes it look stylish. The ear cups can be turned almost 180°, so you can wear them face down on your chest. They are covered externally in smooth plastic, sporting rubber-face buttons and a lean copper grille. The letters L and R are perforated on the flip sides.
It is easy to master the button interface of this product. Each button and each function works the way it was meant to work, whether you are using an iOS or an Android device. The BackBeat also has a set of sensors that can detect whether the headphones are on your head, pausing the music if you should take them off in the middle of listening and resuming when you put them back on. Even more useful is that if you should receive a call while the headphones are off, the audio will be automatically rerouted to your phone, and vice versa — quite a headache saver!
A microUSB charging port and a 3.5mm port for wired connections can be seen on the right ear cup. A power switch, which also serves as a Bluetooth pairing toggle, is near the sidearm. The phone button is the only feature on the rubber cap. The LEDs give the connectivity status and battery level.
The white plastic sidearms, with their matte-textured appearance, add a sense of style and also make the BackBeat Sense more stable and flexible — they can be swiveled 180°, so you can wear them even when lying face down on your chest. I really love that small design touch!
The copper grille cap on the left earcup rotates so you can adjust the volume for music or calls, and a voice mute button is on the bottom. There are also play, pause and numerous dedicate buttons, whose layout can be learned quickly. Additional goodies include a microUSB cord for charging, a 3.5mm cable to use in case the battery runs out and a canvas tote bag.
Performance
I bought the BackBeat Sense because I was struck by their appearance and hoped that their performance would be equally impressive — and they delivered the goods!
The sound quality is full and accurate. If you prefer bass, you might want something with more “oomph,” but the sound frequencies in many musical genres is well-represented overall. They fit comfortably even after three hours, and the battery life and call quality are also excellent.
The strength of the Bluetooth signal is such that you can walk all over your house or apartment while leaving your phone in one place.
Battery life
Plantronics says that the battery life of the BackBeat Sense headphones is eighteen hours — which is excellent. If you keep the volume turned down low most of the time, the batteries should last even longer — I did just that during the several weeks that I tested the headphones, putting them through three battery cycles. Each cycle lasted for an average of eighteen hours, if not a little more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- an attractive design
- It is lightweight
- universal controls
- simple and easy to use
Cons
- The ear cups cannot be folded over
- Some customers might find them to be just a tad too expensive
Final verdict
Finding a pair of headphones that excel at whatever they are supposed to do can be a daunting task, especially when one pair is supposed to perform a number of tasks at the same time. Plantronics, though, has done just that with its BackBeat Sense headphones — they combine slick design with exceptional, reliable technology. Their price point at $279 may not exactly appeal to the bargain hunter, but its value sets the bar for on-ear headphones of its type.
That being said, it is not to say the BackBeat Sense is without flaws. Almost every time I buy and try out a new pair of headphones, there is at least one thing that I would like to see fixed. In the case of the product discussed here, I would like to see the ear cups made so that they can be folded into the headband; that would make them ultra-portable. Nevertheless, BackBeat got so much right when they made their Sense headphones that I just can’t nitpick; they are worth every cent for the buyer who is seeking to take a giant leap into a pair of headphones that has that “classy” look and feel.