![]() The good sound quality, in some ways, is surprising considering Plantronics is known almost exclusively as a headset brand, not a earbuds brand. Whether I was listening to podcasts, heavy bass music like hip-hop or EDM, or was winding down with delicate folk tunes, the Backbeat Pros were right at home. Many earbuds I’ve tried that offer a lot of volume tend to suffer in the midrange, giving you an ultimately muddy sound. ![]() What impressed me most about sound quality on the Backbeat Pros was how balanced they sounded. A bigger driver means reasonably better bass response and fuller mids. That might not seem like much, but compared to a lot of competitors on the market, this is a lot bigger. This size and shape allows for a full 5.8mm driver in each earbud. The large, perfectly round construction of the Backbeat Pros gives me a bit of a clue as to why the sound quality is so excellent on these earbuds. But if you want a premium-feeling product, these aren’t quite it. There is IPX4 waterproofing in the earbuds, so workouts and light precipitation shouldn’t cause any concern. The case’s plastic isn’t the most premium I’ve felt, and the rubber of the ear tips is a lot more prone to picking up dirt and grime than I’d like. ![]() While there are magnets to keep the earbuds in place when inside the charging case because the eartips are so wide and the earbuds themselves are bigger than most, it takes a little more fiddling to get them lined up properly. For instance, the case closes with a springy, push-button clasp rather than a snappy magnet, so there’s a little more fumbling required to open it. As is the case with a lot of Plantronics products, it seems an emphasis was put on functionality over style and build. One area where the Backbeats definitely suffer a little is in the fit and finish. Durability and Build Quality: Good, not great What impressed me most about sound quality on the Backbeats was how balanced they sounded. There are more ear tip sizes to choose from, too, in case you want a tighter or looser seal. This provides a subtle extra bit of stability in fit, and because the earbuds are only about 0.2 ounces like most in the range, that was plenty of grippiness for me. Instead of that grippy, rubbery material actually extends further up the cylindrical housing to coat the part that rests against the outside of your ear. However, I found these earbuds to be mostly secure because the eartip doesn’t attach only at the edge of the earbuds’ enclosure. Unlike Bose, there’s no secondary point of contact like an ear wing or fin. Instead, their eartips are shaped more like flattened ovals-a shape fans of Bose will recognize. The Backbeat Pros don’t use standard, perfectly round silicone ear tips. That makes sense because if you don’t get a good enough seal, you won’t get the best sound isolation and you could even risk dropping the earbud down onto the sidewalk. One of the most polarizing categories for a true wireless earbud is the physical fit in one’s ear. On looks alone, Plantronics isn’t trying to make any statements, choosing instead to toe a line between sleek/simple and utilitarian. The case sits somewhere between an Apple dental floss type and the flatter matchbook-style you get with a brand like Jabra. This provides some interesting points for fit, but also gives the earbud a distinct look on the backside. However, the full construction of the eartips actually snaps physically into the earbud housing further up the back, extending it a little higher on the housing than usual. The eartips themselves look a little different than you might expect, sporting a more Bose-style, flattened oval shape. There is a small plastic grille around the outer edges that peeks out, but this is obviously housing the four-mic array at the center of Plantronics’ call quality. When you put them in your ear, they’re essentially just glossy circles with the PLT logo on the outside. These earbuds don’t really look all that special. Lifewire / Jason Schneider Design: Unimpressive but unintrusive
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |