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You are here: Home / Archives for Wireless Headphones

Philips PH802 Hi-Res Audio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

03/30/2020 By Hakan Can

Philips PH805 Wordmark

With CES2020 in the rearview window, headphones that we saw, heard, or read about are now becoming available. One of these models is the Philips TAPH802 Hi-Res Audio wireless over-ear headphones. Priced under $150, the Philips PH802 headphones boast passive noise isolation, Bluetooth 4.2, Hi-Res Audio when wired, and closed-back 40 mm diameter speakers. These over-ear headphones are designed to deliver detailed audio reproduction. Want to know if they hit the mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Philips PH802 headphones review.

Philips PH805 Unfolded

Pros:
• Superb sound
• Very comfortable fit
• Rapid/Quick charge capable
• Battery life of up to 30 hours

Cons:
• No storage bag included
• No USB-C charging port
• Lacks wear detection
• Only one color available

Read:   Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Philips PH802 Headphones Review

What You Need To Know for Operation of the PH802

  1. To power on or off in wireless mode, press and hold the power button for three seconds. You’ll hear “Power On” or “Power Off” depending on the operation.
  2. To pair the headset to your mobile device, press and hold the power switch fully until you hear “Connected.” Then head to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device and pair the headphones.
  3. To play and pause audio, press the button once for either action. Taking or ending a phone call is handled in the same manner.
  4. To forward or reverse a music track, press down or up, respectively, while holding for one second to complete the action.
  5. To increase or decrease the volume, push up or down the slider button, respectively.
  6. Playtime lasts for a whopping 30 hours. Charging the headphones takes approximately 1.5 hours. You’ll notice a red blinking light while charging.
  7. Note: these functions only work in wireless mode.

You’ve got to appreciate a pair of headphones where one switch controls every function. It couldn’t be any simpler.

Philips PH805 Folded Compact

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

PH802 Design and Features

Although the Philips PH802 headphones come in an all-plastic, black color scheme, the design of the headset is a fascinating one with its use of curvature and non-uniform padding.

If you haven’t already noticed, the padding on the headband and ear cuffs is not the same thickness throughout; in other words, it’s uneven, and this is a good thing. If you examine it closely, you’ll notice the headband is thickest up top, and the ear cuffs have a bit of an s-curve shape with more padding in the lower half. This allows for a softer fit up top and better-enclosed fit on the sides.

In fact, the PH802 may be the only headphones in my arsenal where the ear cuffs fully encompass my ears. I went back and looked through my collection of on-ear and over-ear headphones only to realize that all but one model had uniformity in the shape of their headbands and ear cuffs. So, I’m not surprised by its excellent fit.

The headband surface, as well as the ear pads, are made from polyvinyl or leather, I can’t tell which. Regardless, they’re very soft and amazingly comfortable. Both the headband and ear pads contain memory foam, so every time you remove the headset, they’ll return to their designed state rather quickly. As someone who wears glasses, you shouldn’t worry about discomfort. The headband can fit a wide range of head frames with its twelve adjustable positions.

Philips PH805 Folded Flat

Determining which side is left or right is a bit confusing. Sadly, the “L” & “R” designations aren’t large enough to read.

The ear cups of the PH802 rotate 90° degrees in; thus, they lay flat when placed on a surface and approximately 10° out. Additionally, they bend inwards for better storage.

With only one button/slider and two inputs on the headset, the PH802 couldn’t be easier to operate. Placement is handled very well; never did I forget the location of anything. See the previous section for operation.

The headphones include a port for wired audio and another for charging.

Throughout hours of use, the button/slider work as advertised. One thing to remember, the button/slider doesn’t function when the headphones are wired to a mobile device.

Overall, the construction is well done and assures high quality.

Philips PH805 Button

As of today, the PH802 is available in one color–black. Should additional colors be introduced, this post will be updated.

Read:   Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 90 db
• Headphone Frequency Response: 7 Hz – 40 kHz
• Driver Diameter: 40 mm
• Range: 10 meters
• Impedance: 16 Ω
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2

• Battery Type: Lithium-Polymer
• Max Power Input: 30 mW
• Music Play Time: 30 Hours w/o ANC
• Standby Time: 200 Hours
• Charging Time: 1.5 Hours
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

What’s In The Box?

• PH802 Over-Ear Headphones
• Safety Sheet
• Quick Start Guide

• 48″ 2.5 mm Audio Cable
• 9″ μ-USB Charging Cable

Philips PH805 Headband

Read:   Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Tove Lo – Sunshine Kitty
• Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence, Born To Die

• Halsey – Hopeless Fountain
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

Audio Performance

I repeat this all the time when reviewing headphones; the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. The Philips PH802 over-ear headphones were tested using the playlist listed above. Each album was sampled against a comparable well-rated $200 headset selected from my collection. When you’re testing headphones with 40 mm drivers and a frequency response of 7 Hz – 40 kHz, you expect very high-quality sound.

I didn’t need to listen to anything beyond the first album, Sunshine Kitty from Tove Lo, to know that I loved these headphones. Nonetheless, in order to provide a thorough review, I listened to all five albums.

Vocals, keyboards, drums and percussion, and electric and bass guitar across all the albums were very much to my liking. Be careful not to go beyond the 85-90% volume setting. The high volume could negatively impact your hearing ability.

Philips PH805 Ear Cup

Whether you’re listening to Geddy Lee or any of the three female singers, vocals were exceedingly clear and vivid. And it wasn’t just vocals that shined. Keyboards, drums, and guitars all sounded the way I hoped it would before hitting the play button. The beauty of sampling Sunshine Kitty first is that you get plenty of bass, keyboard, and drums in droves. Take a listen to Sweettalk my Heart or Mateo. Bass and percussion sounds were deep, rich, and layered throughout the album. None of the $200 (or less) on-ear or over-headphones in my collection produced this high-quality level of audio. Normally, I’d have to jump up to a $250 (or higher) pair of headphones to hear bass like this. With the Philips PH802, less is more.

With the ambient noise of the city being a lot lower than normal thanks to COVID19, I wasn’t able to give the passive noise isolation a thorough workout. With that said, I had no issues with it in my home. I couldn’t hear my cat’s meows while she was beside me or the audio from the television in the adjoining room.

Read:   Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

Conclusion

In my testing, whether it be via wireless or wired connectivity, the Philips PH802 headphones performed without a hitch, in other words, phenomenally.

Vocals, keyboards, drums and percussion, and electric and bass guitar production was very much to my liking.

While these aren’t categorized as sports headphones, I have no issue with the PH802 being worn on the gym floor or treadmill, provided your gym is open for business. Sure, you’ll sweat, but they’ll hug your head in the process.

After using these headphones extensively in my home, I can confidently say that they’re among the best sub-$150 headphones I’ve listened to in quite some time.

The headphones are quite comfortable after many hours of continuous listening, barely leaving a mark once you remove them. At a list price of $109.99, the Philips PH802 are the best over-ear wireless headphones I’ve tried this year. I’ll be listening to my Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 a lot less going forward, maybe even retiring them. And you’re worried about the price, head over to Amazon where you’ll see them for $89.99. See the link below.

I’ll be keeping this headset and adding to my reference list when comparing to future similarly-priced pairs of headphones.

Philips PH805 Wordmark

What do you think of this Philips PH802 review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Philips Support Page to see their latest on software and driver updates, registration, and warranties.

FTC Disclosure: Philips provided Beantown LLC with one (1) PH802 Hi-Res Audio headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Philips or Beantown LLC © 2020.

Read:   Moshi Venturo Sling Backpack Review

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Bluetooth Headphones, Hi-Res Audio, Over-Ear Headphones, PH802, Philips, TAPH802, Wireless Headphones 04/01/2020

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

10/28/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Front Packaging

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset promises to deliver high-fidelity audio over either a wireless connection (via their proprietary Slipstream technology) or a wired connection (via 3.5mm/USB-C). With a focus on comfort and lightweight construction, will it tick those boxes as well as the high-grade audio quality it boasts? At an MSRP of $179.99, will it live up to its promises and deliver a premium feel that its pricetag implies? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset Review.

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Front Packaging
Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Rear Packaging

Read:   Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Corsair Virtuoso Headset Specifications

Corsair Virtuoso Technical Specifications

Read:   Gaming: Corsair K70 LUX Keyboard Review

Design and Aesthetics

The Corsair Virtuoso is definitely a gaming headphone at heart, no matter how minimalist it looks. On the outside of both earcups, there’s RGB, which is controllable via iCUE provided you’re using either the USB-C cable or the wireless function. The RGB can be turned off, which helps if you’re going for a more sleek look. There’s always a faint Corsair logo no matter what, so if you’re not looking to have people know what brand your headphones are, it might hard to do so.

The detachable microphone features a green/red LED to indicate its status. The mute button on the bottom of the microphone toggles the mute function, and it turns red whenever muted. This makes it easier to tell at a glance if your microphone is muted or not.

The metal headband doesn’t seem like it’ll ever break, contributing to its premium feel. I flexed it very far, and it didn’t show any signs of temporary or permanent damage or warping. Overall, I don’t see any issues with its build quality or aesthetics.

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS High-Fidelity Gaming Headset

Fit and Comfort

Speaking of lightweight construction and comfort, I had one major nagging issue while using this headset. The left side often bumped onto my ear and made it uncomfortable despite the seemingly thick ear cup padding. It’s a somewhat inconsistent issue, as it only happens to my ears about 50% of the time. It may be something I’m doing wrong, or it could be an issue with the padding on this headset. Overall though, the headband provides an adequate but not too excessive amount of clamping pressure, leading to very good comfort besides the issue mentioned above.

While the lightweight construction is supposed to be a selling point on the Virtuoso RGB Wireless, I weighed them in at 13.6 oz without the cable. My HyperX Stinger weighs in at a mere 7.5 oz and the Cooler Master MH751 at 8.8 oz. The Corsair Virtuoso seems relatively heavy in comparison, even though those other headsets are also well built. Notwithstanding, I didn’t notice the weight too much while gaming for short sessions, though you may feel it over longer sessions.

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS Gaming Headset Exterior
Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS Gaming Headset Earcups interior

Read:   Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Features

The most significant selling point of the Virtuoso headset is the ultra-low-latency wireless technology, which I found to be extremely pleasant. The latency was so low that I could not notice it, even during intense gameplay when the lightning-quick response to sound cues are paramount. The included USB-C cable for wired listening, as well as the 3.5mm cable, worked great. For flexibility in setups between mobile and desktop, these cables are convenient to have. I would have liked to see a USB-C to USB-C cable to be easier to listen on smartphones without a 3.5mm headphone jack (which is a lot these days). Bluetooth would have also been a welcome addition, though I understand that would add to the cost of integrating new technology.

I also enjoyed the built-in microphone monitoring feature on iCUE. It’s helpful to listen to yourself, especially when you’re streaming or recording audio. Microphone feedback helps to make sure your microphone isn’t too loud, soft, or otherwise weird.

I found the feature set on the Corsair Virtuoso to be more than adequate, and it offered enough to unmistakably be a contender in the $150-$200 range, at least on paper.

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS Gaming Headset Ports
Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS Gaming Headset Ports Closeup

Sound Quality

This headset has decent sound quality, though I wouldn’t classify it as anything that would satisfy most audiophiles. The audio sounds rather empty and unquestionably needs some adjustment. However, in iCUE, there is an option to adjust the EQ settings so that you can adapt it to your heart’s content. The Virtuoso can be 7.1 Surround Sound enabled, though I never got the chance to play with this as I don’t have any good games with 7.1 features. I also find 7.1 SS to be lackluster in most cases, so I wouldn’t worry about it much.

In games such as Rainbow Six: Siege, I was able to discern footsteps and sound cues easily. During gaming, I don’t see any issues, and if you’re purely using these for gaming, it’s a great audio system. The emptiness of the audio helps with discerning sound cues, though this isn’t so desirable elsewhere.

While listening to music, particularly music in the background of games, the audio sounded fine; thus, I see no concerns for most gamers. As I stated before, I don’t recommend these for an actual audiophile experience. Still, it certainly is satisfactory for most users.

The microphone quality is great for communicating during games as well as VoIP services, such as Skype. It’s very clear, and communications are a breeze.

Read:   Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Package Contents

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS Gaming Headset Documents

• Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset
• Warranty Card
• Detachable microphone
• USB charging cable, 1.8m
• 3.5mm stereo cable, 1.5m
• USB Wireless Transmitter

Final Thoughts

The Corsair Virtuoso offers decent audio performance during a gaming session, though for music listening or movie watching, I found that it could be improved. The soundstage didn’t feel too empty while still being wide enough to discern sound cues in-game easily. The subtle emptiness did make for a less enjoyable media consumption experience, though I found it to be still decent enough. The impressive wireless range allows me more freedom than I’ve experienced before. The excellent gaming performance and decent microphone help with the overall gaming experience.

For gamers who want that extra bling, there’s also RGB. For $179.99, it is a very steep price for those who want to get into wireless audio. If you have the money, though, it’s low latency audio with a very minimalist and comfortable design with decent audio. Overall, I’d give this a 3.5/5 just because of the price, though if it were slightly lower, I’d say it deserves a 4/5.

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS Gaming Headset Front Packaging

What do you think of this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Corsair on Twitter
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FTC Disclosure: Corsair provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Corsair Virtuoso RGB wireless gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2019

Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Headphones Tagged With: Corsair, gaming headset, Virtuoso RGB, Wireless Headphones 01/14/2020

Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

08/30/2019 By Hakan Can

Edifier TWS2 earbuds review

Best Wireless Earbuds Under $50?

It seems like every month there’s a new wireless Bluetooth headset on the market. A few months back, the folks at Edifier, the speaker and headset brand, joined the never-ending party and introduced their TWS2 truly wireless earbuds. With features such as 12 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.0, and a sub-$50 list price, these earphones offer much to the consumer. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Edifier TWS2 earbuds review.

Edifier TWS2 earbuds review

Pros:
• High-quality audio
• Dual touch control design
• Price under $50
• IPX4 splash-proof rating
• 12 hours of total battery life

Cons:
• Charging case does not have a USB-C connection
• No volume control

Read:   Edifier S880DB Bookshelf Speakers Review

Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

  1. To power on the TWS2, remove both earbuds from the charging case and gently place them in your ears. If you don’t have the case, press the multi-function button down for 5 seconds.
  2. When powering down the TWS2, place them back into the case, and they will turn off. Without the case, press and hold the multi-function button down for 5 seconds, and they will turn off.
  3. To charge the headphones, place them into the charging case. There are three white lights on the front of the case indicating the percentage level of charge for the case. The earbuds themselves have charging lights. A red light indicates charging while a blue light indicates a full charge.
  4. Playtime lasts for 3 hours. Charging of the headphones takes up to 1.5 hours.
  5. On the backside of the case is the USB-A charging port. The case provides 9 hours of battery.
  6. For Bluetooth pairing to your mobile device, go into your Bluetooth Settings, locate “Edifier TWS2” and pair them. You can use one or both earbuds.
  7. To control music, press the multi-function button on the right earbud to play/pause, and twice to advance a track. To go to the previous track, press the multi-function button on the left earbud twice. Advance and previous track do not work
  8. To control phone calls, press the multi-function button to answer and disconnect calls, thrice to go to a voice assistant. To reject a call, press and hold the button.

Edifier TWS2 earbuds review

Read:   Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

Per the Edifier website, “enjoy all the benefits that come with the newest in Bluetooth 5.0 streaming technology. That means up to twice the speed, 4 times the range, and 8 times the capacity of older Bluetooth devices.”

The Edifier TWS2 earbuds come with a hard plastic outer shell with a multi-function push-button on each side. In testing, the buttons worked well and as designed. The charging case appears to be the same hard plastic as the earbuds. The earbud holders have magnetic catches so as you place them into the case; they snap into place. If you were to hold the case upside down and try to shake the earbuds loose, you would likely fail. You would need a fast motion with a sudden stop to jar them loose.

The TWS2 is complemented with three pairs of ear tips (Edifier calls them earmuffs) and a charging cable. The product is currently available in three colors: black, red, and white.

Edifier TWS2 earbuds review

The comfort level of the earbuds is rather good, but they don’t fit as snug into my ears as I would like, so I don’t recommend them for use during exercise. I would suggest the TWS3 earbuds as it offers a sweat-proof design. The outer portion of the earbuds do protrude a bit from your ears, but then again, whose pair doesn’t.

If you’ve not worn this type of earphone before, there’s little-to-no learning curve with respect to the multi-function buttons.

Read:   Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Specifications

• List pricing of $49.99
• Driver Type: Dynamic 8 mm per ear
• Waterproof Rating: IPX4 Splash-Proof
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
• Bluetooth Version: 5.0
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Sensitivity: 94 dB

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Battery Life: Up to 3 Hours
• Battery type: Rechargeable Polymer Li-ion
• Charging Case Battery: 9 Hours
• Charging Case Charge Time: 1.5 Hours
• Charging Case Battery: Rechargeable
• Available in Black, White, Red

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Headphones
• Charging Case
• Quick Start Guide

• USB Charging Cable
• 3 Pairs of Ear Tips

Edifier TWS2 earbuds review
Edifier TWS2 earbuds review

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Meg Myers – Make A Shadow
• Tove Lo – Queen Of The Clouds
• Halsey – hopeless fountain kingdom
• Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack

• Bassnectar – Cozza Frenzy
• The Black Keys – El Camino
• Play List – Dark Pop
• Play List – Krewella and More

Audio Performance

As I often state, the most critical factor regarding headphones is sound quality. The Edifier TWS2 earbuds were tested across music from the artists and playlists listed above. Minus two changes, it’s the same play list we used for the JBL Endurance PEAK in-ear sports headphones.

Over the past month, I’ve been testing these wireless earbuds listening to all sorts of songs with my Amazon Music account.

Additionally, I gave them a go around the gym during weights and cardio workouts. While I greatly enjoyed the former, I don’t recommend the latter. Even though they’re sweat-proof garnering an IPX4 rating, I don’t believe the TWS2 is best designed for use during exercise, particularly cardio.

The first test was on how well could these earbuds handle (keyboard, drum, and guitar) bass from the like of Krewella and Bassnectar. The bass clarity even at the highest volume with the Samsung Galaxy S9 was impressive. Songs like Promises by Skrillex, and Boombox and Rabbit’s Revenge by Bassnectar delivered big time! If I didn’t have to complete the review, I would have kept listening to more from Cozza Frenzy.

Edifier TWS2 earbuds review

For a $50 product, I was blown away! The TWS2 packs plenty of oomph. The audio was high-quality and distortion-free.

Take a listen to Halsey’s album hopeless fountain kingdom or Queen Of The Clouds from Tove Lo, the latter being my favorite artist. I believe you’ll be equally impressed with the vocal reproduction of the TWS2.

Read:   1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found these earbuds to be comfortable in and around the ear and very portable in its small charging case.

Audio life of three hours is more than enough to cover one day’s worth of bus or subway commutes plus a lunch break. The charging case increases its life by another nine hours without the need to recharge. The audio quality is quite good with its 20 Hz – 20 kHz range.

As I often state, you get what you pay for. The $50 list price is more than fair. I’m surprised these earbuds don’t list at a higher price.

• Design – 4
• Features – 4.25

• Sound – 4.5
• Value – 4.75

What do you think of this Edifier TWS2 earbuds review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Edifier’s social media pages to see their latest announcements. To learn more about warranties, click this Warranty Terms link for information. These headphones come with a two-year limited warranty. To learn about returns, click this Returns Policy link for more details.

FTC Disclosure: Edifier provided Beantown with one (1) TWS2 Bluetooth Earbuds sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2019.

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Bluetooth Headphones, Edifier, TWS2, Wireless Headphones 09/11/2019

Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Sport Headphones Review

12/14/2017 By Hakan Can

Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless sport headphones review

Roughly one year ago, we were introduced to the Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless sport headphones at CES2017. Since that day, we had been hoping to get our hands on these Bluetooth headphones to review. A couple of months ago we hit pay dirt. The word on the street (and in the land of reviews) was that these headphones were the perfect choice to wear during a workout. We had to determine this for ourselves. Want to know if this headset hit the mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless sport headphones review. Plantronics BackBeat Fit wireless sport headphones review

Pros:
• Very good sound quality
• Well constructed, flexible design
• Many color patterns available
• Stable, comfortable fit
• IP57 waterproof rated
• IPX5 rated charging pouch

Cons:
• Uses micro-USB port instead of USB-C
• Lacks Hi-Res Audio capability
• Lacks wear detection

Read:   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Headset Review: Oh What Sound!

Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Sport Headphones Review

Per Greg Miller, Director, Portfolio Business Management at Plantronics, “The BackBeat FIT Family provides a variety of styles and features designed with sport in mind. There’s a sweat-protected, stable and comfortable pair of BackBeat FIT headphones that’s right for any level of fitness – whether you’re looking for a dedicated sport headphone with on-demand coaching, or just want something comfortable and stylish to wear throughout the day.”

BackBeat FIT Design

Many of you who are familiar with the BackBeat FIT probably don’t know that since September 20, 2017, there has been a refresh of the product line. On that date, two new editions were introduced: BackBeat FIT Training and BackBeat FIT Boost editions. With the Training Edition, you get unlimited access to a dozen pre-selected workouts from the PEAR Personal Fitness Coach app (available on Google Play and iTunes) plus a six-month membership to PEAR+.

The Boost Edition includes everything with the Training Edition along with an IPX5 rated water-resistant, quick-drying, sport mesh fabric charging pouch. This pouch adds up to 10 hours of listening time. There’s even a touch-sensitive battery meter which displays the status of the headphones and pouch.

Plantronics BackBeat Fit wireless sport headphones review

Read:   Gaming: Plantronics RIG 600 Headset Review

So…what do you need to know before operating these wireless sport headphones? Simply stated, next to nothing. The beauty of this headset is that it requires but a few steps to operate.

  1. Touch the power button located on the right side.
  2. Pair the headphones to a mobile phone.
  3. Hit the audio (play/pause) button located on the left side.

Button features like play, pause, skip to next track, play previous track are all controlled via the audio button, and reliably work as advertised. The same goes for muting a telephone call.

Firmware and voice alert language updates are handled without the need of a cable via the BackBeat FIT Companion app available on Android and iOS platforms.

The headphones fit well around the ears and don’t fall off while running. This is true when sweating a lot. The wire doesn’t get in the way either.

Overall, the headset’s construction is well executed and assures high quality. The Boost Edition headphones are currently available in three colors: Sport Grey, Black Core, and Power Blue. The Training Edition comes in Fit Fuchsia and Stealth Green in addition to the same three colors. Should an additional color be introduced, this post will be updated. And each color of the BackBeat FIT has a reflective finish.

Read:   Beyerdynamic Byron BT Wireless Headphones Review

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 105 db/mW
• Speaker Size: 13 mm Neodymium
• Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
• Waterproof Rating: IP57
• TDH: < 3%

• Listening/Talk Time: Up to 8/6 hours
• Charging Time: Up to 2 Hours
• Standby Time: Up to 14 Days
• Operating Distance: Up to 33 Feet
• Weight: 24 grams/0.85 oz

What’s In The Box?

• Headphones
• Wireless Charging Pouch

• USB Charge Cable
• User Manual

Plantronics BackBeat Fit wireless sport headphones review

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Audio Performance

I repeat this with every audio review, but when reviewing speakers and headphones, the most critical factor is the quality of sound.

When covering audio performance, we usually put forth a music playlist we tested the headphones with.

For this review, we decided to break from tradition and have our sports physio friend Smiley test a broad range of music on-the-fly. Never working out to a set list, Smiley tends to listen to a variety of genres depending on her workout. After two weeks of some hardcore training, her feedback was that all genres sounded as they should. The sound quality was high, and you could truly hear each song.

According to Smiley, the fully charged battery lasted 7-8 hours getting her through five 1.5-hour workouts. The recharging of the battery took approximately two hours.

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One Thing Worth Mentioning

Now, I wouldn’t be much of a reviewer if I didn’t find some fault(s) with the BackBeat FIT. The feature I disliked the most is the old style micro USB charging port. It’s late in 2017, and many mobile device makers have been eliminating this port in favor of the newer, more versatile USB-C style connector.Plantronics BackBeat Fit wireless sport headphones review

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Conclusion

In our testing, the feature-rich BackBeat FIT wireless sport headphones with the water-resistant charging pouch performed quite well. The audio reproduction of vocals and instruments was high.

From first- and second-hand experience, we recommend the BackBeat FIT for any-and-all workout activities. We tested them on long runs, as well as during cross-fit and weight training. The headphones were quite comfortable throughout each workout. Depending on the length of your length, you could see one charge lasting 4-6 workouts. And if the battery life is near its end, you need not worry as a 15-minute charge produces an hour of listening time. Plus, there’s the water-resistant charging pouch that can hold an additional 10 hours of power.

Available in five colors, the stand-alone BackBeat FIT Training Edition lists for $129.99. The Boost Edition, available in three colors, includes the PEAR app, six months membership to PEAR+, and the charging pouch for $159.99. See the links to Amazon at the bottom of this post if you’re interested in purchasing either edition.

Since its introduction, the BackBeat FIT headphones have been and continue to be among the best in-ear wireless sport headphones in the marketplace, and are well-priced against their often more expensive competition. We highly recommend you consider this item before purchasing your next pair.

Plantronics BackBeat Fit wireless sport headphones review

Plantronics BackBeat Fit In-Ear Wireless Sport Headphones

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What do you think of this Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless sport headphones review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Plantronics Newsroom to see their latest announcements. The BackBeat FIT wireless sport headphones come with a one-year limited warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Plantronics provided Beantown LLC with one (1) BackBeat FIT sport headphones Boost Edition sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2017.

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Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: BackBeat Fit, Bluetooth Headphones, Boost Edition, In-Ear Headphones, Plantronics, Sport Headphones, Wireless Headphones 12/24/2017

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Headset Review: Oh What Sound!

06/21/2017 By Hakan Can

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review

With so many models available, selecting a pair of over-ear headphones has never been easy. Priced at $200, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is an affordable pair of headphones at producing high-quality audio. These over-ear headphones are engineered with 40mm drivers designed to deliver detailed audio reproduction. After using these headphones extensively in and outside my home, I can confidently say that they’re among the best $200-priced headphones I’ve listened to yet, maybe even the best from Plantronics. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review.

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review

Pros:
• Creative, modern design
• Solid construction, flexible, yet sturdy
• Feature rich with superb sound
• Very comfortable fit
• Great battery life of up to 24 hours

Cons:
• Active noise canceling is not up to par
• No wall outlet plug included
• Only two color patterns available
• Plantronics Hub App is lacking

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Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Headset Review

The 6 Things You Need To Know for Operating the BackBeat Pro 2

  1. To power on the BBP2, slide the power switch on. You’ll hear “Pairing” or “Battery High” or “Phone 1 Connected.” It will only take a few seconds for it to occur.
  2. To power off the BBP2, slide the power switch off. You’ll hear “Power Off.” It will only take a few seconds for it to occur.
  3. To pair the BBP2 to your mobile device, slide the power switch fully until you hear “Pairing.” The time this takes varies based on your device. Red and Blue LED lights will flash. Then head to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device and pair the headphones.
  4. Volume up and down is controlled by pressing and holding the bumpy black retractable dial on the outer left cup. A voice will activate to let you know if you’ve achieved maximum or minimum volume. The center button controls answering and rejecting calls, or playing and pausing the track. To mute the mic, press the button on the lower right cup.
  5. To forward or reverse a music track, press the (>) or (<) buttons for one second. Note: this only works in wireless mode.
  6. Play time lasts for a whopping 24 hours with a 6-month deep sleep standby time. Charging the headphones takes approximately 3 hours. You’ll notice a red light while charging and a red blinking light when the battery is low. I’ve never seen the latter as it’s yet to occur.

You’ve got to appreciate a pair of headphones where there’s little that you need to know for proper operation. It couldn’t be much simpler.

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review

BackBeat PRO2 Black Case and Cords

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BackBeat Pro 2 Design and Features

At first glance, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 has a fascinating design with an unusual choice of colors. Although dark, the browns and blacks do blend.

The outer headband surface, as well as the ear pads, are made from a dark brown colored vegan leather. These ear pads appear to contain some form of memory foam. Every time I removed the headset, the ear pads return to their designed state. You don’t need to worry about which headphone is left or right. A rather large “L” and “R” on the inside of their respective ear pad gives it away. The inside headband is made from a medium brown colored, perforated and breathable fabric. I got to say, it feels rather nice and holds firm on my semi-bald head.

The outer portion of the ear cups (or pads, whatever you want to to call them is fine) has five different hard plastic material looks. One looks like laminated fiber while another has a wood grain appearance and yet another looks like tiny glittering gemstones. As I stated, it’s an intriguing look which in full disclosure took some time for me to accept. Cups can rotate 90° degrees in and roughly 10° out.

The headband can fit a wide range of head frames with its dozen adjustable positions. Button and switch placement appears to be handled well. Had I been one of the product designers, I would have used one less switch and button and blended them into the faux wood grain portion of the ear cups. As an engineer, I know it can be done.Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset reviewThe overall construction is well executed and assures high quality. The headphones include a port for wired audio and another for charging.

Also included is a cloth carrying bag containing two zippered pockets, both with incredibly soft protective lining. Oddly enough, the top zipper is longer than it needs to be and led to some tearing off from the pouch.

As of today, the BackBeat Pro 2 wireless headphones are available in two colors, one of which includes the special edition version. Should additional colors be introduced down the road, this post will be updated.

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Specifications

• Nominal Sound Pressure Level: 93db
• Headphone Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Driver Diameter: 40 mm
• Range: 330 Feet (100 Meters)
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Codec: aptX™
• Bluetooth 4.0 Profile: HSP 1.2, HFP 1.6

• Size: 8.1″ x 7.8″ x 9″
• Battery: 680 mAh Lithium-Polymer
• Music Play Time: 24 Hours
• Standby Time: 6 Months
• Charging Time: 3 Hours
• Weight: 289 Grams (0.64 lb)
• Audio Profile: A2DP, AVRCP, AAC

What’s In The Box?

• BackBeat Pro 2 Over-Ear Headphones
• Soft Carrying Bag
• Quick Guide

• 60″ 3.5 mm Audio Cable
• 19″ μ-USB Charging Cable

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review

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Amazon Music Playlist

• Lady Gaga – Born This Way, Joanne
• Lana Del Rey – Paradise
• Lorde – Pure Heroine
• The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die
• My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

• Muse – Absolution
• Zedd – Clarity
• Ellie Goulding – Halcyon
• The Black Keys – El Camino
• 30 Seconds To Mars – 30 Seconds To Mars

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Audio Performance

I repeat this time and time when reviewing speakers and headphones; the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 over-ear headphones were tested across a broad range of music using the playlist listed above. Songs within each album were sampled on comparable $200-$250 headphones selected from the collection, and results were noted. When you’re testing headphones with 40mm drivers and a frequency response of 20Hz – 20kHz, you expect high-quality sound.

Vocals and bass were most impressive on the BackBeat Pro 2 and didn’t falter even up to the highest volume setting. Frankly, I didn’t expect bass to sound this good. The overall audio was high-quality and free of distortion. I know this because I conducted something called ‘The Electronic Music Test.’ I take an album from an electronic artist like Zedd or The Prodigy and put the headphones through its paces. (Feel free to insert your choice of artist who happens to play complex music using a variety of instruments and sounds.)

After having played albums from rock acts like 30 Seconds To Mars, Muse, My Chemical Romance, and The Black Keys, in addition to Electronica’s Zedd and The Prodigy, I can report that the BackBeat Pro 2 exceeded expectations and then some. Bass sounds were deep, rich, and even layered throughout the volume range. For instance, listen to Zedd’s Lost At Sea or Codec or Lana Del Rey’s Gods & Monsters. You can clearly hear layered bass sounds one on top of another. I have not heard bass like this from any other headphones in this price range.

[envira-gallery id=”8498″]

Vocals come out smooth and full of life. The vocal reproduction of the 3 L’s (Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, and Lorde) plus Ellie Goulding sounded terrific. The vocals of all the female artists were more vivid than anticipated and an improvement on the more expensive Libratone Q Adapt.

Rhythm guitar while evident could have been a bit more pronounced. I would have liked a bit more here, matching what I heard from the vocals and bass. Edge Of The Earth from 30 Seconds To Mars didn’t quite have the strong rhythm guitar sounds I’ve become accustomed to with some other headsets.

On the flip side, you hear great guitar sound on Sister from The Black Keys, on top of terrific vocals, bass guitar and drum sounds.

The headphones took a balanced approach to sound quality with outstanding bass and vocal reproduction.

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The Plantronics Hub App and Other Things I Noticed

Plantronics takes the headphones market with a level of seriousness, so much so that they offer an app that provides the user some basic information on their products. The app called Plantronics Hub is available via Apple’s iTunes and Google Play Store. I use an LG G6 mobile phone which uses the Android OS and had no issue with the app.

While it’s not as in-depth as some other headset apps, you’re able to see the headset status and battery level, among a few other things. The best features are within the Find MyHeadset section. If you’ve misplaced your headphones, you can send it an audible tone and backtrack to where it’s been. Now that’s pretty neat.

Answering, ending, or returning the most recent telephone call is a cinch for the BBP2. All these controls are on the outer right ear cup. Like many top brands, there’s even the ability to pair two (Plantronics) headphones to one audio source. This feature is becoming standard within the industry.

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review

If you haven’t noticed by now, the BBP2 uses smart sensor technology. Whenever you put on or remove the headphones, different things occur such as the playing and pausing of music, and more. This too is becoming standard within the industry.

Now, I wouldn’t be much of a reviewer if I didn’t find some fault(s) with the BBP2. The feature I disliked the most and is in need of improvement is the active noise canceling. Also known as ANC, this feature reduces unwanted noise external to your ears. In the case of the BBP2, the ANC didn’t reduce enough unwanted noise. By my estimate, it appears that noise cancellation is around 25% when compared to other headsets. If you’re outdoors walking around the yard like I do every day, you’ll hear my direct neighbor’s dog barking or the loud sound of Dennis’s lawn tractor (a neighbor from across the street) with hardly any reduction. This is disappointing.

When I mow my lawn, I wear another brands headset, not the BBP2, to crush out the external noise. And more often that not, that headset isn’t even turned on. My recommendation to Plantronics is that they incorporate varying noise cancellation settings on any future model. With this headset, ANC is best suited on an airplane, even more so on those long-haul flights. This way, you won’t have to worry about battery life.

While you may want more volume, and many of us do, listening to music at the highest settings is counterproductive and can lead to hearing problems, so be mindful. When switching on ANC, bass levels increase so much so that I prefer not to use ANC. Bass already sounds great without ANC; I don’t need more.

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Conclusion

In my testing, the feature-rich BackBeat Pro 2 wireless headphones performed phenomenally. The production of strong vocals and clear bass at the highest volume setting was a breeze. Turn on the ANC, and you get even more bass.

These aren’t sport headphones, so I don’t recommend them for any aerobic activity beyond walking. From first-hand experience, there’s no issue when used during weight training.

The headphones are quite comfortable even after a handful of hours of continuous listening. At $199, the BackBeat Pro 2 are among the best wireless headphones of 2017 and are priced well against their often more expensive competition. We recommend you try them out.

[envira-gallery id=”8499″]

What do you think of this Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Plantronics on Twitter
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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Plantronics Newsroom to see their latest announcements. The BackBeat Pro 2 wireless headphones come with a one-year limited warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Plantronics provided Beantown LLC with one (1) BackBeat Pro 2 headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Plantronics and Beantown LLC © 2017.

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Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: BackBeat Pro 2, Bluetooth Headphones, headphones, Over-Ear Headphones, Plantronics, Wireless Headphones 10/24/2017

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