Plantronics continues to demonstrate its commitment to high-quality audio solutions with premium headphones that emphasize design, quality, and performance. The BackBeat PRO represents their wireless, high-end offering, designed without compromise.
American company Plantronics has released numerous headphones over the years, many of which have been well-received by our editorial team. Our reference gaming headphones – the RIG 500 – remain a strong contender, and we eagerly anticipate the forthcoming RIG 600, which we will, of course, be testing. The Backbeat PRO is the flagship model in the series, targeting urban lifestyles, gaming, calls, and portability via wireless technology. Having previously reviewed the Backbeat Sense, we were keen to evaluate the BackBeat PRO, which incorporates NFC, a new DSP processor, AptX, and active noise cancellation.
Upon opening the BackBeat PRO packaging, the attention to detail and premium feel is immediately apparent. Similar to that of other prominent Californian tech companies, Plantronics understands the importance of conveying a sense of luxury. The stylish packaging reveals a pair of substantial over-ear headphones with a sleek design. While the large ear cups lend a slightly more utilitarian aesthetic, they provide tangible benefits. The package also includes a high-quality carrying case with a soft interior lining for protection. The BackBeat PRO is primarily designed for wireless use but includes a cable for connection to a standard 3.5 mm jack. (As a side note, we believe that the concerns surrounding the removal of the headphone jack on devices like the iPhone 7 are largely overstated; Bluetooth technology offers a mature and increasingly reliable wireless alternative). Bluetooth 4.0, coupled with AptX technology, addresses previous limitations. AptX serves as a high-performance codec for transmitting and decoding high-quality audio over Bluetooth, a traditionally constrained data stream. Long utilized in professional broadcasting, AptX is now revolutionizing home audio for wireless audiophiles. While we won’t delve into the debate surrounding Lossless Audio and the perceived superiority of FLAC over MP3, the current level of quality is undeniably comparable to wired connections. AptX support is natively integrated into recent MacOS and Windows 10 versions. However, it is not supported on iPhones, which limits sound quality and potentially power output even when using the 3.5mm jack, a factor to consider.
The BackBeat PRO offers a seamless setup and can maintain simultaneous connections with two devices (e.g., a computer and a phone). The headband features the familiar sensor found in previous BackBeat models, which detects when the headphones are removed, automatically pausing music playback and conserving battery life (this feature can be disabled). Charging is easily accomplished via the included USB-mini cable, and battery life is exceptional. We achieved approximately 20 hours of continuous playback at full volume before requiring a recharge. Plantronics claims up to 60 hours of wired operation. The fit is comfortable, although the robust design contributes to a slightly higher weight compared to alternatives like the Beats Wireless (approximately 60 grams more, totaling 340 grams, which remains reasonable). The enclosed ear cups also tend to retain some heat compared to more open designs. However, this design choice enhances bass response and improves the effectiveness of noise cancellation. Enjoying high-fidelity audio while effectively blocking out ambient noise, such as train chatter and mobile phone conversations, provides a worthwhile user experience.
The NFC function streamlines pairing with compatible devices, primarily Android phones. While the lack of Apple support isn’t a significant drawback, the Bluetooth pairing process is straightforward and only needs to be performed once. The headphones feature intuitive controls on the ear cups, including a rotary dial for volume adjustment, a switch for toggling noise cancellation (which impacts battery life and is not recommended when situational awareness is crucial, such as near traffic), and a button for monitoring external sounds (intended for applications like hearing airport announcements without removing the headphones). True to Plantronics’ design philosophy, a microphone is integrated for call functionality, providing acceptable audio quality. However, we wouldn’t recommend these headphones specifically for extended phone calls, as the enclosed design can create a muffled sensation.
How does the audio perform? The audio quality is genuinely impressive. The bass is pronounced and generous (potentially perceived as slightly “boosted,” similar to Beats by Dre, but with greater clarity), while the treble remains balanced and emphasizes vocal details appropriately. The headphones cover the full 20-20,000 Hz spectrum, although the register resolution and finesse are not quite as refined as our wireless reference headphones, the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless. However, there is a considerable price difference between the two. The BackBeat PRO is currently priced at approximately SEK 1,500, representing excellent value for the offered quality and features. The Momentum Wireless 2.0 costs more than twice as much, without offering a commensurate performance increase. The design offers both style and a premium feel, although the ear cups with integrated play/pause buttons are slightly less streamlined than completely featureless designs, prioritizing functionality.
Overall, we are thoroughly impressed with the BackBeat PRO, which offers a compelling balance of performance, features, and value. The audio quality surpasses that of our previous reference, the RIG 500 (even in wireless mode), making these our new reference headphones in the mid-price range and our preferred travel companion. We anticipate using them for gaming as well, pending wider adoption of Bluetooth support for wireless headphones in modern consoles (the original PS4 and Xbox One lack native support). The combination of excellent sound quality, AptX support, exceptional battery life, and a well-executed high-end design makes this a product that is easy to recommend to discerning audiophiles seeking high performance within a reasonable budget.
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