Our Verdict
The Backbeat Pro make for above-average, everyday headphones. They perform fairly well in most cases and have sufficient features to handle different environments. They're also durable and have an excellent and intuitive control scheme.
- Solid build quality.
- Great ergonomic design.
- Heavy and stiff ear cups.
- Hyped Bass and treble audio profile.
- ANC produces audible low rumble when turned on.
Above-average for neutral listening. They have a good and excited sound with a pronounced bass. Instruments are also remarkably clear and well balanced but their closed back design and unevenness is not ideal for pure neutral listening,
suitable for commuting. Noise isolation is good enough for moderately noisy commutes.
Mediocre for sports use. They're comfortable and wireless with an excellent control scheme. However, they're a bit too bulky and unstable for running or exercising.
Decent for office use. Noise isolation is enough to block the chatter of a busy office and leakage is not too high. Additionally, their wireless range is well above the average and is more than sufficient for moderately sized offices with a lot of walls.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Sep 28, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are much better headphones overall when compared to the original Plantronics Backbeat Pro. The Pro 2 have a better design that's slightly more comfortable and has a sleeker look and feel. The Pro 2 also have better battery life, wireless range, noise cancellation performance, and sound quality. They pack a lot of bass but sound more balanced than the Pro. On the other hand, the original Backbeat Pro have a slightly better and more tactile control scheme. They also come with a better audio cable that has mic support for consoles and PC. The original Pro are also at a better value for your money than the Pro 2.
The Plantronics Backbeat Pro Wireless 2014 are slightly better headphones than the Beats Studio Wireless. The Plantronics have a better control scheme than the Beats. They also have a longer battery life and a better wireless range. On the other hand, the Beats have a more balanced sound quality but do not pack as much bass. The Beats also have a more comfortable and sleek-looking design, and that's a bit more stable for physical activity.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are better noise cancelling headphones overall when compared to the Plantronics Backbeat Pro. The Sennheisers have a more compact design, a tighter fit on the head for the gym, and they block a lot more noise with their ANC feature. On the other hand, the Plantronics have a better battery life, wireless range, and easier-to-use controls. They're also a bit more comfortable than the Sennheisers since they're not as tight on the head. Their sound profile also packs a lot more bass, which some may prefer.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are much better noise canceling headphones than the Plantronics Backbeat Pro Wireless 2014. The Bose are a lot more comfortable and have a much better-balanced sound profile. They also have a significantly better ANC feature that blocks a ton of background noise. The Plantronics, on the other hand, have a better control scheme, a slightly longer battery life, and are a lot cheaper, providing better value for some people.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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