Products
Plantronics Backbeat Pro Wireless 2014
Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Aug 07, 2021 12:22 AM
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Tested using Methodology v1.4
Updated Oct 27, 2023 06:42 PM
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TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
Noise CancellingYes
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
Noise CancellingYes
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
Our Verdict
Plantronics Backbeat Pro Wireless 2014
Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC
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.
Variants
- BackBeat PRO
- HD 4.50
Check Price
Standard
BackBeat PRO
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Amazon.com
Standard
HD 4.50
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Amazon.com
Standard
BackBeat PRO
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Walmart.com
Standard
HD 4.50
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Walmart.com
Standard
BackBeat PRO
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B&H
Standard
HD 4.50
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B&H
Standard
BackBeat PRO
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Standard
HD 4.50
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.0
6.9
Noise Isolation
5.7
7.2
Treble Accuracy
8.7
5.9
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Enclosure
Closed-Back
Closed-Back
Wireless
Yes
Yes
Transducer
Dynamic
Dynamic
Comfort
7.5
7.0
Comfort Picture
Weight
0.75 lbs
0.5 lbs
Clamping Force
0.83 lbs
1.1 lbs
Controls
8.2
6.4
Controls Picture
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use
Excellent
Mediocre
Feedback
Good
Subpar
Call/Music Control
Yes
Yes
Volume Control
Yes
Yes
Microphone Control
No
No
Channel Mixing
N/A
No
Noise Cancelling Control
Yes
On/Off
Talk-Through
Yes
No
Additional Controls
No
Multi function
Breathability
6.5
6.5
Breathability After Picture
Avg.Temp.Difference
5.6 °C
5.8 °C
Portability
5.5
6.2
Portability Picture
L
7.09"
4.5"
W
7.28"
6"
H
3.54"
3.2"
Volume
182.9 in³
86 in³
Transmitter Required
N/A
No
Case
6.5
6.5
Case Picture
Type
Pouch
Soft case
L
N/A
4.8"
W
N/A
7"
H
N/A
3.5"
Volume
N/A
118 in³
Build Quality
7.5
7.0
Build Quality Picture
Stability
6.5
7.5
Stability Picture
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Side Picture
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Rear Picture
Top
Top Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Sound
Sound Profile
Frequency Response
Frequency Response
Bass Amount
4.3 dB
-0.71 dB
Treble Amount
2.82 dB
-2.85 dB
Frequency Response Consistency
7.8
7.4
Consistency L
Consistency R
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.43 dB
0.52 dB
Raw Frequency Response
Raw FR L
Raw FR L
Raw FR R
Raw FR R
Bass Accuracy
6.3
8.8
Bass
Bass
Std. Err.
5.24 dB
1.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
10 Hz
13.16 Hz
Low-Bass
8.87 dB
1.93 dB
Mid-Bass
-1.1 dB
1.99 dB
High-Bass
-4.61 dB
1.71 dB
Mid Accuracy
7.4
7.5
Mid
Mid
Std. Err.
3.41 dB
3.38 dB
Low-Mid
-4.04 dB
-0.02 dB
Mid-Mid
-3.26 dB
2.18 dB
High-Mid
-2.46 dB
5.26 dB
Treble Accuracy
8.7
5.9
Treble
Treble
Std. Err.
2.59 dB
5.47 dB
Low-Treble
-0.13 dB
-1.31 dB
Mid-Treble
-0.53 dB
-1.69 dB
High-Treble
2.15 dB
-8 dB
Peaks/Dips
7.4
6.7
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks
1.56 dB
2 dB
Dips
1.48 dB
2.19 dB
Imaging
7.1
8.9
Group Delay
Phase Response
Weighted Group Delay
0.62
0.26
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
2.12
0.3
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.69
1.5
Weighted Phase Mismatch
8.95
3.72
Passive Soundstage
6.3
4.3
PRTF
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
2.81 dB
3.99 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
6.86 dB
3.54 dB
PRTF Distance
16.89 dB
10.78 dB
Openness
4.1
2.8
Acoustic Space Excitation
2.5
1.8
Virtual Soundstage
0.0
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
No
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
No App
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
7.1
7.3
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.254
0.250
WHD @ 100
0.472
0.313
Test Settings
Firmware
Unknown
Power
On
Connection
Bluetooth 4.0
Codec
aptX, 16-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Default
ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Integrated
Isolation
Noise Isolation
5.7
7.2
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-14.81 dB
-19.38 dB
Noise Cancelling
Yes
Yes
Bass
-2.32 dB
-9.11 dB
Mid
-11.4 dB
-15.78 dB
Treble
-31.43 dB
-33.72 dB
Leakage
8.0
8.5
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
33.44 dB
30.71 dB
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
Yes
In-Line
Yes
No
Boom
No
No
Detachable Boom
N/A
No
Mic
Yes
Yes
Recording Quality
6.3
6.0
Microphone Frequency Response
Recorded Speech
LFE
289.23 Hz
329.38 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
4.13 dB
5.02 dB
HFE
3,517.32 Hz
3,368.2 Hz
Weighted THD
14.216
8.924
Gain
39.55 dB
38.48 dB
Noise Handling
7.0
7.1
SpNR
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
20.74 dB
21.02 dB
Active Features
Battery
8.5
7.5
Battery Type
Rechargable
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
21.2 hrs
22.3 hrs
Additional Charges
0
0.0
Total Battery Life
21.2 hrs
22.3 hrs
Charge Time
2.23 hrs
2.2 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Yes
No
Audio While Charging
Yes
No
Passive Playback
No
Yes
Charging Port
micro-USB
micro-USB
App Support
6.0
0.0
App Picture
App Name
Plantronics Hub
No App
iOS
Yes
No
Android
Yes
No
macOS
N/A
No
Windows
N/A
No
Equalizer
No
No
ANC Control
No
No
Mic Control
N/A
No
Room Effects
No
No
Playback Control
No
No
Button Mapping
N/A
No
Surround Sound
N/A
Surround Support
No
Connectivity
Bluetooth
8.9
8.6
Bluetooth Version
4.0
4.0
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices
2 Devices
NFC Pairing
Yes
Yes
Line Of Sight Range
237 ft
120 ft
PC Latency (SBC)
195 ms
161 ms
PC Latency (aptX)
169 ms
140 ms
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
32 ms
N/A
iOS Latency
137 ms
Android Latency
61 ms
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
0.0
0.0
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
N/A
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
N/A
Wired
9.5
9.5
Cable Picture
Analog Audio
Yes
Yes
USB Audio
No
No
Detachable
Yes
Yes
Length
4.92 ft
4.5 ft
Connection
1/8" TRRS
1/8" TRS
Wired Latency
0 ms
Analog/USB Audio Latency
0 ms
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC/PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio Only
PC/PS4 Wired USB
No
No
PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Audio Only
Xbox One Wired USB
No
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Base/Dock
0.0
0.0
Type
N/A
No Base/Dock
USB Input
N/A
No
Line In
N/A
No
Line Out
N/A
No
Optical Input
N/A
No
RCA Input
N/A
No
Dock Charging
N/A
No
Power Supply
N/A
No Base/Dock
Check Price
Standard
BackBeat PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HD 4.50
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
BackBeat PRO
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
HD 4.50
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
BackBeat PRO
SEARCH
B&H
Standard
HD 4.50
SEARCH
B&H
Standard
BackBeat PRO
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Standard
HD 4.50
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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Plantronics Backbeat Pro Wireless 2014
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Plantronics Backbeat Pro Wireless 2014 vs Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC: Main Discussion
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