Plantronics Backbeat Fit II: Indestructible Companions

The Plantronics Backbeat Fit II is the second generation of a sports headset model that has been on the market for some time now. They have become famous for resisting the onslaught of sports routines with bumps and lots of moisture in between.

However, despite its prestige, is it worth buying these headphones in 2023? With the confirmation of a new generation of these headphones, it's Culturasonora's duty to run an in-depth analysis to answer this and other questions. Let's dive in.

Design

The Plantronics Backbeat Fit 2 are In Ear headphones. They stay in place during any physical activity and are very comfortable, but may cause discomfort after prolonged use. They don't isolate completely from the outside, which can be good or bad depending on the context.

It's a safety asset if you're jogging in the street and need to know what's going on around you. In contrast, audiophiles who use music to get into the trance of exercise will consider it a defect.

These Plantronics headphones feature a neckband design. It's a way to make sure that physical activity doesn't cause the device to fly off your head. The aesthetics of this model seek to keep the user focused. They come in black, gray, blue and fuchsia, but in muted tones that, unlike the competition, try not to be too flashy . This model is not the best choice for those looking for style and innovation.

A fabric case is included in the factory package, which is an interesting accessory due to its characteristics. It's water resistant but not fully immersion resistant, it can get wet without being damaged. It serves as a charging station for the headphones and can be used to store your smartphone.

The headphones are equipped with a remote control that serves to execute typical controls such as forward, rewind, play, pause and stop. Connected to smartphones, they can trigger the start and end of an incoming call.

Quality of construction

The Plantronics Backbeat are light enough to prevent any fatigue or discomfort. They are also flexible and stay firmly in place, anticipating that the user will put them to the test in extreme conditions and unusual postures.

These headphones may look lightweight, but they are by no means fragile. Their construction is robust and designed for sports, and can withstand considerable wear and tear. They can be used safely in a typical physical exercise context as they can be bent and will not break easily.

They are IP57 sealed for water resistance, which means they can be fully submerged. You can confidently take a shower with them, or swim in a pool without the music ever stopping.

Connectivity

The wireless operation of the Plantronics Backbeat Fit is based on Bluetooth connectivity. Device pairing is standard and very intuitive. However, we have found that signal interference can occur, especially with older playback devices.

One issue to consider is some reports of previous Plantronics Backbeat Fit shipments indicating malfunctions after a few months of use. The one-year warranty offered by Plantronics gives us reassurance in this area, although we would prefer not to encounter such usage experiences. We hope that the brand has since taken action.

Sound quality

The Plantronics Backbeat Fit II were made to fulfill one mission: to provide clear, audible sound in the context of physical activity. They are intended to be heard over a diverse range of sporting intensity, from a morning jog to heavy machine work in the gym.

As we have already pointed out, they don't fully isolate you from outside noise, and this has an effect on the quality of hearing. They leak sound to the outside at maximum volume. The detriment to overall sound quality is undeniable, although we understand that headphones of this type are intentionally made this way.

Analyzing the sound quality without the noise factor in between, these headphones do just enough. The sound is a little above average for headphones of this type, but far from the performance of the best sports headphones. There is a slightly noticeable bass, midrange and treble separation, but it's definitely not enough to satisfy users who expect more from the sound quality.

Despite the drawbacks, it's necessary to remember the context of use of these headphones. If you are running or performing any major physical exertion, it's difficult for you to pay attention to the sound details you would otherwise notice in other environments. In fact, the lack of total sound insulation is intended for safety reasons, and is not something the manufacturer overlooked. It's important to take this into account when evaluating the Plantronics Backbeat Fit II.

Battery and charging system

The battery of the Plantronics Backbeat Fit II provides up to eight hours of continuous playback after two hours of charging, and fourteen days of battery life in standby mode. It's worth mentioning its Deep Sleep mode, a kind of hibernation state that ensures up to six months of battery life. They are charged via a micro-USB power cable that is included with purchase.

Conclusion

The Plantronics Backbeat Fit II are sports headphones and they deliver. They manage to reproduce decent sound, and are comfortable for physical activity. They excel in the areas where gadgets of their type should excel, and falter where any headset of their kind does.

Although their sound quality is not the best in this price range, they do stand out in terms of safety. They are a perfect alternative for those who love music as a companion, but above all need resistance and durability. Plantronics thought of it that way, and that's how it turned out. Interested? Find the best prices on Amazon.

If you want better sports headphones, albeit more expensive, you can check out the PowerBeats Pro and the Jabra Elite 65T. Skullcandy Bluetooth headsets are another good affordable option. If you need a handsfree, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 are ideal.

Technical features Plantronics Backbeat Fit II