Plantronics has released BackBeat Sense, new wireless headphones that have a “smart sensor” that pauses the music when you disconnect them from your phone, saving battery life. They charge via a MicroUSB port and get up to 18 hours of music on a 2.5 hour charge, according to the company.
The headphones feature Advanced Class 1 Bluetooth that lets you control up to two smartphones or tablets from up to 330 feet away (line of site). That’s a lot longer range than older technology wireless headphones and makes it possible to put the phone down and wander about. There is also a 3.5 mm jack and a removable cable that you can use if you want to plug in the headphones.
The BackBeat Sense has dual mics to enable you to accept calls and speak while using the headphones. If the phone rings, the music is suspended during the conversation. The sound quality of the microphone isn’t as good as Plantronics dedicated Bluetooth phone headsets but it’s adequate for short calls.
Easy on the eyes and the ears
It may seem like a small thing, but I love that there is a big R and L on the right and left earpieces so that you easily know how to put them on. Most headphones have tiny little letters that are hard to find. Other touches include earcups swiveling into a flat position for easy travel storage and a whisper feature where a pleasant voice tells you battery level and connection status. An “open mic” feature gives you the option to hear ambient sounds around you. The headphones do not have active noise cancellation but they cover the ears well enough to eliminate a fair amount of background sounds as long as you’re not using the open mic.
Volume can be adjusted by twisting a knob on the outside of the left earcup. If you press on that earcup you can advance a track (on iOS devices) or pause and restart music.
After wearing them around my neighborhood, I can attest that they are light and comfortable with excellent sound quality.
They are available starting on July 22nd for $179 from Plantronics and its retailers.
Schematic of BackBeat Sense
