Michael checks out new headphones from Plantronics.
These BackBeat Pros are a set of noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones from Plantronics. Tthis well-padded product is of the over-the-ear type, offering simultaneous dual-source connectivity, fold flat capability and a battery life that can deliver up to 24 hours of listening power.
Plantronics have also included power and audio leads in the box for use with this device. You also get a ‘Ballistic Nylon Travel Sleeve', a grandiose description for the soft-lined black pouch with Velcro fasteners for storing the headphones. Both of the supplied leads are of a reasonable length (94cm for power and 147cm for the 3.5mm jack) with a rubber coating for better protection. The audio lead has a volume adjustment controller, but this only appears to work with certain Apple devices.
You can expand the well-padded metal headband by as much as 3.5cm at each end plus adjust the ear pieces in any direction for a comfortable fit. Along with plenty of padding, the ear pieces each feature a control wheel, on/ off button switch and an outside plate cover that can activate a specific function. In the case of the left ear piece, the wheel controls track selection on the Bluetooth devide, while the on/off switch is for the ANC (Active Noise-Canceling) feature. This works in conjuction with the Open Mic feature located in the right earpiece. ANC works by utilising multiple mics to monitor the quality of the environmental sound and help to filter it out further. Open Mic, when activated will temporary supress this cancellation somewhat to push the music back and allow in outside noise, should the need to hear what's going on around them without removing the headphones.
Charging the unit can take up to three hours, which is reasonable when you consider that the device delivers 24 hours of listening. Five LEDs on the right ear piece flash to indicate it's charging, as stop once charging has been completed. While using the headphones you can check on the battery status by tapping the right ear piece, upon which a female voice will provide feedback. The same voice is used to announce other status issues.
When you are wearing these headphones, it will deliver audio from a range of connected and linked devices - indeed Plantronics claims that Class 1 Bluetooth devices can operate at up to 100m. However, once you remove them, the headphones can automatically pause the connected device thanks to a sensor in the left earpiece. Once you have replaced the headphones then the audio will be resumed from where it left off without missing a beat. Clever.
As mentioned earlier, the BackBeat Pro can be simultaneously paired with two separate devices for easy switching between audio sources. A slightly different approach is required when pairing the two devices. For initial pairing, you need to turn on the power to activate pairing mode. In order to pair the second device, you will need to hold down the Call plate on the right ear piece until the LEDs flash red and blue. A voice will then announce pairing mode is activate and you can proceed to add a second connection. Michael Fereday
Expensive, but technologically advanced, comfortable headphones with good audio quality.