The Plantronics BackBeat 500 is a mobile on-ear headset. Although a little light, it has character. These wireless headphones offer 18 hours of listening time on a single charge, which isn’t too bad for this price range. It also has a DeepSleep mode to save power when not in use. However, there is still the possibility of using a 3.5mm jack as a last resort, in case you forgot to charge it.
A light and rather intuitive headset
The first thing you notice about the BackBeat 500 is its lightness. A definite advantage in terms of comfort. On the other hand, the BackBeat 500 lacks nothing in terms of control options. Three buttons are present on the left side to navigate between the different tracks. On the edge, there are two buttons for the volume, and on the right earpiece, you can manage calls or know the status of the battery. Using the BackBeat 500 is simple and intuitive. The only drawback is that it is not possible to change the language of the voice guide. It is only available in English.
18 hours of independent reading
The Bluetooth connection is seamless. It is even possible to connect two devices at the same time. The autonomy remains without doubt its biggest advantage. 18 hours of playback is very good for a headset of this range. However, it is still possible to connect it by cable. All in all, the Plantronics BackBeat 500 should appeal to those who like a soft and generous bass sound.
Good insulation for the BackBeat 500
When it comes to isolation, the BackBeat 500 does quite well. In fact, it manages to effectively cut out the surrounding noise in the vast majority of situations. This makes it easy to immerse yourself in his music. The extra weight in the extreme bass in wireless also allows to hide a little more some elements. In the wireless version, it is slightly higher, but the distortion is still at a very acceptable level. While the BackBeat 500 has no problems with Bluetooth power, it has more problems with wired use. With more than 250 mV RMS to reach 94 dB, this model is very insensitive. It requires a fairly powerful mobile device if you want to enjoy a very comfortable listening level.
Plantronics BackBeat 500 Highlights
In terms of strengths, we can note :
- Comfortable to use
- Lightness
- The great autonomy (18 hours)
- Natural midrange and bass
- Warm sound reproduction
- Simultaneous connection to 2 devices via Bluetooth
Weaknesses:
- The finishes are not very neat
- Lack of air and presence
- The boost in the extreme bass lacks finesse
The Plantronics BackBeat 500 is still an attractive and affordable Bluetooth headset. It has good battery life, works well, and comes with a carrying pouch. Despite minor drawbacks, the Plantronics BackBeat 500 series sets the bar pretty high for entry-level wireless headphones. Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried it too, and what you thought of it.
