Plantronics BackBeat Fit headphones get sporty in the wireless age

By Chris Burns/Sept. 20, 2017 9:01 am EST

This week the folks at Plantronics have gone to the wireless side with a collection of active/sport oriented earbuds and headphones. Their new lineup includes the BackBeat FIT 300 Series, the BackBeat FIT 500 Series, the BackBeat FIT Training Edition, and the BackBeat FIT Boost Edition. The BackBeat FIT 300 Series will be available starting today in four lovely colors, while the other three series will be made available "in early October."

BackBeat FIT Boost / Training Editions

The BackBeat FIT Boost Edition will connect with Bluetooth 3.0, HFP 1.7, HSP 1.1, A2DP v1.2, and AVRCP v1.4. These buds are powered with their own charging pouch and are said by Plantronics to last up to 18 hours a charge, listening time. Inside are 13mm dynamic drivers and frequency response between 50Hz and 20,000Hz.

Both the BackBeat FIT Training Edition and BackBeat FIT Boost Edition work with the PEAR Personal Coach App for both Android and iOS. This connection is part of a new partnership between PEAR and Plantronics – software on the smartphone from PEAR, hardware in the buds from Plantronics.

The difference between the Boost and Training editions is the charging pouch. Both version work with 12 hand-picked PEAR Personal Coaching App workouts and a six-month access to PEAR+ membership. The BackBeat FIT Boost Edition is shown above.

BackBeat FIT 300 Series

Another pair of earbuds in this new Plantronics lineup are the BackBeat FIT 300 Series. This series is made to be discreet, and are made to block out noise (while the FIT Boost Edition lets some noise in to allow the wearer to hear their surroundings whilst on a jog). The BackBeat FIT 300 series are made for commuting (train, not car), "casual leisure", and running errands. Plantronics also suggests the the 300 series is made for the gym, light running, and "casual active" like dog walking.

These earbuds last up to 6 hours on a single charge and connect with Bluetooth 4.1, HFP 1.6, HSP 1.2, A2DP v1.2, and AVRCP 1.4. These buds work with a frequency response between 20Hz and 20,000Hz and have a single mic input.

BackBeat FIT 500 Series

The on-ear headphones of the bunch are the BackBeat FIT 500 Series – sweat resistant nano-coating technology by P2i included. These headphones have a dedicated Bluetooth pairing slider, a power switch (both in one), and a wideband-enabled microphone for connected calls. Also onboard for calls: a call control and smartphone VPA access button. This button can answer calls, ignore calls, mute on and off, and access Siri, Google Now, and Cortana.

This pair of headphones can roll wireless or wired, charged with a micro-USB cord and able to connect with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. BackBeat FIT 500 Series is set to be available in both Black/Teal and Black/Grey.

These headphones connect with Bluetooth 4.1, HFP 1.6, HSP 1.2, A2DP v1.2, and AVRCP 1.4. Battery time is ranked by Plantronics at up to 18 hours (of listen time). Speaker driver size is 40mm – with a bass tube design, frequency response is between 50Hz and 20,000Hz, and sensitivity sits at 92 dBPL.

"There's a sweat-protected, stable and comfortable pair of BackBeat FIT headphones that's right for any level of fitness," said Greg Miller, director, Portfolio Business Management at Plantronics. "Whether you're looking for a dedicated sport headphone with on-demand coaching, or just want something comfortable and stylish to wear throughout the day."

Pricing and Availability

The BackBeat FIT 300 Series is available starting today for $80 USD in four colors. Those include black/grey, dark blue/blue, grey/coral, and grey/lime green (in select retailers). The BackBeat FIT 500 Series will begin to be available in early October for $100 in Black/Teal and Black/Grey.

BackBeat FIT Training Edition will be available in early October, while BackBeat FIT Boost Edition will be available starting today. The Training Edition will be available in power blue, sport grey, core black, fit fuchsia and stealth green, all for $130. The BackBeat FIT Boost Edition sill be available in sport grey, black core, and power blue, each for $160 USD.