With the holiday season now in full-swing, it looks like Logitech has been doing a little shopping of its own. In what's likely a bid to diversify its products, Logitech, widely known for making computer accessories like keyboards and mice, is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to acquire Plantronics, a manufacturer of Bluetooth earpieces and headsets.
Like with many of its products, Apple takes something that may have existed in one form or another and makes it the hottest thing since the wheel. That is the case with the somewhat controversial AirPods that have made “true wireless earbuds” the next big thing in audio accessories for smartphones. That has given birth to a wide range of such earbuds designed to appeal to different audiences. Like the new Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 that tries to sing to runners.
Plantronics has released a new pair of over-ear headphones with a unique feature: a dedicated button that boosts the bass level when pressed. The wireless model is designed for audio enthusiasts of all kinds, offering a way to instantly adjust the audio quality based on what's playing. At only $99.99, the BackBeat GO 600 are fairly inexpensive, but how do they compare to other budget headphones?
Plantronics has unveiled the BackBeat GO 600 Series, a new lineup of over-the-ear headphones that come with two equalization modes: "Balanced" and "Bass Boost." The modes are designed to appeal to each user's listening preference -- those who like even audio and those who prefer to heavily emphasize the bass. The model is wireless with a 33ft range and great battery life for ultra-long listening sessions.
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."
With Apple hastening the decline of the headphone jack, what do you do if you're not inclined to spend $150 or more on Bluetooth headphones? After taking on Bose back in October, Plantronics is back with an even more affordable set of cans, the BackBeat 500 Series. Promising some smarter Bluetooth tricks than AirPods, with a bargain $79.99 price tag, there's a lot to recommend them.
Plantronics cut the cord on active noise cancelling headphones two years ago, and now it's back with the BackBeat PRO 2 to cut the price, too. Follow-up to the well received BackBeat PRO of 2014, the revamped model slims down the hit on your wallet and the space occupied in your bag. That's while still promising superlative wireless performance and enough battery life for back-to-back transatlantic flights with juice to spare.
The Bluetooth headset might not be the first accessory you think of when considering the "extreme" lifestyle, but Plantronics believes you're missing out. Its new Voyager 5200 picks up where the Voyager Legend left off, boosting microphone performance for tough and changeable conditions, and improving ergonomics for all-day use.
Usually, with headphones you have a choice: the convenience of Bluetooth and no wires, or the audio quality of wired, but the fuss of cords and cables in your pocket or bag. Plantronics believes its latest wireless headphones address that, with the BackBeat GO 3 offering not only lengthy runtimes - and even more if you pair them with the optional charging pouch - but the promise of far improved sound over rivals.
You’re spoiled for choice right now with wireless headphones, but Plantronics is hoping the new BackBeat SENSE can slot in with a mixture of clever tech and everyday flexibility. Lightweight and quietly handsome, they may not have in-your-face branding of some rivals, but they come from a company with a solid track-record both in audio and in wireless devices. Bluetooth offers more than just cutting the cord, mind, and Plantronics claims to be doing more than most with its smart wireless system.
Plantronics' latest set of BackBeat headphones are here, and while the BackBeat FIT may have targeted fitness nuts, the BackBeat PRO wants music quality to be its focus. Piping stereo audio from your phone, tablet, laptop, or something else over Bluetooth, the headphones boost wireless range to a hefty 100m if you're pairing them with a Class 1 Bluetooth device, as well as packing sensors that control playback depending on whether you're wearing the cans.
Plantronics is no strangers to Bluetooth headsets. Their lineup includes several wireless varieties, so the options within their offerings alone are impressive. Does their BackBeat FIT do the lineup justice, though? We go ears-on (on ears?) to find out whether or not this one is a winner or not.