Plantronics is a consumer electronics company that specializes in producing top quality audio products for individuals and businesses. It was founded in 1961 for an interesting reason. The existing headsets were extremely large for pilots, so they had to switch to handheld microphones for communications. In fact, when they alternated between steering and using the microphone, the airline company United Airline felt it was putting the entire aircraft at a greater risk. To prevent this problem, they solicited designs for lightweight headsets.
Courtney Graham was one of the pilots working for United Airlines, and he collaborated with Keith Larkin, another pilot to produce a design for lightweight headsets. This design was approved by UAL, and this led to the foundation of Plantronics. The first pilot headset that was created was called MS-50, and it became so popular that this new company was selected by the Federal Aviation Authority to provide headsets for all airlines. In fact, this company was the sole provider of headphones for sometime.
Today, Plantronics produces a range of audio and wireless equipment to suit the needs of different individuals and businesses. It is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California and is headed by Ken Kannappan. Its success is backed by its financial performance as the company’s annual revenues are upwards of 500 million, and its shares are traded publicly in the New York Stock Exchange. Out of its many products, one of its popular line of products is headphones. Plantronics headphones are not only aesthetically appealing, but also score high on comfort and functionality. Below are some of the popular models of Plantronics.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro Wireless Headphones
Plantronics is well-known for its wireless products, and the Plantronics BackBeat Pro Wireless headphones is based on this expertise.
The design of these headphones is well-built and sturdy. It comes in a dark brown color instead of the usual black or white that is typical for most headphones of this price range. The brown tint of the headphones goes well with any attire, and makes it suitable for home, office and outdoor use. However, the downside is that these headphones can be on the heavier side with a weight of 340 grams.
Along with these headphones, users get a cable with an inline remote control and microphone to give users the option to use these headphones as a corded one when needed. Another accessory that comes with these headphones is a nice sturdy case to fit the headphones when they fold flat down.
The design comes with many interesting features that improve the usability and comfort of these headphones. One aspect is the ease with the controls can be used. Users can operate it blindly as a ring around the right ear cup helps to control volume while a ring around the left ear cup helps to control track movement. Also, when users take the headphones off their ears and place it on their necks, the music pauses automatically, and resumes when it touches the ears again. Moreover, users also have the option to turn off this feature if they want.
A highlight of these headphones is their use of advanced technology. The advanced bluetooth technology, for example, has a range of up to 330 feet or 100 meters, which is almost ten times more than the current range of existing devices. These headphones are also AptX-enabled, so users who have AptX enabled on their smartphones can enjoy better audio streaming over bluetooth. Another feature that is of high importance is noise cancellation. Plantronics BlackBeat Pro headphones come with advanced noise cancellation technology that can keep a high percentage of noise away.
In terms of performance too, these headphones are top quality. To start with, the battery life is excellent. The company touts that users can listen to 24 hours of music in wireless mode and 60 hours in wired mode along with noise cancellation technology. Sonic signature is good too with a strong bass and stellar treble notes. The treble helps to amp up the details, so users can hear the notes nice and clear. The only downside with sound quality is that it can sound a little too intense for some users, but such a sound signature seems to be in the mainstream.
The audio quality of these headphones is also good on both sides, thereby making it the right choice for those who want to double it up for taking calls.
In short, Plantronics Blackbeat Pro headphones is packed with many features such as advanced bluetooth technology, noise cancellation and easy controls, and these features make it a good buy at $250.
Plantronics GameCom 780 Surround Stereo PC Gaming Headset
Plantronics GameCom 780 Surround Stereo PC Gaming Headset is one of the most stylish looking headphones from Plantronics that also comes at a reasonable price.
The design has a retro look with its large full-size ear cups that sit well on the ears. They cover the entire ear thereby giving excellent noise isolation. These headphones come in a color combination of black and red, where the red is seen as a piping around the ear cups, and on the exposed cables. These exposed cables at the area where the ear cups are attached to the head band gives these headphones a retro look. Otherwise, it is a chunky-looking headphones that is also sturdy and well-built. Controls are on the left ear cup, and there is no inline remote that comes as a part of the cables. Also, volume levels can be controlled only in pre-defined steps, and is not free flowing. The microphone is also attached to the left ear cup, though it can be folded down when not in use. This change can be a slight inconvenience for those who are used to having a headphone with an inline remote.
The performance is power-packed and intense – just what gaming enthusiasts need while playing their favorite games. At the front of these headphones is a blue button that is used to toggle Dolby controls, and with these controls, users can get the effect they want. Furthermore, the 7.1 surround system has a magical and surreal effect, but unfortunately it is available only for PC users. Mac users will have to settle for ordinary sounds that do not carry the same effect.
Besides using it for games, users can also use it to listen to music. The tones are clear with the highest quality to give a wholesome listening experience to users.
It is also comfortable to carry because they are not so heavy despite its big looks. For all these reasons, Plantronics GameCom 780 Surround Stereo PC Gaming Headset is a good choice for gaming enthusiasts as well as anyone else looking to listen to clean music.
Plantronics Backbeat Go 2 Earphones
Plantronics Backbeat Go 2 is a better version of its popular Plantronics Backbeat Go model. These line of earphones are comfortable and offer good sound quality, and yet are affordable as they are priced well under $100. It also comes with bluetooth capability, and it is one of the few models that offer good sound for low prices, thereby making it a great value for money.
As for the design, it is similar to its predecessor in most aspects. It is a pair of ear buds at the end of a long and tangle-free cable. The cable comes with an inline remote and microphone encased in a small box, and are present close to the right ear. Also, the remote has three buttons instead of one, and they are used to adjust volume, answer calls and change tracks respectively.
The fit is reasonably good as it comes with three sets of rubber tips in different sizes to suit different ears. If users want an extra pouch to carry these earphones, then they should be willing to pay another $20 extra. Th e pouch is fairly sturdy and is large enough to fit the headphones as well as the cable.
At the bottom of the pouch is a micro USB card that is used to charge these earphones. The company claims that this charging will provide an extra ten hours to the earphones on top of its 4.5 hours. With these features, the bag seems to be a good value for an extra $20.
These earphones sound good, without any distortion even at top volumes. Though the bass is a little weak when compared to some other models from the same company, it is not too obvious as the balance between different sounds is great. Moreover, the mid-range and high notes response is excellent to give users an enjoyable listening experience. All in all, a worthy pair of earphones that retail for less than $100.
Plantronics Audio 355 Multimedia headset
The number of devices available today have ballooned, and it is estimated that every person in the Western world uses an average of two devices. With such an explosion of devices, it makes sense to have a pair of headphones that can be used across all these devices so that it is inexpensive and at the same time easy to manage.
Imagine the pain that would come with pairing one pair of earphone for each device. To avoid such hassles Plantronics has come with a new pair of headphones called Plantronics Audio 355 Multimedia headset that can be used across many different devices.
It is a standard-looking headphones that are reasonably priced and scores high on comfort. The most important feature of these headphones is its ability to be used across devices such as MP3 players, Internet gaming, VoIP chatting, and for audio calls. These headphones are comfortable too because the ear cups can move independently, so they fit well on the ears. Moreover, the padding is reasonably thick to feel comfortable, and at the same time, it is lightweight enough for mobility. The microphone comes just under the mouth and cannot be extendable, though it is flexible enough to be moved in any direction.
The sound quality of these headphones is good too. The mid-range, high and low notes are well-balanced while the bass and treble are good without sounding overpowering or distorted. In short, the Plantronics Audio 355 Multimedia headset is a good option for budget users who are looking to use their headset for different purposes.
Plantronics BackBeat FiT Wireless
Plantronics BackBeat FiT Wireless earphones are designed for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts who like to listen to music while doing their workout.
These earphones come in bright colors such as blue and lime green. The ear tips do not jam into the ears, rather they are designed to let in outside noise so that people can hear traffic while running outside. This is a refreshing change when compared to earphones that seal off the entire outside noise, thereby making it difficult for users to know what is happening around them. Though this design does not provide any amount of noise isolation, it is nevertheless good for outdoor use.
The ear buds are connected to a flexible band that goes over the ears to give a steady and comfortable fit even while running. The materials used for making these earphones are sweat resistant and water resistant for a longer life. The bluetooth feature of these earphones helps to connect eight devices at the same time, and hence, it doubles up as a wireless headset too. This feature gives users the option to use it for taking calls as well.
The accessories that come along with these earphones include a armband carrying case that can fit most headphones today. Other than this extra accessory, there is nothing else in the box.
In terms of performance, there is a decent battery life that can provide 8 hours of music, 6 hours of talk time or they can be in standby mode for 14 days. The sound signature is detailed and clear, a surprise for an open ear bud that provides no noise isolation. The notes are well-balanced and warm throughout. Overall, a good choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
