In our research, we found out that there seems to be so far almost no devices on the market that combine all of the criteria to be. Time missing Apt-X support, sometimes ANC, Bluetooth times hence neither products from Bose, Sennheiser, Sony or B & O had a real alternative as far as we have seen no manufacturer unites all features in one device. Only the Samsung Level Over seemed to meet all the requirements. I ordered it in August for my husband and waiting since a delivery. The unit is well rated in tests to obtain since dealer in any major (known) or the suggested retail price of 350, - Euro or offered up.
Now I got the opportunity to test the Plantronics BackBeat PRO that was not previously occurred to me during my research below and in the European market is obviously very new. What I realized when I read the datasheet? He met on paper all the features mentioned above, we were looking for. Compared to Samsung the following differences in the BackBeat PRO we noticed:
- He is even minimally (16g) lighter than the Samsung, but with 340g certainly no lightweight (point for Plantronics)
- It supports Bluetooth 4.0 (Samsung 3.0 point for Plantronics)
- It can be simultaneously with two devices (eg music player and phone) couple (Samsung only 1 point unit for Plantronics)
- Price is $ 100, according to EIA under the Samsung (point for Plantronics)
- Earcups rotate whereby it is somewhat easier to stow (solid at Samsung rather point for Plantronics)
- Samsung delivers an airplane adapter (point for Samsung, but something only costs about 3-4 euros)
My husband immediately agreed to test the headphones through its paces, here is his conclusion:
My high expectations were not disappointed. The BackBeat PRO comes elegantly packaged in black and purple. Taking the backbeat from its packaging it looks easier than feared. The processing makes a good impression, compared to Samsung, which I had looked at and sample belongs in KaDeWe, the design is not quite as elegant, here there are more corners and edges and the appearance is more reminiscent of a gaming headset. Nevertheless, the art and foams work well processed and reinforced with metal handle raced well, but not too stiff in a size setting. In some places, the plastic is broken and shows a fine wire mesh, very effective (probably lie beneath the microphones for telephone and ANC). The insides of the packaging are in accordance with related in dark purple fabric and have with prints of L and R properly seated (as with Samsung). In the enclosed rather large soft bag with Velcro, which is lined with a soft purple fabric, is a quick guide, a mini USB cable and a jack connector cable for the event, which should be empty of battery times find (what in is unlikely to occur forecasted playing time of 24h). Again, an emphasis is placed, the rubberized cord are also purple. The connectors are gold-plated, the connector for the terminal angled, very good.
The seat is good, the earpads are round. After switching on an English female voice announces that the battery level is high, from 5 diodes shine 4 fortunate must not only be charged! The state can also be announcements between transmit / Show. The first pairing via Bluetooth is Ratzfatz and then the connection is established when turned on again without delay as soon I have never experienced. As a start: I want you in the version of Michael McDonald of beginning with slap bass, strings and electric guitar sounds crisp, high resolution, fun. Summertime by Fitzgerald / Armstrong also excited by a broad stage and warm atmosphere. Especially finely orchestrated titles as of Melody Gardot or the Kings of Convenience convince me you can hear subtleties of plucked strings and a finger tapping on the guitar body. But rock music or orchestral music I really like, as well as numbers Funky Brand New Heavies Sunlight. In short, I found no weaknesses. The bass is indeed always present, but I think probably dosed him.
ANC I first tested in the Berlin S-Bahn and was pleasantly surprised. While not all the outside noise can be suppressed, but the disturbing, rumbling area disappears, bids remain for understandable practical blend. Ever you realize by this technique once, how much ground noise is present in a large city. The ghosts of American reviewers divorce if the sound changed with ANC. My conclusion: Yes! Is that bad? No! The sound without ANC's center-weighted and slightly warmer, which z. B. the voice of Gregory Porter comes to meet something. With ANC treble and bass come more to advantage, the middle range and upper bass range is less well because in this frequency range ANC environmental noise eliminated by counter-waves. The difference can be quite well over the sound settings on the player / phone to your personal tastes converge, if you want. Mir is the sound with ANC even more, although I really like to listen to songs with center-weighted strings carpet. Nevertheless, the voice of singer / interior looks even a little clearer, centered. On both sound variations you get used to quickly, noting the differences only in direct comparison. Anyway, I'm happy overall with the sound and feel it as balanced. Fine details are brought to light, which are swallowed with other listeners. Also in the cable operation with or without the ANC sounds BackBeat PRO good, make a significant difference to the Bluetooth I could not tell. Also on the old Galaxy S2 without apt-X Bluetooth sounds wonderful. Who the maximum volume is insufficient, which makes me fear. Even older recordings (z. B. the Bass fireworks from Level 42 Hot Water) can be brought to a volume level that hurts me (to have without however losing clarity or reaches the upper limit). In short, I move beyond the lower end of the volume setting and am completely satisfied.
The operation is slightly out of hand. On the right earpiece turning a toothed wheel (like a jog shuttle) to adjust the volume, on the left will change to allow the title. The large button right in the middle is to answer calls, left to start / pause the music. Wearing headphones, despite the weight over a long period pleasant, but there are as usual in closed housings something warm ears, the price of a closed system. (Front view) The basic shape of the entire handset is rather circular designed as oval, which also broader heads will accommodate, in narrower heads the construction is but visually a bit and the earcups press me a little below the ears. Here movable earpieces on axes would have been beneficial. Even for eyeglass wearers, the device is well suited in any case disturbs my narrow metal frame is not (because the pressure as I said is more likely below). One of the few criticisms: The upholstery exude particularly at the beginning of a chemical smell. But appears to decrease with time.
And even more: The range is great where other devices produce dropouts after a few meters, I can here go from one end of the apartment to the other - without loss of contact. At the office, I go down the hall into the printer room without problems. According to the data is up to 100 m work, where else are just 10m usual. The stamina is great. After over 20 hours ANC operation just 2 of 5 diodes are off. Other features that I had been viewed by any other device: The Plantronics recognizes if one removes it, and then the music stops, after the re-run the music slowly dims back to the original volume. Pressing the mute button while listening to music, the music is dimmed and the external microphones, which are responsible for the ANC, transferred outside noise inside - which is also to be found rather rare. So it is possible to talk about briefly, without taking off the headphones. I think that although generally rather rude, but to z. B. Short to order his tomato juice or coffee when traveling by air, it would be ok. There is even a software (download), with which you personalize the backbeat (not tried) and also can insert a German-language typesetting.
Finally, I had the opportunity to compare the Samsung Level Over directly. Visually, the smooth surfaces, the stronger metal brackets and metal applications are more noble than the backbeat. The sewn (though not leather, as visually suggested) pad act to strap and soft ear cups and noble. Therefore, the Samsung is probably preferable for the style-conscious. The oval shape of ear clippings I find comfort a little better, convinced the padding. The operating concept from Samsung, where you served with finger movements in different directions, is also good and innovative, to me is rather the manual from Backbeat. Sonically when the ANC I find, however, the backbeat clearer and more balanced. I have both tested here with the same equalizer setting. The Samsung sounds comparatively little washed out and less accentuated. That is certainly all depends on listening habits and musical style and can be improved through the equalizer certainly. I have different styles like Rock / Jazz / Easy Listening / orchestral part (no hiphop). ANC was for me compared with no detectable differences.
Conclusion: I have found everything I need on the ears in the Backbeat. So you might not be the / the most beautiful in the country and there is still potential in comfort, but sound, endurance and other features to meet all your wishes. The whole thing, there are comparatively at a competitive price (currently about 190, -). From me a clear recommendation.
