Plantronics Backbeat 505
PLANTRONICS HAS HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR CRAP.
YOUR CHEAP, CRAPPY headphones, that is. Aimed at youths — or anyone with a need for decent-sounding headphones on a modest budget — the Backbeat 505s have somehow managed to tick all the boxes without compromising (too much) on build quality and features.
These Bluetooth cans are cleverly designed to not only look urban, but also have much-needed strength where it matters most. Built from heavy-duty plastics, the upper arch of the headband is thinner to allow for a fairly flexible fit, while the joints where the ratchet can be adjusted are bolstered for added durability. Stress reduction is also helped with the tricky additional level of pivot added on top. The 505s are comfy where they need to be, too, with a well-padded headband and generously memory-foam-clad cans hugging your ears. The result is a robust set of headphones that won’t skip a beat and can withstand some punishment.
Being part of the BackBeat family, the 505s are also surprisingly feature-rich for such an entry-level $120 price tag. Connection to our test iPhone 7 was rock solid over and above the stated 10m range, there’s NFC for quicker Android set up and physical controls on the left can. Best of all, however, is that the Bluetooth is true multi-point, meaning you can switch between your phone, laptop and tablet seamlessly without needing to dig into the settings and force new connections.
The sound the 505s pump out definitely punch above their weight, though audiophiles need not apply (look instead at the BackBeat Pro). Anyone looking for punchy thick sound will be well catered for, though, and the passive isolation from the on-ear cups is another nice plus.