Design and features:These headphones can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth devices or can be cord connected. When cord connected they have low sensitivity; so while they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and higher powered portable audio devices, they may not be a good match for lower-powered portables. The BackBeat Sense has an integrated microphone and built-in volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls for use with Bluetooth paired devices. Additional features include a defeatable position sensor that stops music playback or transfers call to phone when headphone is taken off head and resumes music playback when headphone is placed back on head, a monitor button that pauses the audio program and picks up ambient sounds so you can better here what's going on around you when in Bluetooth mode, a free Plantronics Hub app download for Apple and Android mobile devices and PCs and Macs that has a misplaced headphone locator feature, HD voice capability when used with HD voice capable phones, and earcups that swivel to flat for ease of carrying and storage. This model comes with a detachable 57-inch long audio cable for wired use with built-in mic and answer/music player control button for iPhone/iPod/iPad, and smartphone use (the cable's 4-contact mini-plug works with most mobile devices but may not be compatible with some other audio equipment), a USB charging cable, and a storage bag.
Sound quality: We found the BackBeat Sense delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The overall sound can best be summarized as somewhat full, bassy, and somewhat busy. In wireless mode the bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is prominent, boomy, and has a "boingy" (like a bouncing spring) quality. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even, but a bit grainy and somewhat congested (think sonic traffic jam). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but slightly subdued and a bit soft and smeared - sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred. While the sound has a good sense of liveliness it is somewhat closed-in --sound-wise it is somewhat obvious that you have something covering your ears. The sound does not change when this model is cord connected.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a light sense of pressure on the ears; some users that have thin or no hair on top of their heads might feel a sense of pressure from the inner headband. The ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use, and when wearing this model while walking the vibrations from each foot step can be heard through the headphones.
