
Let me say from the get-go that “fit” is the overriding argument for and against investing US$129.99 in the Plantronics BackBeat FIT, so I began looking at ears from a different perspective as I began this review and found it somewhat ironic that the company would pick FIT as a style name.įor me, the FIT fit. Multiple reviewers are urging Plantronics to come up with “replacement buds for a better seal,” so if product developers heed this call, the BackBeat FIT could attract even more fans.Some wearers still experience sore ears after wearing the new FIT device, but a few chose to stick with them because they were impressed by the unit’s ability to repel sweat and let in enough outside noise to keep them safe.Not every runner is going to be willing to spend around $130 on a headset, no matter how sophisticated and improved the new FIT may be over the earlier version, thus price could be a deal breaker.Because the ear tip has been re-designed to allow just enough outside noise to reach my ears, I stay safe and aware, no matter where I run.
#Backbeat fit updater full
A single charge gets my 8-hour battery energized long enough to cover my full week of workouts.The flexible neckband design is so lightweight, neither stability nor comfort were issues for me.Original FIT devices garnered lots of complaints about slippage due to sweating, and I’m happy to report that the new headset design meets IP57 standards courtesy of a nano-coating that meets my waterproofing standards.Speaking of complaints, I doubt that last year’s dissatisfied FIT owners would complain about the new version of the FIT because these stay put in my ears. If I’m being very good, I try to get in around 40 miles a week and mix it up between trail and city, so on my longer runs, I had a chance to test out the battery life and so far, no complaints. Is the music reception flawless when I move from app to app? Not always, but this is an insignificant factor as far as I’m concerned and I blame circumstances over which I have no control. The new device allows me to stoke up the volume when a tune that gets my legs pumping starts to play, yet I’m still aware of what’s going on around me, so I don’t wind up dodging traffic or dog leashes when I run in urban areas. This device is easy to use, contours nicely to my head (not that my head is an odd shape, mind you!), they’re sweat proof and feel comfortable while delivering superior sound quality. I found the latest iteration of the FIT to be new and improved from the get-go. The latest version of the FIT got a few thumbs up from me and since I’m typical of athletes who count on their devices to distract them, I’m glad I decided to check the device out. Happily, I can attest to the fact that going back to the drawing board was just what the doctor ordered. What if they don’t stay in my ears or hurt? Well, I concluded, let’s see how they work for me. Would you pay S$30 more for sweat-proof and brighter sound? At S$169, I think it’s a steal.While not every shopper complained, I had concerns about whether or not I wanted to review the newest FIT, recently rolled out by Plantronics, for myriad reasons. The result is the BackBeat FIT 505 fills the ears with tighter audio. While the BackBeat 505 is more warm with emphasis on bass and a more precise, albeit recessed, highs, the BackBeat FIT 505 is leaner at the bass while emphasising on the upper midrange to sound more aggressive, yet the higher frequencies have more spatial response. I was expecting the audio tuning to be the same, but I was surprised that Plantronics altered the frequency response. Other than the nano-coating, there’s another difference: audio quality. The BackBeat FIT 505 appears identical to BackBeat 505 except the colour style and the cloth bag. For instance, when you are wearing it for commutes and there is a light drizzle, you don’t have to worry. The BackBeat FIT 505 is the first on-ear headphones in the series, and while it may seem weird why would anyone wear headphones for workouts, it appears there are people who do that, especially in gyms.Īnyway, it is always a good thing for electronics to come with some water resistance.
#Backbeat fit updater series
The FIT series are reserved for earphones with P2i nano-coating to repel moisture, and has had many in-ear wireless earphones in the past.

Remember I reviewed the BackBeat 505 a few months back? Plantronics also has a sweat-proof version called BackBeat FIT 505.
