Plantronics BackBeat Go

Sound quality

Excellent voice, average music quality. The Plantronics BackBeat Go provides excellent voice quality for both parties in a phone call, with its full-duplex echo cancellation eliminating most outside noise. PCMag.com calls the BackBeat Go "the best stereo Bluetooth headset we've ever used for phone calls." However, most reviewers find the headset's music listening quality underwhelming. Many highlight the "lightweight" and "thin" bass as a primary deficit to a good listening experience; the unit's mid- and high-ranges are clear but sometimes lack warmth. This headset won't fully replace your wired headphones.

Comfort

Fairly comfortable, but not a perfect fit. Reviews are mixed on this unit's comfort, ranging from "very comfortable" to "pretty comfortable" and "comfort is quirky." The BackBeat Go comes with three sets of earbuds plus ear-loop stabilizers. The earbuds are very soft, which can make it difficult to achieve a close fit.

Usability

Tangle-free but with small buttons. Reviewers say the tangle-free cord between the BackBeat Go's earbuds "really works." It unobtrusively hangs down the wearer's neck, creating only a slight "thump" when walking fast. Pairing this unit with a phone is easy, and the BackBeat Go uses the same charger as other Plantronics products. The buttons on the inline remote are small and can't be seen when wearing the headset. Several users had difficulty with the rubber power button, with one needing to use his fingertip instead of his finger to adjust it. The BackBeat Go also has a headset battery meter for Android phones and iPhones.

Appearance

Lightweight and unobtrusive. The Plantronics BackBeat Go is one of the smallest stereo headsets and "surprisingly lightweight," according to the reviewer at PCMag.com, even though the earbuds contain the battery and transmitter. The small, flat, rubber cable can be hidden, as can the microphone that's integrated into the cord.

The bottom line

The Plantronics BackBeat Go is a stereo Bluetooth headset that provides excellent phone call quality but only a mediocre stereo music listening experience. Its small, lightweight body is unobtrusive and comfortable, and its noise cancelling technology eliminates most outside sounds. All experts who conduct hands-on tests agree that this unit is great for making phone calls but delivers just a good to average music listening experience.