▷Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 review: the over-ear headphones for athletes 🥇

The first thing that amazed me Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 is the name. Yes, because that "Fit"Indicates the peculiar vocation of these over-ear headphones: the sport. In short, what it seems at first glance un headset wireless dedicated to urban or domestic use, it was actually created for physical activity, both outside and in the gym.

But are they really fit for purpose? To find out, we tried them intensively for a few weeks.

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 review: flexible and light

The design is one of the elements I appreciated most of the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100. Available in three variants, the camouflage one we tested, in addition to the black and gray one, these headphones boast plastic pavilions, which can tilt 45 degrees, e cuscinetti in memory foam that guarantee a very high level of comfort.

The bow, on the other hand, is extremely flexible, it presents an unusual hexagonal pattern, which improves the grip and makes them rather breathable, and integrates a drawstring that you can stretch or release to get an ultra-stable or more relaxed fit depending on your needs. There is also the possibility of adjusting the width of the headset using the hidden guides inside the headband. But be careful: there are no notches to help you adjust the BackBeat FIT 6100 symmetrically, so you'll have to rely on your eyes.

To this we add finally IPX5 certification, for its resistance to sweat, humidity and other liquids, and its extremely low weight: only 240 grams.

All this allows the BackBeat FIT 6100 not only to be very comfortable, but also to offer the sportier among you the stability and grip you need. Losing them while running or bending over will be nearly impossible.

Soft touch buttons and surfaces

I haven't told you about buttons so far and the reason is simple: there aren't any. Almost.

The right pavilion houses a small switch that allows you to turn on the headphones and start pairing when needed. A little above we have the microUSB connector - and yes, I would have preferred a Type-C - and finally a single button, which toggles Open Mic mode on or off. The latter allows you to isolate yourself from environmental noises or not, which will be particularly useful during sports activities as it helps you to be aware of what is happening around you, whether it is the cars that pass while you are running or gym friends talking to you while you work out.

All other checks have been entrusted to a soft touch panel integrated in the right pavilion. So just a tap to start playback, pause or answer a call. A swipe up or down allows you to turn the volume up or down, while a swipe to the right or left allows you to skip to the next song or go back to the previous one.

Finally, with a double tap you can call up the voice assistant, be it Cortana on PC, Google Assistant and Alexa on Android or Siri on iPhone.

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The Backbeat application

To accompany the BackBeat FIT 6100 there is also a dedicated application. Is called Backbeat, it is available on both the App Store and the Google Play Store and, of course, it is not essential to start using your new headphones.

The app, however, includes some rather interesting features, in addition of course to the classic periodic software update. First of all we have the equalizer which allows you to choose one of the 3 predefined modes: PLT Signature Balanced, Bright e Bass. The first is, as the name suggests, the most balanced and suitable for any genre, the second prefers highs, mids and, above all, vocals, while the last is for bass lovers. The difference, I guarantee you, is quite palpable, which allows to satisfy the tastes of any user.

The software also allows you to enable the Open Mic mode even remotely, to send a sound signal to the headphones to help you find them and to change the language of the voice that communicates with you. No, it is not a owned headset: it simply signals you to turn on, turn off, activate Open Mic mode and battery level.

The features offered by the app do not end there. The menu MyTap in fact it allows you to associate different functions to the single tap or double tap than the default ones. The list is not infinite but the options offered are all in all interesting: in addition to the voice assistant we find the possibility to know what time it is, to start the timer, to play a specific playlist from Spotify or Deezer or to switch from one mode to all. other of the equalizer.

You can also activate the feature HD Voice, define the system volume or disable touch controls for a predefined period of time. In short, you really have everything you need and more.

Download QR-Code ‎BackBeat Developer: Plantronics B.V. Price: Free

Download QR-Code BackBeat Developer: Plantronics Inc. Price: Free

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 review: everyday use

I've used the BackBeat FIT 6100 for just about everything from brisk walks to fitness exercises, hours in the office to some music while cleaning around the house. I loved them in all these situations.

These headphones remain firmly anchored to your head no matter what you do, they do not weigh even after periods of prolonged use and are always comfortable, even after sweating a lot.

The quality of the sound, put to the test with Spotify, Tidal's Masters songs and a little Netflix, it really convinced me. Among other things, the balanced profile, selectable via the app, adapts more or less to everything so you won't have to go crazy even in the face of extremely varied playlists. If you are looking for the right boost for your daily workout, you will love the Bass mode. The Bright one, on the other hand, is more suitable for films and TV series, above all because it removes most of the bass to favor speech, which I did not particularly like when listening to traditional music.

E do you call them? You will not have big problems hearing your interlocutor. Conversely, your voice will be less clear in noisy and crowded places, but you will have no problem with making phone calls at home or in the office.

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How long does the battery last?

Plantronics declares 24 hours of battery life and that's a pretty accurate estimate. If you plan on using the Backbeat FIT 6100 for 2/3 hours every day - just enough time to do some exercise in the gym - you could cover a whole week on a single charge. If, on the other hand, you want to use them at home or while you work, you should have no problem covering at least a couple of days before having to recharge them.

I also point out the possibility of using the 3,5 mm microUSB / jack cable to exploit them even without resorting to Bluetooth 5.0, a technology that - I remind you - allows you to connect them to two different devices at the same time.

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 review: buy them or not?

We come to the real and almost only sore point of this headset: the cost. Plantronics has decided to place them on the market at the recommended price of 170 euro. A pretty steep price tag for a pair of headphones that don't have noise cancellation, no sensors that pause playback automatically when you remove them, and not even a USB-C connector for charging. Also absent in the package is an envelope / package / clutch to carry a product designed to be used on the move.

However, I wouldn't call it an out-of-market or incredibly disproportionate cost. To justify the 170 euros we think the build quality, the very satisfactory audio experience, a really well complete application and a very interesting autonomy. Then consider that over-ear headphones for sportsmen are not really a lot on the market: these are not only there a good alternative to the now rampant spread of true wireless but they are incredibly comfortable and durable. In short, in my opinion it is worth giving it a thought.