Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 77 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment73%
PROS 73%
CONS 27%

Rank based on 77 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You prioritize rich, bass-heavy sound over top-tier noise cancelling
  • You want long battery life and don't mind replacing earpads eventually
  • You want premium-feeling sound without paying Bose/Sony flagship prices

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need best-in-class active noise cancellation for calls or travel
  • You're sensitive to bulky side buttons accidentally pausing or disconnecting audio
  • You need earcups that won't degrade or peel with regular use

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Transparency ModeNoise CancellationSound QualityiOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-inDurability/Crackling ConcernsHigh Price
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Transparency Mode
Noise Cancellation
Sound Quality
iOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-in
Durability/Crackling Concerns
High Price
2Mid
Skullcandy Crusher
Signature haptic bass slider
Skullcandy Crusher
Signature haptic bass slider
3Premium
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Exceptional comfortStrong for gaming and imagingImprovement over HD 650/6XXIrritating L/R lettering inside padsBuild/pad quality issues reportedHigh price relative to alternatives
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Exceptional comfort
Strong for gaming and imaging
Improvement over HD 650/6XX
Irritating L/R lettering inside pads
Build/pad quality issues reported
High price relative to alternatives
4Mid
Sennheiser HD 25
Exceptional durabilityBalanced, quality soundFully repairable/modularCable-to-driver cutout issuesStrong clamping forceUnconventional cable entry side
Sennheiser HD 25
Exceptional durability
Balanced, quality sound
Fully repairable/modular
Cable-to-driver cutout issues
Strong clamping force
Unconventional cable entry side
5Mid
Philips SHP9500S
Exceptional comfort
Philips SHP9500S
Exceptional comfort
Best value
6Premium
Denon AH-D9200
Smooth, detailed treble and clarityStrong perceived value and end-game satisfactionTight, deep bassHigh price pointSibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive earsTight fit for larger ears
Denon AH-D9200
Smooth, detailed treble and clarity
Strong perceived value and end-game satisfaction
Tight, deep bass
High price point
Sibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive ears
Tight fit for larger ears
7Premium
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Excellent Call and Mic QualityAll-Day ComfortIndustry-Leading Noise CancellationHigh Price PointInconsistent Call Clarity in Certain EnvironmentsBluetooth Pairing Problems
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Excellent Call and Mic Quality
All-Day Comfort
Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation
High Price Point
Inconsistent Call Clarity in Certain Environments
Bluetooth Pairing Problems
8Premium
Shure SRH1540
Neutral, accurate soundExceptional comfortGreat detail and resolutionPerceived as 'boring' by some listenersElevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutralSound highly dependent on seal and source
Shure SRH1540
Neutral, accurate sound
Exceptional comfort
Great detail and resolution
Perceived as 'boring' by some listeners
Elevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutral
Sound highly dependent on seal and source
9Budget
Philips SHP9500
Exceptional value for moneyOutstanding comfortDetailed, neutral sound signatureLight or rolled-off bassCheap-feeling build qualityPerceived treble grain/sibilance
Philips SHP9500
Exceptional value for money
Outstanding comfort
Detailed, neutral sound signature
Light or rolled-off bass
Cheap-feeling build quality
Perceived treble grain/sibilance
10Budget
Apple EarPods
Excellent Sound Quality for PriceComfortable for Extended UseNo Charging RequiredLimited Noise IsolationBuild Quality ConcernsNot Secure for Active Use
Apple EarPods
Excellent Sound Quality for Price
Comfortable for Extended Use
No Charging Required
Limited Noise Isolation
Build Quality Concerns
Not Secure for Active Use
You are here
31Mid
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
Excellent sound qualityDeep, powerful bassGood value for priceInconsistent or weak noise cancellingEarpads and headband leather degrade over timeAwkward or accidental button controls
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
Excellent sound quality
Deep, powerful bass
Good value for price
Inconsistent or weak noise cancelling
Earpads and headband leather degrade over time
Awkward or accidental button controls

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is the headline strength, repeatedly compared favorably to pricier competitors. Commenters describe deep, room-shaking bass, balanced mids, and surprising detail retrieval, saying they hear nuances missing from cheaper headphones. Multiple users directly compare them to Bose SoundLink II, QC35, JBL, and Audio-Technica m50x, finding the BackBeat Pro 2 tighter, punchier, and more textured. A few dissenters found the sequel's bass reduced versus the original, and one reviewer felt Bluetooth-only playback via an optical transmitter degraded functionality but not core sound.

Noise cancelling performance splits opinion sharply. Several users call the ANC 'average', 'a joke', or note it does 'absolutely NOTHING' against ambient noise, especially compared to Bose QC35 or Sony WH-1000X series. Others say it handles low-frequency drones like transit and machinery reasonably well while letting voices through, and some praise the ambient/open-mic listening mode as genuinely useful for hearing surroundings without removing the headset. Overall, it's viewed as acceptable but not class-leading for the price.

Durability and control quirks are the most common long-term frustrations. Multiple owners report the pleather headband and glued earpads crack, peel, or tear within months to a couple of years, requiring aftermarket or OEM replacements. Side buttons and the auto-pause-on-removal sensor cause accidental interruptions or unwanted power-ons for some, while other long-term owners report zero control issues over years of daily use. Battery life is near-universally praised as strong even after years of ownership.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?