When comparing Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 vs SteelSeries Siberia 840, the Slant community recommends Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is ranked 29th while SteelSeries Siberia 840 is ranked 134th. The most important reason people chose Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is:
With the BackBeat Pro 2, you get powerful yet clear sound that is comparable to higher end models but at a noticeably more affordable price. Wireless range and stability is quite good and the noise cancelling, while not the best, can reduce a good amount of external noise.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Good sound reproduction, wireless signal stability and decent noise-canceling for the price
With the BackBeat Pro 2, you get powerful yet clear sound that is comparable to higher end models but at a noticeably more affordable price. Wireless range and stability is quite good and the noise cancelling, while not the best, can reduce a good amount of external noise.
Pro Decent noise cancelling
While the active noise canceling is not the best, it is able to reduce a good amount of noise from your surroundings. Loud engine sounds or high pitched noise may still mix in with your music though.
Pro Clear and powerful sound
The BackBeat Pro 2’s mids and treble are not forward, yet sound clear and neutral. You may hear a bit of sharpness in the higher frequencies, but overall you’ll get a pleasant listening experience with great details from your music.
The low-end is quite emphasized, so you’ll get a lot of thump from bass hits. Bass lovers will likely find these headphones to be up their alley.
Pro Music automatically pauses when taking the headphones off
You won’t need to press a button on the headphones or on your source device to pause the music when you need to remove the BackBeat Pro 2. There are sensors inside the headphones that detect this motion, so the music is automatically paused, and then resumed when you put the headphones back on.
Pro Open-listening mode
Listen to the environment via a microphone without taking off the headphones.
Pro Wired or wireless functionality
These headphones have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless convenience, but you can also switch to 3.5mm wired mode if the battery runs out and you cannot charge right away.
Pro Good wireless range and stability
You’ll be able to hear audio even if you are around 100 feet away from your source device, provided there is a clear line of sight. Signal quality is also pretty good with minimal music cuts and drops.
Pro Very good battery life
These headphones can last up to 24 hours of playback from a full charge, and this with moderate volumes in wireless mode with noise cancelling activated. This is very good battery life, considering other wireless headphones at the price range only have around half the battery life on average.
Pro Good passive noise isolation
The ear cups feature a closed design which blocks outside noise. People near you won't hear the in-game audio while you're wearing these.
Pro Compatible with other gaming platforms
This is versatile gaming headset works with PC, Xbox One and a host of other devices.
Pro Boom mic is easy to position
The microphone is flexible and can easily be bent or angled as preferred. If not in use, the mic can be pushed into the ear cup so it won’t get in the way.
Pro Syncs with Engine 3 software
You can adjust the various settings of the Siberia 840 on your computer via Steelseries’ Engine 3 app. You get more fine tuning options compared to what the base station can provide, and you’ll also be able to set and sync audio profiles with your other Steelseries devices, allowing on the fly audio changes depending on the inputs to your Steelseries mouse and/or keyboard.
Pro Wireless connection is fast and stable
The range and stability of the wireless connection is very good. The signal remains stable with clear audio even if the headset is more than 30 feet away from the base. There is also no noticeable delay between what is happening on screen and when you hear the audio.
Pro Bluetooth connectivity
You can connect this headset to your smartphone/tablet and other Bluetooth capable audio devices, which is a major upgrade over the old 800 model. This allows you to take calls from your phone and improves device compatibility, and are perks that you may find to be very useful.
Pro Rich and lively sound
This headset has a fun sound signature. The highs are slightly boosted, which helps make the audio sound very airy. The enhanced bass makes explosions quite powerful and immersive. The mids, while not forward, are present and give body to the audio.
Pro Unique charging system
The Siberia 840 comes with a spare battery pack in addition to the one already provided. The spare battery can be charged independently in the base station, so you can use the headset while the other battery pack charges. Swapping from one battery to another is also quick and easy to do.
Pro Great sounding wireless headset with a lot of connectivity options and a unique charging system
This headset's wireless connection (both RF and Bluetooth) is stable and the sound is detailed and powerful. The base station also accepts a variety of analog and digital inputs, making this a very versatile headset. It also has a long battery life complemented by a charging system that allows you to charge one battery pack while using the other.
Cons
Con Heavy
These headphones may put some strain on your head and neck due to these being quite heavy, coming in at almost 300 grams.
Con Bulky for traveling
These headphones may not be ideal for on-the-go use, as they are large, full-sized headphones that do not fold down to a compact size.
Con Charging system can be inconvenient for some
While the charging system and the inclusion of two batteries is a unique and innovative feature, it can also be an inconvenience. You can’t charge the battery while the headset is in use, which can be an issue if you forget to charge your spare battery while the other one is in use. This can also be a problem when you lose headset power mid-game and you need to swap out batteries.
Con Subpar mic volume
While the voice quality from the mic is great, the volume is rather weak. This can make it a little more difficult for teammates to hear your voice.