When comparing Sony MDR 7506 vs Plantronics BackBeat Fit, the Slant community recommends Sony MDR 7506 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Sony MDR 7506 is ranked 15th while Plantronics BackBeat Fit is ranked 22nd. The most important reason people chose Sony MDR 7506 is:
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances . The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Clean and balanced sound with smooth bass and detailed highs
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances .
The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you.
Pro Very affordable price for the sound and quality build that you get
Despite being sub $100, the MDR 7506 can compete against headphones up to twice the price. These make for great headphones if you are just starting to get serious about your audio and you want a relatively inexpensive yet quality purchase.
Pro Reliable headphones due to solid build quality
The MDR 7506 is built outstandingly well, with high quality materials and with little to no creaks and unnecessary flex. These headphones have been around since 1991, which has given Sony a lot of time to refine the manufacturing process of these cans.
Pro Easy to bring on the go due to the collapsible design
The yokes are collapsible and fold into the headband, reducing the headphones to a much more compact size. Included with each purchase is a synthetic leather pouch for added protection for the headphones when taking them on the go.
Pro Minimal sound leakage due to the closed back design
These leak very little sound compared to other over-ear headphones. The rear side of the ear cups is fully closed, which effectively minimizes sound leakage. With these, you can fully enjoy your music without disturbing people beside you.
Pro Has two separate ports for listening
Pro Bluetooth connectivity minimizes the hassle of wires
Connectivity with source devices is via Bluetooth, so in place of a full headphone cable is a flexible, soft and short cord made of rubber material that keeps the earpieces connected. You won't have to deal with a long and dangling cable.
Pro Full mids, punchy bass, and smooth highs
The highs are not the most detailed, but they are clear and do give an airy feel to the music. The mids are full and forward so vocals will definitely sound great.
Bass is hit or miss though, depending on how well these headphones seal in your ear. If there is a good seal then bass is punchy and tight though not very powerful. Otherwise, it is likely that the bass will sound a bit on the thin side.
Pro The included case doubles as an armband
The case can be converted into an armband by reversing it inside out. This is very useful as you can use the arm band to store your smartphone while on a run, along with some essentials like your keys or some cash.
Pro Fits nice and snug in the ears
The ear tips are made out of a soft and flexible material that is comfortable and supports the weight of the earpieces quite well. This is enhanced by the wing tips that further help to keep the headphones in place.
Pro Earbud design allows ambient sound in
The design does not create a thorough seal in your ears, which can be a good thing as this will allow you to maintain awareness of what's around you.
Pro Good battery life
The BackBeat Fit can last up to 8 hours of playback from a full charge.
Pro Sweat resistant
A sweat resistant coating is applied to the interior parts, so splashes of liquid aren't likely to cause damage.
Pro On-earpiece buttons allow basic smartphone/music player function control
Each of the earpieces have a single button. Different combinations of presses will allow you to pause/play tracks, answer/end calls, adjust volume and do other functions which can be convenient.
Pro Built in microphone has a decent sound
The audio from the microphone is not amazing, but it is quite clear with no distortion so it should be good for most conversations.
Cons
Con ear pad material will flake off after a short while.
You can use Brainwavz replacement earpads as an alternative.
Con Cable is quite long and non-removable
The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic.
Con Can be very picky with audio sources
Due to how accurate sounding these are, you will be able to hear minute details from the sound, including hiss, distortion, and the like. To get the most out of these headphones for music enjoyment, you will want to have a great audio source.
Con Flopping earpiece cord can be annoying
When you start moving, it is likely that the short but fairly chunky cord connecting both earpieces will flop up and down. This can come into contact with your skin which can be distracting, and can even cause skin irritation.
Con Noise leakage can be distracting
While these headphones allow you stay aware of your surroundings, this also means that a lot of environmental sound will get in the way of your music. If you want to zone-in on your audio while running or working out then these may not be the best ones for you.