When comparing Sennheiser HD 650 vs Plantronics BackBeat Fit, the Slant community recommends Sennheiser HD 650 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Sennheiser HD 650 is ranked 10th while Plantronics BackBeat Fit is ranked 22nd. The most important reason people chose Sennheiser HD 650 is:
The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies. The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear. Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Tight and punchy bass, clear with natural mids and highs
The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies.
The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear.
Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized.
Pro Lightweight and comfortable with a near neutral sound signature
The H650 is popular for its near neutral sound, which makes it quite versatile. The headphones can give a great casual listening, gaming, and movie watching experience yet are accurate enough for pro audio mixing. They are also lightweight and comfortable so you won't have any issues wearing them for hours.
Pro Comfortable even when used for hours straight
Clamping force is not too tight. The ear pads and headband feature memory foam which are covered by velour material. The pads feel really soft on the head and allow airflow for minimized heat build-up/sweat.
The headband also features similar cushioning materials and minimizes pressure spots on the head.
Pro Decent soundstage
The open ear cup design allows the sound to blend with your surroundings, giving it a natural width. It will also be easier to identify the direction of sounds, which can really help immersion.
Pro Lightweight for full-sized headphones
The HD-650s do not feel heavy at all. They are usable for long music listening, movie or gaming sessions without feeling pain or strain on their head and neck.
Pro Headphone cable can easily be replaced
While the cable connectors are proprietary, they can easily be removed from the ear cups with a firm pull. The popularity of these headphones means that there are a lot of aftermarket cables that can be bought.
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 Sound leak can be a distraction for others
The open design means that a lot of sound can leak out the ear cups. Other people in your immediate vicinity will be able to hear your music, movie or game, which can be annoying for them.
Con Requires a headphone amp for optimal sound
Plugging these directly to your computer or phone will most likely result in audio that is lacking in volume or may sound too thin. To get the best listening experience, you will need to run these with a capable headphone amp.
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.