Tech Review: Plantronics Backbeat Fit Headphones

[yasr_multiset setid=5] By: MithrandielI'm a headphone junkie. I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm also not afraid to admit that I'm not even an audiophile so there's really no reason for me to rush out and buy every decent pair of headphones I lay my eyes on, but it's my curse. So, when I saw Plantronics new Backbeat headphones I had to make them mine and integrate them in my daily routine.The headphones come with an armband/carrying case for the headphones, but do not feature any varying earbud sizes (I'll come back to this in a moment). On the right side is the call button, the micro-usb port for charging and the power/pair button. On the left side is the play/pause button and volume control. Pairing is straightforward and is assisted by audio cues when you're wearing the headphones.The headphones are very lightweight, and the material is very durable. They are designed to be waterproof as well (up to one meter immersion for 30 minutes), which can be appealing to swimmers out there, or people who sweat a lot when working out. Not that I would know anything about that...As soon as it was connected and I started listening to my workout playlist I could appreciate the rich tones and deep bass, though the design does allow for some sound to escape. I'm not as much of an audiophile as some out there, so for my purposes (workout music, casual listening when on public transit, etc) it was great.Now, what's not so great: comfort. I know that everyone's ears are different, and you might think these headphones are as luxurious and comfortable as a down comforter at the Ritz, but for me it is annoyingly uncomfortable after about 45 minutes to an hour of listening. Even more frustrating is that there are no earbud options included. Most other wireless headphones include at least 3 sizes to help accommodate various users, but Plantronics did not in this instance. For me, it doesn't matter if the sound quality sounds like a choir of angels; if I end up taking them out of my ears after 30-45 minutes I can't enjoy it.That being said, for about $80 you can pick these up on Amazon, which is a great value for what they are. The Backbeat Fit features great sound quality, is waterproof, and is made from a very light and durable material. It's just the luck-of-the-draw comfort that really hinders my ability to enjoy these headphones to their fullest. May the odds be ever in your favor.