Listening to music during a workout comes with numerous benefits. For instance, it can distract you from fatigue, boost your endurance, and elevate your mood. It may also motivate you to push yourself to the limits.
But to enjoy these benefits, you will need to have a nice set of high-quality headphones, which can deliver clear music to your ears. Unfortunately, most workout headphones currently in the market are either too bulky or uncomfortable to wear for long durations.
And this is where the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 comes in. It’s a lightweight, comfortable and highly versatile set of headsets, designed to be workout enthusiasts who prefer over-ear headphones. Read on to learn more about this set of headsets.
Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Overview
Key Features
- Battery life: Up to 24 hours
- Charge time: 2 hours
- Wireless
- Control panel placed on the device
- Ultra stable fit with its unique sport-fit headband
- Suitable for both running and working out in the gym
Specifications
- Type: Over ear headphones
- Wireless: Yes
- Phone controls: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Water/Sweat-resistant: Yes (IPX5)
Design and Construction
When it comes to design and construction, the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 set of headsets tends to lean more towards functionality as opposed to aesthetics. So, if you are looking for stylish headphones for the gym, then you should just look elsewhere.
Available in gray, camo and black designs, these headphones come with large ear cups, featuring comfortable memory foam on the inside. This memory foam padding serves two important roles.
First, it helps to block out external noise. And second, it helps to enhance their comfort. Therefore, you can wear these headphones for extended periods, without experiencing any sign of discomfort or strain.
Outside, the ear cups feature solid black plastic, without any design features. The only prominent thing on the ear cups is the company’s PLT logo. In fact, you can easily mistake these headphones for budget or regular headphones, due to their plain design. Here’s an example of the construction you can expect from these headphones:
However, their headband appears more stylish compared to the ear cups. First, you can choose your preferred color for the headband. And as mentioned earlier, these over-ear headphones are available in black, grey and camo. So, you can simply choose a color that aligns with your preferences.
The headband has been designed in such a way that you can adjust it in two ways. First, you can opt to slide the ear cups up down, until you obtain your preferred fit. Second, you can adjust it using a small pull cord on its side. You simply need to pull this cord down and then latch it.
Doing so will help to tighten the headband around your head, making sure the headphones don’t move around when you are in the middle of something. You can also use the same cord to loosen the headband, whenever you want to take them off or make them more comfortable.
With respect to construction, these headphones are built to last. According to those who have used them, you can twist the headband around without breaking or cracking. Also, you can toss them in your gym bag together with your other accessories, without worrying about premature damage.
They are also quite compact. They fold easily, making them convenient to carry around or pack together with your gear. Also, they fit compactly around the head, meaning they will not get in the way whenever you are doing overhead lifts.
Overall, the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 are built for versatility, durability and convenience. While they may not be as stylish as other gym headphones on the market, they will get the job done well, for years to come.
Key Features
Plantronics has equipped these headphones with several notable features, designed to enhance their performance and user-friendliness.
First, they sport a touch-sensitive control panel, positioned on the right earcup’s outer panel. This control panel features a central button, which you can use to manage music playback and calls.
Swiping this button up and down will adjust the volume while moving it back and forward will change the track. These controls are highly responsive and easy to use, even when your fingertips are wet. The right earcup also features a physical switch, for power and Bluetooth controls.
There’s also another physical button, which switches the ambient mic on and off. Ordinarily, most over-ear phones are designed in a way that they will keep out the majority of ambient noise.
However, you may sometimes want to have a little chat with your workout friend, in between the sets. And this is where the ambient microphone comes in.
Switching on this button will enable you to listen to whatever is going on around you, without having to remove the headphones.
Plantronics has further outfitted the Backbeat Fit 6100 with an audio cable, which you can use to connect these headphones with other devices in wired mode.
These headphones are further supported with the Plantronics BackBeat app. This app comes with several handy features, designed to add further convenience to the headphones.
Some of these features include a stopwatch, timer, and Find My Headset feature. As the name suggests, the Find My Headset feature will help you to locate your headphones, in case you misplace them.
You will also be using the app to update the headphones’ firmware, whenever a new version is released.
Sound Quality
Headphones should deliver outstanding sound quality. So, does the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 perform according to expectations? Well, this set of headphones doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sound quality.
Each earcup features a 40mm dynamic driver, which delivers the sound to your ears. The sound delivered sound is well-rounded and warm. Also, their padded earcups help to keep out external noise, making the sound even clearer.
Most of the standard headphones for gyms tend to deliver too much bass to the ears, thus masking out other notes. However, this is not the case with the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100. The bass, lower frequencies and the mid ranges are all delivered clearly.
Call quality is average. Based on user reviews, the microphone doesn’t amplify the user’s voice. So, if you are making a call from a highly noisy environment, then the other person may not hear you clearly.
However, this is not a deal-breaker in any way. The quality should be enough for making brief business calls and casual calls.
Battery Life
The Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 comes with 24-hour battery life. However, you can still get up to 26 hours of battery life from this set of headphones on a single charge.
If you will be only be using them during a morning run, or a one-hour session in the gym, then they may last almost a week.
Recharging them is effortless once they are drained. You simply need to charge them using their micro-USB cable.
It will take approximately 2 hours to charge them fully, which is quite a long duration. You can opt to charge them fully or not, depending on the playtime duration that you want.
However, they also come with quick charging. For instance, charging them for only 15 minutes may give you up to 6 hours of playtime.
Water / Sweat Resistance
These headphones come with an IPX5 water rating, meaning they can handle moisture, sweat and other damp conditions. They can also handle some light showers. However, you shouldn’t swim in them.
Using the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100
These headphones are designed to be user-friendly. Therefore, you don’t need any technical expertise to use them. Once you turn the headset on, it will immediately initiate Bluetooth pairing mode, where you can connect it to your smartphone.
You will also need to switch on your smartphone’s Bluetooth and set it to discoverable. The device’s name will appear on your screen and you can then go ahead and pair.
And similar to other products from this brand, the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 also supports Bluetooth multipoint. Therefore, you can connect up to two devices at the same time to the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100.
All the connected devices will remain paired, thus making it easy to switch from one music source to another.
And as mentioned earlier, the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 also comes with an audio cable, which is micro-USB on one end and a 3.5mm jack on the other end. This cable is designed for wired listening. So, if your smartphone has a 3.5mm headphone jack, you can simply connect it to the headphones via this cable and enjoy your favorite tracks.
The wireless connection has a 20-meter range, meaning you can be working out in your backyard while your connected smartphone is inside the house.
What We Liked
- Lightweight, compact and comfortable
- Long battery life
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- High-quality sound
- IPX5-rated water resistance
What We Didn’t Like
- Lacks active noise cancellation
- Touch controls can be a challenge for some people
Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 Comparisons
JBL Under Armour Sport
When it comes to buying headphones for the gym, most people usually go for the most popular models. And the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 and the JBL Under Armour Sport are currently among the most popular on the market. So, how does the JBL Under Armour match up to the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100?
First, the JBL Under Armour’s design is completely different from that of the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 1600.
Unlike the Plantronics that go over the ears, JBL’s headphones feature an on-ear fit. And as a result, this may place more pressure on the ears. Consequently, JBL’s headphones may also feel uncomfortable for some people, due to the extra pressure exerted on the ears.
But apart from the design differences, most of the other features are almost similar. For instance, JBL’s headphones are also sweat-proof. Also, they have been equipped with an ambient mic, which you can use to amplify external noise and hear your surroundings.
Also, the JBL Under Armour headphones come with quick charging. According to the manufacturer, charging them for only 5 minutes can give you up to one hour of playback.
One area where the JBL headsets fall short compared to the Plantronics headsets is the battery life. They only come with a battery life of approximately 16 hours on a single charge, compared to Plantronics’ 24-hour battery life.
So, should you buy the JBL Under Armour headsets or the Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100? Well, it will depend on your preferences. If you prefer physical controls, then the JBL Under Armour Sport appears like the better option. Its controls are bigger, easily accessible and easy to operate, even if you have sweaty fingers.
On the other hand, if you prefer touch controls, then the Plantronics headsets will be your ideal choice.
Furthermore, JBL’s headsets lack multipoint support, which may be a deal-breaker for some people. Not to mention they are slightly more expensive than Plantronics.
FAQ on the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100
How do you charge the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100?
You will use the provided micro-USB cable to charge your headphones. The LED indicator on the device will remain solid white when they are charging. It will then turn off once charging is complete. Charging will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. When fully charged, the headset will deliver up to 24 hours of playtime.
How do you pair the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 to a smartphone?
Pairing the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 with a smartphone is a straightforward and fast process. First, you need to power on your headset by pressing the power button. Once you’ve switched them on, you will hear “pair mode” after a short while their LED light will be flashing red and blue. When that is done, you will then need to activate Bluetooth on your phone and then pair the two devices.
How do you update the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 firmware?
To update your device’s firmware, you will first need to visit your smartphone’s application store, and then download the Plantronics BackBeat mobile app. You should then pair your set of headsets with your smartphone, following the normal pairing process. Once you’ve done that, you should then open the BackBeat app, go to settings and then choose the update option.
Final Thoughts
The Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 is, without a doubt, one of the best workout headphones. They are lightweight yet durable, comfortable, and versatile.
They also come with a long battery life of approximately 24 hours on a single charge. If you are a fitness fanatic who is looking for a reliable, comfortable and reasonably-priced set of over-ear headphones, then the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 6100 will be a great choice. They come with almost everything that you would need in a pair of gym headphones.
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.