Plantronics BackBeat 500 Series Bluetooth cans launched in Australia

Wireless seems to be the way to go, with smartphones losing headphone jacks and people not wanting to get entangled in cables.

“More and more consumers today are ditching the cord and are ready to step up to a wireless listening experience. At the same time, they are unwilling to compromise on the high standards that come with a wired connection,” said Peter Petrides, National Retail Sales Manager at Plantronics.

The California-based company has today launched another set of on-ear Bluetooth stereo headphones – the BackBeat 500 Series – that are lightweight and promise up to 18 hours of playback on a single charge.

Given some of the best wireless headphones carry premium price tags, Plantronics has tried to keep affordability in mind without compromising on the sound quality or the comfort factor.

The cans are priced at $119.99 a pop, making it one of the more budget options out there for anyone who enjoys their music while on the move.

Starting today, the BackBeat 500 Series headphones are available at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman in three colours – white, grey and dark grey.

Feature-rich cans

The BackBeat 500 Series headphones features 40mm drivers and bass tube design. 

On-ear controls and a wideband-enabled mic allows for calls to be taken, or you can plug the accompanying analog cable into its 3.5mm built-in jack. 

Plus there’s access to Siri, Google Now or Cortana.

The foam ear cups are made out of memory foam for comfort and can rotate to lie flat for easy storage.

“The BackBeat 500 Series is designed to be your perfect first pair of wireless headphones that provide an exceptional experience without breaking the bank,” added Petrides. “With best-in-class battery life, all-day comfort and Plantronics’ signature high quality audio, they bring simplicity and reliability to those who are looking to transition into the world of the wireless.”

The BackBeat 500 joins the BackBeat PRO 2, BackBeat FIT, BackBeat GO 3, BackBeat SENSE and the BackBeat 100 Series in Plantronics’ Bluetooth-enabled headphones family.

Sharmishta Sarkar
Managing Editor (APAC)

Sharmishta is TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor and loves all things photography, something she discovered while chasing monkeys in the wilds of India (she studied to be a primatologist but has since left monkey business behind). While she's happiest with a camera in her hand, she's also an avid reader and has become a passionate proponent of ereaders, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about the convenience of these underrated devices. When she's not testing camera kits or the latest in e-paper tablets, she's discovering the joys and foibles of smart home gizmos. She's also the Australian Managing Editor of Digital Camera World and, if that wasn't enough, she contributes to T3 and Tom's Guide, while also working on two of Future's photography print magazines Down Under.