Plantronic’s new wireless Bluetooth headphones have a ‘safety-oriented design’ that lets you hear surrounding noises and be seen more easily while working out at dawn or dusk.

Plantronics identifies itself as a wearable Bluetooth device maker, while admitting it isn’t the best recognised brand when it comes to headphones the company hopes its new BackBeat Fit Bluetooth headphones will appeal to fitness lovers and gym junkies.

Peter Petrides, the national retail sales manager at Plantronics said the brand has expanded beyond Bluetooth headsets, which it is known for, by focusing on its strength as a wireless company to connect with consumers.

“We are really more of a device company now as opposed to a just headset company. We really strive to be number one in wearable technology and we have been doing wearable technology forever, when you think about the [Bluetooth] headset it really is a wearable technology,” Petrides said.

BackBeat Fit
BackBeat Fit, electric blue 

The BackBeat Fit has an open ear design with contoured ear tips which allow the user to hear external noise while playing music but still stay in place during a workout.

Petrides said the headphones weren’t designed to isolate you from the world, but with safety in mind.

“With the headphones themselves we have managed to get them right on the cusp of having enough audio, and quality audio, for you to listen to but also being an open ear design where you can hear to bus beeping at you,” he said.

Platronics expects consumers will jump on this design of headphone for fitness, as it makes them feel more confident and comfortable while exercising.

Available in green or blue, the BackBeat Fit also double as reflectors, adding to the safety credentials of the product. It comes with a case which can be converted into a bright reflective armband, adding more high visibility and value to the product.

BackBeat Fit lime green
BackBeat Fit, lime burst

The headphones contain no moving parts, making them tough and flexible. They are also sweat proof and weather proof with an IP rating of 54. (Petrides said they could be rinsed after a workout but aren’t designed to be submerged in water).

They weigh just 24 grams, can remember up to eight devices and have up to eight hours of listen time. It has a standby mode and also a deep sleep mode that will keep the headphones charged for 180 days. The Bluetooth connection also lets you receive calls.

“We have had a strong legacy in the consumer audio space with our BackBeat Go range of products. Now with the launch of BackBeat Fit we are providing our consumers superior sound, comfort, style, the ability to take and make calls, a host of safety features and the motivation to get moving and fit,” said Susan Hansen, vice president of sales and marketing, Asia Pacific and Middle East at Plantronics.

The BackBeat Fit will be available for RRP $159 from 1 July 2014 at Rebel Sport. Retailers will receive their product in the following weeks.

When turned inside out the BackBeat Fit case doubles as an armband.
When turned inside out the BackBeat Fit case doubles as an armband.