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Altec Lansing Backbeat Pro Earphones Review

Name: Backbeat Pro Earphones
Brand: Altec Lansing
SKU: not available
Rating: 3.5 (1 reviews)

by Clint DeBoer — July 10, 2009

Altec Lansing Backbeat Pro Earphones Review

Product Name: Backbeat Pro Earphones
Manufacturer: Altec Lansing
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: July 10, 2009 08:26
MSRP: $ 99.95

Specifications

Type: Dynamic
Drive units: Balanced armature
Input impedance: 29 ohms
Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW @ 1kHz
Noise isolation: 26 dB
Playback frequencies: 20-20,000 Hz (-10 dB)
Weight: 0.5 oz
Cable length: 46” (1.2m)
Plug: 3.5 mm gold-plated stereo mini plug
Accessories: 3 pairs replacement neoprene ear tips (S, M, LG), dual flange ear tips, Operating instructions
Colors: Black/Gold

Pros

Light
Comfortable
Great bass response
Detailed midrange

Cons

Significant cord noise
Truncated high frequency response

Introduction

Altec Lansing has been known as a manufacturer of both pro audio and consumer audio loudspeakers and equipment for many years. Purchased by Plantronics in 2005, Altec Lansing's pro line develops such products as powered speakers, ceiling speakers and full-range speakers. Their consumer line, under which fall their Backbeat line of earphones, includes comprehensive line of headphones, computer speakers and home audio products. We were interested to see that they extended their Backbeat line of earphones to include a new “Pro” line that promises musician-quality earphones that will satisfy professionals and consumers alike. I know a lot of musicians – many of whom aren't even deaf yet – so I set out at once to see if these earphones were a marked improvement and worth their $99 asking price.

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Discuss This Article

cwall99 posts on July 10, 2009 09:19

Nice review. I've never liked the ear buds that came with my iPod nano shuffle, but I never really liked listening to it. My youngest son, on the other hand, would probably love these, especially if the bass is as pronounced as the review states.

And any time you're listening to Steely Dan, I'm in with that so I can really visualize (auralize???) the tracks you mentioned and the review gives me a good feel for that.

I know it's possible to graph frequency response curves for speakers, but can you do the same for headphones? It doesn't seem that outlandish to wonder, but, then again, I'm not a very technical guy.

My son, though, goes through a set of ear buds about every 6 months, so I'm wondering if it'd be worthwhile to spend this much money on a pair. Oh, wait, a build quality rating of 3… probably be ruined in pretty short order. I guess I'll have to pass.

Thanks.

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