Reviews for Plantronics Backbeat 903+ Bluetooth Stereo Headphones with Mic

I read some good reviews and some bad ones while deliberating the purchase of this product while visiting Heaven (read: the Apple Store) and finally decided on purchasing this over the Motorolas. After about a week of use, I can truly say that these things are fantastic. Im running iOS 4.2 on an iPhone 4 and have had no problems with any of the controls. All of them work, including track/volume, call pickup/hangup/decline, and even the bass boost. After all the problems others have reported, I wasn't expecting much, I just wanted something low-profile that I could both listen to music with as well as make and answer calls with, and these headphones have exceeded my expectations. Sound quality is great (for Bluetooth) and you'd have to be a real snob to have any major complaints about that. All in all I would highly recommend them. I can't give them 4 1/2 stars (I'm not fond of the "hold the volume up/down buttons for two seconds to switch tracks" idea, and it's near impossible to get them all the war in your ears, especially for someone with glasses, but the music/call quality doesn't seem to suffer for it. I've only had 3 minor blips that lasted less than 1/8 of a second each time, and it was always during quick movement. Most of the problems I've seen reported are from sweat entering the headphones or dropouts during exercise, so if you plan on getting them to exercise, get some headphones made for that. If you want something that sounds good and makes calls while maintaining a low profile and pretty sweet form factor, get these.

I am so tired of this thing I am ready to put it in a box and ship it to the company with a note that says Never Again. They constantly cut out. CONSTANTLY!!!

I wear these all day long, and don't know what I would do without them. Completely handsfree operation of my iPhone, especially with Siri. Great sound quality, extreme comfort, and complete integration with all iPhone & third-party apps

Sounds like the last reviewer doesn't know how to pair this headset with his iPhone. A poor review for a great set.

Great sound quality, ease of use, comfort, and voice clarity.... Very Very nice headset!

Price isn't outrageous for what it is and does.

**Bonus - it displays the battery life of the headset next to the battery lie indicator on the iPhone!

Buy it now!!!

Mine died after about 3 weeks, right after my first long run with them. Don't let anyone tell you these are sweat proof, they are not.

Also, on Plantronics website you can request a replacement if they fail. However, when I tried to get a replacement I was advised they could only ship replacement units to a U.S.A. address.

If you live outside the U.S.A. as I do , well then the warrenty is absolutely worthless.

I'm a runner, and run everyday, no matter where I am, or what the weather. I put my iPhone in a "TuneBelt" that keeps the phone in the middle of my lower back. Wired headphones are annoying, and I've tried most. Before I bought the Backbeats, I tried the Motorola Bluetooth headset, but they didn't fit me well. When I saw that the Backbeats 903+ were sweat proof, I bought a pair (note: the 903+ and not the 903). It took me a few runs to get used to the fit, but once I got them dialed in, they are very comfortable. The sound is better than any others I have tried or owned (including Shure and Bose). And even better, I've had them out in rain, mist, snow,sleet, you name it, and these have never given me a problem! There is the occasional "cut-out" when I turn my head too much, but this is rare. I love these!!!

I bought these a year ago, and a friend bought some a few months ago. Overall, they are great. They sound awesome, they feel comfortable, and they don't hit your neck when you run. They look a bit silly, but I don't walk around with a mirror in my hand.

Mic quality is poor. Everyone says I sound like I'm in a tunnel, but talking isn't why I bought them.

The biggest drawback to the headphones is the range. Unless there is a clear shot from phone to the bluetooth receiver (on the left ear), the music will skip similar to a 1995 portable cd player. What makes the situation worse is that the headphones will make up for that split second of music not listened to by speeding up the next few seconds. This distorts the pitch, increases the tempo, and makes any vocalist sound like a 12 year old boy going through puberty (Although I can never tell a difference in Justin Bieber songs, I kid I kid.)

The point is, not only does is sound displeasing, it throws your walk/run off track because you adjust to the new tempos. It takes a bit longer to get back on track.

I've had multiple iPhones do this with both my headphones and my friends.

If you're not working out with them or at least have an armband, these are great. Otherwise I suggest getting the Philips ActionFit SHB6000/28.

I have had this product for over a year now and I find that it's very versatile. I used them for cycling, workouts and everyday use. I used spend all kinds of dollars for cheap quality made wired headphones where they only last a week. Whereas this is what I was looking for, for this product is more durable.

The fit is nice but I went for a run and it skipped worse than a CD player. I disconnected the bluetooth feature and tired to reconnect to iPhone and it would not connect. Not happy and I am returning it.

These have a lot of nice functionality, but I've run into some problems.

As another poster said, there are a lot of times when I get "skipping", although I would call it drop outs, which I assume is probably interference on the Bluetooth link. Since I never get this inside, I'm guessing some static discharges are going on, perhaps from my hair in the breeze or sliding on the plastic of the headphones.

I've also had them break mechanically at the join between the two different plastic pieces that sit along the back of the ear. Near as I can tell that happened while they were in the soft case in my front pants pocket. Could have been pressure from the clothing sitting down or maybe I bumped into something, but since it didn't register on me when it occurred, it didn't take much force. Crazy glue repaired it, but not happy that it happened.

Sonically, they've got the same limitations of any speaker that small. They also don't stay seated tight on my ear canal very well which has a big negative impact on the sound. Especially walking near traffic. Otherwise they're generally comfortable. The cable across the top of the neck takes a little getting used to.

Functionally, the controls work, except I've never gotten the "double click" to track skip working, it always ends up being two single clicks which ups the volume. The big "play/pause" and "answer call" buttons work just fine.