![]() ![]() Like all over-ear headphones, it has a padded headband that extends to accommodate different sizes, and large oblong cushiony ear cups. With that important preamble out of the way, let's take a look at the 810. But, if you live somewhere where the price gap is $50 or more, the Go 810 does have a place, albeit a small one. When there's such a little price difference, and when the Pro 2 is cheaper, you can't make many arguments in favor of the Go 810. Better yet, it sometimes drops to $150 or even $130. The more powerful and more full-featured BackBeat Pro 2, which I reviewed almost two years ago, can be found for 9.99 on Amazon now. The BackBeat Go 810 is now available for $149.99. Not because there are similar products from other brands that offer some pros and cons in comparison, but because there's very direct competition from Plantronics' own line-up. More perplexing than the Go 410 are the Go 810. At $70 less, the Go 410 are definitely the better value buy, but I just wish the buttons were less mushy and the design was more streamlined. They also can't connect to two devices simultaneously, don't come with a carry pouch, and you don't get the super convenient smart magnet function that the Go 410 offer. However, the Track+ have less effective noise cancelation in multiple side-by-side tests. Honestly, I love the way the Track+ earbuds are designed and how they feel. If you have the dough, you'll find the Track+ sound a little better, are made of higher quality materials and less bulky, have satisfyingly clicky buttons, and come with dreamy flusher earbuds that sit very comfily in your ears. I had been using the very similar 0 Libratone Track+ (which I reviewed here) for a few months and now, I keep going back and forth between these two. But stay below that and you're going to get loud-enough volumes without any of the distortion.Īfter a couple of weeks with them, the BackBeat Go 410 left me a little annoyed and undecided. Distortion creeps in at higher volumes and I find that the 410 gets a little too loud for its own good - the sound starts to go out of control if you raise it beyond 80%. I just wish there was a more neutral setting or a proper equalizer to control the sound as you wish. The sound is enveloping, powerful, and switching between the bright and bass EQ settings ensures you can enjoy bass-heavy music or podcasts equally. I have to say I'm using a non-commercial sample though, so I hope this is fixed in the sales units.Īs for sound, the Go 410 continue Plantronics' habit of eking good quality at lower price points versus their competitors. More often than not, I had to try twice or three times to skip, because I kept triggering the volume and the holding action didn't stick. But when you're supposed to tap and hold Vol+ to skip forward, or tap and hold Vol+ and Power simultaneously to toggle ANC, you need clicky responsive buttons. The buttons on the remote are shallow and mushy, and I honestly didn't enjoy using them at all. It brings the controls forward and makes them easier to reach, but it also adds bulk to an already bulky unit. There's an additional small remote on the right side, which you won't find on many competing models. ![]() A thick rubbery flexible cable drapes around your neck with two large modules on each side, and two thinner wires come out of it with the earbuds at the end. The Go 410 follows the same design as most of the models mentioned above. ![]() The BackBeat Go 410 comes in two colors: Black or Bone (a light tan color). I've spent a bit of time testing them and I'm here to let you know what I think and whether Plantronics fulfilled its promise or not. Both are subtle and minimalistic in design with monochromatic colors, and they're packed with neat features. They're targeted at commuters, workers, and travelers who want ANC (Active Noise Cancelation) and don't plan on breaking the proverbial piggy jar to get it. That's midrange smartphone money.The new Go 410 and 810 aren't supposed to be high-end choices, but aim to bring down the entry price of noise cancelation in both of their form factors. That seems about right, as I don't imagine many users have the spare cash to pay $300 or more for a pair of earbuds or headphones. The company says it conducted studies with users and came away with the conclusion that 28% are looking for noise cancelation in their headsets, but 65% of them won't pay more than $150 for that. The governing idea behind the two units is to bring wireless noise cancelation to the masses at a more affordable price. Along with the three BackBeat Fit models that I reviewed a few days ago, Plantronics announced on Monday two new Go headsets: the in-ear Go 410 and the over-ear Go 810. ![]()
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