The BackBeat FIT 3100 are Plantronics completely wireless open in-ear headphones designed specifically for athletes. You sit well in your ear and look good at the same time. Thanks to a sophisticated operating concept, all important functions of the headset and a connected smart device can be controlled with just two buttons. How the nearly 150 Euro* expensive InEars did in the test you can see here in the test.
Design and Workmanship
You certainly look very handsome: With their smooth surface on the ear stud, they shimmer like mother-of-pearl in blue/green, depending on how the light falls on them. We particularly like the black-red variant tested here. The silicone earplugs are red and the holding handles, made of a stronger silicone, are black. The latter have an additional settling triangle pattern, which you can’t see from a distance, but which contributes to the pleasant haptics of the BackBeat FIT 3100.
The supplied storage case also serves as a charging tray. It’s small enough to fit in almost any bag; just throw it in your backpack or handbag. And she also looks simply chic.
As usual for sports headsets, the IP57-rated earphones are sweat-resistant and waterproof, making them resistant to rain and sweat. This does not mean that you should go swimming or diving with them, they are not suitable for that. But you don’t have to be afraid that your headphones will break when it rains or after a power training session. Sweat can simply be wiped off with a damp cloth and they are as good as new.
Technical Details
| Weight | 22 g |
| Range | up to 10 m |
| Bluetooth technology | 5.0, HFP 1.7, HSP 1.2, A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5 |
| Harmonic distribution | < 3% |
| Loudspeaker diameter | 13.5 mm |
| Frequency range | 20 – 20 000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB SPL at max. volume |
| Microphone | MEMS microphone with DSP |
| Listening time | up to 5 hours (earplugs only), up to 10 additional hours with charger pocket |
| Talk time | up to 5 hours |
| IP Classification | Water and welding resistant according to IP57 |
| DeepSleep | up to 6 months |
| Quick charge function | up to 1 hour listening time with 15 minutes battery charging time |
| Battery capacity (earplugs) | 90 mAh |
| Battery capacity (charger) | 740 mAh |
Wearing Comfort
The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 adapts well to the ear thanks to silicone earpieces and plugs. Even during intensive movements of a workout, they sit securely in the ear without causing pain due to excessive pressure. Even after long listening sessions nothing hurts and with a total of 22 grams you hardly notice that you have something in your ear. It would have been nice, if different sized earplugs would have been included, to be able to adjust the BackBeat FIT even better to your own ears. In the test, however, this was not necessary, here everything fit at first attempt.
Sound
Unfortunately, you have to make a few compromises here with the BackBeat FIT 3100, even if this is due to the construction. The True-Wireless headphones belong to the category of “open” in-ear headsets. This means that the ambient noise is not well shielded. This has the advantage that you can use them well in road traffic, e.g. riding a bicycle, or even jogging, and so always perceive your surroundings. However, in certain situations this is also a disadvantage. If you want to relax and listen to an audio book or podcast in noisy areas like the subway or the tram, you will hardly hear anything of what has been said. This is not an explicit problem of the BackBeat FIT 3100, but, as already mentioned, due to the construction of all open in-ear headphones.
As a rule, they are not particularly bass-heavy. But with the BackBeat this one is particularly weak. This is very unfortunate, as the sound of the headset is otherwise very good and sounds quite balanced in the rest of the spectrum. Only at a higher volume you get some bass in your ears.
Operation
This is where the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 shines the most. With only two buttons, one each on the right and left side, all important functions can be operated.
You can increase the volume with just a light touch on the left earphone. If you leave your finger on it, the volume is lowered. To hear the next song you simply press the right earphone twice, three times to hear the song in front of it. If you want to activate a digital assistant such as Siri or Google Assistant, simply press and hold the button for 2 seconds.
The highlight is that with the free BackBeat app, available for Android and iOS, you can change the primary earphone. This means not only that all control elements are exchanged, but also that, depending on which side you carry the connected device on, you can achieve a better connection. In the app you can also change the headset language, the volume of the announcements and other adjustments.
When you put the earplugs in the charger, they turn off. If you take them out again, they turn on again.
Conclusion
The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 is the almost perfect open in-ear headset. With a listening time of up to 5 hours, which can be extended by another 10 hours with the handy charger bag, you can get through any workout without any problems. The operation is practical and simple, the look appealingly stylish. Despite the open construction, the BackBeats are convincing in sound, unfortunately they lack bass. Otherwise, they are a good companion on the bike, while jogging or simply in everyday life.
All in all, they were more than convincing in the test.
Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100
Workmanship
Comfort
Sound Quality
Recording Quality
Features
Value for Money
The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 is the almost perfect open in-ear headset for cycling, workout or just everyday use.
