Ultra-light, smart Bluetooth® headphones deliver sublime audio, all-day listening on a single charge, and intuitive smart sensor technology

Santa Cruz, Calif. – July 22, 2015 – Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), a pioneer in audio and wearable technology, today unveiled the BackBeat SENSE: smart wireless headphones that redefine stereo headphone capabilities, comfort and audio excellence. Whether you want to get lost in a playlist, podcast, or movie, BackBeat SENSE combines barely-there lightweight materials, best-in-class Bluetooth battery life, smart sensors, understated style, and signature Plantronics audio. BackBeat SENSE is available today in the US and will be available worldwide in September 2015.

“From sunrise to sunset, people are indulging in streaming media on-the-go. They need headphones that don’t just keep up, but actually optimize their experience,” said Lori Langona, Director of Consumer Marketing, Plantronics. “With BackBeat SENSE, we’re bringing a new breed of headphones to the market that are equipped with intuitive sensor technology to help make the most of today’s always-on, content-rich, music-first reality.”

What makes BackBeat SENSE so different? Built-in smart sensors automatically pause your music or media when you slip off the headphones, preserving battery life when they’re not being worn, then gently fading in your tunes (or something like it, needs an object) when you put them back on. Intelligent pairing makes connecting and moving back and forth between devices fast and seamless; including pairing with two devices simultaneously. Whispered voice alerts provide important updates on battery life, connection status, and more. Centralizing the headphone controls in one earcup makes the headphones easier to use and more intuitive, and battery life gets a serious boost with the ability to stream music and media for up to 18 hours, on a single charge.

BackBeat SENSE also takes an innovative approach to design, ensuring all-day wearing comfort for everyone. Its unique, patent-pending headband is designed to comfortably fit 99% of head sizes, and evenly distribute the weight of the headphones, extending wear time by eliminating pressure that can cause fatigue and discomfort. At only 140g, about the same weight as a smartphone, BackBeat SENSE is approximately 50% lighter than most on-ear Bluetooth headphones available today.¹ Pillow-soft memory foam ear pads conform to the shape of the listener’s ear, improving audio performance. The headphones’ compact form and fold-flat earcups make BackBeat SENSE comfortable and convenient to wear around the neck when not in use.

Additional BackBeat SENSE technologies and benefits include:

• Signature Plantronics audio and dynamic drivers create the optimal balance of rich bass, crisp highs, and natural mid tones to let you enjoy your music to the full, and hear every detail in your media.
• Advanced Class 1 Bluetooth lets you control up to two connected smartphones or tablets from up to 330ft/100m² away—the length of a football field.
• Dual mics enable HD Voice communication for clear calls or interactions with voice applications such as Siri, Google Now, Cortana and Skype.
• OpenMic technology for those times when you’ll occasionally need to hear the outside world. With OpenMic, you can do so with the touch of a button, and without missing a beat.
• Fold-flat earcups makes BackBeat SENSE easy to transport and store, and the headphones include a durable pouch with a handy pocket for charging and audio cables.

Plantronics Award-Winning BackBeat Family

BackBeat SENSE is the newest member of the BackBeat family of wireless stereo products from Plantronics. Other BackBeat stereo Bluetooth headphones include the critically-acclaimed BackBeat PRO over-the-ear wireless headphones, featuring active noise cancelation, and a record-setting 24 hours of streaming; the BackBeat FITsweatproof wireless headphones, which feature a unique, safety-oriented design and a stable fit that stays in place comfortably no matter how hard you work out; and the popular BackBeat GO 2 + Charging Case wireless earbuds that provide premium audio in an incredibly small and light form factor. BackBeat PRO, BackBeat GO 2 + Charging Case, and BackBeat FIT are currently available at select retailers.

Pricing and Availability

BackBeat SENSE will be available in two styles—Black/Espresso and White/Tan—and will be immediately available at authorized Plantronics retailers in the US, including Plantronics.com and T-Mobile. BackBeat SENSE will be available worldwide, starting in August. The MSRP for BackBeat SENSE is $179.99 USD, €179.99 EUR, and £149.99 GBP. For more information, please visit www.plantronics.com.

About Plantronics

Plantronics is a global leader in audio communications for businesses and consumers. We have pioneered new trends in audio technology, creating innovative products that allow people to simply communicate. From unified communication to Bluetooth® headsets to gaming solutions, we deliver uncompromising quality, an ideal experience, and extraordinary service. Plantronics is used by every company in the Fortune 100™, as well as 911 dispatch, air traffic control and various mission critical applications for those on the frontline. For more information, please visit www.plantronics.com or call (800) 544-4660.

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1 – Internal testing has shown BackBeat SENSE weighs at least 50% less than a comprehensive list of competitive on-ear Bluetooth headphones.

2 – Requires a Class 1 Bluetooth device

BackBeat, Plantronics, Simply Smarter Communications, and Voyager are trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. registered in the US and other countries and OpenMic is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Plantronics is under license. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.