Blue Sadie Premium Headphones with Built-In Audiophile Amp Review

Blue is a big name in sound products, especially microphones. Now they do headphones, and have been for a couple years now. Their first model was a game changer in the Blue Mo-Fi headphones. Now their updated model is the Blue Sadie. It has the features that are liked, only updated.

Features and specs:

• Built-in audiophile amplifier for true high-fidelity sound on any device
• 50mm drivers custom-tuned for a superior soundstage
• Refined personalized fit for superior comfort
• Sealed over-ear design for immersive isolation
• Racecar-inspired multi-jointed headband design keeps earcups parallel at all times for superior comfort and sound
• Powers on and off automatically when headphones are opened and closed
• Rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of playtime; Sadie continues to play music even when battery has no charge

DRIVER SPECS

• Type, and physical size: 50mm, fiber-reinforced dynamic driver
• Impedance: 42 ohms
• Frequency response: 15Hz-20kHz
• Enclosure details: Sealed enclosure with tuned damping materials

AMPLIFIER SPECS

• Output power: 240mW
• THD+N: 0.004%
• Frequency response: 15Hz-20kHz
• SNR, self noise: >105 dB
• Noise: < 20 uV
• Battery capacity: 1000mAh

HEADPHONE SPECS

• Weight: 444 g (15.67 oz)
• Outer dimensions (closed): 21cm x 14cm x 12cm; 8.27” x 5.51” x 4.72
• Outer dimensions (open): 18cm x 29cm x 12cm; 7.09” x 11.42” x 4.72”

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES

• Soft case with cable storage pocket
• 1.2-meter audio cable with Apple iPhone/iPad controls and microphone
• 3 meter audio cable
• 1 meter USB charging cable
• 3.5mm to 1/4" adaptor

The Blue Sadie came in a great looking printed box with photos of the headphones, and its specs. Opening the box revealed a well protected headphone sitting in a custom molding. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic and metal, with leather earcups and headband, padded with memory foam. The Quality of materials used was very good. The fit and finish is excellent. The Blue Sadie are premium headphones, that is built like a tank and it shows! Also included was a standard cable, cable with in-line remote, charging cord, and owner’s manual.

I absolutely lover the design of the Blue Sadie. When Blue designed their headphone, they started from the ground up, totally thinking out of the box. And the design shows! The design of the headband with the multiple joints, provides a headphone that gives you the perfect fit. The built-in headphone amp gives the extra power boost needed for the best sound when you are listening to a low power device, like a smartphone. I also really like the 3 different setting for the built in amp and pass through, on and bass boost.

 

For song selection, we thought we would mix some new school with some old school.  We'll start with twenty One Pilots: Heathens, then go to Kansas: Carry On Wayward Son, and Fresh Aire: Going To Another Place.  Twenty One Pilots: Heathens, vocals were very smooth, natural sounding, with very good texture and resolution.  Piano sounded very natural with good harmonics.  Percussion was extremely crisp and very dynamic. Bass was extremely full, very deep, tight, and played with tons of authority.  Kansas: Carry On Wayward Son, vocals were smooth as honey with very good harmonics and texture.  Kick drum had very good extension, impact, and played with a lot of authority. Keyboard had very good resolution and was not bright.  Cymbals were crisp and dynamic.  Soundstage was quite large and imaging was very good.  Fresh Aire: Going To Another Place, strings were extremely crisp and clean with very good resolution and dynamics.  Piano was very natural with very good tone.  Flute was very smooth with tons of air and resolution, easily being able to make out the tonguing technique.  Drums had very nice low end extension with a very full sound that was tight and played with lots of authority.  I liked the large soundstage with excellent imaging.

Blue's Sadie had a very neutral overall sound as well.  The MSRP is $399, which is quite a bargain!  Their new from scratch design with a very unique headband with multiple pivots gave a perfect fit every time!  It also has a built-in headphone amp that while giving a slight improvement to the sound, it mostly gave a big boost to the volume.  And it also has a bass boost setting that worked well.  The bass boost did only work with the built-in amp engaged.  Kudos to Blue for another excellent product!  based on their design, features, quality, and performance the Blue Sadie has earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.bluemic.com.