Blue Microphones is a company in the audio production industry that designs as well as manufactures microphones, headphones, signal processors, recording tools, and music accessories. Their products are used by audiophiles, audio professionals, and musicians. This company is famous for their microphone products, but they have also come out with lines of unique headphones that have received all-around compliments. Read on to find out how this company came about, its accomplishments, and its plan for the future.
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Blue’s History
Blue Microphone was founded by two audiophiles in 1995. They are Skipper Wise, an American session musician, and Martins Saulespurens, a Latvian recording engineer. The company’s name actually stands for Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics and they are headquartered in Westlake Village, California, United States. The first product the company made is the Snowball, a low-cost condenser microphone that can be used together with music recording software. This product was actually a result of a bit nudging from Apple Inc. but it then became very popular, especially among pro musicians and dedicated audiophiles. It’s because the mic gave them a great alternative so they didn’t have to rent a recording studio.
Now, Blue Microphones designs and manufactures various audio equipment and accessories, such as various microphones (types include condenser, ribbon, dynamic, and USB microphones), headphones, and microphone preamplifiers. The most famous models of mic include the Blue Yeti and the Snowball. Meanwhile, their headphones are great for any type of music, whether it is MP3s, vinyl, lossless music, or digital music such as Spotify. It has been praised by many sources, one of which is the Esquire magazine, saying that Blue’s headphones are the perfect headphones.
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Why Blue?
You might be wondering why you should choose Blue’s headphones. There are a few reasons why you should definitely try their products: their tech, their achievements, and their social responsibility.
Blue’s Technology
There are several techs here that you can find in Blue’s products and in Blue’s products only. Keep reading to find out which ones those are.
Built-in Audiophile Amplifier
Anyone knows that a proper amplifier is one of the keys to great sound quality. Thanks to their experience in recording studios, Blue knows that, too. That’s why they use all-analog audiophile amplifiers inside their headphones so you can enjoy new details in your music you wouldn’t have heard otherwise, regardless of what device you are using to listen to music. Blue also pair the amps with custom drivers to increase sound clarity and punch. Blue is the only brand in the world with built-in audiophile amps, and they equip this tech on four of their headphones.
Planar Magnetic Technology
This one might not be a new tech, but there are really few companies in the world that makes headphones with this kind of tech. What would you get, really, from planar magnetic technology? Equipping this tech in headphones will result in very low distortion as well as excellent transient response which is important for bass notes. Blue’s planar magnetic tech comes with a twist. It combines the tech’s transparent detail with the impact of dynamic technology so that you’ll get better sound quality with more intense emotion. This tech is equipped by Blue’s Ella headphones.
Noise Canceling Technology
The problem with noise canceling in many headphones is that it removes some of the music and dampen the entire soundstage. However, Blue has a patented design that dedicates a separate pair of drivers to noise canceling while keeping your music safe on the other pair. This win-win solution is the first in wireless audio performance in the world. Blue’s noise canceling technology is equipped by one of their headphones.
Reinvented Headband Construction
Some Blue headphones feature unique multi-jointed headband that creates a perfect seal around the ears. This innovative design was inspired by Formula One racecars’ finely tuned suspension. It will result in not only improved sound isolation and less sound bleed but also more powerful bass response. Moreover, the ear cups are shaped a bit like ears and they are tuned and treated just like speaker cabinets. Currently, there are four Blue headphones that are equipped with this construction.
Blue’s Accomplishment
Ever since its conception, Blue has consistently been awarded with accolades. In 2000, only five years after its first launch, Blue’s condenser microphone won the Electronic Musician Editor’s Choice Microphone of the Year. Blue’s Mikey and Eyeball microphone also won the RetailVision 2009 Best Hardware peripheral award. In 2009 and 2010, Blue also was dubbed as the Best in Show by BeatWeek. And the creme de la creme, Blue won the 2018 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development.
Blue’s Social Responsibility
Because the company believes in the power of the arts, they sponsor the following organizations.
We Are One Voice
This cause is a great example of creating community and conversation through creativity and storytelling. Following war photographer Seamus Conlan through his photoshoots, We Are One Voice is looking to support a diverse America.
Women’s Audio Mission
This San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicates its cause to the advancement of women both in music production as well as the recording arts.
Vanguard Middle School, Compton CA
Blue supports the learning center in Vanguard because of its noble mission to provide a safe learning environment for all students to help them succeed.
Urban Entertainment Institute
This institute focuses in nurturing and developing America’s youth to be passionate towards performing arts, which is a goal that Blue can fully agree with.
Blue’s Future in the Audio Industry
When you analyze Blue as a company and as a brand, you can definitely see its potentially bright future. Blue has done so many collaborations with various influential artists, and its recent acquisition is something to be anticipated.
Artist Collaboration
Below are some of the artists that have used Blue’s audio products and loved them.
Imagine Dragons
Even before the band was signed to a record label, they’ve had a relationship with Blue. In fact, they even slept on the floor of Blue’s studio as they worked on their demos! Today, the band stays faithful to Blue. They use various Blue mics, starting from the flagship Bottle tube to Blue’s best-selling Yeti USB mic.
DJ Rap
Blue is also one of the equipment of choice for electro music icon, DJ Rap. As a pioneer in women’s role in modern music, DJ Rap now empowers talented musicians by giving them music production lessons, tips for performance arts and navigating the music industry. She uses Blue’s Mo-Fi headphones both to create an intricate, nuanced mixes in the studio as well as to teach others about premium high-fidelity sound quality. In an interview, DJ rap stated that she felt Blue’s Mo-Fi is far superior to other headphones and that it gives her better mixes and clarity. Mo-Fi clears up all frequencies, from high-end sibilance to sub-bass frequencies which are essential to mixing. She also uses the Bottle Rocket Stage One mic to capture every detail of her voice in the studio. She mentioned that the mic looks ultra-sleek, too.
Derek Steinman
Derek Steinman is a live sound engineer who made a name for himself by constantly maintaining top notch audio quality night after night under grueling road tour conditions. He trusts Blue gears to manage more than 100 shows a year. Steiman monitors the front of house using the Mo-Fi headphones. With it, he can mix instruments and vocals to create superior performances. When he’s back in the studio, he relies on mic such as Blue Bottle, Blueberry, and Woodpecker to keep experimenting with and develop unique sounds. Mo-Fi headphones are his personal favorite as they sound warm, clear, and deep. Furthermore, Steinman feels that the Mo-Fi really helps him hear what he’s tracking so that the recordings come out great.
Logitech Acquisition
Blue’s main mission is to help audiophiles around the world find and amplify their voice, and Logitech will help them do just that. With Logitech’s massive resources and incredible reach behind the brand, now they can be better, stronger, and faster. Moreover, Blue has a lot in common with this giant company so this acquisition is more like a marriage of great designs and stellar performances. Both of these brands are currently very strong in the gaming market, so it’s really exciting to see what they can do together.
Top 5 Best Blue Headphones Reviews
|
Picture |
Name | Features | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Picture |
Name | Features | Price | Rating |
| 1. Blue Ella Headphones |
Closed-back design | $$$ | 4.8 | |
| 2. Blue Satellite Premium Wireless Headphones |
Built-in audiophile amplifier | $$$ | 4.8 | |
| 3. Blue Sadie Premium Headphones |
Powers on and off automatically | $$$ | 4.7 | |
| 4. Blue Lola Over-Ear Headphones |
Custom 50mm drivers | $$$ | 4.6 | |
| 5. Blue Mix-Fi DJ Headphones |
Amplifier control: passive, active, and enhanced bass | $$ | 4.6 |
1. Blue Ella Headphones
The Blue Ella is a high-end headphone that combines planar magnetic drivers with dynamic technology, the only one in the world. The sound that comes out of this headphone is sublime, detailed, and emotionally impactful. Ella will maximize the sounds that exist inside your favorite music so that you will feel as if you’re listening to it for the very first time. Whether you’re listening to vinyl, high-res digital music, or CDs, Ella will literally let you hear new details you’ve never heard before.
Design
The Blue Ella is dominated by the color silver and dark gray, making it look very futuristic. It also exudes some retro flavor similar to Blue’s microphones, though, especially the cups. It is designed to have an ergonomic fit to ensure optimal sound isolation as well as comfort. With Ella, you will definitely have the most immersive listening experience ever. Ella is also equipped with Blue’s reinvented headband construction, a multi-jointed contraption that is elegant, comfortable, and able to adapt to various head shapes and sizes. This headband construction will give you a level of fit and comfort you can’t get from other headphones. The Ella, however, is a bit bulky and heavy at 481 grams.
Audio Performance
Ella is a closed back type of headphone, which means it will give you better noise isolation right of the bat. It also comes with Blue’s revolutionary planar magnetic technology with built-in 250mW amp as well as large, high-capacity drivers. Be prepared to hear the perfect blend of accuracy and impact. The 50 x 50 mm drivers are equipped with double-sided, push-pull magnet structure to enhance response while the onboard amp gives you ultra-clean dynamic. It truly is like hearing your music for the very first time. This headphone has 50 ohms of passive impedance and 10 ohms of active impedance with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. The built-in amplifier has the same frequency response with 101 dB sensitivity.
Special Features
This incredible headphone also features three all-analog amp modes so you can personalize your listening experience. You can switch between on, on+, and off. On mode will give you incredibly clean sound that accentuates every detail of the music. On+ will give the sound a slight bump and restore the low-end sounds to vinyl, and off mode will deactivate the built-in amplifier so you can just listen to your music without any battery charge or simply connect it to high-performance AV gear. Ella has approximately 12 hours of battery life and can be fully charged in 3-4 hours thanks to its intelligent power management. Upon purchase, you will get accessories that include a grey fabric bag, a 6.3 mm adapter, and a USB charge cable coated with fabric sheath.
Pros
- 50 x 50 mm drivers
- 250mW built-in amplifier
- 12 hours of battery life
- 3 hours to full charge
- 3 amp listening modes
- Features planar magnetic technology
- Features reinvented headband design
Cons
- Rather bulky and heavy
- Not very portable
2. Blue Satellite Premium Wireless Headphones
Imagine this. What if there is a headphone set out there that has the quality of a custom hi-fi system yet convenient enough to be able to used together with a mobile device? Well, now you don’t have to imagine anymore. Meet the Satellite, the first ever wireless headphone with true audiophile sound and true convenience for everyday life. This wireless headphone features an ANC tech with dedicated drivers so that the sound quality is never compromised. This audiophile-grade listening experience is the new benchmark for modern headphones.
Design
Blue Satellite Premium Wireless Headphones comes in the color silver due to its durable metal construction. The headphone is designed with foldable hinges so it is very portable. The headband is equipped with fabric padding for comfort, while the ear cups can swivel 90 degrees so you can find the perfect fit. Both ear cups are also padded and equipped with controls for intuitive operation. The left ear cup allows you to adjust the amp, Bluetooth, ANC, and power settings. You will also find a USB port for charging here. Meanwhile, the right ear cup will let you to adjust the volume, play/pause, and voice mic. This side also contains audio cable port. Both left and right ear cups have LED logo that will light up if any of the functions is live.
Audio Performance
This wireless headphone features a patent pending 4-driver system. The system consists of two custom 44mm Blue dynamic drivers and two dedicated 30mm drivers for ANC, which is the real magic behind the Satellite itself. The groundbreaking use of this system allows you to run ANC without sacrificing sound quality as the noise cancelation is operated through separate drivers. This way, the sound stays pure and uncompromised. The Satellite also features Blue’s one-of-a-kind technology, the built-in amplifier. This tech makes for a rich, dynamic, and detailed sound reproduction. Other specs for Satellite include 16Hz to 22kHz frequency range, 32 ohms of passive impedance, and 280mW output.
Special Features
Satellite is equipped with wireless technology using Bluetooth 4.1 protocol. Its rechargeable battery can do playbacks for up to 24 hours with Bluetooth only or 8 hours with Bluetooth, amp, and ANC altogether. If you’re using Satellite with an applicable device, the AptXTM feature can enhance every sonic detail for your listening enjoyment. With purchase, you will get accessories that include a hardcase, a 2m audio cable, and a micro USB for charging. You will also get a 2-year warranty from Blue.
Pros
- 16Hz to 22kHz frequency range
- 280mW output
- 2 dedicated drivers: for audio and ANC
- Features Bluetooth 4.1 wireless connection
- Rechargeable battery
- Portable, foldable
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- This headphone has a tight fit on the head
3. Blue Sadie Premium Headphones
For over 20 years, Blue’s products have become artists’ favorite in the studio. This time, they’ve come out with Sadie, the evolution of the brand’s legendary Mo-Fi powered headphones. You can expect to have the ultimate listening experience when using Sadie. It is built specifically for audiophiles who are looking for sound fidelity when listening to music from their laptops or mobile devices—Sadie will turn any of them into a custom hi-fi system. Combined that with a great fit and sonic soundstage, Blue’s Sadie will give you a level of performance you can never forget.
Design
The Sadie’s physique is mostly black with silver highlights. This sleek headphone is built using a metal frame that is modeled after a Formula 1 race car to give you a level of fit and comfort that’s not even possible with other headphones. Both the headband and the ear cups are padded and because of the innovative design, they create the perfect seal around the ears. This will result in superior sound isolation, void of sound bleed, and enhance the already powerful bass response. Essentially, this is Blue’s reinvented headband construction tech. The left ear cup is imbued with intuitive switches to turn the amp on and off. It also has the micro USB charging port as well as the audio jack. The headphones weigh 444 grams which is uncommonly heavy, but the padding keeps things comfortable. Remember, Sadie is created to be used along with laptop and mobile devices.
Audio Performance
Blue Sadie Premium Headphones will give you excellent, balanced sound. It is a closed-back headphone with over-ear design, so expect a great sound isolation. This headphone features Blue’ patented built-in amplifier. Together with 50mm fiber-reinforced dynamic driver, the Sadie is virtually unstoppable. Other specs include 42 ohms impedance, 240mW output power, 105 dB sensitivity, and a frequency response of 15Hz to 20kHz.
Special Features
This headphone is equipped with three amp modes to choose from: On, On+, and Off. The On mode will give you incredibly clean and detailed sound with superior fidelity, which means it adds no color to the original sound. The On+ mode is capable of restoring low-end notes of music. This is especially useful for when you’re playing music from the era of vinyl. Meanwhile, the Off mode will still give you great basic sound. These amplifications are all analog, not DSP, so you will get a warm and natural soundstage. Sadie comes with a rechargeable battery that can give you about 12 hours of superior performance. The battery can be completely recharged in 3 to 4 hours. Accessories you will get in the box include a soft carry bag, a micro USB for charging, an adapter, and two audio cables (a 1.2m cable with in-line controls and a 3m cable).
Pros
- 240mW output
- 42 ohms impedance
- 50mm dynamic driver with built-in amp
- 3 amp modes
- 12 hours of playback
- Rechargeable battery
- Accessories include soft carry case
Cons
- This headphone is quite heavy, not suitable for commute
4. Blue Lola Over-Ear Headphones
If you’re a Blue newbie or looking for an entry level headphone from this brand, Lola is a great place to start. Its revolutionary ergonomics and massive drivers are designed specifically for true music listeners. Lola will reveal new details in your favorite music, delivering those notes truthfully and powerfully.
Design
Lola comes in an all-white color with similar appearance to Blue’s other headphone. It is also designed with Blue’s reinvented headband construction to increase comfort and sound isolation. Unlike others, however, Lola is constructed from lighter plastic. This might mean lesser durability compared to other headphones’ metal construction, plus it still weighs 397 grams.
Audio Performance
Lola comes with 50mm fiber-reinforced dynamic drivers. It has no built-in amps, which is Blue’s signature tech, but these huge drivers can do the job adequately. This headphone comes with 15Hz to 20kHz frequency response range and 42 ohms of impedance.
Special Features
You will get two types of cable upon purchase: a 1.2m audio cable with inline controls (compatible with Apple iPhone/iPad) and a 3-meter studio-grade cable. Other accessories include a 3.5mm-to-1/4-inch adaptor and a soft case with cable storage pocket.
Pros
- 50mm dynamic drivers
- 42 ohms impedance
- Features Blue’s reinvented headband design
- Includes 2 types of cables
- Accessories include soft case
Cons
- Lola’s built is a bit big and bulky
5. Blue Mix-Fi DJ Headphones
Formerly known as Mo-Fi, the Mix-Fi DJ headphone is the very first headphone from Blue that integrates audiophile sound quality to all kinds of device, including mobile devices and laptops. This headphone features Blue’s infamous built-in amplifier for a truly mind-blowing listening experience. With Mix-Fi, you will get the most accurate sound reproduction you’ve ever heard.
Design
Blue Mix-Fi DJ Headphones comes in sleek Black color. It features Blue’s reinvented headband design for enhanced comfort as well as superior sound isolation. The left ear cup is equipped with controls to adjust the power and amp modes. This side of cup is also equipped with USB port for charging.
Audio Performance
Mix-Fi headphone features 50mm, fiber-reinforced dynamic driver and Blue’s signature built-in amplifier. With 42 ohms impedance, 15Hz to 20kHz frequency response range, and 240mW output, you will get the best soundstage you could expect from a headphone of this class.
Special Features
This headphone features three all-analog amp modes: On, On+, and Off. The rechargeable battery can give you 12 hours of playback and can be fully recharged in 3 to 4 hours. Accessories include a soft case with cable storage pocket, 1 meter USB charging cable, 3.5mm to 1/4” adaptor, and two typed of cables (1.2-meter audio cable with inline control and 3-meter audio cable for studio use).
Pros
- 50mm dynamic drivers
- 240mW output
- 42 ohms impedance
- Designed with the reinvented headband design
- Features Blue’s built-in amplifier
Cons
- Mix-Fi’s controls are not very precise and intuitive