Blue Microphones is an American brand widely recognized for its audio equipment, particularly microphones. The Snowball and Yeti models are popular choices among podcast creators seeking quality audio solutions. Blue Microphones has positioned itself as a provider of professional-grade audio alternatives at accessible prices, cultivating a “studio” image, notably featuring Imagine Dragons as brand ambassadors. Their earlier Mo-Fi headphones achieved considerable success in the US market, and the company is now expanding into Europe and Sweden, introducing three (soon to be four) new headphone models across various price points—ranging from the entry-level option at SEK 2,500 (Lola) to the flagship model at SEK 7,500 (Ella). This review focuses on the mid-range offering: Sadie.
An audiophile headphone suitable for iPhone use?
The Sadie headphones embody Blue Microphones’ minimalist aesthetic and a design geared towards professional musicians. Imagine a singer-songwriter in a studio setting, utilizing these headphones while recording tracks. A key feature is the integrated amplifier, which enhances the audio signal via Blue’s proprietary low-frequency enhancement circuitry. This is a purely analog process, avoiding the digital signal processing (DSP) methods of EQ adjustment. The amplifier offers two modes: “ON,” which enhances and amplifies the sound signal across most tracks, and “ON+,” a more aggressive enhancement designed to augment the bass frequencies, particularly in older vinyl recordings. The amplifier can also be disabled, allowing the headphones to operate passively via the included 3.5mm cable, enabling indefinite use without requiring charging. Charging the built-in amplifier takes approximately three to four hours and provides roughly 12 hours of listening time.
The Sadie headphones feature a well-engineered construction that provides a comfortable fit, complemented by highly adjustable earcups for personalized customization. The package includes: a carrying bag, a 1m USB charging cable, a 3m audio cable (3.5mm to 3.5mm), a 1.2m audio cable with an integrated microphone and controls optimized for Apple’s iPhone models, and a 1/4″ adapter for connecting to amplifiers. The headphones utilize 50mm drivers of dynamic design with “reinforced fiber” and an extended frequency response of 15Hz-20kHz. While the weight of 444 grams may seem substantial, the design and distribution of pressure points ensures that the Sadie headphones do not feel significantly heavier than comparable music-focused headphones.
Sadie exhibits a stylish design.
Blue Microphone Sadie Sound Quality (For insights into our testing methodology, please see our philosophy on how we test headphones)
We commenced our listening evaluation with a selection of reference tracks to assess the Sadie headphones’ performance. In passive mode, the headphones exhibit a slightly subdued character and require a higher volume setting (likely due to the impedance of 42 Ohms). The soundstage retains its detail and subtlety, revealing nuances in David Bowie’s Space Oddity, while the warmth in Ryan Adams’ vocals in Lucky Now is enhanced. Activating the amplifier (ON mode) provides an immediate improvement to the soundstage, elevating the overall listening experience. Definition is sharpened, and the entire soundscape is enhanced, particularly in the bass frequencies, which can appear somewhat restrained in passive mode. The standout characteristic of the Sadie headphones is their clarity and high resolution, combined with their considerable volume output. Caution is advised, as excessive volume levels can potentially cause hearing damage. The user manual also recommends starting at a lower volume than you may be accustomed to.
The headphones’ performance is somewhat less compelling with audio material that demands rich and impactful bass. While the new HipHop tracks from Nacho Picasso sound acceptable, they lack some of the impact and presence typically associated with dedicated bass-heavy headphones, and Rain Drops is missing some of its characteristic sway. Conversely, hard rock genres perform exceptionally well; Disturbed’s Stricken, for instance, delivers a satisfyingly powerful experience.
We evaluated older recordings from the 1960s and 1970s, specifically vinyl, with the amplifier set to “ON+.” Jaques Brel’s vocals possess an immersive quality, while Sex Pistols’ punk sound retains its raw and chaotic energy, mirroring the experience on older Hi-Fi systems. The result is excellent. The Sadie headphones are particularly well-suited for music genres such as Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. However, the “ON+” mode may introduce excessive bass coloration to modern recordings, suggesting that the intermediate “ON” mode is generally preferable. When the headphones are removed, playback is automatically paused when the amplifier is active, conserving battery power.
When used for film, these headphones, which connect via a 3.5mm analog cable, support stereo audio only. Nevertheless, the stereo reproduction is impressive. Skarsgård’s Tarzan delivers a highly detailed soundstage, with impactful sound effects and a soundtrack that enhances immersion. Pixar’s superbly designed Inside Out also benefits from an intimate soundstage with well-balanced bass, treble, and midrange. The Blue Microphone Sadie headphones may fit somewhat snugly, potentially affecting comfort during extended viewing sessions—they are not as comfortable as, for example, the SteelSeries Arctis 5. However, the audio quality is significantly superior (as expected given the price difference). For users seeking a transformative headphone experience for film and TV audio, the Sadie model is a strong contender.
We tested the Sadie headphones with the PS4’s wireless controllers, initially with moderate expectations. The question was whether the Bluetooth controller could adequately drive studio-grade headphones. The answer is affirmative. The recent title Tekken 7 acquired an almost cinematic quality, with clear voice communication and a detailed soundscape featuring background music and combat sounds. This further highlights the Sadie’s versatility as an all-in-one headphone solution.
Conclusion
In summary, we are highly impressed with Blue Microphones’ Sadie headphones. They offer a stylish design, excellent sound quality, and a versatile range of applications, despite their audiophile classification. However, this performance comes with a corresponding price tag of approximately SEK 4,500, representing a significant investment for a pair of dynamic headphones. At this price point, wireless support and aptX codec compatibility might be expected, features available in the upcoming Satellite model (not yet released in Sweden). A comparison between the Satellite and Sadie models’ audio quality will be of interest once the former is available. Ultimately, the Blue Microphone Sadie headphones deliver exceptional detail, a generally engaging soundscape (albeit with potentially restrained bass), and a price point that is slightly higher than ideal. Nevertheless, they represent a compelling option within the “dynamic headphones under SEK 5,000” category. Blue Microphones has earned its place on our list of recommended products, and we look forward to their future offerings.
