The Blue Satellite represents the American manufacturer’s entry into the wireless headphone market, expanding their established headphone lineup. Blue Microphones, renowned for their microphones, have also impressed us with their audio products. We previously reviewed their wired mid-range model, the Sadie, and their high-end magnetostatic headphones, the Ella, designed for discerning audiophiles. The Satellite builds upon Blue’s design principles while entering a highly competitive market segment at a premium price point. This review assesses its performance and value proposition.
Design
Opinions on Blue’s earlier headphone designs, particularly the robust, metallic, Formula 1-inspired aesthetics of the Sadie and Ella, have been divided. While some appreciate their bold design, others find them cumbersome. However, the Blue Satellite has garnered near-universal praise for its design. It presents a stylish over-ear headphone, potentially one of the most visually appealing options available. The design blends a retro aesthetic reminiscent of 1940s and 50s radios with a substantial form factor. The construction is a robust yet refined metallic build, incorporating gilded elements with silver and black or white finishes. The Satellite projects an image of luxury and quality, making them a statement accessory for everyday use.
Technology
The Satellite is a wireless headphone featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Blue’s signature built-in audiophile amplifier, which can be toggled on or off. The headphones support aptX, a codec commonly expected at this price point. Charging is facilitated via a microUSB port, still prevalent despite the increasing adoption of the superior USB-C standard.
The advertised battery life is 24 hours; however, engaging both the amplifier and ANC reduces this to a less impressive eight hours. Real-world battery performance may vary depending on listening volume. A full charge requires just over three hours, a process that USB-C could significantly expedite. In the event of battery depletion, passive operation is possible via the included 3.5mm cable, disabling both the amplifier and noise cancellation functionalities.
How Blue Satellite Sounds
We now turn to the critical aspect of this review: the audio performance of the Blue Satellite. In summary, the sound quality is good, but not exceptional relative to its price.
The soundstage can be characterized as warm and substantial. Activating the integrated amplifier (AMP) is advisable, providing increased sonic presence, although the power boost may be less significant than anticipated. Note that amplifier usage impacts battery life. Overall, the headphones present a slightly muffled sound profile, lacking some mid-range clarity. The test panel noted a reduced sense of dynamic range in Rammstein’s Deutschland. Acoustically, the presentation is intimate and close, but not as open as alternatives like the Audio-Technica M50xBT. This proximity enhances certain details, such as the textural nuances of the strings in Kent’s Sverige. The bass response, given the overall sound signature and headphone size, is not as deep or impactful as expected. While adequate, it may not be the optimal choice for bass-heavy genres like house or hip-hop.
Film scores appear to be a strong suit for these headphones. Randy Edelmann’s poignant To the stars exhibits a powerful, unfiltered, and well-balanced instrument orchestration. Similarly, the Satellite performs admirably with numerous tracks by Sting.
The noise cancellation is effective, minimizing ambient sound without introducing unwanted artifacts or background noise, unlike some lower-quality headphones. However, a faint anti-noise artifact can be detected in completely silent environments. Blue’s implementation utilizes an additional pair of drivers, contributing to the headphone’s overall size and weight. The efficacy of this approach is debatable. Environmental sounds are significantly attenuated, a beneficial feature in noisy environments such as trains or airplanes. However, users should exercise caution when using these headphones in environments requiring auditory awareness, such as near roads or train tracks, to avoid potential safety hazards.
Summary and Review of Blue Satellite
The Blue Satellite presents a stylish, retro-designed headphone with a robust build quality, effective noise cancellation, and generally good sound. However, its price point is a significant consideration. At a price of approximately SEK 2,000, these headphones would represent a compelling value proposition. However, the current retail price of SEK 4,500-5,500 in Sweden positions them in a highly competitive category. Competing headphones such as the Sennheiser Momentum offer superior audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort II 35 provide more refined ANC, and the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i offer enhanced comfort – all at a lower price point, typically by SEK 1-2,000.
The Blue Satellite, while offering a compelling design and feature set, is ultimately overpriced for its performance. It does not excel sufficiently in any single area to justify its premium cost. For SEK 5,000, consumers could acquire both a respectable pair of over-ear headphones and a pair of high-quality in-ear monitors. Unless aesthetic considerations are paramount, more sonically competitive alternatives exist within the crowded wireless headphone market at this price range.
