BlueAnt Embrace Stereo Headphones
Review

BlueAnt Embrace Stereo Headphones
Company: BlueAnt
Price: $199.99 MSRP

 

There are headphones and then there are just headphones. BlueAnt has set out to show how headphones should be done, and as far as I’m concerned, they have really succeeded with the Embrace Stereo headphones. Designed specifically for the iPod, iPhone and iPad, the Embrace Stereo headphones also do a fantastic job when plugged into your Mac or PC.

When you get your Embrace headphones, the first thing you notice that the packaging is smaller than most other headphones that come in oversized boxes of cardboard and plastic. Yes, it’s cardboard, but neat and simple. It’s when you open up the box that you discover how well BlueAnt has thought out the presentation and what is inside. The first thing that popped into my mind was that BlueAnt has taken a page out of Apple’s business guide and decided that first impressions do count when it comes to selling your product.

When you open the box, you discover a black leather case inside that contains everything you need for the Embrace experience. The headphones are inside and are adjustable to fit over your head and also to turn the ear pieces down so that the headphones will fit flat into the case. BlueAnt provides two cables, one for regular use with your iPhone, iPad or iPad. The second cable, blue in color, has a iPhone, iPad, iPad compatible remote-mic control and an OMTP adapter.. The thing that immediately hits you is that this is a quality set of headphones.

As with any headphone, what counts is the quality of the sound that you are listening to while wearing the headphones. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of sound of these on-the-ear headphones. I ran the headphones through the gamut of my music, from Rock to Jazz to Alternate. For the price that you are paying for the headphones, you know that you want to have good sound quality. The Embrace delivered on the quality of the sound, with the bass present and highs and mid tones readily enjoyable.

The on-the-ear cushioning works like a charm, also helping to prevent outside noise from drifting in or out. I have worn the headphones for a few hours at a time and had no problem with discomfort. On a recent trip, via airplane, I made use of the headphones on the flight with my iPad. One of the first things that I did do was advise my seat buddy next to me that I was evaluating the headphones and that I would turn the music up as loud as I could and asked that if they heard the music to please let me know right away. After several minutes and no response, I took the headphones off and asked if they had heard anything. Neither individual did and asked how loud I had the sound up and I showed them that I had it at max. I then asked if they would like to try them out. I adjusted the volume down low, showed them how to adjust the volume on my iPad and gave it to them. I listened intently and did not detect any music leaking out, even when I watched one turn the volume to the max and chose several songs. Both parties were impressed with the level of comfort and the sound quality, just as I had been. Listening to music or watching a video was a pleasure with no aircraft noise penetrating into the headphones.

Now the other side of the coin is the second cable that BlueAnt includes in the package, that being the blue cable for use with your i-items. especially to control your telephone communications and also to switch tracks in the Music app, raise and lower volume. I can attest to the fact that when you’re wearing the headphones and are engaged in a telephone conversation is it just like the person you are talking to is right next to you. When I visited my daughter in Florida, I ran some tests with the headphones making phone calls and also giving her the headphones to try out, both music-wise and telephone-wise. Suffice it to say that she was greatly impressed and really did not want to give the headphones back to me.

Controlling the volume and switching tracks was a breeze with the controller, it just made things so much easier. Excellent idea…

Specifications:
Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 KHz
Max Power: 15mW
Driver Diameter: 40mm
Impedance: 24 ohms

Pros: Presentation of the headphones is superb. Nicely packaged, great case, clearly defined accessories, love the fact that the headphones can be placed in the case lying flat, cushioning on the earpieces is excellent. Headphones are solidly built. A user guide is also included and the headphones come with a 1-year warranty. Cable length is just a bit over 4 feet.

Cons: My only little item was my thought that the controller on the blue cable should be down a few more inches, nothing to lose points on.

All in all, I give the BlueAnt Embrace Stereo Headphones a My Mac rating of 9 out of a possible 10.