BlueAnt Embrace review

Lovely design and decent musicality are let down by woolly bass Tested at £170

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Lovely design and decent musicality are let down by woolly bass

Pros

  • +

    Well built

  • +

    stylish

  • +

    smooth treble

Cons

  • -

    Closed-in bass

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If we gave star ratings for design and build alone, the BlueAnt Embrace headphones would be a shoo-in for the full five. Their soft, on-ear cushions and headband feel solid and comfy in situ, and don’t feel like they’ll fly off if you move your head.

You get two cables, too: one with a remote/mic unit and a straight-through one, and also an OMTP adaptor for Android phone users – a thoughtful touch.

So, why only three stars? Sadly, they don’t sound as good as they look. They’re far from awful – they just don’t sound like £170-worth of cans.

On the plus side, they do a nice line in treble (never harsh, whatever the volume) and have a mellow character that works especially well with female vocals.

But their bass performance is too closed-in, at times swamping voices and fine detail.

The sound will appeal to some – but try before you buy.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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