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Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD
March 2019
$149 USD
76.2cm
6g
717657
The Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD is the wireless iteration of the company’s Soul BYRD, an excellent pair of lightweight earbuds. While the Blue BYRD is nearly double the price of its counterpart, it brings high-quality Bluetooth codec support with a supremely comfortable fit to the table.
Editor’s note: these earphones have been recalled by Beyerdynamic. The company stated the following in a recall release to consumers: There is the possibility that under certain circumstances this in-ear headphone can exhibit overheating of the controller component during the charging process. If the headphone has been exposed to salty water which has penetrated the case it can cause damage to the charging circuit which can then lead to overheating to a level that can distort the casing and cause the casing to become very hot.
This review was updated on February 1, 2022, to address the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD (2nd generation) as an alternative (that does not overheat).
Who is the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD for?
- This is for listeners who want a comfortable pair of earbuds.
- Fashion-conscious listeners will like the recessed profile of the Blue BYRD.
How is the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD built?
The earbud housings and cable material are identical to the Soul BYRD, the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD’s wired sibling. Flat anodized aluminum panels decorate the exterior and sheathe dynamic drivers. Opposing the brandished flat panels are angled nozzles that provide a comfortable fit, further enhanced by the soft silicone ear tips.
Listeners experience the same superb fit with the Blue BYRD as is provided by the Soul BYRD. If your outer ears are typically bothered by earbuds rubbing against them, the Blue BYRD could be your ideal in-ears.
The neckband design differentiates itself from others because it’s really just a cable broken up by equally weighted battery modules, instead of a stiffened neckband constructed from different materials than the cable. This design keeps things lightweight but is prone to slipping around the back of the neck.
The integrated mic and remote on the right side of the headset are difficult to use blindly as there’s hardly any distinction between buttons. They all rest on the same plane the raised symbols aren’t differentiated enough to operate blindly with confidence.
How long does the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD battery last?
Battery life is bad at just 5 hours, 29 minutes of playback. Sure, it’s just 30 minutes shy of Beyerdynamic’s claimed six-hour battery life, but it’s less than some true wireless earbuds are able to achieve. On the bright side, the earbuds charge via the included USB-C cable but quick charging isn’t supported.
How do you connect the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD?
The Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD earbuds use Bluetooth 4.2, can connect to two devices simultaneously, and support a slew of high-quality codecs including AAC, aptX, and aptX LL. If you happen to be a gamer, the aptX LL support, makes these a great option for lag-free streaming when milliseconds make the difference between digital life and death. General consumers benefit from the 10-meter wireless range, a standard for Bluetooth headsets.
Learn more: Understanding Bluetooth codecs
Does the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD block out noise?
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The Blue BYRD relies solely on passive isolation to block out external sounds, as in, there’s no active noise canceling (ANC) here. The earbuds and ear tips fit very well so you can get a good fit with little effort. As is the norm for non-ANC earbuds, the Blue BYRD affects high-frequency sounds more than lows, so incidental noises struggle to come through the headset.
Additionally, while isolation isn’t remarkable with the silicone ear tips, the Comply 400 series ear tips are compatible with the BYRD line for optimal isolation. Picking up a pair may also reduce your risk of noise-induced hearing loss as you’re less likely to crank up the volume to potentially dangerous levels.
How does the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD sound?
The earbuds produce the same frequency response as the Soul BYRD, meaning that bass and treble notes receive the greatest emphasis. That said, clarity isn’t sacrificed; the Blue BYRD successfully navigates musical complexities with minimal auditory masking.
Related: How your in-ears fit matters
Lows, mids, and highs
Shakey Graves’ song Mansion Door sounds clear through the Blue BYRD earbuds. The first 50 seconds of the song is occupied by a dual-guitar riff, of which both guitars are distinctly audible with virtually no masking between the echoing parts. Just 27 seconds into Mansion Door, the guitars are joined by a drum kit and bass guitar. Both low-frequency instruments are reproduced with enough emphasis to stand out from the introductory guitars without distracting from them.
Vocals, while relatively clear, are under-emphasized. This is apparent from Alejandro Rose-Garcia’s vocals: at 1:08, Rose-Garcia sings, “… would you put some time aside?” Here, the exaggerated kickdrum reproduction makes it difficult to hear him annunciate the words “would you.” Then, at the end of “aside,” drum sticks are hit together, making it nearly impossible to hear the word’s second syllable.
Does the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD have a microphone?
The above chart is limited to displaying the human voice frequency response of the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD microphone which, as you can see, is fairly neutral. This means that the microphone clearly transmits all relevant frequencies with relatively equal loudness. As is expected from a headset mic, plosives (p, f, b, etc) and sibilants can be a problem—but the same stands true for professional-grade mics. Hence why many podcasters and musicians use a pop filter.
Should you buy the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD?
No, you shouldn’t buy the first-gen Blue BYRD and it’s not available anymore anyway. However, you can go ahead and get the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD (2nd generation), which offers plenty of great improvements over the standard Blue BYRD. You get a more robust neckband design, with much better battery life, and pretty good app support. Be sure to check out our list of the best neckband earbuds.
Frequently asked questions about the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD
Given Beyerdynamic’s recall of the Blue BYRD (1st generation), we don’t recommend buying it, even secondhand.