Design & Build Quality

The Embrace stereo headphones combine brushed metal and soft leather, for a strong but sleek look and feel. The metal [blank] is adjustable and adds to the durability of headphones, while the soft leather provides comfort and sound proofing. I did notice that my upper ear cartilage began to feel sore but only after very prolonged wearing. I should also mention that I have yet to find a headset that doesn’t hurt my ears after a plethoric amount of time. The design of the Embrace’s ear pads may make you skeptical towards their ability to block out noise, however, don’t be fooled. I wore them around my home without taking notice of my significant other’s shouts for my attention.

Size is always the first issue when it comes to portability. Though the Embrace can’t be folded into a tiny compact unit, the ear pieces pivot sideways into a flat design. This helps them slide into the included leather carrying case. You’re obviously not going to be able to pack this unit around in your pocket, but the case adds some protection and includes a small internal pouch for the manual and cables.

The cables are one of my favorite parts of the Embrace’s design. I hate it when I am stuck with a headset with in-line controls that don’t work properly in standard ports. Instead of a dedicated cable, the left headphone has a 2.5 mm plug for switching out the two included cables. There is a standard black audio cable, and a blue one with in-line iPhone/iPad/iPod controls. There is also an OMTP adapter to make the in-line remote compatible with a larger array of devices. This makes the headset very versatile for an assortment of situations and gadgets.

Audio Quality

If you’re going to spring for a high end headset, audio quality is key. Blueant’s Embrace boasts high performance 40mm drivers custom tuned for true to life sound. In actuality…they sound great. I listened to several music types from dance to folk and even some spoken voice. They made me feel like the music was playing right in my head and also worked well for recording our latest Gaming Gurus podcast. While the audio quality was great, I have seen other headphones within this price range that have a wider frequency range. The Embrace’s frequency range is 20 Hz to 20 MHz. Their website says the headset has a flat frequency response for minimal distortion and compression, giving the headphones “true to life sound” that is not artificially manipulated. This just seems like some fancy marketing, since digital music is sound in the form of 1’s and 0’s, thus it is already artificially manipulated. Basically, the headset takes all these high and low sounds and keeps them all evenly in this middle frequency range, so you get nice, even, undistorted sound. However, if you like really crisp highs over really deep bass, then this isn’t your ideal pair of headphones. The bass heavy music I played, definitely had some deep tones (that were not in the least distorted), but not that deep rumbling kind of bass. A casual listener will probably not notice this, but keep researching if you’re the type that wants the highest highs and lowest lows.

Overall

Right from the start I noticed that the Embrace stereo headphones were well constructed, versatile, and provided great audio quality (though maybe a little flat for some). Unfortunately, I also ran into a technical issue. Shortly after wearing them for the first time, I noticed that if the ear pad was pressed or moved in just the right way, the audio would mute or go softer. Originally I thought the pad was creating suction with my ear, making the audio sound quieter, however, I had several others test them out and was able to reproduce the issue while not wearing them. I even had my original unit replaced, because I thought I had a defective pair. I encountered the same issue with the second pair, and I’m not exactly sure what causes the issue. It didn’t do it with every slight movement and can easily be fixed by just moving or pulling the ear pad, but this should not be a worry on a $200 pair of headphones. It seems Blueant is off to a great start, but it would be prudent to wait for a second generation or find an alternate pair that fits your needs better.

Budsock is a small bag like device that keeps your ipod headphones in tangle free bliss. This no frills product does one thing and doesn’t have any quams about it. With a super low price point of $3.99 you can go wrong. Plus those audiophiles who own a lot of headphones get discounts when ordered in lots of 3 at Budsock.com

The question I’m sure everyone is asking is do they work? Yes. But really, did you need a ‘guru’ to tell you that? Here’s the thing, they don’t really work great after you’re wearing them. Honestly I think the time spent dealing with it is almost equal to the time spent untangling your headphones. It’s like you’re adding time onto putting them away to reduce the time you spend taking them out.

My other beef is just how freaking ugly this thing is. It’s like someone bought up all the scrap sail material in a Taiwan sweat shop, sent it to China to be silk screened and sewn into a cone shape. Boring! Nevermind what you’ll look like wearing what I’ve dubbed “headphone gstring” in public. Could you rock these in the gym, or on campus? Granted Ms. Budsock is wearing a very distracting red hat and by the time I make it to her headphones I’m already thinking about something else…but I digress. It’s ugly and so will you be if you wear them. (did I just talk in Yoda speak?)

Guru Inspection rating: Must own for three reasons

• They’re great at doing what they claim. Keeping headphones from getting all tangled up.
• The price point is too low to worry about it
• They offer a FULL REFUND if you’re not happy

Rumble K is the ‘hybrid’ of the pair due to the unique design that relies on three different componets; bone conduction, a woofer, and a tweeter. These three combine to hit a full dynamic range of sound.

Rumble KW offers a waterproof design that allows multimedia mobility even underwater. This design is entirely based on bone conduction. The KW however include silicon ear buds with strategically mapped holes that enhance sound transmittance under water.

Both designs offer silicon ear buds with tangle-free cords and gold-plated 3.5mm plugs. Both headphones feature a 10 year limited warranty.

Guru Inspection:

• Audio: After testing both these models extensively I have to say I’m not 100% sold. While I did enjoy listing with the Rumble K I found, that what I can only speculate is due to the bone conduction, is low volume when compared to traditional headphones. These ‘earwoofers’ were never as loud as traditional headphones and on some devices (BlackBerry) I wasn’t able to get them to a volume loud enough to drown out ambient noise. While using an iPod I was however able to enjoy them at full volume.
• Feel: One thing I really loved was the 4-D experience. Feeling the beat in your ears is an experience unmatched by anyone in the personal audio market. The Rumble K also has a great ergonomical fit that is extremely comfortable to wear. I have worn them to the gym and while running all without any issues.
• Looks: What I also like is the classic ‘clean’ look to these headphones. You’ll never worry about them going out of style since silver and black will always be in style.

Final thoughts: If you care about your hearing you’ll own a pair of these and use them at every chance you can. While the audio performance isn’t on par with Bose it’s not that far off. Are they the best headphones you’ll ever hear, no. Are they the best headphones that allow you to keep your hearing, yes.

To order head over to www.PineappleElectronics.com

Ankit offers 4 different products in their line, each fitting a different ‘type’ of person. The designs are all crafted into the earbuds during the injection molding process. These aren’t just decorations on top of your earbuds, but rather part OF your earbuds. Each style is sure to set you out from the crowd in the way that people will be commenting on how cool they are and asking where you can get them.

Ankit doesn’t just impress with good looks, no these headphones can cook and clean! The ‘g-bass tecnology’ isn’t just a line of crap with Ankit. How many times have you seen a manufacture claim they’ve got something special to push those lows at you? I’m pretty sure we all have at least a dozen times. More often then not you’re left feeling like you’re listing to two pop cans. Ankit delivers some of the richest and deepest hitting bass sound that I’ve heard from an in-ear style headphone. In the price point no one even comes close! The sound range of the headphones is truly rich and dynamic. The highs are clean and crisp while the lows are warm and rich. Ankit delivers big time in the audio department.

Finally environmental impact. Wait…we’re talking headphones right? Well yea, but get this. For each pair sold Ankit will plant one tree. So not only do you look good, your music will also sound good AND you’ll have planted a tree.

To find out more, or to order a pair for yourself head over to http://www.TheAnkit.com

Price: $50
Guru Inspection: Best headphones at this price point period. New Guru benchmark.