Logitech UE 9000 Review
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Quality build, multi connection via Bluetooth or Cable, Sound quality is not compromised even over Bluetooth. ANC works perfectly.:
Expensive but worth the quality.Wireless listening no longer means sound-quality compromises. We’ve optimized the wireless signal using the highest quality codecs, advanced digital signal processing and our robust Bluetooth implementation for reliable connectivity, enhanced range and longer battery life.
As a big fan of gadgets and technology, the market is saturated with so many audio systems and since the breakthrough of headphones and earphones it can sometimes be a very difficult task finding worthy headphones or even trying to decide which headphones to get. We have played/used the likes of Beats by Dre and SMS Audio from 50 cent, yet something is still lacking. They are sometimes never complete as a full system, for example Beats needs a new battery every now and then meaning extra expenses after spending over £250 on them and the SMS Audio either comes in wired or wireless versions both at different price variants.
The Logitech UE 9000 has been one we have been aiming to test since their launch and thanks to Logitech for sending it our for review.
What’s inside the box
- USER GUIDE AND WARRANTY
- HEADPHONES
- CABLE WITH ON-CORD MIC AND CONTROLS
- MOLDED TRAVEL CASE
- ¼-INCH ADAPTER JACK
- USB CHARGING CABLE
- USB AC ADAPTER
Unboxing and First Look
From the packaging to what you actually get inside the box, you get a feeling of “I have just bought a premium set of headphones”, the casing feels great made of high quality material that protects your headphones from bumps, you are also provided with cleaning cloth, 3.5mm cable for when you run out of juice other things.
Design
The design is a big factor, since you will be having it around your neck, over your head/ears in public, the last thing you want is looking like you are from space. The headband is made from a soft but robust material than can flex to certain extent and padded with a soft piece that will make it ever so comfortable to wear for a long period of time like a long flight.
Looking at the ear-cups, you will notice the silver alloy metal used to hold the ear-cups which also allow for rotation for folding away or comfortable placement around your neck. The ear-cups have memory foams which just has “premium and comfort” written all over it. If you have never experienced what memory foam feels like, visit your local bed store and sleep on it, roll around on it for like 20 minutes then you will know just what is been talked about here. The memory foam serves two purposes, keep it comfortable over ear and also enhancing the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) feature of the Logitech UE 9000, it provides that cushion needed.
Logitech UE 9000 has few buttons, just above the right ear-cup is the button for power it on and putting the audio device into paring mode, and just behind are the buttons for adjusting volume, changing track and accepting or ending phone calls. The Logitech UE 9000 also have dual microphones meaning clear voice calls.
As we mentioned previously, it has ANC which could be dangerous if you get carried away at crossing or traffic lights, so to be innovative, you have a “listen through” button that allows you to take time out to listen through to what is going on around you; that is a bonus so you never have to remove the headphones at all if you don’t feel to.
Performance and audio quality
With all singing and dancing design, performance is very vital and audio quality; there is no point spending £299 on the Logitech UE 9000 for the aesthetics if it doesn’t deliver functionally and for the main purpose.
The Logitech UE 9000 can be used for phone calls, music and it can do those functions with wires or wirelessly via bluetooth which means we need to test the call quality, audio quality in terms of crackling, sound leaks and when connected via Bluetooth we need to check if sound quality is compromised and finally if the battery life is up to standards.
On wireless usage, battery lasted just over 9 hours and when connected via wire included, it lasted just over 19 hours which is pretty good and close to what was stated on the tech specs. When connected via bluetooth, there were no crackling or interference especially when tested at 45 feet away from source (manufacturer stated up to 50 feet) which is pretty good for bluetooth connectivity.
Some sound leaks occurred when turned to the loudest volume which is expected but it was not excessive. The bass was of high standards without over powering the treble and song quality. Tested with various genres of music, it handled it all very well, treble was good and sound was very balanced. The custom laser tuned 40mm drivers delivered excellent sound quality.
Verdict
If you have £299 to spend the Logitech UE 9000 is definitely up there and one to be reckoned with; it performed to high standards and when compared to the Beats by Dre Studio editions and SMS Audio, it actually delivers sound with songs tested above them both. Battery life is good, and has intuitive remote control both on the headphones itself and the wire provided; it can be used for personal use or even if you are a DJ. There is no need to buy extra batteries.
