Logitech’s new line-up of Logitech UE products is a terrific addition to their product line. Ultimate Ears has long been the standard for in-ear monitors that musicians wear, so adding that expertise to a new line of products really ramps up Logitech’s offerings.

Photo – Logitech – The Logitech UE 6000 Headphones

I’ve been testing out a set of Logitech UE 6000 Headphones, the mid-priced headphones offered by Logitech UE. At $199.99 CAD, the Logitech UE 6000s lie in between their lower priced UE 4000 headphones at $99.99 CAD and their wireless UE 9000 headphones at $399.99 CAD.

I tested them in a totally unfair way – against a brand name $399.99 set of noise cancelling headphones.

I was surprised with the results.

I listen to a lot of different types of music, so I compared the two headphones while listening to Mozart, K. D. Lang, AC/DC, Jesse Cook, Allison Krauss, Il Volo, John Mayer, Maroon 5 and Diana Krall – so everything from country to classical with some rock and jazz thrown in. The results were to be expected in a way. The expensive headphones were a little clearer and crisper, with a little more treble. The Logitech UE 6000s blew the competition away where bass is concerned, but didn’t quite have the same crispness with the higher notes. That’s not to say that the sound wasn’t very clear and crisp, it just wasn’t quite as sharp as the big boys. When I cranked the music up, the sound from the more expensive headphones hurt – I had to turn it down. The UE 6000 headphones sounded great.

Is that a deal breaker? Not for me – all told I actually liked the Logitech UE 6000 headphones better. Bass is what revs me up when I listen to music – it’s the “soul” of the music for me, and the bass on the 6000 headphones is quite impressive. I put on Thunderstruck, cranked it up until my eyes started vibrating, and was instantly in rock and roll heaven. OK, maybe it wasn’t that loud, but I did crank it up and the bass was impressive – much better than the other guys.

Photo – Logitech – The Logitech UE 6000 Over Ear Headphones folded up

The 6000 headphones fold neatly up and come with a case; two AAA batteries; a microphone and on-cord controls to let you answer calls with just one touch, change tracks and adjust volume – without having to touch your iPhone; a splitter to share what you’re listening to and a manual. The Logitech UE 6000s feature active noise canceling technology and an on-board amp.

What’s really interesting about these headphones is the use of the AAA batteries. You don’t need them necessarily – you can listen to your music without them or when they eventually wear out, but with the batteries in I think there’s more oomph. But not having your headphones become useless just because the batteries die is a great feature and one more manufacturers should incorporate.

Photo – Logitech – Expanded view of Logitech UE 6000 headphones

According to Logitech, “custom-built, laser-tuned drivers are housed inside computer-optimized dual acoustic chambers. The result is a wide-open soundstage and a remarkable level of detail in all your music.”  I’m not entirely sure what a wide-open soundstage is, but these headphones offer really great clarity for all the types of music I listen to, and the bass is killer.

The cable is completely detachable, and is a soft, blue plastic that doesn’t get tangled.

I had the headphones for about three hours at one stretch and the over ear memory foam cushions never got uncomfortable at all. I must have Dumbo ears, because most over ear headphones don’t cover and I end up with sore ears after a while – these ones cover completely and are very comfortable.

The Logitech UE 6000 headphones are a great buy at under $200. There are many options on the market in terms of over ear headphones, but what I think sets these headphones apart from others I’ve tried out is the bass. The highs are very good, but what makes me want a pair of these headphones is that pounding bass. Thunderstruck never sounded so good!

JUST THE FACTS:
Driver Units:
40mm;
Impedance:
32 ohms, 1 kHz 
Sensitivity:
105 dB SPL/mW, 1 kHz 
Frequency Response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz 
Connection:
3.5 mm (1/8 inch) 
Noise Isolation:
26 dB
Battery Type:
2 AAA batteries 
Battery Life:
Over 10 hours of listening on average – depending on usage and environment
Compatibility: The remote and microphone are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation or later), iPod classic (120 GB, 160 GB), iPod touch (2nd generation or later), iPhone 3GS or later, and iPad.

PROS: GREAT bass; very comfortable fit, work without batteries, decent noise isolation.

CONS: They’re very new, so not widely available yet in Canada.

Murray Hill is lead tech writer at communicatto.com. You can reach Murray by email at murray@communicatto.com or on Twitter at @MurrayDHill

About Murray Hill

Murray Hill has been a freelance columnist appearing regularly in some of the most prominent Canadian newspapers since 1974. He began writing about technology over twenty-four years ago and he still maintains the belief that there's a gadget or gizmo for every situation and application. His fascination with technology and gadgets has endured for over fifty years, and has led to many familial discussions about the the difference between the words "need" and "want" when referring to tech. Based in Saskatoon, connect with Murray at: murray@communicatto.com

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