Logitech has released a new set of wireless, over-ear headphones with working-from-home customers in mind.
The Zone Vibe 100 headphones have launched in Aotearoa with a suggested retail price of just under $200.
Is that a good deal? Who would these be ideal for?
I've been using the Logitech Zone Vibe 100 headphones for the past few weeks and here are my thoughts.
The good
These are very, very comfortable headphones. I have worn them all day a few times now and had no sign of ear strain at all.
They're light at just 184g with lovely, soft knitted fabric over memory foam, and among the most comfortable headphones out there.
I also like the look of these, especially for use when I'm working. They have a more professional look than a lot of alternatives - especially in the off-white colour option - and fit in at the office much better than other headphones I use.
As for the sound, considering what these cost, it's really quite good. There's a 40mm speaker driver on either side giving good audio, including solid bass. They don't sound as good as what you'd get from the likes of popular Sony and Bose models, but then they cost a little less than half of those.
That combination of looking professional and being great headphones for work, but also having decent enough audio quality that they're good for listening to music with or watching movies and TV shows, is the best thing about these headphones.
They support multiple Bluetooth connections so can be connected to your phone and laptop at the same time.
There's also at least 18 hours of life in each full battery charge and nicely uncomplicated physical control buttons on the device, as well as a handy companion app.
Logitech also says they are certified carbon neutral, made in part with recycled plastic and shipped in responsible packaging.
The bad
The worst thing about these is the lack of noise-cancelling.
You're not paying for noise-cancelling at this price, to be fair, but it's the major issue I had with them during use in the Newshub office.
When there is a lot of noise around you, it basically means you have to crank the volume up to combat that noise. It also means virtual meetings are a challenge in a noisy environment like a newsroom.
It's nice having the flip down mic for easy muting and unmuting, but most modern headphones have got internal mics. This one feels a little flimsy and could potentially get broken, which you don't get with internal mics.
Speaking of flimsiness, the super lightweight design that is great for comfort might not be so great for overall durability.
I haven't noticed wear and tear on the set I've been using just yet, but it feels like it wouldn't cope well with much roughness.
The verdict
For people looking for hybrid work and play headphones that are on the lower-middle of the price spectrum, the Zone Vibe 100 is a great option.
You're not getting noise-cancelling or the pristine levels of audio quality you get for a $500 - $600 set of headphones, but you are getting a super comfortable set of headphones great for both work and entertainment.
If you like the look of them and prefer over-ear to earbud headphones, these are definitely worth checking out.
Newshub was supplied a set of Zone Vibe 100 headphones for this review.
