First Listen: Logitech UE 6000

Logitech UE 6000

I must say that I might have a slight pro Logitech bias, but that bias is well deserved.  It results from my phenomenal experience with Logitech's products, specifically Logitech's computer peripherals such keyboards and mice.  I also own the Logitech Driving Force racing wheel, which I simply love.  However, when I heard that Logitech was entering the over ear consumer headphone market, I must admit I was a tad bit skeptical. However, this skepticism became completely unwarranted once I put a pair of Logitech UE 6000's on.

So why was I so skeptical to begin with?  It lies mainly in the fact many companies have recently entered into the so called "high end" consumer headphone market in recent years, most likely trying to capitalize on the success of the horrendous Beats by Dre headphones.  Unfortunately, many of these headphone companies (like Sleek audio, and Soul by Ludacris) have also followed the Beats tradition of terrible products for insane prices.  Logitech has now become a gleaming light to people looking for a combination of good looks, build quality, sound quality and headphones that still sound great despite being active noise canceling.

I was very impressed with the Logitech UE 6000's aesthetic appearance to begin with.  I was happy to see them not follow the Beats aesthetic like so many other headphone companies have been doing lately.  They do have that slightly annoying finger print magnet high gloss plastic, but the overall build of the headphones is sturdy and tight.  No creaking plastic joints here.  I found the ear pads to be surprisingly soft and very comfortable, and the clamping pressure of the headphones was just right.  Not to much to hurt the ears, and not too little so that the headphones feel loose.  Even before taking a listen, I was highly impressed.

UE 6000's come in white and black

The combination of great sound quality and some pretty cool features with these headphones made me like them even more.  First of all, I loved the sound characteristic.  Sonically, they are highly colored headphones.  They have a relatively substantial bass boost, a very present mid range (which I absolutely love) and a very present high range as well.  What I like about the upper frequency range in these headphones is that they completely lack any form of sibilance and harshness to the upper range tonality.  While the bass hits very hard and extends very low with out a substantial amount of lower frequency roll off (there still is some mind you, but it extends very low without decreasing in volume and presence) it remains clear and precise.  This is completely the opposite of many of todays bass heavy headphones, which usually possess bloated and muddy bass.

Some other things I truly love about these headphones is the fact that the active noise cancellation technology does not significantly hamper the sound quality.  Of course, the UE 6000's don't cancel sound as well as the Bose Quiet Comfort series, but they do a sufficient job without significant audio degradation.  They also have the option to turn off the active noise cancellation and the user is still able to listen to the headphones with the noise cancellation off.  Better yet, the sound quality actually increases slightly with the noise cancellation off and the headphones are still able to be sufficiently powered by modest sources such as portable MP3 players and iPods.

UE 6000's in folded configuration

To be honest, the only major downfall of the UE 6000's is the price.  At $200 dollars full retail, they are a little pricey.  Of course when you consider the fact that they look great, sound great, have noise cancellation technology, are extremely comfortable and have a detachable cable (which I forgot to mention earlier) they really are a pretty great value.  Of course, they won't sound as good as many professional headphones, but unlike those headphones these are able to be powered from very modest sources.  For those looking for a noise cancellation headphone with great sound quality, comfort and a headphone that can be powered from any source and maintains a great aesthetic appeal, look no further.  The Logitech UE 6000 is an amazing all around performer for those who do not wish to invest in professional grade equipment and expensive amps.

CLICK HERE for the Logitech UE 6000 Product Page

A comprehensive list of Beats by Dre Studio, Pro and Executive headphone alternatives

This is my comprehensive list of headphones that I think combine portability, style and superior build quality and sound quality when compared to Beats.  This list will be updated on a semi regular basis with new additions.

Sennheiser Momentum

Beats by Dre Studio, Executive and Pro alternatives:


Sennheiser HD 439 (Passive noise cancellation)



Sennheiser HD 448 (Passive noise cancellation)



Sennheiser HD 449 (Passive noise cancellation)

Sennheiser HD 439

Sennheiser Momentum (Passive noise cancellation)



V-Moda Crossfade LP



V-Moda Crossfade LP2 (Passive noise cancellation)



Phillips CitiScape Uptown (Passive noise cancellation)

Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000

Pioneer HDJ-2000 (Passive noise cancellation)



Logitech UE 6000 (Active noise cancellation)



Logitech UE 9000 (Active noise cancellation)



Sony MDR-XB500 (Passive noise cancellation)

V-Moda Crossfade LP2

Sony MDR-XB700 (Passive noise cancellation)



Sony MDR-XB1000 (Passive noise cancellation)



Sony MDR-X10 (Passive noise cancellation)



Sony MDR- 1R (Passive noise cancellation)

Sony MDR-X10

Shure SRH-440 (Passive noise cancellation)



Shure SRH-840 (Passive noise cancellation)



Shure SRH-940 (Passive noise cancellation)



Shure SRH-750DJ (Passive noise cancellation)

Logitech UE 9000

Audio Technica ATH-M50S (S for straight cabled version) (Passive noise cancellation)



Audio Technica ATH-WS70 (Passive noise cancellation)

Audio Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 (Passive noise cancellation)



AKG K181 DJ (Passive noise cancellation)



AKG K550 (Passive noise cancellation)



Ultrasone HFI-580 (Passive noise cancellation)

Ultrasone Pro 750 (Passive noise cancellation)



Polk Audio Ultrafocus 8000 (Active noise cancellation)



*For an explanation of the differences between passive and active noise cancellation refer to the blog post link below in which I explain the difference:  CLICK HERE for the difference between passive and active noise cancellation in headphones

*This list is still currently in the works.  Expect Pro Beats alternatives and also alternatives to Beats Solo HD's and Mixrs in the near future.

CLICK HERE for the Beats by Dre Suck Facebook page