Logitech UE rolls out new wave of headphones and wireless speakers

Logitech purchased the Ultimate Ears headphone line way back in 2008. Since then, slowly but surely, the UE logo has been creeping in as the upscale Logitech audio brand -- witness the UE AirPlay speaker from earlier this year.As of today, the Logitech UE branding officially goes large with the introduction of seven new audio products. Among the new models are two mobile Bluetooth speakers, three new over-ear headphones with memory foam cushions, a noise-isolating in-earphone with four-armature speakers in each earpiece, and the next evolution of the Squeezebox Radio powered by Logitech UE's new mobile companion app.
Logitech's first crack at the Mini Bluetooth Boombox didn't quite hit the mark in terms of design, but the sequel sees plenty of design improvements and a slightly improved sound profile while maintaining the old $99 price tag, making it an ideal companion speaker for music lovers on a budget. Smaller than the Jawbone Jambox, the tough UE Mobile Boombox comes in a lime, red, blue, black and white color options and carries the unique ability to connect two devices at the same time.The Mobile Boombox can pair with up several devices at a time--we're thinking a smartphone, an iPad, and a Bluetooth-enabled laptop fit the bill. With so many mobile Bluetooth speakers emerging in the market, however, its "canned" sound doesn't do much to separate it from the pack. If you've already purchased last year's model, there's no need to upgrade -- but if you're in the market for a small sub-$100 Bluetooth speaker (with speakerphone), put this one on your short list.
Want to step up from the tiny Mobile Boombox? The $250 Logitech UE Boombox certainly fits the bill. Consider this the spiritual successor to the Logitech Wireless Boombox for iPad, but the company has retooled the hardware from the ground up to support eight internal drivers and a sophisticated new appearance that should turn heads.Its sculpted construction, logical simplicity, and booming sound earn this device a solid recommendation for music lovers shopping for an audio solution to use in and out of the home.The Logitech UE Smart Radio is the next generation of the company's Squeezebox Radio music player. That 2009 model was a favorite of ours for years -- sort of a "poor man's Sonos," with easy streaming of most music services such as Pandora, Spotify, and Rhapsody, as well as thousands of free online radio stations. The UE Smart Radio is essentially the same hardware device, but the user interface has been updated. Similarly, a new Logitech UE Smart Radio Controller app for iOS and Android devices will enable easy remote control over your Wi-Fi network. Look for a full review with comparisons to the legacy model coming to CNET soon.