Knowledge workers of the world, listen up! Logitech wants to solve your headphone problem. Actually, make that your headphones problem: The upcoming Logitech Wireless Zone headphones could replace the three types of headsets currently cluttering your desk in that oh-so-trendy open office.
Logitech’s pitch is that Zone Wireless will free you from juggling your omnipresent earbuds, the cushy noise-canceling headphones you brought from home, and that ugly headset your company’s IT department burdened you with.
During a prelaunch demo in San Francisco, Logitech showed off the over-ear headphones’ mix of compelling features. Zone Wireless packs active noise cancellation as well as Qi wireless charging, which Logitech says is a first for headsets. They work with Bluetooth or one of Logitech’s bulletproof Bluetooth dongles.
And all that juicy tech goodness comes in a smart-looking package. Padded leatherette ear cups scream “all-day comfort.” An unobtrusive noise-canceling microphone flips down when you need to talk. And a sleek, silicone headband, which slides through the earpieces rather than adjusting on top of the skull, means Zone Wireless don’t look dorky like that despised company headset.
Zone Wireless headphones features
Zone Wireless headphones work with the free Logitech Tune app, which lets you adjust settings, including equalization. (The app comes with four presets tuned for various types of music. It also lets you set up three additional custom EQ settings.)
You also can control the headphones’ functions using the app. Or you can use physical controls on the Zone Wireless ear pads. A big, fat center button on one side lets you pause music, take calls, etc.
The headphones fold just above the ear pads so you can stuff them in the included travel bag. They offer up to 15 hours of talk and listening time. Logitech says it takes just two hours to achieve a full charge. (Unfortunately, for wired charging, the headphones use micro USB rather than Lightning or USB-C.)
Headphones for an open office
The idea for Zone Wireless was to create stylish headphones that look and sound professional enough for an office environment, Logitech says. The headphones also might save today’s “mobile first” worker bees from some indignities of the modern office.
During the demo, Logitech offered a taste of how the Zone headphones will function in a workplace fitted with huddle rooms and lounge areas but precious little private personal space. Switching from music to a live call proved simple. And the app’s straightforward controls made it easy to customize the audio.
While developing Zone Wireless, Logitech researched the needs of modern workers. People frequently hop from video calls at their desks (using that no-nonsense IT headset) to calls on their personal smartphones (using AirPods or other earbuds). Then they pop on a pair of over-ear headphones by Beats or Bose to listen to tunes while concentrating on individual tasks. Those padded headphones help blot out the noise of the typical open floor plan. They also offer a bit of respite from gabby co-workers.
Then, Logitech set out to create a Bluetooth headset designed for the open-floor-plan offices favored by tech geniuses who never actually worked in one.
Active noise cancellation and MEMS mics
Zone Wireless’ active noise cancellation blocks out distractions. And the Logitech app lets you dial in as much ambient noise as you might need while making calls. This makes your voice sound much more natural inside your head. It also could stop you from being that person who barks obliviously into their headset during a call or videoconference.
Speaking of call quality, Logitech employed a dual MEMS microphone array for optimal call quality. During calls, an algorithm strips out background noise.
Designed for any office computer setup, Zone Wireless works via Bluetooth or an included Bluetooth dongle. Logitech’s Easy-Switch tech lets the headphones switch quickly and seamlessly from your smartphone to your computer and back again. (For $249.99, the identical Zone Wireless Plus model adds a Logitech Unifying Plus Receiver. That single, advanced USB-A dongle lets users connect up to six other Logitech peripherals like mice or keyboards.)
Zone Wireless launches this month, with the Zone Wireless Plus coming in June, Logitech says. Look for a full review from Cult of Mac once demo units ship. You can read Logitech’s Zone Wireless press release below.
Logitech Zone Wireless: Headsets Designed for Today’s Open Office
Stay Focused with the Only Mobile-First Headset Needed for Your Workday
Photos: Logitech
LAUSANNE, Switzerland and NEWARK, Calif. — APRIL 8, 2019 — Today, Logitech announced the launch of the Logitech Zone Wireless and Logitech Zone Wireless Plus Headsets, created from the ground up for people working in an open office environment. Leveraging Logitech’s deep audio expertise, the Zone series of headsets delivers superior sound quality so users can take conference calls, listen to music, or block out distractions with active noise cancellation (ANC). As the first headsets that offer Qi wireless charging, Zone Wireless provides convenient
charging at the user’s desk.
“Many professionals bring their own headphones to work, however they do not address the typical needs of an open office,” said Philippe Depallens, vice president and general manager of Logitech Audio. “Logitech Zone Wireless is designed with contemporary style, supreme comfort, and audio call clarity, as well as active noise cancellation and great sound quality for music, whenever and wherever you need it.”
Ideal for The Open Office Environment
With Active Noise Cancellation, Zone Wireless eliminates background noise so you can focus, regardless of the ambient noise level in the workplace. The soft leatherette ear pad material and silicone padded headband make Zone Wireless comfortable to wear all day, which complements up to 15 hours of available talk time and music. Users have up to a 30m/100ft range, as well as a noise cancelling microphone for greater call clarity.
Mobile-First Workstyle
Perfect for today’s mobile-first workstyle, Zone Wireless uses Easy-Switch technology to connect and switch easily between your smartphone and computer through Bluetooth or through a Bluetooth dongle. Once paired with the downloadable companion app, Logitech Tune, users can control the headset using the app, from activating the mute or ANC functions, to adjusting the sound equalizer for tuning the bass performance to your own liking, as well as providing firmware upgrades.
Intuitive and Simple to Use
The Zone Wireless interface is incredibly easy to use while on calls or listening to music. Simply push the main button in the center of the ear cup to answer/end calls or play/pause while listening to music. Users can also mute the headset by raising the microphone boom. At the end of the work day, simply fold Zone Wireless and place it on a Qi wireless charger or connect it to the included USB cable for quick and easy charging.
Logitech Zone Wireless is on display April 9-11 at the Google Cloud Next Conference in San Francisco. Come by Logitech’s booth, #1505 in the West Hall of Moscone Center, to see Zone Wireless for yourself.
Partnerships:
Zone Wireless is Certified for Skype for Business and approved for Microsoft Teams. Logitech has worked closely with our Collaboration Partners including Google Cloud, Zoom, Fuze, Unify, TrueConf, and StarLeaf to ensure a seamless user experience. Zone Wireless will also support some of the most popular collaboration, conferencing and voice applications like Bluejeans, Cisco WebEx, Cisco Jabber, and GoToMeeting.
Pricing and Availability
Logitech Zone Wireless with Bluetooth is expected to be available in April 2019 for $199.99 in US and 219.99€ in Europe.
Logitech Zone Wireless Plus with the Logitech Unifying Plus Receiver has the same features and design as Zone Wireless but uses the world’s first single USB receiver that can connect to a Logitech Unifying mouse, keyboard and Zone Wireless Plus headset. Logitech Zone Wireless Plus is expected to be available in June 2019 for $249.99 and 299.99€ in Europe. Logi Tune companion app is available on iStore and Google Play store.
Both models will be available for purchase globally through Logitech’s authorized reseller network and via Logitech.com. When Logitech Zone Wireless is combined with Logitech BRIO, it provides a total video and audio solution for your desktop. Additionally, Zone + webcam bundles will be available in selected channels.
About Logitech
Logitech designs products that have an everyday place in people’s lives, connecting them to the digital experiences they care about. More than 35 years ago, Logitech started connecting people through computers, and now it’s a multi-brand company designing products that bring people together through music, gaming, video and computing. Brands of Logitech include Logitech, Ultimate Ears, Jaybird, Blue Microphones, ASTRO Gaming and Logitech G.
Founded in 1981, and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
