Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This review is specifically from the perspective of a frequent traveler - every week. This review will also directly compare this to the Jawbone Jambox side by side. This unit will live either in my carry on, or in the bag I keep at my hotel. To give you a sense for the dynamic range I typically listen to, my primary uses are to stream NPR from my home NPR station where ever I am, listen to podcasts (typically voice interviews), Facetime calls, and stream Pandora - typically jazz, blues, R&B, up through Dave Mathews. Nothing huge on the bass. The unit is intended to replicate as much of how I live life at home in a travel sized unit to supplement the speakers on the iPod and iPad. Bought both the Logitech and Jambox, paired each with an iPhone and iPad, and switched back and forth on songs I know very well. Here are my thoughts. I hope they are helpful to you. Neither unit really slams out the bass. Physics just doesn't allow that in units this small. I will focus on the sound quality and design of the units. DRIVER SIZE The Logitech has two 1 inch drivers. The Jambox has two 1.25 inch drivers. Point to Jambox - it can move more air. ENCLOSURE Point to Logitech. The Logitech is more box shaped. The Jambox is more candy bar shaped. The Logitech has a larger airbox for its passive radiator. The Jambox is thinner and has less air to move in its passive radiator. MY PERCEPTION OF MID TONES Point to Logitech for more sense of presence of the mid tones. There's just a more there, probably due to the larger air box for the radiator. My test was 1) what I perceived, and 2) placing my hand on the table in front of each unit playing the same song. There was more vibration on the table from the Logitech. MY PERCEPTION OF THE HIGHS Point to Jambox for being "clearer" in the upper voice and higher tones. The design emphasizes this, and one can tell side by side. Interestingly, I take back half a point for some sharpness on instrumentals, especially high horns, strings, and piano. The Logitech slightly de-emphasizes the highs for a more neutral tone. I liken to the difference between design philosophy between Definitive Technology and Klipsche. My ears are more attuned to a slightly flatter sound scape. MY PERCEPTION OF THE SPACIOUSNESS Point to Jambox. Side by side, the Jambox sounds more open, and the Logitech is more linear, straight at you. BATTERY LIFE Point to Logitech. 10 hours v. 8 hours. Honestly, in my application, charge once a week and I am good with both units PERCEIVED DURABILITY Point to Logitech. It has more coverage by rubber material than metal mesh. That just gives me more confidence. This thing has to survive in a suitcase every week. The Jambox has more metal mesh wrapper than rubber. May account for the difference in the overall sound spaciousness. I also intend to listen to the unit while in the shower and getting ready for the day. I have no proof the Logitech is better in this application, just a feeling. STYLE POINTS Point to Jambox. The Logitech is more utilitarian. WORRY FACTOR Point to Logitech. It's a more utilitarian design, and just feels more rugged. Because of the style points of the Jambox, I'm less likely to toss the Jambox in a bag to the park or beach. Prettiness has two sides to that coin. PORTABILITY No points. Both are uber-portable PAIRING OVER BLUETOOTH No points. Both flawlessly paired with iPad and iPhone. USE AS SPEAKERPHONE I did not test this feature as it is not its intended use, but good to know it's there. I would assume this is more Jawbones territory. BUILD QUALITY No points. Both feel solid COST DIFFERNTIAL The Jambox is 30-40% more expensive as of Nov. 2012. I could afford either - so no points. OVERALL IMPRESSION AND FINAL PURCHASE DECISION I ended up landing with the Logitech. The final test was the live version of Alison Krauss' "Maybe". One of my favorite songs - it combines Alison's high pure tone with the mid-tenor of Dan Tyminski, and those bass drum kicks. I personally think the Jambox has slightly better and more spacious sound on the higher end. The Logitech has fuller, more balanced sound - all around, and that's what I landed on. If I could combine the two, it would be perfect - but I can't. For my intended use of the unit for frequent travel, camping, picnics, take the beach, etc., I landed on a very good sound with more durability and more utilitarian design. If this was going to live in a briefcase or an office, I would more favor the Jambox. As a value proposition for my intended use, the Logitech won out. What I do know, is I did not waste money on this. Hope this is helpful. Best, R ------ UPDATE 12/01/12 After using the UE for two work weeks at the hotel, here are some additional observations. It's a great unit. Straight up. I would compare the sound to a good table top clock radio ipod dock, like my older Sony Sony ICFCS10iP Speaker Dock with Alarm Clock and Radio for iPod/iPhone (Black). I think that's a fair comparison. The shape of the sound is pretty close. Verified initial observation that the sound is quite linear up close. Three feet away, and the linearity disappears. Placing it a couple inches from whatever wall really helps the perceived bass. With the iPhone in the main room, I can stream NPR in the super-steamy bathroom while taking a shower and shaving, which is great, and protects the iPhone. That's just cool. The unit is plenty loud enough. Hotels tend to be very quiet places in the morning and evening. Took it to the jacuzzi at the hotel to relax and was streaming Pandora, which was very nice. A couple of other frequent travallers I see all the time, but I hadnt met formally eventually entered the room, and we cranked it up listening to BB King, which was a blast. They each bought one. I also like to listen to those ambience apps while going to sleep. Storms, surf, whatever. It REALLY shines here. Sounds so much better than the speaker on the iPad. Overall, it's great. I'm very happy with it.