This is a small story about how a well-known computer accessories manufacturer takes a not-so-fresh product, dresses it up in a new outfit, adds a bit to the price, and turns it into a completely new device. In this case, Logitech has likely been quite clever, making minimal efforts to offer the Zone Vibe 100 headphones, which seem to be designed for office work and even entertainment.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
If anyone thinks that the Logitech Zone Vibe 100 headphones look familiar, they are absolutely right – at least to me, the Zone Vibe 100 headphones in terms of appearance and features are almost identical to the Logitech G435 Lightspeed, which has somehow lost its Lightspeed dongle along the way. The Zone Vibe 100 headphones rely solely on Bluetooth connection, with the USB Type-C cable only serving for charging.
However, unlike the Logitech G435 Lightspeed, the new Zone Vibe 100 headphones come with a companion app for Windows and Mac computers, as well as Android and Apple iOS operating systems. The existence of the app gives a few small bonuses to the Zone Vibe 100 headphones, but it means you’ll have to deal with yet another app on your computer or smartphone, which some might not like. In any case, the Zone Vibe 100 headphones will work without the use of apps on connected devices.
Technical Specifications
Feature | Specification |
Compatibility | Windows 10 and 11, macOS X 10.1, ChromeOS or newer, Android, Apple iOS, Nintendo Switch |
Connections | Wireless Bluetooth 5.2 |
Speakers | 40 mm |
Frequencies | 20 ~ 20,000 Hz |
Microphone | 100 Hz – 8 KHz |
Battery Life | Up to 18 hours |
Weight | Approximately 165 grams |
Dimensions | 183×170×73 mm |
Included Accessories | USB Type-C cable, carrying pouch |
Price | $99.99 |
Design and Build
The Zone Vibe 100 headphones seem to be slightly better built than the previously mentioned and reviewed Logitech G435 Lightspeed headphones, but don’t expect any significant differences. The new Zone Vibe 100 headphones are lightweight and comfortable, but at the same time, they feel a bit too plastic for their price. The soft fabric covering the headband helps a little with this.
One difference between the new Zone Vibe 100 and the G435 Lightspeed headphones is the foldable microphone (the G435 only had a built-in microphone, which wasn’t ideal), while the Zone Vibe 100 only has Bluetooth connectivity (the G435 has a Lightspeed USB dongle for wireless connection plus Bluetooth).
The new Zone Vibe 100 headphones fit snugly and comfortably on the head, covering the user’s ears, and are also comfortable for those who wear glasses. The soft ear cushions seem to be made from slightly rough fabric, but you don’t feel it on your head or ears. Moreover, this fabric appears to be very durable and doesn’t cause sweating. There is no soft material inside the headphones covering the speakers.
The headphones are controlled by four buttons – power (which also handles Bluetooth pairing), volume control, and a Play/Pause button for music. The headphones are charged via a USB Type-C cable, but the USB cable cannot be used to listen to music or play games. It is only for charging the headphones. The headphones can be used while charging.
Logitech promises 18 to 20 hours of use on a single charge, which seems close to reality. There are no lighting effects or active noise cancellation that could drain the battery faster.
Aside from the slightly plastic build, there is nothing bad to say about the Zone Vibe 100 headphones. However, it’s important to understand that a sturdier build would result in more weight, which might not be ideal either.
Logi Tune App
Logitech offers the Logi Tune app for its Zone Vibe 100 headphones, which is available for both computers and smart devices. The app allows you to adjust the microphone volume, the digital equalizer for sound and music, and also lets you update the headphone firmware.
It’s definitely worth installing Logi Tune the first time to check for updates, but otherwise, you can easily do without it. I can somewhat understand why Logitech separates the G Hub app for gamers from the Options (Options+) app for office accessories, but I really don’t see why there’s a need for yet another app like Logi Tune.
Microphone
The Zone Vibe 100 headphones have a detachable microphone that only works when it’s in the open position. In my opinion, it is difficult to maneuver the microphone to open it, but otherwise, it seems to be suitable for the price of the headphones. However, it’s worth noting that with my Windows 10 computer, the microphone behaved oddly, though this isn’t the first time a Bluetooth headset microphone has acted up with this computer. It worked perfectly with my smartphone.
Below is a recording from the microphone. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to sound this good. In fact, I’d say the microphone performs well enough to be used in Teams or Skype calls without much embarrassment.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the Logitech Zone Vibe 100 headphones. They even have bass, which is often missing in cheaper (yes, I know, $99 is not cheap for these headphones) wireless headphones. The bass is quite accurate, the midrange sounds good, but the highs could be a bit clearer. Typically, headphones designed for office use and possibly gaming aren’t great for music, but with the Zone Vibe 100, you can comfortably connect them via Bluetooth to your smartphone and enjoy some music outside of home or work.
Overall, I’d say that the Logitech Zone Vibe 100 headphones sound better and have more bass than some gaming headphone models that cost two to three times as much.
Conclusion
The Logitech Zone Vibe 100 headphones are quite impressive for both office use and entertainment. They are fairly versatile – you can easily connect them to your work computer for video conferences, and they also perform well in games and when listening to music from your connected smartphone on the go.
The downside is that the Logitech Zone Vibe 100 headphones are almost a 1:1 copy of the older G435 gaming wireless model, and the new Zone Vibe 100 headphones are noticeably more expensive ($99 for the Zone Vibe 100 compared to about $50 for the G435).
Overall, I would say that the Zone Vibe 100 headphones are good, but whether they are worth $99 is something each person needs to decide for themselves. In my opinion, this price seems high considering that nearly identical G435 headphones are available for a significantly lower price.