Sound Logic – A Look Behind Logitech’s Audio Solutions

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The Science Behind the Sound

For Logitech, developing enterprise-quality audio products for business is second nature. It’s not quite the Fortress of Solitude, but Logitech’s Music Business Group is equally impressive and focused on acoustics. Our 44,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in Camas, Washington is equipped with in-house capabilities ranging from acoustic engineering, mechanical design and prototyping to electrical engineering, software development and user experience testing. With many people spending the lion’s share of their workday on headsets, it’s extremely important to design audio technology that’s comfortable for all-day wearing, has great audio quality and is safe for continued, everyday use.

Every product in Logitech’s audio portfolio undergoes various stages of testing and development to ensure precision audio performance. From our anechoic chamber to advanced instruments like the sophisticated laser-equipped Klippel Distortion Analyzer, we’re constantly tinkering in search of the perfect sound.

A look at our acoustic anechoic chamber, which provides a reflection free environment for acoustic tests. We specify our chamber to meet or exceed the highest industry standards

A look at our acoustic anechoic chamber, which provides a reflection free environment for acoustic tests. We specify our chamber to meet or exceed the highest industry standards.

For the Workplace

As more businesses adopt open office plans and remote workforces, they’re met with a new set of distractions and interferences to deal with. From chatty personnel at the office to barking dogs and crying babies at home, the key is to isolate the sound you want to hear while blocking out the ambient noise you don’t. Each headset is tested to enhance the directivity of the microphone so it clearly picks up your voice while reducing ambient noise.

One of several AE workstations, this is where audio products are tested to ensure they meet Logitech’s stringent standards.  The heart of the system is the Audio Precision audio analyzer that tests the audio signals.

One of several AE workstations, this is where audio products are tested to ensure they meet Logitech’s stringent standards. The heart of the system is the Audio Precision audio analyzer that tests the audio signals.

 

When not in meeting mode, many headset users listen to music, webinars and other media during work hours. With that in mind, all of our business-grade headsets have the ability to automatically switch between tunings specific for voice and music. In speech mode you typically want a little less bass and a little more mids and highs, which helps improve voice intelligibility.

However, this can make music sound tinny or excessively bright so we provide a second tuning for music and multimedia. Here you’ll have more bass and a flatter overall response curve.   With careful tuning of the digital signal processor (DSP) the listener can experience the best tuning for voice or music depending on the application being used – and the headset switches modes without the listener needing to do anything. Further, all Logitech business headsets protect against sounds above 115dB.

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Clear Comfort

But no matter how good a given headset sounds, nobody will use it if it’s not comfortable to wear. That’s why user comfort comes first with our headset design. All Logitech headsets go through multiple prototype builds to dial in that just-right fit. A durable padded headband easily adapts to various head shapes and provides a fit snug enough to stay in place yet flexible enough to remain comfortable during long hours of use.

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While comfort is first, construction is a close second when it comes to design principles. Features like padded headbands that easily adapt to various head shapes and replaceable leatherette ear pads make an experiential difference during long hours of use. Logitech’s premium UC headsets—the USB Headset H650e and Wireless Headset H820e—also feature headbands constructed with metal-reinforced TR 90, a synthetic polymer that’s highly resistant to commonly used chemicals like hairspray, fingernail polish and sunscreen. The net result: headsets that can take 8+ hours of use day after day to help keep businesses productive and employees happy.

Still curious about our Music Business Group? Check out the photo gallery here.

Author

Senior Product Manager for Audio