Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone review

Logitech's latest addition to its Pure-Fi line is the Pure-Fi Mobile Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone. A multi-functional unit, it can be used with cell phones/PDA's, notebooks/desktops, and MP3 players.

We decided to test these chameleon speakers to see if they were as useful as advertised.

Pure-Fi Mobile Specifications:

• Speaker type: portable satellites
• Frequency response: 2.4 GHz
• Drivers: Two 2-inch active, Two 2-inch passive
• Signal-to-noise ratio: dB
• USB system requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS® X or higher
• Bluetooth system requirements: Stereo Bluetooth v2.0 (A2DP)
• Connections: Mini-USB port, MP3 jack, Rechargeable battery
• Depth: 1-2.5 inches depending on legs
• Height: 2.75 inches
• Length: 10.75 inches (20 inches fully extended)
• Weight: 3 lbs.
• Warranty: 2 year limited warranty
• Included in the box: Pure-Fi Mobile wireless speaker, AC power adapter (100v-240v), USB cable, 3.5mm cable, travel case, quick-start guide, and 2-year limited hardware warranty.

(view large image)

Design and Build

The Pure-Fi Mobile speaker is slim and lightweight; truly a portable speaker that even come with a handy travel case. They are almost completely black with silver accents.

(view large image)

The unit can stand upright but also has tiny feet that fold out to keep it from falling backward. The feet each have two small rubber pads to keep the speaker from sliding. The back of the unit is also covered in rubber which is a nice feature for those of us who can be tough on their gadgets.

(view large image)

There are eight buttons along the top of the Pure-Fi Mobile speaker. From left to right: call answer, call end, microphone mute, power, audio sources, Stereo XL, volume down, and volume up. There are also several indicator lights: battery life, Bluetooth/USB connection (front), and separate the Bluetooth source, USB source, auxiliary source.

(view large image)

There are four drivers on the front of the system; two active drivers (far left and far right) and two passive drivers (middle).

(view large image)

The Pure-Fi Mobile speaker is a Bluetooth set and can be paired with any device that has Bluetooth 2.0 technology (A2DP). The unit also comes with a USB cable (51&quot and a 3.5mm cable (15&quot to plug into devices such a MP3's or computers that might not have Bluetooth technology. The USB port and 3.5 mm Jack are located on the back of the unit.

(view large image)

The Pure-Fi Mobile runs on a rechargeable battery and comes with an AC power adapter. It is also capable of receiving a charge from your computer through the USB cable. It took about 2 ½ hours for my unit to charge, Logitech puts it at about 3 hours total. Logitech says you should get 12 hours of playtime per charge. I used it all week (12 hours+) without having to charge, but I did test it for a few hours on my laptop via USB so it might have gotten an inadvertent charging.

Audio Quality and Ease of Use

The Pure-Fi Mobile is a four-chamber speaker system with dual 2-inch Max-X high-excursion drivers and 2-inch passive drivers. It also includes Logitech Stereo XL technology which "optimizes acoustic levels".

Using the Pure-Fi Mobile was easy. You do have to charge the system for about 2 ½ - 3 hours before first time use but there is no software to be added.

I tested the Pure-Fi Mobile paired via Bluetooth and with a USB cable through my notebook. Both were simple to do, the Bluetooth being a little more complicated but no major pairing problems to report.

The audio quality was an improvement over my Dell Latitude D620 speaker system; however, there was distortion at higher volume levels. Using the Stereo XL technology helped, the music was clearer and louder, with less fuzziness. The bass quality was average but for such a small system lacking a subwoofer you could say it was good. Overall, I thought the general quality was lacking compared to the Logitech Audiohub I reviewed a while back.

I also tested the Pure-Fi Mobile with my LG Chocolate and to my surprise it was easier to pair my phone to the system than my laptop. I don't have music on my phone but I did test the speakerphone and microphone quality and was again pleasantly surprised. The audio quality was much better when someone was simply talking and both people I called had no problem hearing me on their end. Actually, my friend thought I sounded clearer using the Pure-Fi Mobile than my regular phone!

The range for both is good although I don't think it is 33ft (like advertised) unless you are in a huge open room, or outside. Get one thick wall between the system and what it's paired too and you start to lose sound quality.

Conclusion

The Pure-Fi Mobile is a great traveling speaker system. It's small, light weight and rechargeable. There aren't a bunch of wires or accessories either. While the sound quality may be a little lacking for bumping tunes, it was better than the speakers you'll find on an average laptop and definitely better than your average cell phone speakerphone.

Pros:

• One-piece, multi-functional unit
• Great speakerphone, microphone
• Simple to use, no software
• Rechargeable, portable

Cons:

• Some distortion at higher volume levels
• Expensive
• No subwoofer

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Pure-Fi Mobile Wireless Speaker and Speakerphone is priced at $149.99. It's not available for purchase on Logitech's website at this time but you can sign up to be notified when the company puts the speakers officially up for sale.

 

An interesting (but somewhat expensive) product. Personally, I would consider 3lb to be light. 1lb is my upper limit for portable speakers when travelling.

John

 

ehrm

Cons:

* Some distortion at higher volume levels
* Expensive
* No subwoofer

It wouldnt be portable with a subwoofer right ? so how can it be a con

would be the same as reviewing a notebook and saying its a big con it doesnt fly

 

cheap looking expensive speakers

 

That'd be great for my cell phone and Samsung P2, but the price tunes me away.

 

Does anyone know if good, BlueTooth amps exist. I'd love to play music from my laptop to good speakers without wires. I know Apple do a wireless sound thing, but you need to be using iTunes (AFAIK) to make it work.

 

After I saw the price, my jaw just dropped...

 

I listed the lack of a subwoofer as a con simply because it would be to some people - not because I expected Logitech to include it on such a small portable speaker system.

Also, a speaker system without a subwoofer, regardless of it's size, is a little different than a "flying laptop". As far as I am aware, they don't make too many flying laptops. They do, however, make speakers that are relatively portable that have subwoofers. Logitech's AudioHub is a good example of a speaker system that can be carried in a backpack and has a 3-inch integrated subwoofer.