Logitech Buys Ultimate Ears

Last Thursday, Logitech purchased Ultimate Ears, famous for their high end in-ear-monitor products, for a reported $34 million. Logitech, a company known for releasing popular audio components for PCs and game consoles, has yet to offer a line of headphones that compete with other makers, with the exception of their FreePulse wireless set, and Ultimate Ears is one venue with a lot of promise.

Loyal fans of the Ultimate Ears brand hold some concern that Logitech will merge the companies and kill off the UE name, but previous purchases have done well, including Harmony and, more recently, Slim Devices, witch have remained largely unchanged. However, in my opinion, I wouldn’t be surprised if Logitech begins to offer more consumer oriented headphones with Ultimate Ears technology under the Logitech brand, which would help both devisions.

Logitech is getting into the earbuds game, announcing today that it’s buying privately-held Ultimate Ears. Historically focusing on spendy in-ear monitors for live musicians, Ultimate Ears has recently hit the earbud game with full force, and Logitech seems to want a piece of that action. Plus the acquisition price of $34 million is like, what, profits from your last seven minutes of iPod dock sales, Logitech? Logitech and Ultimate Ears expect the deal to close in August.