I was recently asked by a client to help him buy and install a wireless network in his home. I request I get pretty often, but this had a twist. The main goal was to get a Logitech Squeezebox Radio up and running. Now the Squeezebox is not your father’s table radio as it offers thousands of free stations from around the world via the Internet as well as custom and pay sources (some are free) like Pandora, Sirius, Rhapsody, Napster and Last.fm to name a few. Interesting thing is my client is a senior citizen who loves music!

Well installing the wireless network on his already existing broadband network and getting his new Logitech Squeezebox Radio, $178.46 [Amazon link] up and running did not take long. But this experience cost “me” money as I realized that I could no longer put off my desire to buy a Squeezebox myself. So I ended up buying two! The very next day I purchased a Logitech Squeezebox Boom, $243.96 [Amazon link] for our kitchen and a Logitech Squeezebox Duet, $339.00 [Amazon link] for our family room where we have a nice entertainment system.

Squeezebox Boom
I decided on the Squeezebox Boom for our kitchen instead of the Squeezebox Radio because I wanted bigger sound for this space. The Squeezebox Boom is a bit larger and more expensive, but features better sound. It also includes a sub woofer output (Headphone/Subwoofer out via 3.5 mm connector), although I have not opted to use it. There is also an audio line-in connection on back via 3.5 mm stereo jack for connecting an iPod, iPhone or other device. I connected an Apple Airport Express so I can continue to use Airtunes when I want to the line in.

The Squeezebox Boom is 13″W x 5″H x 3.1″D and weighs 5.8 pounds. It does not have a battery or a handle so don’t let the “Boom” in its name fool you it is mostly a table radio that works by connecting to your WiFi network (802.11g works with 802.11b also). There is also an Ethernet connection (10/100Base-T) as well as a wireless IR remote included. Set up is pretty easy as the Squeezebox Boom automatically detects available wireless networks. You select your network and use the large knob on the front to add your password (support for WPA Personal, WPA2-AES and 64/128-bit WEP encryption).

As soon as the Squeezebox Boom was setup on my wireless network is prompted me to do a quick firmware update.

The Squeezebox connects to your home network and can access music stored on your computer (like iTunes) via Squeezebox Server software you install, and Internet radio and music services via mysqueezebox.com. This is a free account from where you can install “Apps” for additional content and services from Absolute Radio UK, AccuRadio, Amazon CD Store, BBC, CBC, Classical.com, DI.fm, Facebook, Flickr, Last.fm, Live Music Archive, Live365, MP3tunes Music Locker, Mediafly, Napster, Odeo, Pandora, Podcast Player, Queen, RadioFeeds UK & Ireland, RadioTime, Rhapsody, SHOUTcast, SIRIUS, SKY.fm, Slacker, SomaFM, Sounds & Effects and radioio to add to the thousands of available Internet radio feeds already included in the Squeezebox. You can also add feeds manually. Most popular audio formats are supported.

Installing the Squeezebox Server software downloaded here on my Mac was pretty easy and painless. The software is compatible with Mac, PCs and Linux. After the install you can choose to share your entire iTunes music library, except older iTunes DRM protected files. Unfortunately nothing but an Apple device can play these. They can be converted to non-DRM or burned to a blank CD and ripped back to iTunes if you like. Having all of your iTunes library available on your Squeezebox is quite awesome. Squeezebox plays MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg, FLAC, Apple lossless, WMA lossless, WAV, and AIFF music files so it actually supports some formats that iTunes doesn’t. You can create a folder on your computer that contains formats like Ogg or FLAC for instance that can be played on your network connected Squeezebox.

The Squeezebox Boom is a nice looking radio that is finished in a glossy black finish. It has a large vacuum auto-dimming fluorescent display which is quite adequate, but not as nice as the color display on the smaller less expensive Squeezebox Radio. There is a nice magnetic space on top of the unit to store the small IR remote. The front panel of the radio has 6-button presets to allow quick access to favorite radio stations and playlists. The bright display can be adjusted for brightness and you can select what gets displayed from the installed server software on your computer.

The Squeezebox Boom has a 7-day alarm clock that can even be programmed from your local computer if you wish.

Sound quality is pretty decent on the Squeezebox Boom as it sports a 30-watt amplifier and separate tweeters and mid-range speakers with Stereo XL technology widen the soundstage. I would not say it was Bose-type quality, but close. Moving the Squeezebox Boom around the house is pretty easy, but it could have benefited from a handle and built-in battery. The Squeezebox Radio does have a handle in back and is lighter, but the battery and remote is optional and costs extra.

If you are looking for a nice table radio that offers more than AM/FM the Squeezebox Boom may be an excellent choice. Especially if you are hooked on Pandora, Last.fm, SIRIUS, or one of the other custom services on the Internet. The Squeezebox is so crammed full of cool features I am still discovering them. Duet is an wonderful way to stream the full range of digital music including iTunes, premium subscription music services, and free Internet radio to your living room stereo system.

What’s in the box

• AC adapter
• Wireless infrared remote with battery
• Quick-start guide
• 60CM gold-plated male-to-male stereo mini-jack cable

What’s missing (in my opinion)

• No battery operation or handle (it is not really a “BOOM” box)
• No USB port to attach external storage
• No iPod dock (there is a 3.5mm line in jack)

Squeezebox Duet
I purchased the Squeezebox Duet to connect to our home entertainment system in our family room (the Duet does not have built-in speakers). This system has a 50 inch HDTV with surround sound running a Sony receiver and Polk speakers. What is missing from this system is more content. We have an Apple TV, PS3 and a Wii connected, but even with the Apple TV in place much of our favorite Internet radio is missing.

The Apple TV is quite limited for Internet radio sources. In the past I have a dock connected to the system and used it to play Pandora using a iPod touch. The Squeezebox Duet has changed all that. Now we have thousands of stations at our fingertips and can play some local broadcast stations that were very weak (even with a roof antenna) on the Squeezebox instead at better quality.

The Squeezebox Duet is a two piece device consisting of a small receiver and a color displayed remote that seems to borrow some aspects from an iPod. It has a scroll wheel and can control ALL the Squeezeboxes in your home. You can even “synchronize” playback when you have more than one Squeezebox. The controller can control both my squeezeboxes (separately or in sync).

The WiFi remote runs on rechargeable batteries and comes with a well-built and sleek recharging stand. The remote can display the time and date when not in use. Setup for the Duet was very similar to the Squeezebox Boom. I opted to use the Ethernet connection instead of WiFi when I installed the Duet as I already have this available. Seems Logitech figures most all people will be using WiFi as it kept prompting me for my wireless password until finally moved pass this in the menus and I saw it did connect to my home network via Ethernet.

Once you have the software installed on your computer connecting is quite fast and easy. I was prompted for a firmware update the first time I turned it on. This was painless and easy. I connected the unit via a Toslink digital audio cable to my receiver. They also provide analog stereo RCA and digital coax connections. Within a few minutes I was enjoying all my favorite Internet stations and my entire iTunes library all controlled from the Duet’s remote with its 2.4 inch color display. The remote displays album art and is pretty easy to use.

Odd thing about this remote is that it contains a 3.5mm headphone jack that seems to be disabled. Further investigation revealed an hidden SD slot in the battery compartment and a 3-axis accelerometer (like a Wii remote or iPhone). My guess is Logitech may have plans for these in the future.

Squeezebox Duet is a great option for wireless digital music. The comparison to the Sonos is begged when reviewing the Squeezebox. In my opinion It is every bit as powerful as the Sonos, but costs only a fraction of the price. An equivalent Sonos setup will cost you approximately $750 to start. You can add “zones” to the Duet system by purchasing additional receivers for about $150 each (these are out of stock as I write this).

Syncing the audio and control of any other Squeezeboxes in your home is quite easy. I regularly “sync” my Squeezebox Boom in the kitchen with the Duet in the family room. These units can play different content or the same content in sync.

What’s in the box

• Squeezebox Controller
• Squeezebox Receiver
• Charging Cradle with power supply
• Power supply for the receiver
• 6-foot RCA patch cord
• Installation guide
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack

What’s missing (in my opinion)

• Nothing

Using an iPhone or iPod touch as a Squeezebox remote
There is a very nice useful app for the iPhone or iPod touch to control any Squeezebox. This is especially useful for the Squeezebox Boom or the Squeezebox Radio that does not even offer a remote except as an option. iPeng [iTunes link] is available in the iTunes AppStore for $9.99.

Conclusion
The Squeezebox documentation can stand to be a bit better. The operation is a bit quirky at times. Playback has been rock solid however.

Squeezebox really likes to depend on SqueezeCenter that you install on your PC/Mac and pushes you to leave your computer on 24/7 (which I do anyway). You can use the Squeezebox to operate directly on your WiFi network, but once configured to your computer it seems to always try to connect to the PC first. This may upset some users.

SqueezeCenter can be accessed with any Internet browser on your home network, so you can control your Squeezebox(es) with any computer or portable device.

There is a lot of open source development and community around the Squeezebox so if you are the tweaker type you will enjoy this aspect. There are “hacks” and add-ons available from these fine folks.

Overall. I am very happy with these purchases. I recommend these to anyone who wants to add some great streaming audio that the Internet has to offer. In my opinion this is a step above Airtunes.

The Logitech Squeezebox Boom is awarded 4 out of 5 Paws

The Logitech Squeezebox Duet is awarded 4 out of 5 Paws

    | Tags: logitech, squeezebox