TVBlogReviews.com

Mac users have caution! (2009-06-29)
As it turned out, I received a unit that was far outdated with regard to its firmware version. Not knowing this at first, I went through a great deal of frustration before calling SlimDevices customer service. It took some time before they proposed this as the problem. However, I have a Mac computer and wireless system. I tried updating and repeatedly failed. The SlimDevices agent very coarsely and bluntly told me that he was not going to help me update because he did not know how to update the BoomBox through a Mac computer. There had been nothing in the advertisements or product literature saying that BoomBox was incompatible with Mac operating system. I would never have bought the item. Helpless, I returned the item and received my refund except for shipping cost. SlimDevices should make customers aware that obtaining firmware updates with a Mac may be impossible or require expert knowledge that their tech support lacks. I could have avoided all this. I have since learned that the SqueezeBox products do not allow for true audiophile music transmission, so I guess it was for the best. But the customer service was far from that!

Only for the technologically savvy (2009-06-23)
My husband and I bought the Squeezebox Boom so that we could listen to music outside and in rooms in our house where our larger system doesn't reach. We were enticed by the fact that we could listen to internet radio and stream the music from our p.c. The sound quality of this unit is pretty good, until you attach your MP3 player... more on that later.

Unfortunately, this was a very frustrating piece of equipment. First, it looses your favorites if you unplug and move the unit. Second, we received contstant "updating firmware" messages and were unable to connect to Squeezecenter. Third, the menus are confusing and difficult to navigate. The screen is too small and would be better if you could scroll up and down rather than only left or right. Fourth, setting up playlists is difficult. I wanted to set up a playlist of music on my computer in preparation for a party, but could not figure out how to do it. Very frustrating.

Last, when we bought this at Best Buy, we specifically asked if sound quality would suffer by attaching an MP3 to the input in the back. The answer was "no". Well, it does. Because of my frustrations with setting up a playlist and the fact that a lot of my music is DRM protected, I decided to throw in the towel and connect my Zune directly to make things easier. With the volume to the max on the Zune and Squeezbox, you could barely hear it from 10 feet away.

We returned the unit after two weeks and exchanged it for a Bose SoundDock. Better sound, easier to use. No radio library, but I can deal.

The squeezebox Product line is the best choice in streaming music for the $ (2009-06-15)
I own multiple squeezebox products (Boom, Classic and Duet in multiple rooms) and I find them one of the best wireless music systems for the money. Based on your need they have a product to put streaming music in that room.

Set Up
All products can be set up to run over a wireless network or via ethernet. The excpetion is the duet controller which only operates over wireless. If you are setting up multiple products over wirelss logitech reccomends no more than 6 to avoid overloading your network.

To set up any squeezebox product you will need a squeezenetwork account (free). This account will allow access to assorted music services (some free and some subscription based) and internet radio. Squeezebox can access all these services/internet radio through squeezenetwork without using a computer (except for the intial set up).

One of these fee based services is MP3tunes.com which is a online music locker. You upload your stored music files and they store them allowing access using web based applications (including squeezenetowrk, cell phones and some next gen game systems). With this service you can access your music library without a computer.

You have THE OPTION of installing squeezecenter on one or more computers. Squeezecenter allows access to the stored music files on your computer. however, you do not need to have squeezcenter running (or a computer on) to use squeezebox.

In addition, Netgear sells network storage devices with squeezecenter built in. With one of these devices you can store your audio on it and get access to it with squeezebox without turning on your computer. Personally, I use my old computer and just leave it on. The computer has no interface (keyboard or mouse) or monitor.

As a side note: The Duet appears to have more trouble with install/usability when compared to BOOM and Classic. As example was the weekend of 6/12-6/14, Duet would not connect to Squeezenetwork (however if you were connected to Squeezecenter there were no problems)but both Boom and Classic had no issues. These connectivity issues are rare but have occured.

Control
All squeezebox devices can be controlled using the Duet controller, squeezenetwork (web based), squeezecenter (web based), and third party app for I pod touch/iphone. The 2 web based applications require a computer. All squeezebox duet devices except Duet can be contrlled via the IR remote (included). the remotes cross control (i.e. Boom remote controls classic and vice versa).
If you have squeezebox multiple products they can be sycronized (some other products call this "Party Mode"). I find this one weak area because it has to be done one product at a time (e.g. sycronize Boom to Classic, Sycronize Duet to Classic, etc...).

My only complaint on the control side is the Duet remote is too dimm to be used outdoors during the day. However it has decent range (I can go anywhere in my backyard and still control the Duet).

Sound
The Duet and Classic sound is as good as the material you are listenig to. Most of my ripped music is 320 Kps in MP3 format. I hear no differences between these files and the CD I ripped from when listening through the same amplifier/speaker combo. Between the Duet and Classic I hear no differences between the two however the Classic does have abetter A/D converters; so in theory, the Classic has the potential to sound better.

The Boom has a line out to hook up to a stereo however why would you buy the Boom if you are hooking to a stereo? So I di not evaluate the Boom using this hook up. The sound using the Boom was surprisingly good. did it compare to my other squeezebox products through reciever/speaker combos, no. Was I expecting that, no. Was i expecting this product to be used for "serious listening", no. I use this product for background music.

The sound was sufficient (quality/quantity) for a device it's side. I only heard distortion at the upper ranges of the volume (but then again I listen to Hard Rock/Metal). I found the sound balanced with some lack of low end. But the lack of low end is a given considering the "woofers" are basically midrange drivers. Personally, I think it is as one of the better sounding Table radios (granted the device does not include a radio); for the price it is still one of the best sounding.

Overall
Squeezebox products do have connectivity issues (as all network devices do) however %99.9 the time they work great and sound great. I think the duet is the weak product. But it is also the most different since it must be controlled via the network (Duet controller is a network device) and does not have LCD diplay or IR remote.

Excellent Radio (2009-06-14)
The Squeeze box has made life very pleasant. It connects to Pandora Radio and enabls me to have the type of music I have selected, with no ads. I have subscribed to Pandora radio. The music is the category selected, with variety, and NO ADS!

My router indenified the Squeezebox and was connected quickly. The combination of music with no advertisements is terrific.

Squeeze needs no additional amplifier or speakers (although a Connector for a sub-woofer is provided) to play.

The future of radio (2009-06-13)
This product cuts the cord between internet based music and radio and your computer. For the past several years, the internet has provided an unbelievable selection of radio stations and music services. The only problem was, who want to sit in frot of a computer to listen to music.

This product works with your wireless router to pick up music and radio from the internet and let you listen to it anywhere you want.

Setup is farily easy if you know anything at all about wireless networking. The sound quality is very good. I would recommend this product to anyone that wants to take there internet music away from the computer.