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Lightning Review: Logitech's Squeezebox Boom All-in-One Network Audio Player
Posted by Sean Fallon at 5:00 AM on September 27, 2008
The Gadget: The Squeezebox Boom from Logitech streams music from your PC or the internet via an 802.11b/g or Ethernet connection. Unlike previous Squeezeboxes, the Boom also throws in a pair of 30-watt speakers.
The Price: $US300
The Verdict: This is one awesome little Wi-Fi radio. It is super-compact, versatile, set-up was nearly effortless and it sounds great. The device can handle just about any non-DRM format including MP3, FLAC, WMA, WMA Lossless, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF and it accessed music seamlessly from my iTunes account thanks to the SqueezeCenter software (works with Windows, Mac and Linux).
The device integrates with Logitec's SqueezeNetwork to tap into internet radio and manage subscriptions from Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius, Last.fm, Slacker, MP3tunes, RadioTime, Radio IO and Live365. Again, setting up an account and integrating the service with the Squeezebox itself was easy, and navigating between all of the options wasn't too much of a problem using the remote and the simplified display (although the fact that you can only view one menu option at a time can be a bit frustrating). The sleek design also had a couple nice extras, like a magnetised remote that can be stuck to the top of the unit—or to your fridge if you prefer. It also has an alarm clock function and an auto-dimming display that automatically adjusts to the ambient light.
As mentioned earlier, I was surprised at how well the Squeezebox Boom sounds. I didn't notice any major artifacts or distortion and it handles bass-heavy songs superbly—cranking out a crisp, heavy sound. Very impressive for Wi-Fi.
The bottom line is that there isn't much to complain about with the Squeezebox Boom. I mean, it beats the hell out of an iPod dock, that's for sure. The UI could have been a bit better and it may be a bit pricey for some at $US300, but all in all this is a great little machine. [Logitech]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
AtheistP3ace
Posted 5:03 AM 27/9/08
Anyone know if you can stream wirelessly from iTunes and use your iPhone remote control app to change music?
AtheistP3ace
Xavoc
Posted 5:40 AM 27/9/08
@AtheistP3ace: the iPhone Remote Control app will probably still work, but I doubt you can stream from iTunes. Though I imagine it can access your mp3 files just fine.
Xavoc
UofITom
Posted 5:31 AM 27/9/08
Does it still have the ability to use plugins from the original squeezebox? And is there a plugin for XM streaming? If so, grabbing my credit card.
UofITom
oh_nos
Posted 5:30 AM 27/9/08
One day these are going to get like those cars that roll by with loud music "just so u will look" and then u can annoy at all times!
oh_nos
mphuie
Posted 6:00 AM 27/9/08
@AtheistP3ace:
It can't stream from iTunes. You will have to install SqueezeCenter, which will catalog your non-DRM iTunes music.
You can install a SqueezeCenter plugin which will is a iPhone designed web frontend to control playback.
[penguinlovesmusic.de]
mphuie
DucatiGuy
Posted 6:12 AM 27/9/08
I heard and checked this out first hand about two weeks ago and yes it sounds good for its size, but its not the best bang for your buck. At $300 its damn pricey for something coming from logitech. I won't be surprised if the price drops right around the holidays...
DucatiGuy
Rodime
Posted 6:57 AM 27/9/08
@DucatiGuy: Hmm.. so show me a good alternative for less $$$
Rodime
dnheller
Posted 8:39 AM 27/9/08
For 1/10th the price, I can probably get a Sony Dream Machine that will play CDs that I already own and I won't have to pay a monthly fee to iTunes.
People who buy these things and iPods are idiots.
dnheller
ejw2076
Posted 10:04 AM 27/9/08
@dnheller: Did you even read the article? Or did you just want to have an opinion on something? You can stream music you have on your computer to this - in nearly any format. Those CDs that you already own... rip them to your computer and there they are. Have iTunes? Well, what do you know, this will work with it. Also, the music server runs on linux. Logitech has done an excellent job with SD.
ejw2076
goglen
Posted 10:02 AM 27/9/08
I have an issue with taking a small $60 boombox and:
-- Include $20 of wireless circuitry & wifi software (like WiFi SD memory cards already have)
-- A screen that is about the same size as my $100 Home Theater remote (and arguably with similar on-board storage, give the hundreds of devices of IR commands it has built in)
-- Software (squeezbox) to index/catalog/manage the music on your network.
....... And then charging $300 for it? I'd buy a couple at $130 each, but zero at $300. I'd like to have a way to play a subset of the plethora of MP3s in by 4-year-old's room (with a screen showing the title, and an interface she can "skip" and "rewind"), but $300 is way too much when I can buy a cheap boombox that plays MP3 CD's for $60.
goglen
EnochLight
Posted 12:45 PM 27/9/08
@goglen: Again, I think you are missing the intended use for this device. A cheap boombox that plays mp3 CD's will not deliver:
1. Incredible sound in a portable device
2. Net radio and on-demand subscription music
3. Access to your entire music collection stored on a local or web-based server
4. A superb user interface for navigating your music
The Boom is acoustically tuned to sound incredible for the size those speakers occupy - nothing this size comes close at this price. It plays practically every audio codec known under the sun, and best of all - the software is OPEN SOURCE and constantly acquiring new features.
CD's with mp3's on them? What are you, from the past? ;-)
EnochLight
EnochLight
Posted 12:40 PM 27/9/08
@dnheller: I don't think anyone on the planet pays a monthly fee to iTunes... since it is not a subscription based service.
You have no idea how convenient the Boom is for carrying out to the patio and streaming my entire audio collection from my local server, or tapping into limitless net radio. The UI is easy to navigate, it sounds great, and there's no need to lug around wires (aside from needing to plug it into a wall outlet).
You are obviously not the target consumer for this product, but calling people idiots for subscribing to subscription based music services or buying iPods is asinine in itself. I own 2000+ CD's and still subscribe to Rhapsody for on-demand stuff. There's nothing better.
EnochLight
EnochLight
Posted 12:34 PM 27/9/08
@DucatiGuy: It actually comes from Slim Devices - a company who's legendary quality and high-end audio products are well respected in audiophile communities. Logitech just distributes and supplies R&D cash.
EnochLight
jeepingeek
Posted 11:18 PM 27/9/08
I find it funny that if this device would have had Sonos branding on it there would have been numerous people ranting about how great it is. but drop the price by half put a logitech label on it and suddenly everyone thinks it's overpriced.
Try looking at the price of any distributed audio system outside of the squeezebox line and then tell me this is over-priced.
jeepingeek
EnochLight
Posted 1:56 AM 28/9/08
@jeepingeek: That's so true. I actually considered a Sonos system at one time but couldn't swallow the price. I now own 2 Squeezebox Classics, 1 Duet, and 1 Boom - Slim Devices top Sonos in customer service, quality, and product innovation hands down - for a fraction of the price!
EnochLight
NotMe
Posted 6:48 AM 28/9/08
Looks like Logitech is not playing catch up with the audio stuff any more. They used to be the new kid on the block, with names like Altec Lansing leading the way.
Not any more. The times, they are a changing.
NotMe
MauriceGautschi
Posted 8:28 AM 27/9/08
Don't mistake this for a alarm clock radio. It sounds much better, and the Internet radio features are better than anything else I've seen. i've been enjoying Radioio,RadioParadise, Last.fm, and Pandora at work all week. I'm also using MP3Locker to listen to my own MP3's stored in the "cloud". I found it well worth my money. Oh, yeah you can use a sub-woofer with it or a headphone. The line-in accommodates an iPod of course.
MauriceGautschi
JobAesop
Posted 5:41 AM 27/9/08
So this works better than the last Logitech streaming music player that every site in the world recommended, which never really worked. The Wireless DJ was a bust from the moment it was introduced; Terrible bit of technology. I wonder if Logitech will send these to us that bought the Wireless DJ and tried to use it (in vain). If they had any conscience they would.
JobAesop