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Deciding how to offer a review of the third-generation Squeezebox by Slim Devices without gushing forth a stream of typical market-speak accolades ("Incredible!" "Outstanding!" "A must-have for any music lover!") is not easy. And even more difficult, given all that Squeezebox has going for it, is deciding where to start describing the wealth of features this little box boasts.
 Squeezebox gives you full control over your entire digital music library. And it couldn't be easier. (Black model and remote shown). |
 Stereo level meters are a nice touch. View larger. |
 All the connections you need are on the back. See detail. |
Although the tools to convert CDs to digital files have become standard fare on nearly every computer, by comparison the tools needed to play those files on a high-performance sound system can be clunky, inconvenient, and downright frustrating to use. Until recently, our options have been either to drag expensive computers to the living room and wire them directly to our stereos, or to buy an expensive digital music player that we then need to continually plug and unplug.
Enter Squeezebox to save us from this hassle. After plugging this streamlined device into your stereo via a standard RCA cable, and taking all of five minutes to download software to your computer and configure Squeezebox to your wireless network (okay, maybe seven minutes if you're chewing gum at the same time), you can immediately start "pulling" music off your Mac or PC for full-sounding playback through your entertainment system. Imagine being able to keep your computer on your desk, and your digital player in your pocket, and still crank your digital music with abandon! It's really that simple: within a few minutes of unpacking the Squeezebox, your digital files are yours for the asking from the comfort of your couch. (Squeezebox is also offered in a "wired-only" model that connects directly to the Internet via an Ethernet cable.)
Once Squeezebox is set up, it immediately presents your music on its easy-to-read display by genre, artist, song, album and even year. With the help of a handy remote, you can scroll through just about every music file on your computer and play songs in whatever sequence you desire. As long as your digital files are in a single location (in your iTunes folder, for instance), Squeezebox will get them to you. Although your computer must be on in order to play your digital files, you don't necessarily have to start it up just to play your music. Squeezebox also gives you the option of using the remote to wake your PC or Mac from a "sleep" state remotely, adding to the system's ultimate ease of use.
 Squeezebox offers lots of setup options. |
 A handy remote is included (black remote shown, white model ships with white remote). View larger. |
Surely there must be a catch, you're probably thinking. In fact, there are a couple of glitches that beg for improvement in the next-generation model.
First, while you can create play lists for Squeezebox on your computer via the software's browser interface -- a somewhat clunky procedure --, or with the remote itself -- an easier, though still time-consuming process --, Squeezebox could not access the play lists we had already created in our iTunes player. According to the manufacturer, only iTunes users suffer from this problem; Squeezebox recognizes lists created in Windows Media and other popular players. The second issue has to do with encrypted files. Simply put, it can't play any files you purchase or download from an online store, such as the iTunes Music Store, that are protected. For those files, you'll have to continue to resort to the primitive plug-and-play method.
Internet Radio without a Computer
In addition to playing digital files, you can use Squeezebox to stream Internet radio straight into your living room without a computer. Squeezebox feeds directly from your wireless network to do this. With the Web interface, or via the remote, you can create a list of your favorite Internet radio stations for streaming. Squeezebox also comes loaded with several stations covering the full array of musical genres, from jazz and world music, to 70's pop and 90's electronica. For news junkies, Squeezebox can also stream your favorite RSS feeds across its aqua blue display.
About the size of a bedside digital alarm clock, Squeezebox can sit inconspicuously on any horizontal surface. The ports, all located on the back of the unit, include a mini headphone jack, RCA connections, a digital optical output and coax output, and an Ethernet connection. An extremely intuitive interface on Squeezebox lets you easily configure the display's text size, illumination, screen saver, and track information.
Until the day comes when affordable entertainment systems exist that offer seamless convergence of wireless Internet and digital technology with high-performance playback, Squeezebox will let you share your digital music loudly and clearly with just a few clicks of the remote.
Pros:
- A seamless way to stream digital music through entertainment systems
- Offers easy and remote access to all unencrypted digital music files on our computer
- Streams Internet radio through your receiver without a computer
- Does not play encrypted music files from online digital services
- Creating playlists can be time consuming
Squeezebox Network Music Player, AC power adaptor (appropriate plug by region), user's manual, SlimServer software (requires download), custom infrared remote (2 AAA batteries included), and 6-foot gold plated RCA patch cord.
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Technical Details
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By J. Puckett (Los Angeles, CA)
I am a gadget freak and this is without a doubt the COOLEST toy I own. After ripping my entire CD collection to WMA lossless and later converting to FLAC to get the advantage of replaygain volume leveling, I can now instantly play any song or playlist from over 400 CDs, quickly searching via artist name, album, genre, or a custom playlist. The networking setup is not quite as easy or simple as it should be, especially if you are using wireless or multiple PCs running multiple servers. But it's not that hard, either, and I was able to figure it out and once I did, it works consistently and very, very well. The sound quality is absolutely as good as from the original CDs. The remote is not bad, but it could be even better, but it's just as easy to run the interface from a laptop using wi-fi, even if your music library is on another network computer or hard drive. The support on the slim devices forums and knowledgebase are very good, and if you really need some hand-holding you can call them and talk to a live person for help. Seriously, you set this up and you will start feeling like a pro DJ- all you need is a VIP guest list...
By Zachary Feuerborn (Boise, ID USA)
I'm not going to do an in-depth review of because so many other folks have, but I'll give my two cents. I've owned a Squeezebox for over 2 years now and it has worked flawlessly the entire time. Setup was easy from what I remember (it's been a while), sound quality is fantastic (especially when using FLAC files), and it looks so good sitting on my shelf with my Onkyo TX-NR901. In fact frustration with Onkyo's built in music server is what prompted me to buy the Squeezebox. This is one gadget I have never had one iota of buyers remorse for... ever.
** Update (Feb 1, 2010)**
I bought this device back in 2007 when it was still produced my Slim Devices. I gave it 5 stars. Sadly, Slim Devices was purchase by Logitech recently. Where the original Slim Server, written by Slim Devices, worked out of the box, I cannot say the same for more recent versions produced by Logitech. I have recently updated to the most recent version of SqueezeBox Server and have had nothing but problems. The most serious is the inability to use my music library. It's simply not there. It was working two days ago and is now nowhere to be seen in the SqueezeBox menu, and Squeeze Server is unable to see the files though they are playable through traditional players. Previous versions produced since Logitech's acquisition have had their own share of issues. If you're going to buy a Squeeze box, beware the software.
By A. Woronow (Abiquiu, NM)
I have recently decided to enter the 20th century and made my computer/printer wireless. Then, what the heck, how about the stereo too. This is new and daunting stuff for me (I'm much older than 14). Once I got the coumputer wireless to satellite (LinkSys), then came the print server (NetGear)--no problem with either. The stereo connection was simplest of all. In less than 20' (including reading the instructions) I was streaming my CD collection to my stereo. Only one glitch. After about 1/2 hour, the computer-squeezebox interface (Web) failed to find the Squeezebox. What fixed it was going through the Squeezebox setup again. (It had everyting I had previously entered so I just stepped through.) I has worked for the last 2 hrs. w/o problems. If you don't hear from me again on this, assume that it is still working well. Frankly, I'm amazed that this suite of mixed-maker products work together. I know, they should, but realistically, how often do electronics interface as they advertise?
ADDITION: After a month or so, I still greatly enjoy this product, but there are glitches. When my network goes down, sometimes the Squeezebox does not come back up with the rest. I found that unplugging it then going through the setup menu (accepting everyting as it is presented) brings it back up. Simple unplugging and powering up does not work.
Also, I have Panasonic home theater with wireless back speakers. I had to move the WiFi to channel 11 to prevent interference and buy new wireless phones too (Panasonic DIRECT 6.0). It's a learning experience! Not hopelessl, though!
By J. Utich (United States)
Ok...no problems here...has worked perfectly from second one...sound quality is truly outstanding...ability to play back not only mp3's but multiple higher-quality formats (.wav and flac)...the internet tuning capability works fantastically well (tune by city, genre, popularity, etc.)...but what really makes the unit is the interface, it is speedy and intuitive...highly recommended.
By Electronic Lover (Illinois)
I too can relate to all of the reviewers who can not get sound. Slim Devices drops my wireless signal about every three minutes. It is very rare that it will play a whole song. I have tried a linksys G router, a US Robotics router, and now a D Link router. I am not using other wireless resource while it is playing besides my latop. All of my other wireless devices show "excellent" signal strength while this thing can not seem to locate a network. Customer support said it was my router's power settings. I am on my third router from three different manufactures and I think it is the sqeezebox. I would recommend passing on this product as I am sitting here playing MP3s on my laptop speakers looking at my Squeexebox screen stating its usual "Problem, can't find a wireless network" message.
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