Neat idea, but not all it's cracked up to be | Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network Music System

Burnished technology puts great sounding music (and more) at your beck and call | Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network Music System

electronics:


	• Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network Music System Logitech Logitech average customer review:based on 59 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

There Are Certain Setup Requirements!

Like most Logitech devices, the Squeezebox Duet is attractive, sleek and very intuitive. It looks good anywhere and the convenience of listening to music out of any entertainment center from files stored on your computer are fantastic. The sound is as clear as you can expect as well.

However, there are some things you need to know about the Squeezebox Duet set-up before you buy. Your computer needs to have wi-fi or a router connected to it. If you use a direct DSL cable (Ethernet cable), you also need an Ethernet cable in the room where your entertainment center is (My computer is in my office and my entertainment center is in my living room). The only other option is to run a cable through your walls between you computer and entertainment center, which is a hassle. I have direct DSL cable, so I switched from that to my old router system (fortunately, I also had an Ethernet cable source in my living room). Then I just installed the Squeezebox Receiver directly into my Music Entertainment receiver with the stereo analog cables. The set-up with the controller was a little tricky, as I had to call my service provider to get my SSID numbers (An SSID is the name of a wireless local area network (WLAN). All wireless devices on a WLAN must employ the same SSID in order to communicate with each other). Then I had to enter my Key Code. After that it was amazing stuff.

The handheld controller is very cool. It has a bright 2.5 inch screen that shows all your music information. The SqueezeBox Network controller displays all the song title information during playback. You can also save Internet Radio favorites in a play list. Your entire music collection can be stored online in an MP3tunes music locker and played back through your Squeezebox. The music volume is easily controlled and I found that the sound was even throughout, even when switching from rock to classical.

One minor question I want to ask Logitech: Why do all your socket plugs hang vertically instead of a direct push-in like any plug? I find myself with numerous circuit breakers.

for more information click here

Neat idea, but not all it's cracked up to be

I was intrigued by the concept behind Logitech's Squeezebox Duet network music system. A wireless device that allows you to play your digital music library all over the house sounded like a great idea, so I decided to give the system a try.

My house has three floors. My CD collection (roughly 2000 discs) is in the basement, as is my stereo mini-system. My digital music library (which is essentially 75% of my CD collection, uploaded to iTunes) is on the iMac upstairs. My goal with the Squeezebox system was to be able to access my iTunes music on the main floor through my home theater system.

Unlike Logitech's Harmony One universal remote, setting up the Squeezebox is not very intuitive. There isn't a startup CD, so I had to go online to download the software, which was not Mac friendly at all. I finally got the remote programmed and the Squeeze Network up and running, so the next step was to hook the receiver up to my home theater system. Here's where the "wireless" tag is misleading. The Squeezebox receiver is in fact connected to the stereo via a set of red and white cables. It took some heavy troubleshooting, but I finally got it working, only to discover that accessing my iTunes would take a fair amount of detective work.

If you're not using the Squeezebox to access internet radio, the search by artist, album, etc. is largely useless, as they do not "look" at your iTunes library. You have to navigate through a complex series of steps to get to that music, which is more than a little frustrating.

I still think this kind of system is a cool idea, but unless you're a big internet radio fan, I just don't see how useful the Squeezebox is going to be. Most stereo and home theater systems come with some kind of iPod interface, and it's a lot easier to plug in the iPod than it is to configure and navigate the Squeezebox system.

for more information click here

Burnished technology puts great sounding music (and more) at your beck and call

I have been using my Duet for a week and it's been a real pleasure. Its great sound quality and ease of use have had me rediscovering music that's been lying fallow on my computer and Rhapsody account for ages. Its software and interface also give seamless, casual access to radio stations (if they are streaming over the internet) and podcasts.

Making valued experiences handier, richer, and farther-reaching--isn't that what technology is supposed to?

Like all well-designed technology, the Duet's controller adds a layer of pleasure all its own. With its responsive control wheel, sharp display, motion sensitivity, and appealing screensavers, it offers iPod/iPhone/Wii-class looks and handling--making if fun, rather than a chore, to hunt up what you'll be listening to next.

Given some customer comments about technical difficulties, I was worried after ordering. Luck was with me--I experienced no problems with setup, even on an aging Dell desktop and a very modest Toshiba laptop. In my case, The Quick Setup instructions and the setup prompts given by the controller worked without a hitch. Everything was up and running in half an hour. I've been enjoying effortless access to music ever since.

for more information click here

Pretty nifty.

I'm satisfied, but not overwhelmed by this product. It does what it is meant to do, and pretty well. I suppose my only criticisms are unfair, because they come from a Mac-user, and someone who is accustomed to Apple's design philosophy. While this item is designed well, it's not 'perfect' in the ways that it easily could be.

Design-wise, it's nice. It looks smart on my media console, in front of the plasma. I like the clock screensaver. The remote unit feels sturdy and solid. The 'box' is small, and sits behind other equipment, so i never really notice it.

The remote's interface is the primary area that could stand improvement. The click wheel is not as smooth or accurate as an iPod's. There is a bit too much 'navigating,' even though everything IS modeled from an iPod. The button layout isn't quite common-sensical.... And, it always seems to require one or two more button pushes than i expect.

Lastly, it looks like some of the paint on the physical buttons was a bit worn, immediately after i took it out of the box. I didn't notice it in the packaging, but two seconds later, the remote looked like it was already a month old. Maybe i was sold a refurb? It doesn't seem to have gotten worse, though.

All in all, a nice product. I wish they could upgrade the design of the interface via online/network update, but i guess someone at Logitech would first have to realize it was called for.... I'm glad i have it. I guess that's the bottom line. I would buy it again, if this one suddenly vanished.

Oh, i also have a Roku Soundbridge. I bought the Roku a bit over a year ago. That, also, was nice, but i vastly prefer having the visual controls in my hand, versus a simple remote and having to look at a distant display. The Duet wins there, easily. Haven't compared audio quality. I never will. Both sound(-ed) fine. I haven't compared between the two of them, and i haven't compared their output to a reference CD. I'm listening to MP3s, recorded at various bitrates, so i can't be too picky. Nevertheless, i don't feel like i'm missing anything, sonically. If you're an audiophile, perhaps you can find reason to get into the converter specs and such.

for more information click here