Logitech Squeezebox Boom All-in-One Network Music Player / Wi-Fi Internet Radio (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

I have already purchased the Logitech Squeezebox as I thought this unit was a bit expensive. However, I really loved that item so much, and the constant lugging around the estate got to be tiresome, so I broke down and bought this Boom during a sale. In a word fantastic.Pros:1. Set-up: I thought this was easy. I took the unit out of the box, plugged it in and it readily found my wireless network. I did have to rotate the dial to enter the network password, but that only took a minute. I was rewarded with it finding my network and I had music within literally five minutes.2. I previously had to create a Logitech account at their website tp load applications such as Pandora, Last.fm, BBC and others. This does take some time, but I found the site pretty easy to understand (assuming basic computer skills). This does not mean, as others have stated, that you have to have your computer running to listen to this unit. Instead, it gives you options of having access to your own music on a hard drive (Itunes or MP3's) and change options on your unit indirectly.3. Aesthetic: I was initially concerned that the Boom did not have a color screen when I first purchased it. However, it really makes no difference at all other than I cannot display Flickr photos as is possible on the Squeezebox. However, after a bit, the screen is absolutely readable and clear and offers some other cool options such as having a RSS newsfeed scroll across the screen displaying the latest news and sports (this is pretty cool). The unit itself is about the size of large loaf of bread and is glossy black for the most part. It looks just fine on the counter. The display screen can be configured to show the time, or there is a equalizer display and other cool options. I love the little details on this item.4. Sound: I think the powered sound of this unit is reaaly good for most purposes. It is NOT a boombox that will blow you away, but rather it can be used for listening at most volumes, backgorund music for parties and the like. The sound is quite balanced, and is even better when you use headphones for the output. There is also a subwoofer output which I haven't tried.5. Remote: The unit comes with a remote control that you can attach (via magnet) to the top of the box, a power cord and a fabric pouch for storage (there isn't a battery for moving it around, but it is a nice touch). The remote works well, although you need to be within a few yards of the box to know what your doing. There is a app for the iphone (ipeng) that also does the same thing in a more visual manner so I may give that a try.6. Details: I understand that if you have more than one box on your network, you can synchronize them. Sure enough, there is a setting that will do this so you can have your boxes play the same music throughout your house. I find this to be a cool feature. Frankly, there are many cool details that are available and it makes this thing really really a great item.Neutral1. I really have no complaints that displease me about this item.2. Alarm: I did not buy this as a bedside alarm so I can't really comment on how useful this is for such a purpose. I think it would be overkill to always rely on this item because with the internet you never know when the network might go down or some such thing.3. Software Bugs: I have found little of the issues that are described in some other reviews. You do not need a computer running to access internet radio, but it seems as though you do to get your MP3 files, for example. I do absolutely think you need you need a broadband connection for your home that is beyond the minimum 1.5 MBPS. I have not had any issues with dropouts since I got a upgrade. Also, you should check your wireless router (you can use an ethernet connection should you wish) by using setting on the box to ensure you have a good signal. But I have only had an issue once where the system froze and I simply unplugged the power and it reset and everything is fine. ( I think sometimes that some reviewers are blaming the box for an item that also depends on a network that can have quirks). In short, I have had none of these issues with the software.Cons:1. Price: This is not an inexpensive item. I did think for a while about whether this was a good purchase. But after seeing the joy on my family's face in listening to favorite stations and music, it becomes clear it was well worth the price.2. Rebate: I did want to comment that I have had problems with a company dealing with the rebates for Logitech. Be aware that this company was sending back rebates alleging that the UPC boxtop was missing and they would not accept copies (this is a common occurrence and happened to me). Fortunately, Amazon customer service took care of me so don't let that put you off. Otherwise I find Logitech products very well done.Overall, I am on my second music box, and I think each of them are wonderful pieces of electronics. I love the fact that these things can get software updates so they will not be out of date. This is great item, well worth the not insignificant investment and I highly recommend it!

I purchased this device for use in our kitchen to access over 100GB of DRM-free MP3s that resides on our desktop PC. While there are many desktop radios out there, and many that now use WiFi to access Internet radio, there are not many that devote so much of their feature set to streaming music you already own over your home network. My two main requirements were that it do a good job of accessing my music and that it sound good. I'm happy to say it has met both of those requirements.It's hard to get a good sense from reading reviews how good or bad the sound quality will be from a device like this. In this size range you will find everything from $10 computer speakers to audiophile quality mini-monitor speakers costing hundreds of dollars. In a device that packs so much functionality, you have to wonder how much effort they put into sound quality. This review can't answer that much better than others, but I will say that it met my expectations. There is more low range than the average set of cheapo computer speakers, and the overall sound quality is clear, even at moderately loud listening levels that can fill the room. On the other hand, there is definitely some low end missing that would provide a more enveloping sound, and you can turn it up loud enough to start distorting the sound so this is not the device to flood the backyard with music around the pool. I will add that there is a sub-out jack if you have a sub to use, but for our intended purpose in the kitchen, it's not really aesthetically an option. Given the diminutive size of the device, it gets good marks for sound quality.After installing the SqueezeCenter software on my PC and letting it scan my music directory, it was very straightforward to start playing my collection. The SqueezeCenter user interface is a web based application that you can access from any browser on your network and gives you full dynamic control of the device. This is a very handy feature and I've found myself setting up playlists and browsing my music from my laptop while the Squeezebox is playing in the adjoining room. The software is quite feature rich. There are tons of configuration options for how the device functions, including lots of configuration for how playing music is displayed. Unfortunately, the flexibility comes at a price because the web-based UI is somewhat slow and clumsy compared to a "thick client" like iTunes.A note about streaming your MP3s. I have an ALL wireless network. This is considered a problematic configuration for streaming MP3s by those in the Slim Devices forum because the music has to stream over two wireless hops, rather than one. The recommended configuration is that your PC with your music is hardwired to a wireless hub. Because of my configuration, songs were stalling and skipping as the network was unable to buffer enough data. The SqueezeCenter software has great network streaming tests to troubleshoot problems like this. By running those tests and researching the issue in the Slim Devices forum, I was able to confirm the problem and find some advice to improve my network performance. By changing my wireless channel and turning off the "Turbo G" mode on the router, my streaming tests went from unstable to extremely stable. This was kind of odd because I got great download speeds before, but I suppose the speed was coming at the expense of less reliable packet delivery. After making the changes, I am able to stream 256Kbps MP3s with no buffer problems.One of the nicest surprises of the device is how well it integrates with Internet streaming radio and various services like Pandora. On the Squeezebox website you set up your account and specify login information for those services and in a few minutes the device can access all your Pandora stations, which has full support for giving songs thumbs up/down, etc. Though we bought the device to increase access our own music, my wife probably listens to Pandora 70% of the time.I've been so happy with this device, I'm strongly considering purchase of another Boom for the garage or bedroom and their Duet product, so I can hook my main family room in. This would essentially give us full house audio like the Sonos system.One minor issue: The infrared remote for our Boom was dead on arrival. I called Logitech support and without any drama they are shipping out a new remote. Hopefully that's the problem and I don't have to switch out the actual Boom.