The SqueezeBox 3 is a networkable (wireless or cable) music device. Once powered speakers are connected, you can connect it to a wireless router and stream music either from your PC hard drive or from internet radio sites. It is also apparently compatible with iTunes, but I do not use that so I cannot comment.
So how does it work? The Squeexebox sits in the room of your choice, e.g. living room with powered speakers connected. If you want to play music on your PC hard drive you installed a simple piece of client software You go through a fairly simple network wizard to allow it to go out on the internet or connect to your PC
Once complete, sit back and listen to the music!
PREREQUISITES To get the most out of your Squeezebox
experience you will need: A decent set of powered speakers - To used the SqueezeBox you need to connect it to either an amplifier and speakers, or a set of powered speakers (e.g. like PC speakers). We bought some Bose Companion 5 speakers. A broadband internet connection - For skip-free streaming music from internet radio websites A wireless router - To allow the Squeezebox to access the internet or your PC without having to run network cables all over your house.
PRO's Once the config is complete, I like the SqueezeBox 3 for several reasons:
Wireless functionality - As with iTunes and mp3 players, more and more music is being stored and listened to in an electronic format (as opposed to CD). The Squeezebox is an excellent device to listen to that music.
Access to all electronic audio media - Rather than carting CD's round your house, convert your collection to mp3 files (free software to do this is available), then access any album or artist from the livingroom
Access to Internet radio - Aside from your own music stored on your pc, you can also go out on the internet and browse a wide range of radio websites, with thousands of tracks, albums, artists and genres available. Search to your hearts content for any music you want.
Excellent User forums - We had a few initial difficulties setting up the wireless connection between our ADSL router and the Squeezebox. However there are some excellent user forums on the Slim Devices website, with sections for people who have just purchased a device, and lots of people ready to offer help and advise in getting started.
Self updating Firmware - At the time of writing, the firmware for the Squeezebox is 'open source', meaning anyone can submit a firmware update to increase the device functionality. If you have it permanently connected to the internet (e.g. via broadband), the Squeezebox can be configured to automatically download and install updates itself.
Wireless Security - If you want to connect wirelessly, but have secured your router, panic not! The Squeezebox can be configured to work with common wireless security such as WPA passphrase.
CON's
Initial setup difficulties - While we were considering buying this, we read a lot of reviews saying 'we just turned it on and it configured itself!' This was not quite the case for us. We spent quite a while configuring the wireless connection to a point where it was stable, but to be fair it has been fine ever since.
Powered Speakers - As stated in the prerequisites section, you will either need to connect the device to an existing stereo amp and speakers, or buy some 'powered' speakers. The problem with this is powered speakers range from bog-standard PC speakers, which are a bit tinny and don't do justice to the expense of the Squeezebox, to something along the lines of the Bose Companion 5 powered speakers we bought, which are great, but not cheap!
Unfortunately at this time you find yourself with either dead cheap / rubbish speakers, or paying a lot.
Official Support - Official product support from Slim Devices is to be honest non-existent. We submitted an email when we had setup issues about a week ago, and still haven't had a reply! However the user forums more than make up for this. N.B. Slim Devices have been acquired by Logitech, so this may change.
SUMMARY The Squeezebox 3 is not cheap, but once it is set up it is quite impressive. As stated music is increasingly stored electronically, and this is a pretty nifty way to listen to it. I had my previous seperates stereo for about 10 years, and expect to get a lot of life out of its Squeezebox replacement.
To get the most out of your purchase I really would say a decent set of speakers and a wireless broadband router are essential.
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Jan 31st, 2007
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