Dave Getting Excellent Performance from His Logitech Squeezebox in Red

 

 

After considering various traditional radios, I decided that my interest in having access to lots of jazz, old-time radio shows and programming I remembered from my days in California, it would make sense to try out the Squeezebox. I finally purchased a router recently, so the timing seemed particularly right.

At first I considered the Squeezebox Boom, especially given my interest in music. In the end, though, the $235 price point (at Amazon) pushed me away. When I want absolute fidelity for my music, I listen to CDs on my stereo, and that wouldn't change even if I had the Boom. Also, a lot of my radio listening is late at night in my bedroom, so the volume is lower than it would be if I really wanted ideal audio conditions.

So, on Saturday, FedEx brought my red Squeezebox. Setup was very easy. I expected to have to do much of it at MySqueezebox.com, as I've heard elsewhere, but most of the basic preparation was done on the device itself: Choosing my network and putting in my password, giving it my e-mail address, etc. The only problem was that the server didn't recognize all the music and playlists on my hard drive during its first scan. I had it scan again, and it found everything.

I spent much of my first day with the Squeezebox setting up accounts and sampling radio stations through RadioTime and Live365, both of which are available as Squeezebox apps. I've favorited quite a few stations already. Then I tried to figure out what playlists I wanted to sample.

Streams of radio stations and my own music files have been just about flawless on the Squeezebox. I'm really pleased. Usually there's a brief hiccup in the first minute, as if the radio is re-locking onto the signal, but after that, I'm not experiencing any buffering problems.

I love the way the radio looks. I opted for the red version because almost every other radio I have is black, and I wanted a little variety. The color display is great, and, unlike the Sangean WR-2, the screen dims by just the right degree in darkness, It's not distracting at all. 

I find the interface easy to use. Sound is very warm, much like the WR-2. 

It would've been cool to have a remote and battery pack with this Squeezebox, but they're available separately, and I'll be getting them. The Squeezebox Boom comes with a remote.

I know you've had bad experiences so far with Wi-Fi-Internet radios, but I think you'd like this baby. I'm guessing the Squeezebox Boom might make more sense for you, since you want a big sound. But I don't think you could go really wrong either way.

Best,

Dave

Comments

[Adam]

Thanks for the write-up - looks interesting. Can you listen to Pandora or Slacker on it? Also - does it have an input for a mp3 player?

- Adam

[Scooby214]

Pandora works great on the SB Radio. I don't know about Slacker. It does have an mp3 input.

I used to wish it came with the optional remote, but have recently discovered an Android app that lets me use my phone as a remote for the SB radio.

I've had my Squeezebox Radio for about a year and a half. They have done many firmware updates, which have turned a frustrating, buggy product into a pleasurable internet radio. Since mine is connected to my FM transmitter, there are times it runs continuously for days at a time.

[jon]

this radio can be plugged in via the headphone out , turned all the way up on the radio without distortion and can run thru home stereo with cd quality on good streams. all you need is headphone jack to rca jack.