Digital Trends

Logitech Squeezebox Boom

September 25th, 2008 | by Ian Bell

Design and Features

At first glance, the Squeezebox Boom looks like any other small radio unit. In fact, it looks very similar to some of Logitech’s more affordable budget iPod docks. Logitech would do well to add some sort of design flair to highlight how much more capable the Squeezebox Boom really is. Measuring in at 5-inches tall, 5-inches deep and 13-inches wide, this little system is the perfect size for a bedroom nightstand or a kitchen desk. The speakers are located to the right and left hand side of the control box respectively, with the speaker grills showing just a hint of the tweeters and woofers they are there to protect. The top of the unit features a snooze button and a small magnetic caddie to hold the remote control (clever idea there). 

Below the snooze button lies the trademark Squeezebox vacuum-fluorescent display, which provides a very easy-to-read layout that will automatically adjust to the room lighting; you can even manually adjust the brightness either in the systems settings or through their SqueezeCenter software. Other features include multiple equalizer meter visualizers and customizable settings.

The controls look the same as what we have seen on some other Squeezebox products; they are intuitive to find and feel good when pressed. The wheel in the middle of the system works well for navigating the menu structure, we debated as to whether it would have been better suited as a volume control. In either case, it works great for what it is designed to do. And if, for some reason, you do not want to use to use the controls on the unit itself, the remote control works just fine as well.

Connections

There are two ways to connect the Squeezebox Boom to your network: either through traditional Ethernet, or your homes Wi-Fi connection (the Boom supports 802.11 b/g networks). We found it neat that you can connect a device to the Ethernet connection on the back of the Squeezebox Boom and use it as a bridge, much in the same way the Sonos Music system can. This comes in handy if you want to connect a device that lacks Wi-Fi to your network. 

Other connections include a sub-out in case you want to add more bass to your sound, and a line-in connection so you can play music from an external source such as your iPod or Microsoft Zune.

Music Sources

Outside of playing music from an external source using the line-in jack, the Squeezebox Boom is really designed as a streaming music device. There are two main sources to stream music from: your PC or the Internet. If you decide to stream music from your PC, the Squeezebox Boom supports Windows, Mac and even Linux operating systems. To customize settings on your Boom, or access music stored on your PC, you will need to install Logitech’s included SqueezeCenter software. It lets you tweak the brightness level of the display; set up alarms (if you decide to use the Boom as a clock) and even control your SqueezeNetwork settings without visiting the Web site. 

If you want to play music from online sources, Logitech gives you the option to play from a list of their favorite internet radio stations, or streaming music from a number of online music services that include Pandora, Slacker, MP3Tunes, RadioTime, Radio IO, Rhapsody, Last.fm, Sirius and Live365. Using the SqueezeCenter software installed on your PC, you can even add your own favorite radio stations and play them through the Boom (we tested the unit using music from Soma.fm).

If you like listening to Podcasts, you can add your favorite feed to the SqueezeCenter software and then access it through the players’ menu system. The Boom will list up to the last 10 episodes of the podcast.

The Squeezebox Boom can play MP3, AAC, WMA, AIFF, Ogg, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless and WAV music files. Logitech boasts that the Squeezebox Boom high-end amplifiers and crossovers to improve sound, but keep in mind that the music only sounds as good as the source, so it will not help with those 128kbps MP3 files.

Warning: DRM

One of the issues with the Squeezebox Boom is that the system will not play music you purchased through iTunes, Zune store or any other DRM-based music store. 

Extras

Some of the extra features added into the Squeezebox Boom include an RSS reader so you can view the latest headlines, an alarm clock feature (which is important if you plan to use it in the bedroom) and multiple sound effects, which you can use with the alarm feature. This includes nature sounds, random sound effects, and music bits. The alarm feature is very cool, and highly customizable through the SqueezeCenter software. You can setup multiple alarms; adjust the volumes, sound effects and even which days of the week they are supposed to go off.

Image Courtesy of Logitech