Logitech has added the one thing to its Squeezebox line that has been sorely lacking from its other networked audio products: speakers. This Wi-Fi device can stream not only your PC’s music but also the most popular free (Last.fm, Pandora, and Slacker) and premium (Rhapsody and Sirius) services directly over the Web, and it produces very good sound given its relatively compact footprint. Despite a few drawbacks, the Squeezebox Boom hits the sweet spot for music lovers who want more options than a portable music player without the tangle of cords. As its name suggests, the Squeezebox Boom resembles a small boom box with speakers flanking the center display and control panel. At 13.1 x 5.0 x 4.0 inches, the Boom will easily fit on a bookshelf, end table, or a large nightstand. The speakers are covered with black metal grilles; the center, dominated by a large scroll knob, is matte black with a slightly rubberized texture. Arranged symmetrically around the top of the scroll knob are the Power, Back, Play, and Add buttons; the Rewind, Pause, Forward, and Volume buttons sit around the bottom of the knob. When in use, the bluish green auto-dimming display scrolls the song, artist, and album in a large font, legible from across the room; you can also navigate through your listening options and music collection. The long, slightly raised button on the top of the Boom works as a snooze button. The Squeezebox Boom has four modes to choose from when selecting a music source: Music Services, Internet Radio, SqueezeNetwork, and Music Library (the last of which is run through Logitech’s SqueezeCenter). Music Services comprises Last.fm, Pandora, Rhapsody, Slacker, MP3tunes Music Locker, and Live Music Archive. Internet Radio includes Staff Picks, Radio IO, Radio Time, Live365, SHOUTcast, and My Radio Stations, which can be programmed from the online SqueezeNetwork site. Included with the Squeezebox Boom is a small remote control that offers the same functionality as the controls on the main unit and adds a sleep timer button and a Home button. The remote is about the same size as 2nd-gen iPod nano and would be easy to lose if it weren’t for its enclosed magnet. The sleep timer can be set to turn off the Boom at the end of a song or after 15, 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes. The Home button takes you back to the welcome screen and allows you to choose your listening source. We found ourselves using the Home button on the remote often; we wish the same button was included on the Squeezebox Boom instead of having to repeatedly hit its back button to get to the home screen.
Design
Remote Control
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