Logitech Squeezebox Duet Music Server Review

[admin]

The Logitech Squeezebox Duet is probably one of the coolest and best products I've ever reviewed. Sure, it's a little buggy right now but that is to be expected this close to launch. The fact remains that once the bugs are worked out, you'll be left with one of the coolest remotes, the neatest streaming services, and best way to get high quality content from your computer to your home theater… wirelessly!


Discuss "Logitech Squeezebox Duet Music Server Review" here. Read the article.

[scott911]

I've read various reciever reviews that include networking as a feature. My impression is that this allows the reciever to stream files from your computer.

I think I'd prefer to put my $400 into a better all around reciever that includes this option - thereby elimating the need for this expensive logiteck device.

Any thoughts? Being able to have a non-big screen OSD would be important, I don't know how that is handled in the recievers.

For $400 you can almost get a nice small laptop running itunes (connected to my older reciever) that you keep on a sidetable. I did this actually for awhile, it was a pretty nice set-up, though my wife wasn't thrilled about having a laptop in the living room all the time.

[MDS]

I think I'd prefer to put my $400 into a better all around reciever that includes this option - thereby elimating the need for this expensive logiteck device. Any thoughts?

Don't do it. Various manufacturers have been trying it for years and they are all riddled with problems and big limitations. Search the forums and you'll see what I mean.

The Duet is essentially a Squeezebox with a flashy remote control. Basically they moved the screen from the main component to a handheld remote and while it may be nice to carry it around the house with you and read the song title in your hand instead of staring across the room, I'm not convinced that it is all that compelling compared to the Squeezebox which is $100 cheaper.

[jotham]

I've got two squeezebox ver.3 in my house and I have to say it would be pretty slick to control everything with the remote.

Here's my basic analysis. Don't buy a receiver that tries to simulate the functionality, it won't be nearly as good and the external display helps a lot. Browsing is far easier on a squeezebox.

If you only need this for one room, then the Duet is overkill, just get a Squeezebox and you can also control it via laptop.

On the other hand, if you have more than one stereo like I do or speakers littered throughout the house, the Duet looks more attractive. The more receivers you add to the system, the more the value proposition increases.

Also, a real nice bonus feature is that it acts like a wireless bridge as well. So I have one squeezebox that hooks up wirelessly and provides an ethernet jack for my Xbox 360 to connect as well. So I saved the roughly $50-100 to connect my Xbox wirelessly to my network.

later,

Jotham

[Wayde Robson]

Don't do it.

I second that!

A close friend has a mid-to-higher-end Denon receiver (model ## eludes me) he spent way more than he should have on this receiver. It has built in wi-fi and provides access to Internet radio, streaming music files etc.

The trouble is that he has had big problems with the unit and is trying to sell it. Without getting into specifics - it doesn nothing very well.

Forget the whole "audiophile" conspiracy about single components doing too many jobs and causing internal noise due to RF build-up. That may or may not be interfering with our precious audio signals.

But back-to-basics engineering would seem to dictate that if your receiver is doing too many jobs there are too many thing that can go wrong. Just looking at the forums receivers that have HQV video processing, Wi-Fi, Internet Radio, cooks your eggs etc. etc. the owners are having big troubles.

That's why I went with a Marantz 8002, stripped down, does only a few things very well. I also use a Squeezebox for streaming media. It's the older squeezebox but I have no troubles.

I love these things. If squeezebox were a woman I'd ask for its hand in eternal wedded bliss.

[IvanGeurMasqué]

Hello,

I own a SB from 1.5 year now and I am very satisfied with it. For a second room, I ordered a Duet, which attractive look I could'nt resist. It's really expensive in Europe, as Logitech sells them 399€, that is more than $600!

I found the wheel not so comfortable to use, as you have to scroll through all letters to get one, whereas the SB classic lets you get it in only one to three clicks (SMS-like). I usually jump from song to song, that's the reason I bought a SB, to stay in my couch without needing switching CDs. The Duet is not convenient to do this, as browsing through songs is now really slow because you have to scroll all 26 letters to get the one you want.

Furthermore, adding picture art to my already ripped albums is really painful.

But I still regret (now I returned it for a refund, for the first time inmy life) the beautiful design of the product, even though the analog vumeters were lacking on the new Duet.

[austinbirdman]

I am a bit confused by this review. Why is there no mention in it anywhere of Logitech's main rival in the Squeezebox market niche, Sonos, which is the competitor they are taking aim at with the Squeezebox Duet? The review is written as if a wireless digital whole house audio system were a great idea Logitech is trying to perfect - but in fact many of the kinks have already been perfected, by Sonos. Also, the caveats at the end of the review make it sound like Logitech got a really bad review for this product, but the ratings ending the review are actually pretty good. Personally, if I had as much trouble setting up a system as you described having with the Squeezebox, I'd rate it a lot lower.

I have to say this review does not seem altogether on the level. A review that levelled with readers would point out there's a much more seamless technical solution out there for streaming digital music, at full resolution, anywhere in your house. More expensive, yes, but working out of the box - Sonos. And it works even when your computer is turned off, if you choose to store your music on a networked hard drive.

Full disclosure - I own a Sonos system and love it, and I am an audiophile snob (and other than this review, big fan of Audioholics).

[Clint DeBoer]

So what you're basically saying is that you own a Sonos and you think it's great. We got it. In fact, check out our review:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/d...-system-review

It received 5/5 stars all around... so we all agree you made a wonderful choice. Have a nice day.

[10010011]

Sure, it's a little buggy right now but that is to be expected this close to launch. The fact remains that once the bugs are worked out,

Don't hold your breath. Logitech is well known for releasing buggy products, promising patches, then abandoning it after several failed attempts at bug fixes.

Like my MX5000 Cordless Desktop bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

I had been considering a Squeezebox. I did not know Logitech had bought them. I thank Audioholics for pointing this out, now I will avoid the Sqeezebox.

[storm]

I bought the Controller last week -- I have owned a Transporter since around Christmas and a Squeezebox for almost a year. I have experienced many of the issues you noted and have concluded that most of them are due to the wireless network in my home. I am still working on some of those issues and believe I would have had them with any similar product I would have bought from a competitor.

Unlike any other company I have had dealings with, their tech support has been tireless, enthusiastic, engaging, responsive, patient, and just about any other complimentary comment I can come up with.

When I purchased the Transporter, I picked it up at their headquarters in Silicon Valley. When Logitec bought them, they seemed to do so with the intention of leaving them alone (at least for the time being). The same people are there as was there before and the tech support folks seem to be the same group that were there before. The tech support phone number is for Squeezebox products only -- questions about other Logitec products are referred to other numbers. My impression is that Logitec seems to be willing to leave this group intact and the only meddling I have seen is in the branding.

I have been conducting what I call the back yard test. With the controller, I am able to control the transporter or squeezebox from outside (a nice plus when the phone rings while you are listening to something on outdoors speakers (or for that matter when you are listening to music in a room away from the receiver).

Viewing the album art on the remote control has been a pleasure and being able to see what is playing or about to play without having to get up and look feels downright hedonistic. It has been surprising how challenging identifying artist, track, and album is when you are listening to them with the random feature.

I wish they sold a second battery pack for the controller. With everything on all of the time, the batteries seeem to fade after about 4 hours. I would be great to slip another battery pack on while the other is recharging (like you can for a lot of other electronic products).

I do strongly recommend these products with the caveat that they are maturing fairly quickly and problems do seem to be getting addressed pretty quickly. With what I have seen so far, I am convinced that the Squeezebox product line will continue to grow and develop. This means that Logitec will continue to devote a considerable amount of resources toward honing the Squeeze Center -- the software at the heart of the entire product line.