Slim Devices Squeezebox User Reviews December 9th, 2003 | by Jeff Fila
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Average user rating from 9 users |
Perfectly fills the niche.
by Alex S. on Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:53 PM:
I am a music fan and avid music collector for most of my life. Most of my 4,000 album collection still consists of audio CDs, and I use my stereo system to listen to music whenever I can. Browsing the web, I often find some digital sound clips that are worth listening – e.g. song previews, artist interviews, or download-only releases. Before Squeezebox, it was pain to give these sound bits a listen, I either had to listen via headphones connected to the PC, via cheap computer speakers, or burn a CD and play it in the CD player connected to my stereo. My computer is three walls away from listening room, so running a wire from the computer to stereo was not an option. I quickly grew tired of burning CDs and started looking for better solution.
I ruled out media centers completely because my listening room doesn’t have a TV, and even if it did, I would hate to turn it on every time I need to choose an album to play. Then I discovered Squeezebox, placed an order for the wireless version ($300), and my world changed forever.
Hardware installation was trivial. Squeezebox woke up and guided me through the process. The hardest part of the installation was entering 32-digit Wi-Fi network security key using the remote control (a step most people won’t need). SlimServer software seems to be put together well and it also installed without a problem. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to scan my music files, but in less than thirty minutes after I opened the box, I was listening to the music from my computer, wirelessly, via stereo speakers in my listening room.
The sound quality seems to be extremely good for the device in this price point. It is only slightly inferior to the sound of my CD player which is three times as expensive. I am sure most people won’t hear any difference at all, especially when it comes to compressed music.
My favorite feature of the Squeezebox/SlimServer tandem is that it allows browsing music library from any authorized computer, which gives a nice option of putting up a playlist on the laptop while sitting in the sofa and actually listening to music.
I salvaged the oldest CDs in my music collection that were badly scratched and could die any moment. Then I converted hundreds of archive CDs back to digital files. Soon I discovered that I like to browse the collection from the sofa so much, that I began ripping some of my favorite albums just so they are always at hand.
Pros:
1. It just works.
2. Design.
3. Excellent sound quality.
4. No wires to run through your house, no more wall drilling.
Cons:
1. I would appreciate hardware buttons on top of the Squeezebox in addition to the remote control. Sometimes the buttons are just more convenient.
2. There is no turning back. Once started using Squeezebox, especially for lossless music playback, you will run out of hard drive space pretty soon, so prepare to invest in additional hard drives for your PC.
3. SlimServer software does an excellent job streaming music, but it is not that good in browsing and searching it. I downloaded excellent third party software that can control Squeezebox (it’s called OrangeCD Suite) and use it for richer interface, more convenient search and management of music collection.
4. Bundled power adapter and RCA cable could be better. I replaced cables, but tiny wallwart still makes my audiophile friends laugh.
Everything I expected and more.
by Harvey on Sep 2nd, 2005 at 5:19 AM:
I bought the wired device. Setup time was 10min at most. I have a multi source, multi zone audio/video system. The Squeezebox2 was a perfect addition. I just unleashed my CD's(which put on my hard dr. a long time ago).I now have access to over 5000 songs at my finger tips. I can use the remote at the Squeezebox or operate it from my server computer or I can be sitting on my back porch w/ my laptop and play any song I want over my stereo and even control volume. Alsome!!! I can't wait for Slim Devices to come out w/ a unit to stream photos and videos.
great product
by Craig Lebo on Nov 30th, 2004 at 6:12 PM:
spdif output, m3u directories (Shoutcast, Live 365, your-favorite-m3u-url-here), and you can modify the software! great product and worth every penny. I haven't bothered to upgrade my screen to the latest version, but this is the real deal: a real network music player
State of the art music jukebox
by Anthony on Nov 19th, 2004 at 6:00 AM:
I own a Slimp3 and now a Squeezebox. The Slimp3 was brilliant, but the Squeezebox is even better. The new graphic display is worlds ahead of the original one, and the coax digital output offers much-improved sound over the analog RCA jacks. The server software just keeps getting better, now includes tons of internet radio sources. My wife is addicted to Groove Salad
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OK product, not so good support!
by Dan H. on Dec 27th, 2006 at 1:09 PM: