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Squeezebox2 Network Music Player Review

With any piece of computer or electronics hardware you can find products that are entry level, products for the general user, and products for the enthusiast. An area of the industry where you find innumerable products in all grades is music hardware. Listeners of all types have as unique a preference as each has a different fingerprint. This is one reason why so many companies and brands are successful in this industry. Slim Devices has built a product that can be used by any type of user in a way that will be sure to please them and their needs. Today we take a look at the Squeezebox network music player.

Company:

Slim Devices, Inc., www.slimdevices.com

Price:

$249 - $299 US at Slimdevices.com

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Getting Started

In this review we are taking a look at the Squeezebox2 network music player which is the 3rd player released from Slim Devices. Earlier this month, the 3rd generation of the Squeezbox was released, so we will include some pictures of the new player.

The first thing you will notice about the Squeezebox when you remove the packaging is the excellent quality put into the product. It feels sturdy and has a very clean design. Often today when you buy hardware, especially network hardware, the product feels light weight and plasticy.

Setting up the Squeezebox can be done in just a few simple steps. After connecting the power cable and using one of the 3 audio options (Optical, Coax, or RCA) to connect the player to my stereo, I was ready to make a connection with my wireless network. Using the remote, you scroll through the connection questions that will allow the Squeezebox to connect to your wireless router. This is where you have to know how your router is configured to make the connection work. You will need to know if you have any encryption or pass phrases set up, if you are doing any MAC address filtering, and if your are automatically assigning IP addresses. Not knowing these items can make connecting to your wireless router difficult if not impossible. Once you have made the connection to your wireless router, you simply need to install the SlimServer software on a PC connected to your wireless router. This is the PC that will serve the music to your Squeezebox via your wireless router. The current SlimServer 6.2 runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD and Solaris.

Click on picture to enlarge image

Usability

Once you have your Squeezebox connected to your stereo, made a connection to your wireless network, and have SlimServer installed on a host PC, you are ready to listen. You can choose between several audio choices. Play your own music or listen to internet radio. Using the remote, you can search or brows music files or playlists or change between internet radio options, change your Squeezebox settings, or change things around and use one of the available plugins such as an RSS news feed or screensavers.

The display is simple to read. Font size and brightness are easily adjusted using the remote. So if you are across the room and can't quite see what is scrolling across the display, bump of the font size. Even with the ability to increase and decrease the font and brightness, never did I feel the display was overwhelming or obtrusive as the Squeezebox sat on my bookshelf next to the stereo. The included remote isn't anything fancy. Which I like to see!! The remote is clearly labeled and the buttons are large enough to use without feeling like you need a fine point on the end of you finger to make sure you are only hitting the one button you need to press.

The SlimServer software gives you a nice interface from which to browse and play music files and control your Squeezebox. The screen is split into two panes. The left side is your browsing and content area for searching and selecting tracks and also for your various settings and help topics. Here you can display your music by Album, Artist, Music Folder, etc. The right pane is your music player which allows you to play, pause and stop music tracks as well as adjust volume, shuffle, and repeat modes. This pane will also display your current playlist, whether it be a series of just-selected music, an existing playlist, or an Internet radio station.

The Slim Devices web site helps make the user experience even better. Often with a manufacturer's site, you can find basic specs, a few pictures, and basic support info for a product they sell. Slim Devices has some great info on their site helping you to have the best experience using possible with the Squeezebox. You can find out great info on using your Squeezebox including ways of modifying the use of the Squeezebox such as setting it up as an alarm clock or using it as a bridge to connect another device back into your wireless network via the ethernet port on the back.

Features and Specifications

Pros:

• Clean design
• Display gives you good information without feeling obtrusive
• Excellent information on the slimdevices.com site

Cons:

• Still need to understand how your own network is set up to install

Adding It All Up

The Slim Devices Squeezebox network media player is a feature rich player that supports multiple audio formats and brings great quality audio from your PC over your wireless network to your home theater or sound system. This is the kind of device that can be enjoyed and used by any type of user...from the beginner to the audiophile. If you are looking for a network media player, look no further. The Squeezebox is the product for you!!

Because of the great quality and usability we are awarding the Slim Devices Squeezebox2 Network Media Player the UpgradAdvisor.com Recommended Upgrade Seal of Approval!!!

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