Logitech Squeezebox Duet
04 APR 2008
Launch price
£280.00
Stuff says
Not without its issues, but the Squeezebox Duet is a great way to create a wireless multiroom music system
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Sonos has gone largely uncontested in the world of Wi-Fi multiroom music since its debut over two years ago. Until now, Squeezeboxes have been impressive but limited media streamers, building into basic multiroom systems that weren’t nearly as complete or integrated as the Sonos solution.
All that changes with the Duet. Although it can be used like a normal Squeezebox it really comes into its own when it’s combined with more Squeezeboxes – and becomes a multiroom system that could give a Sonos a run for its money.
Happy couple
The Duet system consists of a screenless Squeezebox wireless music streamer known as the Receiver and a Wi-Fi enabled remote called the Controller.
Setup is straightforward – as the manual says, if you can attach a computer to your Wi-Fi network, you can set up a Squeezebox Duet. However, it’s still nowhere near as brainless as the Sonos as it requires a pre-existing Wi-Fi network and works best with music server software –Squeezecenter – running on the machine that you intend to stream music from, be it computer or network-attached storage.
It is, however, capable of streaming music from an mp3tunes.com locker, accessing your library directly over the net even when your computer is switched off. There is also a massive roster of compatible internet radio stations offered direct through the player.
But everything works best when Squeezecenter is serving up tracks from your local library. It’s far friendlier than its Slimserver predecessor, never stuttering while integrating with an iTunes library and making short work of sapping up album artwork. Any Squeezeboxes you have on your network can be controlled through the software, too – a very neat trick.
On a scroll
Once you have the software running and have entered any necessary network security keys, you should be good to go. The mechanical scrolling control wheel is a touch frictionless but the Controller’s iPod-like interface makes it a doddle to select your music source, create a playlist and set operation.