Logitech's Squeezebox Duet: Sonos for the masses?

Logitech Squeezebox Duet: Music streaming meets superior ergonomics.
(Credit: Logitech)Digital audio is great--especially if you've got a multigigabyte music collection sitting on your computer or you subscribe to an "all you can eat" music service like Rhapsody. The problem, for a lot of people, is that they're stuck listening to all that great music on the tinny speakers of their computer--or perhaps patching the laptop into their living room stereo system. Dedicated audio streamers have helped somewhat, but they have tiny little screens, which--like docked iPods--aren't very useful if you're sitting on a sofa across the room. And the best solution to date--the excellent Sonos Digital Music System--costs a prohibitive $1,000. Enter Logitech's new Squeezebox Duet: the $400 network digital audio streamer employs a winning handheld remote with a brilliant color screen (not unlike an iPod) that lets you navigate your entire music collection--including some online services and the majority of free Internet radio stations--from the palm of your hand, even while you hear the music from the big speakers of your home stereo.
The Duet is so named because it's a two-part system: a base station and the remote. The base station is a nondescript black brick that pulls audio from a networked PC or the Internet via your Wi-Fi or Ethernet home network, and outputs to your stereo from its analog or digital (coaxial or optical) jacks. But the real innovation is the remote: beyond the ten buttons controlling standard functions (volume, play/pause, track forward/reverse), it features an iPod-like scrollwheel and a brilliant 2.4-inch color LCD screen. That puts the song navigation where it belongs: in your hand, instead of a small LCD readout halfway across the room. (A charging cradle for the remote is also provided, so it can juice up while not in use.)
Aside from the much improved ergonomics and design, the Duet keeps much of the same under-the-hood technology found in earlier Squeezebox music streamers. That means it's compatible with nearly every non-DRM file format under the sun (including audiophile faves Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless, and FLAC) as well as free Internet radio stations and paid subscription online music services such as Rhapsody and Pandora. Logitech is also working to ensure that the Duet will also be backwards compatible with earlier Squeezebox models--meaning they can act as base stations in additional rooms (listening to the same music or other streams) and still interact with the Duet remote. Likewise, the latest Squeezebox will still adhere to the company's open-source roots: in addition to running a new and improved version of the open-source SlimServer music manager, the company expects to incorporate community-based improvements into the unit via its upgradable firmware.
Logitech provided a behind-closed-doors demo of the Squeezebox Duet to CNET a few weeks ago, and we liked what we saw. It's a solid upgrade of the Logitech Wireless DJ concept, turbocharged with the superior networking, software, and audio expertise found in earlier Squeezebox models. We'll reserve final judgment until we get a production model for review, but--as first impressions go--the Duet has all the makings of a winner. At the very least, it looks to be a strong alternative to the Sonos Digital Music System, delivering a similar experience--a network music player with a superior handheld remote--for hundreds less than the Sonos, which has long been the king of the hill in the still nascent product category.
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John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002.
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For $1000 you could buy a *five* room system with one remote. Or a 3 room system with 2 remotes and an extra $50 in your pocket. Either way, you are getting at least 50% more for your money.
Who ever resolves the Apple issue first will be the clear winner.
However, size, design, flexibility, open source...make Duet a way better solution than SONOS for me. I use Mac and powered speakers.
When Version 7 is finalized it will too.
Get the Keyspan Tuneview. Great solution. You get the remote w/readout, but the ipod is actually connected to the stereo, sound isn't streamed.
That it TOTALLY false. You really didn't take even one second to read up on the product before commenting, did you?
Older/cheaper wireless audio solutions using bluetooth or even cordless phone technology, are definitely susceptible to sound quality degradation.
Squeezebox products, however, stream using TCP over 802.11, just as your laptop would download a file. It is perfectly lossless and there is no degradation whatsoever of the sound.
On the other hand, it has been approximately a year since I last played with a Sonos system myself, so I should probably see what it is like today.
-Ron
I have to agree the most powerful aspect of the squeezebox is the open source slimserver software. If I would have taken the time to set this up prior to buying the squeezebox I probably would have just used the free server and not purchased the hardware (don't get me wrong the hardware is awesome !). The coolist part of it is that it allows you to set up a secure connection to you own music library and stream it over the internet anywhere in the world. I find that for me, I use this most often since I'm rarely at home with time to listen to my music collection. For example, I was stranded in an airport for 8 hours and all I had was my laptop. With the airports free Wi-Fi connection I was able to listen to my music collection from home ... all with the free slimserver software and the free softsqueeze emulator. I think that the softsqueeze software was actually a java app that started out as a contribution from a user that donated it to the community. It is a fairly sophisticated secure configuration but setting it up is a breeze cause it is all a supported "out of the box" configuration. I was worried when Logitek bought out slimdevices...but the new controller looks great. I will be getting the controller to run my existing squeezebox asap.
-Dan
All the information someone could want on this product.
- The 3-axis accelerometer is motion / gesture activated =)
- The Squeezebox can be used with a NAS, but the exception to that is, Infrant is the only company supported. If you buy a random NAS, its unknown if it will work with Squeezebox. But, there is a section of the forums for just 3rd party hardware.
For video, i would try the slingbox.
Roku needs to now step up to the bat. Their system offers the best price performance, but I sure would like the nice display.
Also logitech could license the the technology as an OEM module. Companies like Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, Yamaha can over offer systems that are "slimbox ready". Then you just buy the remote from logitech.
Overall it would be nice if Logitech came with an AMP version, or addon. Sonus could be in trouble if they don't adjust to the challenge.
The controller idea is excellent - very iPod like, and as far as sound quality is concerned, even with an out of date MP101, its been great (as long as the amp is set up properly, speakers are good and positioned well).
If you're a purist, you shouldn't be reading this article...
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by rdc2000
February 7, 2008 6:35 PM PST
- The same "duet" is available from Sonos for $650. (remote plus one zone player- no amplifier) If all other things are anywhere close to equal between the two systems, Sonos will have to either reduce the price greatly or come up with a lower priced alternative to have a chance to compete. Otherwise, they will be "Squeezed" out...
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (49 Comments)fyi, I own a Sonos and really like it. But I skipped the remote because it was so expensive and I could use my laptop to control playback. If this new Squeezebox was available when I was shopping 3 months ago, it would have been no contest.