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Comments on: Logitech's Squeezebox Duet: Sonos for the masses?

The next-gen version of Slim Devices' home digital music streamer adds an iPod-like handheld remote.

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by davis.scott January 6, 2008 11:29 AM PST

While the Sonos may cost $1000 for a bundled package, this will give you a Remote, and Base Stations for 2 rooms. It looks like the Duet gives you only one room for $400. Double that for two rooms to make it more similar to the Sonos, and now you are up to $800. And the $1000 Sonos bundle comes with one powered base station, so that room would not need an additional amplifier/stereo system. Still seems like the Sonos might be a better deal overall....

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by Wiz Zee January 6, 2008 10:03 PM PST: Not even close. You can add extra duet receivers for $150. (The $400 system comes with one receiver and one remote. But an extra receiver only runs $150.)

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.; Like this


by davis.scott January 7, 2008 9:01 AM PST: Thanks for clarifying....the pricing was not clear from the original article. Still need amplifiers/stereo systems for your 5 room or 3 room systems, though....; Like this


by bryan_winston January 11, 2008 5:12 AM PST: Except the $400 Logitech unit is a base and a remote, and the remote seems to be the more expensive of the two (if you follow the Sonos model). Ergo if you spend $1000 on Logitech it most likiely will cover 4 rooms and one remote. That clearly trumps Sonos.

Who ever resolves the Apple issue first will be the clear winner.; Like this


by kolding January 11, 2008 9:02 AM PST: Actually, to get the second receiver, it's $150, about $550, you get almost as much as the Sonos package. The main advantages of the Sonos are that one of the Sonos' stations has an amplifier, and that it's got built in wireless networking. With the Squeezebox, you need a wireless network (which most of us have today anyhow), and an amp (heck, get some powered speakers. You need speakers anyhow).; Like this


by killyridols January 16, 2008 7:45 PM PST: Make sure you learn about the product before making any value statement. You can buy products seperate and therefore price is still a huge + for Duet. Visit slimdevices website.
However, size, design, flexibility, open source...make Duet a way better solution than SONOS for me. I use Mac and powered speakers.; Like this


by mgason January 7, 2008 12:10 PM PST: they should bring out a duet with a simple stereo amp; Like this Reply to this comment


by MikeC January 9, 2008 7:55 AM PST: You can buy a good amp anywhere. Why tie it into a product? It is smarter to let people use their existing amp or get their own like Logitech is doing.; Like this Reply to this comment


by xingzxx123 January 9, 2008 4:22 PM PST: i like it...; Like this Reply to this comment

by Chris2395 January 9, 2008 4:31 PM PST

Doesn't look like it supports NAS which means the PC would have to be on to access music, what's that cost $20 to $30 a month? Sonos gives you NAS access as well as the amp in the 100. In the long run an overall better value it seems.

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by SuperEnchi January 9, 2008 7:05 PM PST: The current version of their server software ran on nas drives before Sonos'.

When Version 7 is finalized it will too.; Like this


by pellicle January 10, 2008 10:45 AM PST: The SqueezeCenter can run on a number of NAS boxes such as Windows Home Server or the Thecus N5200. So a PC is not required to use the Duet or a normal Squeezebox. I like the concept behind the Duet and think it enhances the current product offerings.; Like this


by jaywinter January 22, 2008 5:05 AM PST: Ummm... how does it cost $20 -30 a month more to run a PC than an NAS box??; Like this


by SuperEnchi January 10, 2008 12:28 AM PST: The Squeezebox Controller (the remote part) will work with any of their hardware.... right now.; Like this Reply to this comment

by rydertaylor January 10, 2008 7:05 AM PST

I'm a big Squeezebox fan, but the Neosonik Wireless Home Theater is cutting edge and should have been your winner in the audio category. Do we really need a another expensive remote in our lives?????

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by zyxxy January 10, 2008 2:25 PM PST: No, but some of us don't need the complexity of the Neosonik either. I have not owned a television in twenty years, but I have a large audio collection. I bought a Squeezebox back at version one that I am still using today. One of the big selling points for my was that it was one of the first audio servers that did not require a TV to operate. Others followed, but to me, Slim Devices is still the King.; Like this

by moretroops January 10, 2008 8:43 AM PST

The problem with streaming from your computer wirelessly is that you lose a ton of fidelity. So if you're goal is to play your digital music on big speakers with (presumably) better sound, that goal is not well served.

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.

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by pellicle January 10, 2008 10:48 AM PST: The Logitech offering can use the original CD file uncompressed as well as use lossless formats such as FLAC so nio fidelity is lost at all. Many feel the output is superior to most CD players. This appeals to the audiophile market.; Like this


by seanadams2 January 10, 2008 12:32 PM PST: // The problem with streaming from your computer wirelessly is that you lose a ton of fidelity.

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.; Like this


by jaywinter January 22, 2008 5:03 AM PST: You have been misinformed. Streaming does not require lossy compression --especially with 802.11g. You can stream music in any of the lossless formats and get CD-quality music out of your hi-fi system just as if you were playing the CD locally.; Like this


by growver April 6, 2008 1:30 PM PDT: You lose sound quality when you are using wireless speakers with transmitted analog data. You don't lose quality with a wireless digital connection, any more than you do with an ethernet connection. The big issue is generating room audio from compressed files; this won't be a problem if the source data files are uncompressed, or compressed at a sufficiently high quality level (which is to say less compression).; Like this


by zepoloo January 10, 2008 7:38 PM PST: Looks like additional receivers can be purchased separately for a suggested retail price of $149.99. So to construct the same Sonos package would be $550. Maybe just the thing to put a little pressure on Sonos' prices, which have not budged in a long time. Go competition!; Like this Reply to this comment

by fmcgillin January 11, 2008 8:49 AM PST

Lower price is a good feature, but seperate amp with this unit means you either need to monkey with two remotes (one for amp one for squeezebox) or leave your amp on all the time. I would still go for Sonos

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by bhyman0 June 12, 2008 9:38 AM PDT: You don't need to leave your amp on. You can buy a $5 IR blaster and plug it into the mini-jack on the back of the duet. Mine turns on my amp when I turn on the duet receiver.; Like this


by sa_cooke October 25, 2008 7:10 PM PDT: Actually, the Squeezebox handset/remote contains both a DAC and an IR blaster. They are currently disabled, but it is potentially easy to enable both these features. This would mean that the remote becomes incredible. And, with the headphone jack on the remote, the remote becomes a defacto iPod.; Like this


by hutmacher January 11, 2008 10:23 AM PST: I have the current squeezebox. It works great wired or wireless. You do not loss any fidelity. I have all my cd's ripped as flac format files and I am getting great digital sound on my system. Possibly the best ever. The only additional purchase I made was a $99 320g usb drive. The slimserver software is free and there is a version for pc, mac or linux. I am naking plans to buy the new duet as soon as I can.; Like this Reply to this comment

by Ron_F January 11, 2008 4:40 PM PST

I think if we are comparing Squeezebox hardware to Sonos hardware and the relative cost of each - the result is not likely to be very interesting or important. The real difference between the two is the software. In that comparison, Squeezebox probably beats everything. The server is open source, with a plethora of great plugins available. Supporting the development of this open source software is a large group of volunteers. I use a lot of those plugins and I cannot imagine my music server now without them.

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

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by theStimmer February 6, 2008 7:48 AM PST: 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.; Like this

by danielnobrien January 11, 2008 7:15 PM PST

Anyone know how the remote communicates with the base station? RF? By the way, if you're looking to stream video to your AV system, as well as audio, check out an AppleTV. I've installed a few of these in peoples houses and everyone seems to really, really like them. $399 comes with a built-in 160 Gb hard disk that allows you to play audio and video without the computer on.
-Dan

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by ScottoG51 January 12, 2008 7:01 PM PST: The technical specs for the controller say "built-in 802.11b/g wireless" so I expect that is how it can communicate with Squeezebox receivers in other rooms. Perhaps there is still an IR (line of sight) capability as well, to cater for those who do not have a wireless network. (I haven't seen it stated explicitly, but it appears that 'multi-room' capability assumes / requires a wireless (vs wired) network.); Like this


by bhyman0 June 12, 2008 9:26 AM PDT: The remote talks to the SlimServer via Wi-FI (it is a Wi-Fi) remote, and the slim server talks to the receivers via IP. There is no direct communication between the remote and the receivers.; Like this


by jamie.p.walsh January 12, 2008 11:38 AM PST: How about if Sonos created a base station that did video, or a digital picture frame that could be controlled by the sonos remote, now THAT would be slick. If Sonos wants to break out, they HAVE TO get out from the audio only niche.; Like this Reply to this comment

by ScottoG51 January 12, 2008 7:04 PM PST

Did you notice that the specs for the new controller say "3-axis accelerometer tilt sensor"? It looks like it is designed to support motion / gestures. Has anyone heard anything about this?

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by jaywinter January 22, 2008 5:08 AM PST: It's more likely to control auto power-up and shutdown to conserve battery power when out of the cradle.; Like this


by w1ngzer0 January 13, 2008 4:16 PM PST: http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_overview.html

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.; Like this Reply to this comment

by bruceandrew January 19, 2008 7:45 PM PST

I really love my Squeezebox - brilliant way to manage my CD collection which has now been stored out of sight. Well done Logitech! Can someone tell me though what is the best FLAC quality level when ripping CD to FLAC? I use FreeRip Pro which defaults to quality "5".

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by crutschow June 12, 2008 5:13 PM PDT: FLAC is lossless so the quality of the music is the same for all levels. The level only affects the encoding time and the size of the produced files. Lower encoding levels are faster since they don't do as efficient encoding, and thus generates a slightly larger file. See http://flac.sourceforge.net/comparison.html; Like this


by jborge2 January 22, 2008 4:00 AM PST: Competition is good, as there was no second to the Sonus system. If Sonus lowers its price it will still have an edge,as it has an amp. I may for example have a system in the kitchen with an amp hidden away, and another in my living room connected to my stereo (ampless). This is where Sonus has an edge.

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.; Like this Reply to this comment


by lscovell February 7, 2008 12:36 AM PST: This is perfect for me. I have an amp for cinema / gaming / TV so I don't won't another - a good enough amp is pretty cheap anyway. For the main room of the house - I choose a best-of-breed system, rather than a one-trick-wonder. An average amp will have a lot more expandability than the all-in-one systems.

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...; Like this Reply to this comment


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...

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.; Like this Reply to this comment

Showing 1 of 2 pages (49 Comments)

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