It is common knowledge that internet radio is good only when you are near the computer but once away from it, it loses its significance. Getting the streams into the living rooms and the bedrooms are no mean task. The Squeezebox series from Logitech changed all that and now with the introduction of Squeezebox Radio, things actually got better. The set looks pretty and is quite cheap too. But is it worth it? Letâs see:
Features
1. The Logitech Squeezebox Radio is very compact in size and you can keep it in the kitchen or in the bedroom without using up a lot of space.
2. There is a personal library from where you can play all the songs or you can tune into one of the internet radio stations.
3. You can even connect to online services like Pandora and Rhapsody.
4. Another good thing about this device is there is no cluttering of wires. It works on wireless technology which enables you to listen to music on your computer.
5. The 2.4 inch color screen will display album art, track, station information and screen savers.
6. The Squeezebox Radio has an in-built technology which it adjusts to any lighting condition, making it an ideal bedside companion.
7. The radio has a two-way speaker and supports 24/48 kHz encoding.
8. The most interesting feature is that you can access millions of tracks within minutes with the help of the award winning music platform – Spotify. You can search for the hot new releases or the old favorites from the past within a span of few minutes. All your favorite tracks is just a click away.
9. The Squeezebox Controller Application for the tablets will sync from anywhere in the house.
10. You can enjoy Napster, Deezer and Mediafly with the Logitech Squeezebox Radio.
High Points:
1. The different applications in Squeezebox Radio is the best feature of this device.
2. There are applications for sharing music on Facebook profile and even tag a song so that you can buy it on the Amazon CD store later.
3. A variety of file formats, including AAC and MP3, can be easily streamed from the PC by the radio.
4. Since it works wirelessly, you need to enter a network password which is not really difficult.
5. The Squeezebox has a mall speaker but the audio performance is pretty good.
6. There is a large rubber dial to scroll through the menus, letters and numbers which is very easy to use.
Low Points:
1. Well, there are some real bad news. You need to pay extra for the remote and the battery pack. This makes it slightly more expensive when you compare it with other tabletop radios.
2. The setup is a bit difficult and the sound quality is not as good as Squeezebox Boom.
3. Another problem is that you need to enable the Radio to recognize the different applications. So some fiddling with the setting in the control panel. If you are still unable to do it, you can search the net or call up the tech-support number.
4. The greatest disadvantage of this radio is the stuttering during streaming. The start and stop that goes on when you are playing a song can really irritate you but you can mitigate this problem if you are using the Ethernet connection instead of connecting it wirelessly.
Price:
The Squeezebox Radio comes for $200 without a remote which is quite steep. This is a mono radio so if you are concerned with sound quality then stay clear off it. Squeezebox Boom at $300 is a better choice. If money is not a problem, then go for the ultimate wireless home audio system – Sonos. However, the price ag of $999 may deter you.
