Logitech Squeezebox Boom Network Music System

There are shiploads of iPod docks these days, with functionality for all other brand players too, but none of them can actually access music that is not connected physically to them somehow. Except now, this product by popular PC speaker brand Logitech, claims to access your network either wirelessly or wired, and play music stored at some remote location. Of course it also has line inputs for normal music player connection, thus making the player real handy. So let’s check it out in detail then.

Design
As the name suggests it resembles a boombox of the 80s, but much more refined and streamlined in form. It’s got the stereo placement, that is, speakers positioned at the edges covered by black grilles seamlessly with a centrally located alphanumeric LED screen. Below the latter is a matt finished black control panel with quite a huge volume knob in the center, and push buttons labeled in white, scattered all around.

The sides and top are bare and glossy, with the back panel possessing a recessed section that houses the inputs and outputs. Speaking of i/o we have 2 x 3.5 mm jack slots, one Ethernet port and the AC adapter input. I was expecting some sort of antennae jutting out to receive wireless signals, but none was present, thus adding in the neat look and feel of the Boom.

There is a software called SqeezeCenter, which is needed to be installed on the host machine for use with the Boom, thus we did so. It can search for the Boom, and also play off iTunes or online radio. For  radio, for standalone online streaming one needs to set up online with the Squeeze Network, and then the Boom becomes a full on radio.