Logitech Squeezebox Boom
Review by Robert Young-Pullman | Published November 2008 | Review Archives

It's a fact that most music that you listen to today, at least at home or in the office, is in digital format. You may not have bought it that way, but you probably converted it yourself to MP3 or some other digital format, if only because a simple iTunes library rules over a big stack of CD cases. So it stands to reason that your computer should be the center of your stereo system, and not some mere extension. Yet plenty of people have either cheap speaker extensions that came with their computer or - worse - use that tin-sounding built-in speaker on the side of their big box.

The Squeezebox Boom manufactured by Logitech takes into account the fact that people are not yet ready for whatever reason to build a huge stereo system around their computer, but could still do with something better than the default. It's both cheap ($300) and easy to use, and both are important for users who may not think themselves technically savvy or made of money.

The Squeezebox Boom looks more or less like your average boom box, but with a digital LED read-out that gives you track information and a big analog-style dial in the center. That's more or less for show and not terribly important, since most people will probably use in the included remote to scan through their music collection or turn the sound up. Instead, it's what's around the interface: big three-inch woofers that both sound great and work with the stylish overall product design.

So how does it work? There's some simple software included (Mac, PC and Linux). Install it, set aside what music you want to share and you're done. You can even get special downloadable plug-ins to do special stuff, since the software is open source and really kicks ass in the extensions that other users have developed. And what's better is that the Squeezebox Boom can also stream internet radio and podcasts - making it great to listen to the 5 Magazine Radio Show with (right, boss?)

Out of all of the products I've reviewed, I have to say that this is probably the only one I've really hated to have to give back to the company after writing my review. Despite the economic crunch going on around me, I've gone ahead and bought my own. There's no reason I can see why the average user would ever need anything else these days.