Slim Devices has introduced their sequel to the Squeezebox digital music player, daringly named Squeezebox2. If you’re not familiar with the Slim Devices unit, it’s your basic wireless music player—similar to the Sonos but considerably cheaper and without jog wheel. The second iteration of the Squeezebox includes 802.11g and the ability to act as a wireless repeater for other devices on your network. If you were tempted by the Sonos but scared away by the investment required, at only $299, the Squeezebox2 might be the perfect match. Lots more feature-chat after the jump.
https://gizmodo.com/sonos-zoneplayer-reviewed-again-verdict-you-want-it-32308
Squeezebox2 Overview [SlimDevices via GigaOm]
Original Squeezebox Review [Gizmodo]
https://gizmodo.com/review-of-the-squeezebox-8126
The Squeezebox2 supports all your favorite codecs and uses the SlimServer Open Source software running on your computer to pump your “Best of Fleetwood Mac” to as many as 20 rooms, even in synch. It includes a much less flashy remote control than the Sonos, but there’s also software available to turn your Wi-Fi enabled Pocket PC, Palm, cell phone or Philips Pronto into a more capable remote. Your favorite browser will work, too and each unit also has a vacuum fluorescent display with different visualization schemes to keep things interesting. At just $250 for the wired version, you could easily have a Squeeze in every room for less than half the price of a similar Sonos setup.
Update: Well I guess that last statement doesn’t really make sense, does it? A wired version of the Squeezebox2 and the Sonos don’t even qualify as “similar setups” — the Sonos has a built-in digital amp (i.e., no stereo needed) and is made for multi-room setups.
