Squeezebox classic vs Squeezebox duet.
I first tried and tested the Squeezebox a few years back, and found it to deliver what I wanted more or less perfectly. Comparing it to the Sonos system ( I revied that one as well), it was very hard to defend the price tag of Sonos (then, and now). The Sonos controller was superior, but not in any way worth the big leap in price. Since then Logitech took over Squeeze, the software (Slimserver) got way better, and Squeezebox Duet came along with its tempting remote.
My first Squezebox (2.0 I think) died the other day, RIP. Since I got it, I have packed away all my CDs, thrown out the cd-player, and am now undergoing somewhat of a crisis music-wise. Thank god for Spotify, but that’s not hooked up to my living room stereo yet. Long story short, time for å new Squeeze-device and the question is: which one?
Squeezebox classic or Squeezebox duet. (there is of course the boom, but that is not what I am looking for)
Obviously there is the duet-lure of the fancy pants remote. All my albums in the palm of my hand, that is tempting, but it comes at a price. About double the price of the Classic. Also i really like the fact that the remote is not IR-based but Wi-fi, and that gives a lot of freedom. especially when placing the unit itself. The receiver i considerably smaller with the Duet, and the main reason for my choice is based on that actually.
I went for a new Classic.
The Classic will give me something I have learned to appreciate during the years with Squeezebox. A display that shows me whats playing, name of artist, name of song and all that. I don want to carry the remote around with me, and do not think I can read it from far away. I’ll control it from the standard remote or computer, but I could also get the Iphone remote from the app store. As far as I can see, the duet-remote is fairly big and having a one-and-a-half year old in the house would be inviting a disaster.
The price is also a factor, but second to the fact that i actually like the Classic better.
Also, with the price tag of the Classic at just above the single receiver unit for the Duet, I can still change my mind later. They are selling the remote as a stand alone, and it would not cost me to much extra to have the best of both worlds.
Heck, I could even buy the full set, and finally start my multi-room music system project.
The new classic is in the mail, now someone make Spotify work on Squeezeboxes!
(Post in english because of a possible international interest of this topic.)