Logitech Squeezebox Duet

Firmware Upgrade Makes Squeezebox Duet Sing

Nice job with the firmware upgrade, Logitech! When we first reviewed the baby Squeezebox five months ago (issue 16.06), we weren't totally impressed — the device seemed difficult to use. Well, we've changed our tune. The Duet now connects your computer's music library to your stereo with kindergarten ease and MIT smarts. Setup is a snap — we were piping our favorite songs all over the house in minutes. But what really won us over was the playback. The gorgeous remote with its color screen and iPod-style click wheel made navigating through playlists, albums and artists a joy, while the online channels had us discovering more new music than the late John Peel.

WIRED Easier to set up than a lemonade stand. Exceptional value. Hot mix of internet radio, Pandora, Rhapsody, Last.fm and top podcasts from Odeo and Podcast Alley, plus optional service from Sirius. Remote displays news from the BBC, The New York Times, and more. Add another receiver ($150) for multiple zones.

TIRED Can be slow connecting to large libraries via WiFi; our 10,000-tune trove sometimes made the Duet controller sing solo. No DRM support.

• Home Audio Components: Music streamer
• Manufacturer: Logitech
• Price: $400