Sonos vs Squeezebox
Asides
I few of my friends (including Om) are crazy about the Sonos, but I’ve been a Squeezebox user for 6+ years now and have stuck with them through a few upgrades and the acquisition by Logitech. Some of their new products like the Squeezebox Radio are super-handy, I like that the whole thing works over my Wifi network, and it runs Open Source server software. (I used to run it on a Linux box, now on a Mac.) That said, the software has always felt clunky to me, the lack of a good iPhone client is annoying, and the multi-room sync is temperamental. They also seem to have stagnated under Logitech, for example the Radio is cool but the battery for it (which is half the sell) doesn’t come out until April, and costs another $50 — lame. Has anyone used both Squeeze devices and Sonos and have a preference?
Not used both but I am wedded to my Squeezebox – did run the server software on a Linux box at one point and in the process of re-purposing a Mac Mini to be the server.
Also ordered a Squeezebox Radio yesterday and a battery pack direct from Logitech – they are available although in short supply!
Can’t comment on Sonos, but my Squeezebox Boom has been sitting in the box since I bought it only to discover that it wasn’t UPnP and DLNA compatible and that I therefore needed to have a PC always on. So until Western Digital add the server software to my NAS, I’m sticking with Philips Streamium.
I agree that Squeezebox is a better product in every way. Have you checked out the iPhone app iPeng? It meets all my needs very well. More info here: http://penguinlovesmusic.de/2008/11/25/ipeng-application-now-on-app-store/
Take a look at this post by Tim Ferriss:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/11/30/12-x-mas-gifts-that-can-change-or-save-your-life/
He writes:
“#8 – Logitech Squeezebox Boom – $275.37. The Logitech Squeezebox Boom was my introduction to Internet radio streaming at home. Though I now use Sonos for higher-end playing, Sonos costs 4-6x as much as this simple and compact device. The Boom allowed me to listen to Pandora (here is my channel) and Rhapsody, the only two places where I now find and listen to music, while jamming on whatever needed jamming. I haven’t seen anything better for the price.”
I am also a Squeezebox owner (Duet).
I use iPeng on my iPhone. It runs very nice, and is the best gift I ever gave my Squeezebox.
I’m another Squeezebox fan; it works so well for me that I’m unlikely to shift (the multi-room is fantastic).
I’m not sure it has stagnated, though I think Logitech is more focused on usability than anything else; and to be honest the setup is fairly techy and must hold it back in the mass market. The next update (hardware and software) is meant to be much easier in that respect.
I am still on SB “classic” though, which suits me well.
Tim
I opted out of Squeezebox for the same reason and instead went all in on itunes talking to multiple airport express base stations hooked up to multiple mini amps.
iTunes allows you to stream to multiple airports at once allowing you to do whole house audio or just play the stream across airports that you choose.
Mobile control is done via iPhone’s Remote app and I am eagerly awaiting the iPad version….
I use 3 Squeezebox models.
Transporter/Duet/Squeezebox boom.
I am happy with them all. I am on my second battery for Duet controller in three years and use controller all the time
Have never used Squeezebox but would swear by my Sonos. It’s a breeze to use, has seamless syncronisation of sound between rooms and the integration with local radio steams, last.fm and my LAN shared music library is spot on.
Being a long time Squeezebox user and with a Netgear NV+ raid which works great, I would not hesitate to suggest buying the Sonos instead. The Squeezebox setup works – but require a lot more tweaking and small issues creep in here and there, but the Sonos setup is a breeze. It just works.
Never had any trouble getting the music from a standard NAS, the built in radio streaming is great, the remote has a great user interface and a large screen, the iPod and iPhone app replicates most of the functionality for free and you can also use the remote program at your computer if you want to control your system from there.
Syncing zones, grouping zones and adding new zones works great. The active unit (with a small amplifier) works great with just a couple of good speakers (which also can be used with in-wall speakers). I’m also quite impressed by the recently released S5 unit.
I’m currently a Squeezebox shop at home, but although the Sonos solution is a bit more pricey, I’ll switch to the Sonos next time around. The squeezebox setup works, but it has grown old – and not supporting DLNA or regular shares are just a deal breaker today. I want to use the same setup for my music as for my movies (with a popcorn hour).
Mats,
I am in the same Squeezebox vs Sonos dilema and your comment was really very very helpful. Thanks!!!
I’ve used both. Sonos is superior for whole home audio. Simple set and forget setup with iPhone control. The Logitech’s do have a screen, which can be nice though. Continual delays on their latest product (Squeezebox Touch) makes me wonder what’s going on over there.
My Squeezebox boom is my favourite kitchen gadget. Like you say the server software is a little clunky, but if all you need to do is run a little update library scan every now and then, it’s not so bad.
The sound quality and the loudness of the Boom, despite it’s size, is amazing.
Sonos is by far a superior product. The user experience is night and day. My parents run a Sonos system hooked up to a NAS and it works seamlessly.
My squeeze box is awesome but I do find it freezing every once in a while. Additionally I feel a little power hungry leaving a server on all day for it.
If i had the choice (and additional $) I would jump on the Sonos bandwagon.
Here’s a review of a nice iPhone client for your Squeezeboxes
http://wombatdiet.net/2009/11/30/penguin-loves-music/
Matt I heart Sonos but I love Squeezebox as well. Actually if you remember I wrote about them for Business 2.0 and that helped you make your decision.
I have one Squeezebox except I lost the damn power adapter and have been lazy to not get a new one. Maybe when I move, I will use Squeezebox. You can loan me an adapter
I lost some of my adapters too! I feel like there’s a stash somewhere in my house.
Oh by the way — since according to Mashable you are the shieet!! how about writing an app for Squeezebox and the iPhone or even the Android. I know you can do it. Actually if someone agrees with me, please leave comment here asking Ma.tt to do his programming thing
That would be well cool!
Maybe some code can be re-factored from the beta OS X SoftSqueeze equivalent
There’s already a few apps on Android for Squeezebox. The best one I’ve found is SqueezeCommander, which costs about $4. I really like it a lot, as it handles the 5 zones I’m running in my house. Of the free ones, SqueezeDroid is the best so far.
Used both — prefer Sonos — it just has better multi-room compatibility and the iPhone remote option is far superior to even the best Squeezebox offering.
There’s a Squeezebox Android controller that I know of, that works OK — but again, the Sonos app for iPhone basically makes your iPhone or iPod touch a Sonos remote. Freaking awesome.
I’ve had a Squeezebox for years… nothing but problems
Matt – any chance of you fixing the weird horizontal scrolling issue that’s been on this site for ages?
I still have a first-gen Slimp3 on my stereo system (running against the new Squeezebox server software on a WHS box). Works fine, but nobody in the house uses it. We also have a Sonos S5 (eval unit) in the kitchen that gets used a lot. I have the controller on my iPhone and my wife uses it from her Macbook. If starting from scratch and had the money, would probably go Sonos, as it’s passed the Spouse Approval Test and the Squeezebox never did. But I haven’t tried the new Logitech gear.
I balked at the Sonos due to price, and the fact that it seems very Apple/iTunes-centric. I went with multiple Squeezeboxes (1 Boom, 1 Radio, 1 SB Classic, & 2 SB Receivers) all served from a WHS box. I had a server anyway, so DLNA/uPNP don’t really matter to me. I really like that the SB Classic has the programmable IR output, which allows me to shut off the power-hungry and hot-running amp in my bedroom/bath simply by shutting off the Squeezebox (I’m really disappointed that none of the new offerings have IR out). If I left home without remembering to turn it off, then no problem, because the WHS gives me an internet presence for controlling it from my Android phone wherever I go.
My wife is in love with the setup, and finds it really easy to use. Most of the issues I’ve had so far are related to my router or Comcast.
Sonos looks pretty cool, and I have no doubt that it’s user-friendly. I won’t be finding out, though, because I’m quite happy with the Squeezeboxes so far. It’s probably only for the tech-savvy, though, and not for mass-market. Just go into your local Best Buy and look at the product placement that the Squeezeboxes get compared to Sonos.
What is a WHS Box? I have a couple Squeezeboxen, I have an original Slimp3 that is still in the box they shipped it in, never got around to installing it, A couple 2nd gen, a Transporter, and a Boom. My wife likes the boom, but doesn’t understand when the server is down or their is a software update where the units are out of sync. Probably will migrate the server portion to a Mac Mini which will also serve as my Apple TV replacement. I like the high build quality of the Transporter, but wish the remotes were better. Use ipeng on my itouch and it works well most of the time.
Logitech should do a better job of organizing plug-ins and update their on-line tech support database.
I’ve used both. In the past I probably would have said I like Squeezebox better but now I’m going to say Sonos.
Why? I have a new life charter. If you have to tinker with something to get it working, it’s not worth it. I want to spend my time doing what I need/want to do not wasted tinkering. I love Sonos because it just works. If I want to hear music I know I can always count on it. It’s simple to use, and I know it will always work.
Kind of like the lights in my kitchen. Flip the switch and I have power. Flip open my iPhone and turn on Sonos and I have music.
Great comment! I couldn’t agree more.
Having used Apple and Logitech products for home audio in the past, I agree that the Sonos experience is like night and day.
At first glance these systems all do the same thing—pump your digital music into multiple rooms. But the fact that my Sonos system has worked so well, and is so quick and easy to use, puts it in a league of it’s own. The fact that works with my NAS is also fantastic; It’s so nice not to have to have a computer on just to listen to music again!
It certainly took more time to save enough pennies for the Sonos (and NAS), but man was it ever worth it!
I use Squeezebox ( duet and classic downstairs and boom upstairs ) whereas a friend has a Sonos system ( 3 zones ).
The strange thing is we’re both envious of each others system. He is distressed that his system does virtually the same as mine despite costing over twice as much, whereas I know that he doesn’t suffer the occasional irritation that I do with my Squeezebox -after a period of inactivity It occasionally needs more than just switching on!!
The sound quality of both systems through our respective hifi is excellent, and contrary to what you may read on some forums, multi room synching is perfect on squeezeboxes providing the server is on.
We both use iphone apps as well as the controllers, and both the Sonos versions are slicker, although IMHO the Sonos controller is too big.
In summary – pay your monney and make your choice. They’re both damn fine systems. The Sonos costs a lot more but is more refined, and as stated elsewhere, just works. The Squeezebox system will occasionally test your patience, but is good fun to customise with various 3rd party plugins if that floats your boat. Both systems have that wow factor at parties, particularly with Napster/Rhapsody for those ” requests”
Using Sonos in half the house, Sqeezebox in other half. Squeezebox needs a pc running and is glitchy, Sonos runs directly from nas (time capsule in my case) and works flawlessly. The cost of a simple nas for Sonos vs pc or nas supporting SqueezeServer for Squeezeboxes makes the solutions much closer in price. iPeng is fine bur I prefer Sonos app. Both solutions are very good in their own right but for me Sonos provides the more polished lower maintenance experience.
I have multiple squeezebox products (2X Boom, Duet, and Classic). I run squeezeserver direct from my Netgear Duo NAS (there is a squeezeserver client that runs on Netgear NAS). I also use the iPeng iPhone Ap (great Ap and the creater, Jorg Schwider, is very responsive.
They also have an NAS client but that requires some programming. However, squeezebox server is only needed for listening to your music. All the internet content is avalaible w/o the server. That includes mp3tunes (www.mp3tunes.com). With an account you can stream all of your music via the internet w/o a computer…
All in all I love my squeezebox. I admit having no expierience with Sonos and understand they have a great product, but I love my squeezebox.
Looking at the two products. Sonos appears to win on set up ease and usability but Squeezebox wins on Price and Apps. One of the Apps unique to squeezebox is Mp3tunes (metioned abaove) but others include Slacker (far superior to Pandora or Rhapsody), Live365 (internet radio with Live DJ’s), numerous radio sites (lastfm, Radiotime, Sky.FM, Shoutcast, etc..)
My only wish for squeezebox is a product like Sonos 120 (built in Amplifier) to allow creation of multiple amplified zones.
If ease of use and comfort is more important for you, go for Sonos. But if sound quality is the most important, go for Squeezebox. SB Touch sound is better than all products from Sonos (both analogical and digital outputs – in that last case with separate DAC converter). Sonos can’t play 24/96 high-res formats. I wanted to buy Sonos for all the convenience, but I prefer the Squeezebox system with all its problems (many) but with its better sound. Of course, all my files are Flac loosless. For MP3 or internet radios, go for Sonos, it’s more than good enough and it’s easier to use.
I recently purchased a Squeezebox Duet and love it. I must admit that the setup could be a lot more user friendly. I’m an IT professional with 15 years of expereience so the savings vs. purchasing a Sonos system was worth the trouble. I couldn’t figure out how to change from playing the music served by my server to Internet radio and Pandora. A call to Crutchfield and a second call to Logitech support resolved my issue. Now that it’s up an running I think the sound quality is excellent. I’m connected via the standard analog cable that came with it to my older HK receiver and listening to Mirage Omni 150 3 channels. One think I would recommend is a high speed internet connection. As fast as you can get residential. I’m impressed by the fact that there is minimal delay between songs. One final thing that I’ll point out that IMHO sets the squeezebox ahead of Sonos is that it doesn’t require a wired connection. The first Sonos device “MUST BE WIRED”. This is an issue if you don’t have an internet connection in the room where your receiever is located in which case you’ll need two Sonos devices to get going. If you can afford it go with the Sonos but if you’re stretching your dollars in a tough economy go with the Squeezebox Duet, you won’t be disappointed.
Squeezeboxes are awesome, I have 2 booms and a receiver and use an android app to control them. Duet is a waste of money if you have a smart phone with a remote app as you can buy receiver on its own for a third of the price as buying it with the logitec remote
Thats an interesting remark. I´m right now trying to decide which system to buy. Choice is between squeezebox touch and squeezebox duo, but I noticed that there are programs out there that enables you to control a squeezebox reciever through your android phone (in my case a legend).
I was wondering whether the phone would just be a supplement to the actual reciever or if it could replace the controler all together. If the later is the case, then the difference on the price tag, between and a SBT and a mere SBR (not to mention something out of a sonos box) would seem to make the choice very simple.
Which app are you using ?
This one http://www.squeezecommander.com/ ?
I’m using SqueezeCommander on my Android phone(s).
There seems to be a shortage of SB Receivers for sale as standalone units, and Logitech is definitely not encouraging their separate purchase. Still, I bought two Duet systems and then just sold the Remotes on eBay. I got about $150 for each remote a few months ago. I’m sure they will command less and less money as Android phones (and iPhones) become more prevalent.
You don’t need the SB Remote if you have an Android phone. It’s simply a dedicated WiFi device that runs the SB control software. Your Android phone can do the same, except it won’t be dedicated. I’ve heard others say that the SqueezeCommander UI is better than the SB Remote UI, plus it’s constantly being improved.
I started with 1, but have now expanded to 7 Squeezebox devices. 6 Booms – 4 that I’ve paired with sub-woofers, and 1 Duet, attached to my main stereo system. I do run a Squeezebox Server on a PC. Planning to move that to an Intel Atom system in the next month. I use wireless to sync various multiple players around my house practically every day. No problems. I typically sync 3 units at a time, but occasionally up to 5, and it just works.
The flexibility of the Squeeze products is extreme. I love that they’re based on Linux (GPL), and constantly being updated to support new features, streaming protocols, displays.
If you have no knowledge of computers and have to call someone to plug in your new keyboard, you might want to spend far more and buy Sonos.
Otherwise buy Squeezebox; hugely more bang for your buck.