Posted 01.14.2010 at 3:48 pm
8 Comments
Streaming House
Bland Designs
Feel chained to your tunes? There are a number of ways to get your home music library from your computer to other rooms. You could go the DIY route and set up another computer on your wireless network to share songs. But for a simpler setup, go with a dedicated media-streaming device.
If you want a hassle-free solution and don’t mind using iTunes, Apple’s AirPort Express ($100; apple.com) provides a quick and painless approach—just set up the device on your network, plug it into an outlet wherever you want to listen, and connect it to your speakers. Roku’s SoundBridge M1001 ($130; soundbridge.roku.com) works with virtually any music software and supports many types of files, such as WMA, FLAC and OGG. It also has a display, so you can keep tabs on what’s currently playing from afar, and Internet radio to ensure that your ears never get bored.
Logitech’s Squeezebox Boom ($300; logitech.com) ups the ante even further with built-in stereo speakers and a potent 30-watt amplifier, enabling you to stream your jams (including the ones on Pandora and other online music services) to another room without needing a separate sound system. It also has an alarm clock, as well as a jack for your MP3 player, so you can even take it out of the house to use as a portable stereo. If you’re willing to spend the money, it’s the perfect all-in-one device for hearing your music just about anywhere.
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Hey. What have you got against SONOS? It clearly should be mentioned in the article.
I had heard some time ago that boes has something similar.
What's everyone got against iTunes? It's the only music app I use, and it does everything I need it to do, usually flawlessly.
Airport Express FTW!
Yah, Sonos is good to...
I've been streaming throughout my house since radio was first available online. (8-10 years ago?) I bought a set of JBL WRK1000 speakers and plugged the transmitter into my Mac. I also set up a search on eBay and whenever some additional speakers go up for auction I have the chance to pick them up. As a result I have speakers all over my house.
I can also carry the speakers anywhere within range, including outside. This should work just as well with any wireless speakers and transmitters. Siince most Mac apps allow you to chose an audio source, I can still use a separate AV out (currently digital out) to stream HDMI video to the TV at the same time.
I was in my house since the first streaming radio online. (8-10 years?) I bought a set of JBL speakers and the transmitter WRK1000 connected to my Mac. I also did a search on eBay and some additional speakers whenever I go up for auction the chance to pick up them. As a result, I have all the speakers through my house.
I hear the boom is an excellent device as unlike earlier versions it does have a built in amplifier. How good you view the amphlifier is really up to the quality you are after. Your expectations may be met if you are used to listening to music on just your PC, but if you have a large fully functional stereo you may be disappointed. Test and review.
www.piranha-audiovisual.co.uk