Note: When I initially wrote this review, I had the Take 2.2 firmware on it and not the new 2.3 firmware that Apple pushed out. But when I restarted my Apple TV this weekend, it updated automatically with the 2.3 and effectively killed boxee, but there is already a fix to get it back up and running, which I did today. The new atv-creator patchstick now works under a Windows environment, so I do not have to use my roommate’s Macbook to create a patchstick. One caveat was that I had to use the USB drive image tool from the command line, which was really simple. Link here is to a team boxee member showing how to get boxee back on your ATV.

For those who are asking, what exactly is the Squeezebox Boom. Well, in short, it is an audio streaming device. What is does is it takes audio from a variety of sources, computers, mp3 players, and the key feature from different online services and sources. What sets the Squeezebox Boom from it’s predecessors is that it integrates a speakers into the unit, making it more akin to those old boom boxes back in the day, hence the name “Boom”. The Boom competes directly with the Roku Soundbridge Radio. Both offer similar functionality and are at the same price point.

There were only seven things included in the box of the Squeezebox Boom, a 2-way 3.5 mm cable for connecting mp3 players and what not, a small remote with a magnetic back, a thin instruction manual, a/c brick, corresponding region plug, the Squeezebox Boom and a nice velvety pouch for the Boom. After taking the obligatory unboxing pictures and peeling off the plastic on the screen I dove right in and turned the Boom on. After signing up for the SqueezeNetwork account and configuring my wireless network settings I was on my way. I added as many of the free services as possible that are quite a large list, from Live365, Pandora, SIRIUS, Last.fm RadioTime and a few others. You can take a look at the list here. The first services I tested was Pandora and it was upon adding the service, my account, almost instantaneously, showed up on my Boom and I proceeded to select my favorite station and played with no lag on my bottom of the barrel DSL connection.

Hardware:
While I’m not an audiophile, the Boom sounded amazing, sounds were crisp, bass was boomy and I did the ultimate test to all the audio devices I get, I turned it up as loud as possible to see if I hear crackling and popping and I heard none. I was quite impressed with the thing and it hadn’t even been 10 minutes. For the next few hours I was playing and tweaking the devices and seeing all the options. The Boom performed extremely well, but I could see it hiccup a few times and it seemed to stall on longer “tracks” in my case long podcasts that I listened to and required a “soft reset” (which was me holding the power button), but I feel that this was due to my network connection. My network connection back in my apartment is a bit faster and works like a charm with this thing and I have had no hiccups.

The remote is pretty basic and emulates all the controls that are on the face of the player in a very small package. The remote backing is also magnetic, so if you ever need to put the remote away, just stick it to the top of the Boom or in my case my metal lamp. This is the first remote that I can honestly say I will never lose.

Software
The software is extremely customizable. Most anything you want to do with the Boom, it has been implemented, if your looking of ways to extend the functionality of the Boom, there is a decent size development community coding up their own plugins to extend the Boom’s already large feature set. The software is comprised of two different divisions, the Squeeze Center and the Squeeze Network. As a little walkthrough for the goings on of the Boom. Upon powering up the device, it automatically tries to connect to the last connection you last used, either it be the Squeeze Network or the respective Squeeze Center that you set it up with.

SqueezeNetwork
The Squeeze Network is an online website that you can actively manage your Squeezebox. There you can setup all the different music services you want, add all the podcast feeds you want, manage a multitude of settings including the alarm clock, display text, visualizations and what not. You can even remotely control the Boom from the website, it has a bunch of nifty features that will surprise the most customizer in you. In short, the amount of customizability in the Boom is bountiful and will satisfy your average consumer. But if you want the ability to do even more things with the Boom, like to connect it to multiple computers, then installing the SqueezeCenter software is the way to go.

SqueezeCenter:
The SqueezeCenter software allows you to customize the Boom to no end. Great thing about the SqueezeCenter is that you do not need to be connected to the Internet to listen to your music and away from your computer, once installed and setup with the right directories to scan for music, you can control it all from the Boom. It is open source and is available to just about all the platforms you can think of, be it a Linux box, an Apple Mac or a Windows machine. It plays well with all platforms, which is a great thing. Now, what else can this add, do you ask? Well how about the ability to stream BBC radio to your Boom? Or how about bookmarking that podcast you were listen to that you just couldn’t finish in one sitting? How about play Tetris, that’s right that Tetris? Or for you stats fans, diagnostics tools or even custom builds of the SqeezeCenter software for a multitude of devices. Check out more plugins here.

As a note: The Squeezebox Boom has had to be updated the firmware frequently. I think this is due to the fact that I am running 7.2 on my computer and Slim pushed out 7.2.1 on the Boom over the SqueezeNetwork and when I switch back and forth it has to change firmwares to match the one you are using. I am not 100% sure, but I will see if it goes away once I update the software on my computer.

SoftSqueeze
At this moment I’ve used the softsqueeze software only sparingly, but I think it is worth a mention. It emulates the Squeezebox Boom on your desktop with a Java app. It is pretty cool and can turn your computer into a Squeezebox device, it isn’t available for everyone to download, however. I am not certain of whether or not you need a Slim Devices product for it to work, but I am assuming that you do not.

Pros:

• Amazing sound from a small device.
• Aesthetics are pretty noteworthy.
• Software, both the SqueezeCenter and SqueezeNetwork and the on device firmware fully customizable.

Cons:

• High price point, means high point of entry

Conclusion:

I have never in my life been 100% satisfied with an electronics purchase, but with the Squeezebox Boom, I come pretty darn close. It has very few bugs, which is attributed to the fact of Slim Devices producing this type of device for years, as well as the openness of it’s SqueezeCenter software. This device both looks and sound amazing. The only thing that holds this player back is the high price point. Some people do not feel that an audio player warrants this type of device, especially with the economy at the state that it is.