The Duet is a big improvement on the original Squeezebox, which was already a fine system. It includes a full colour LCD in the remote control and a familiar and intuitive menu system. Looking like a combination of a remote control and an iPod, the Duet remote has integrated 802.11 b/g network capabilities and is the control centre for the system.  The original Squeezebox was navigated via a screen on the receiver however this limited its use to the room in which the receiver was located. Moving the screen to the remote allows you to control the music no matter which room you are in. 

If you have ever used an iPod then finding your way around the duet remote will be second nature.  All menus progress to the right and are controlled via a scroll wheel. The menu system is laid out in a logical and intuitive manner although it can be a little sluggish at times. The remote also has volume, pause and next/previous track buttons.  A recharge cradle is included with the remote as well as a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The cradle is an excellent idea as it not only recharges the remote but it gives you a safe place to put it when not in use.

While the remote has wireless network capabilities, you don’t have to have a wireless network to use the Squeezebox. The receiver has a wired Ethernet port as well as wireless, so you can connect to it via a cable. The connections at the rear also include analogue RCA connectors as well as coaxial and toslink digital audio ports.   Whether you choose to use analogue or digital connections, the Duet delivers clear audio with no issues.

Unfortunately, the system is fairly dependant on your home network being internet enabled, especially since there is no installation disc or manual included in the box.  Setting up the system is very simple but will require you to sign up to www.squeezenetwork.com.  To stream audio from your computer you will also need to download the SqueezeCenter server application which creates bridge between your home PCs and the Squeezebox receiver. It also allows you to log into the SqueezeCenter website giving you control over the receiver via a web based interface.
 
The Squeezebox Duet supports MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV audio formats as well as lossless formats such as FLAC and Ogg Vorbis. You can also listen to internet radio services or sign up to an online music service. The Squeezebox includes trials to various services including a 60 day trial to the “MP3 tunes” service. This is an online music locker where your entire music collection is uploaded for remote access. Imagine bringing the Squeezebox Duet to a party, hooking it up to the stereo and playing all the music from your home PC – the MP3 tunes service makes that possible.

On the whole, the Logitech Squeezebox Duet is an awesome little device. It has a costly price tag but considering the quality and design it isn’t over the top. Its appeal is a limited to those who have an active internet connection in the home, but realistically, who doesn’t these days?