Loewe Mediacenter

WiFiRadioReview generally focuses on the affordable end of the market, but if you are the kind of audiophile who doesn’t think twice about remortgaging your home to get the latest kit, then you might like to look at the new Loewe Mediacenter.

It’s not just a WiFi radio (although that’s why we are covering it on these pages) and includes a CD player, DVD player, internal hard drive and an iPod dock. It perches on its own stand, so won’t take up valuable shelf space.

Price is rumoured to be just under £4000.

Logitech Squeezebox

PC Advisor has reviewed the Logitech Squeezebox and encountered some problems with the controls saying the  “biggest weakness, however, is its interface. Using the scroll knob to navigate large lists of items on the Logitech Squeezebox Radio’s small screen is frustrating, and the number of button presses required to access different functions can also be a pain.”

However, the overall feeling was positive with a “sound quality [that] is quite good for such a small package, and plenty loud enough to fill a small-to-medium-sized room”.

Read more here

Squeezebox Battery

If you love your Logitech Squeezebox, but you are shackled to the wall by its power cable, then you can now cut free using the new Squeezebox battery pack and remote.

For $49.99 (or €49.99 in Europe) you get 6 hours of rechargeable battery life and can take your Squeezebox anywhere within range of a WiFi signal.

Existing users will need to upgrade to software version 7.4.2 and supplied are limited to the USA and Europe.

Read more on the Logitech blog.

Logitech Squeezebox in red

The Inquirer has reviewed the Logitech Squeezebox and found it has  “excellent software both on the device and for streaming, high build quality, good variety of Internet radio stations loaded at start up.”

Downsides were a lack of  “removable storage support, no remote control”.

All in all,  it’s a very positive review.

“Logitech’s Squeezebox Radio is a quality item with excellent software all round. The Squeezebox Radio allows you to get going in minimal time but offers a lot more for those who want to fiddle around with their streaming. With adequate sound quality the only letdown is the rather high price.”

The review gives the Squeezebox 7 out of 10.

Read more here.

Logitech Squeezebox

Pricemo have looked at the Logitech Squueezebox and liked what they saw.

“The Squeezebox Radio offers a good rounded package at a price that is reasonable value for money.”

“Overall there isn’t much to dislike about the Squeezebox Radio. We’ve picked at a few points, but when it comes to the crunch, it’s a simple device, with oodles of potential, that sounds great.”

Read more here

Pure Siesta Flow

The Pure Siesta Flow is “a little bit too expensive to get [Pocket-lint's ] full backing. Especially when there are similarly priced, and cheaper radio alarm clocks that do just as good a job. ”

“The audio is fine, but nothing special it’s unlikely make you sit up to admire the sonic quality, but then it’s not so bad that you have to turn it off instantly.”

The reviewers’ though that “build quality is good and though the screen is fiddly to use it it’s bright and clear.”

Pocket-lint gave the Pure Siesta Flow 6 out of 10.

Read more here.

Full Join PPS-FM WiFi Pocket Radio

Full Join is one of those Chinese companies that have sprung to the attention of those of us in the west, after years of plugging away in the local market.

The Gadgeteer got hold of a PPS-FM pocket wifi radio and gave it a thorough going over. First problem encountered was an inability to connect to a WPA-encrypted network – “I could NOT get the radio to connect using my WPA passphrases”.

Sound quality from the built in speaker was not great – “The sound from the radio is ok, but I preferred to use my own headphones as the radio has a 3.5mm jack.”

Perhaps the most positive words come from a commenter – “The size and long battery life make it a good option for air travelers.”

Read more here.

Aki Hirota Concept WiFi radio - plugs into a wall socket and looks great too

The general trend for WiFi radio design is retro. Don’t ask us why, but the big players have decided that us listeners want to have devices that straddle modern and 1950’s design.

WiFiRadioReview.com isn’t so sure about that, so we loved Aki Hirota’s concept design that can be plugged into a wall socket, saving kitchen counter space – and looks fantastic too.

Sure it’s just a concept, but we think more WiFi radios should look like this. The technology is cutting edge, why not the design?

See more of Aki’s work here.

Logitech Squeezebox

Wired’s Geek Dad has reviewed the Logitech Squeezebox saying, “At £150 it’s not the cheapest option, but there is stacks of functionality on offer here, making its minor downsides insignificant in comparison.”

One of those downsides is the fiddly control mechanism exacerbated by the available choice of stations. “The biggest downside of the Squeezebox mirrors the internet itself — being overwhelmed by choice.”

The sound quality is praised though – “well rounded and surprisingly bright for such a small unit.

Read more here

Gary admits on his website that he could have just bought one for $100 or used his computer, but he wanted something that fitted in with the look of his other HiFi seperates. The self-confessed hardware hoarder gathered up an Asus WL-520gu router, a USB audio adapter, a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD)  and other various knobs/buttons, along with a processor board to pull everything together.

This was not a project for a beginner (or the faint-hearted), but if you fancy having a go take a look at Gary’s website.