Where to position it?

[alanj]

Hi, excuse a rather dumb question ... but exactly where are you supposed to position a Touch?
Given the touch screen I'd have assumed it was meant to be located very close to the user, maybe on a table by the sofa? But if that's the case how do you connect it to the hifi, which typically would sit on the other side of the room.
If it simply replaces the SB3 then I don't see the advantage of the touchscreen.

Am I missing something fundamental here? I guess I'm confused as to whether its supposed to be a player or a controller.

BTW can you imagine using an ipad as the controller?

Cheers
Alan

[usch]

Am I missing something fundamental here? I guess I'm confused as to whether its supposed to be a player or a controller.

You are supposed to buy two of them - one to be positioned next to your sofa as a controller, and the other one in the stereo rack as a player.

[maggior]

As I see it, it's similar to finding a location for an SB3. Given the orientation of it, it doesn't fit well in an equipment rack. And who would want to put it in a rack and hide the display?

My main SB3 sits on top of my center channel speaker, which sits in the middle of the credenza that sits below my wall mounted flat panel TV. If I were to purchase a SB Touch, I'd put it in the same place.

You can control it with a remote (no controller required) from the couch. And if you happen to be up near it, you can make use of the touchscreen.

[JJZolx]

Hi, excuse a rather dumb question ... but exactly where are you supposed to position a Touch?
Given the touch screen I'd have assumed it was meant to be located very close to the user, maybe on a table by the sofa? But if that's the case how do you connect it to the hifi, which typically would sit on the other side of the room.

I think that's a question everyone's asked themselves. It's a bit of a head scratcher. You really have to position it by the hifi unless you can run cables from near the listening position to the hifi, which most people cannot. One small difference in placement between the Touch and SB Classic may be that many people will position it up higher, such as on top of the stereo cabinet, so that they can use the touch interface if they're near it. It really is a lot nicer than the remote interface for selecting music, but it obviously negates the advantages of remote control.

[audiomuze]

Hi, excuse a rather dumb question ... but exactly where are you supposed to position a Touch? <snip>
If it simply replaces the SB3 then I don't see the advantage of the touchscreen.

Other than novelty and geek appeal I can't fathom its purpose either. Seems rather gimmicky to me, especially given a network music player there's hardly a rational need to walk over to your hi-fi, except perhaps to turn it on/off if you've unplugged it or powered it down altogether. But hey, I'm sure some guru in marketing thought it'd be the next killer feature.

BTW can you imagine using an ipad as the controller

Most definitely, albeit it'd be an expensive Controller. You'd have thought that Logitech could easily have created a similar touchscreen device to serve as a wireless remote rather than put the touchscreen where few would benefit from it...hell it might've even been a Controller that works.

[discodice]

Other than novelty and geek appeal I can't fathom its purpose either. Seems rather gimmicky to me, especially given a network music player there's hardly a rational need to walk over to your hi-fi, except perhaps to turn it on/off if you've unplugged it or powered it down altogether. But hey, I'm sure some guru in marketing thought it'd be the next killer feature.

My SB Touch is going on the wall at eye level right next to a wall-mounted shelf stereo. Aside from its full-color screen that displays album art, I think the touch feature is right up there. It will be easy for guests to pick out songs they like a la touchscreen jukeboxes you see at bars - not to mention a pretty slick addition to the living room/dining area wallspace.

[autopilot]

Mine is the kitchen and is controlled via the touch screen interface 90% of the time, its great and very nice to use.

Dont forget there is a distance UI when using the IR remote etc, so it can be used out of reach. It has the flexibility to be both.

[peterw]

My decent audio-only setup has the amp, Squeezebox, and CD player by the main seating position. I think it's funny how many people with audio-only setups still put their gear dead center between their speakers. Makes sense for those of you with $5,000 USD setups with extra-short, extra-stiff speaker wires, but the rest of us?

[autopilot]

My decent audio-only setup has the amp, Squeezebox, and CD player by the main seating position. I think it's funny how many people with audio-only setups still put their gear dead center between their speakers. Makes sense for those of you with $5,000 USD setups with extra-short, extra-stiff speaker wires, but the rest of us?

It's very true, most people do seem to think its more essential to have your AMP/transport etc in a good position than themselves and compromise their listening position.

[aubuti]

I guess I'm confused as to whether its supposed to be a player or a controller.

It's supposed to be whatever you want it to be ;o)

For a long time during the testing period I used mine only as a controller for an SB3 connected to my hifi about 10 feet away. More recently I have connected the Touch to the hifi, and it will probably stay there because I think it sounds better than the SB3. I'll control it via some combination of the touchscreen, the IR remote, and one of my SBCs.