Tempo Tabletop Radio - Crosley - CR02-001A-NA Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great little iPod player, perfect for a bedroom, office or small apartment. It's really basic (can't program radio stations) but excellent for someone who doesn't need something fancy. I've had mine for about five months and am extremely pleased.

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Eton Sound 100 iPod Dock, White Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Sound 100 iPod Dock is the latest in Eton's product family. As a stand-alone radio this device is average. With the iPod dock this unit is a cut above and one you must consider.
They do sell this device without the iPod dock, and it ranges from being $30 to $50 less than this model. I don't believe it's worth getting this unit without the iPod dock.
Eton Sound 100 AM/FM Radio, Silver
There are many iPod radios and alarm clocks on the market which may be able to compete against the Sound 100 iPod on price. The iHome and iLive models come to mind.
iHome iH6 Clock Radio for iPod (White)
iHome iH5 Clock Radio for iPod (Black)
iLive ICR6307DT iPod Docking System with Digital Tune AM/FM Stereo Dual Alarm Clock Radio with Remote Control in White
The competition does not come close on engineering. The remote allows you to completely control your iPod! That means menu control and navigation in addition to the standard FF, RW, PLAY, STOP, and PAUSE funcitons. This is so simple, yet few devices have this ability. The Line-in and auxiliary jacks can connect other MP3 players (Creative, Zune) sans the menu control.
The speaker is monaural, but optimized to prevent distortion. At the highest volume the sound gets tinny but doesn't hiss. If you like modern design, the Eton is one of the best looking. It is sleek, COMPACT and light.
But there are shortcomings. The internal AM antenna is below average. The device lets you use an external one, and most users will need to.
The features could be better. There are only 10 programmable station presets. The RDS broadcast data is only 8 characters at a time. The screen is hard to read; you have to be right in front of it. There are no external RCA, speaker or subwoofer jacks, only line out. There is no EQ, treble or bass control and no way to adjust the backlight.
This radio came out in January 2007, well into the HD radio era. Only 10 presets? Why no speaker or subwoofer jacks? Why didn't they add Short Wave or HD capability?
If you only need an alarm clock radio, there are better options. This unit is above average on FM but below average on AM. Competing products by Sangean, BA and Sony have higher ratings at this price.
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Black
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, White
Boston Acoustics Receptor Clock Radio (Platinum)
Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio
If you are VERY picky about sound and want a nice compact iPod radio alarm clock, this unit is worth a look. Enjoy!
Pros
+ Remote control functions are very well integrated with the iPod!
+ Very nice iPod serial interface for digital sound quality
+ Line-in and auxiliary jacks for MP3 players and other devices
+ Good speaker sound with surprising bass
+ Shielding protects the radio from interference
+ Battery backup possible for power outages
+ Nice alarm clock function
+ Nice looking design in a small and LIGHT form factor
Cons
- No equalizer; no treble or bass control
- Requires external antenae for good radio reception
- No RCA jacks or stereo connections for external speakers
- No Subwoofer connector - only standard stereo line out
- RDS only displays 8 characters at a time
- Backlight is not adjustable; you must be close to it to read it


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Do most iPod speaker systems look a little too modern (read: stale) for your decor? Turn to the Eton Sound 100 system, which pays tribute to the retro glamour of radios past with swooping, curved lines and a stylish front control panel. The radio is designed expressly for iPods, with an external docking station that holds and charges all iPods with 30-pin dock connectors, including the iPod 3G, iPod 4G, iPod photo, iPod video, iPod nano 1G and 2G, and iPod mini. Simply plop your iPod into the dock and you can enjoy all your favorite tunes and playlists within seconds--no additional connections required.
Eton is recognized internationally for the quality of its radios, which is why the company added a high-sensitivity digital Phased-Locked-Loop (PLL) AM/FM tuner to the Sound 100. The advanced circuitry not only searches instinctively for the strongest station, but also locks in the frequency once it finds the signal to guarantee superior clarity. As a result, the radio's reception is crystal clear whether you're listening to the ballgame, catching up on the news, or kicking back to some classic jazz. To make tuning quicker and easier, the radio also includes five AM and five FM station presets.
Audio-wise, the Sound 100 is equipped with a 3-inch, full-range, front-firing speaker that produces distortion-free, room-filling sound with a wide range of frequencies (80 Hz to 20 kHz). The 16-character, two-line LCD display, meanwhile, offers a viewing area of 2.4 by 0.98 inches (W x H), with a gentle blue backlight that won't keep you awake during the midnight hours. And despite the display's relatively small size, it still shows quite a bit of data, including the time, selected station, alarm status, sleep status, band, and preset information.
Unlike many iPod speaker systems, the Sound 100 also handily replaces your bedside clock radio, with alarm, sleep, and snooze controls. Among the options are 12- and 24-hour formats, an alarm that wakes to either the radio or a buzzer, a programmable sleep timer (between 15 and 90 minutes), and a 5-minute snooze duration. And even though the Sound 100 is designed for iPods, it also includes a 3.5 mm auxiliary input for connecting a separate MP3 player or personal CD player, along with a 3.5 mm auxiliary line out.
Additional features include an encoder volume control, a headphone jack for private listening, a battery backup function (requires two AA batteries), a remote control, a 360-degree pigtail FM antenna, a built-in external loop AM antenna, and rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching and movement. The Eton Sound 100 measures 8.27 by 4.53 by 5.1 inches (W x H x D), weighs 2.82 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box Eton Sound 100 iPod system, external iPod docking station, pigtail FM antenna, infrared remote control, pigtail FM antenna, AC adapter, user's manual.

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Logitech Pure-Fi Dream Speaker for iPod and iPhone (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)21 Dec 2010 update: 4 star rating: I took off a star because the clock function is not reliable. It resets itself too often with the display showing what would be expected from the product right out of the box with no time set. I cannot rely on this clock radio as my only alarm, since, even though it has a backup 9v battery, it resets itself to "original factory setting" without keeping up with the current time for no apparent reason.
Original rating: 5 star rating: I am using this product as my clock radio and iPhone 3G charging station on my night table in a master bedroom. This clock radio replaces an iLuv i177 iPod clock radio which I have had for over 2 years. The main reason that I upgraded to this Logitech clock radio is due to its ability to charge the new iPhone 3G which I recently purchased.
This is by far the best clock radio I have owned. Although not perfect for everyone's taste, in my humble opinion, it is the best compromise in quality, functionality, and price available in the US market as of today.
Compatibility with iPhone 3G: I read some reviews about the inability to charge the new iPhone 3G. I contacted Logitech via email, and they explained that there were some previous firmware issues in the past, but that this is no longer an issue. (By the way, Logitech customer support was superb at replying back to me promptly, answering all of my specific questions, and even followed up days later to assess my level of satisfaction with their responses). After using the product with the new iPhone 3G, these are the facts: I does, in fact, charge the new iPhone 3G. However, you need to make sure that it is well seated in the cradle. If the iPhone is not well seated, there is a possibility that the iPhone music will play via the speakers, but no actual charging takes place. I make sure to seat the iPhone in the cradle until I see the iPhone charging icon on the top right corner of the display show up. The other fact to keep in mind is that on initial seating the iPhone in the cradle, the iPhone will display the message, "This accessory is not compatible, would you like to turn on Airplane Mode?". Just press "NO" on the iPhone, and everything will work just fine. It is somewhat annoying that this message comes on every time you place the iPhone in the cradle, but rest assured that after pressing "NO", there will not be any more compatibility issues.
Alarm clock: It has 2 alarms that can be independently set to wake up to either iPhone/iPod, FM, AM, or buzzer. The volume can also be preset, something my wife appreciates. Reliability of the alarm is also great as there is a 9v battery backup for the clock and the alarm settings in case of a power failure.
Presets: This is a great feature. For unclear reasons, lots of iPod/iPhone compatible alarm clocks do not include presets. Well, this alarm clock does. It has 6 preset buttons. What's more, the presets work with each mode (iPod/iPhone, FM, AM), so it is like having 3x6=18 presets total.
Sound quality: This product is not meant to be the soul music source for a college fraternity party or home theater system. However, for non teenagers, the loudness and quality is more than acceptable for a bedroom, kitchen, or other rooms of similar size. I normally listen at low to low- medium level, and I am very satisfied with the sound quality. At higher sound levels, I do not appreciate any significant distortion, but I confess that I am not the best person to compare and review products at ear damaging sound levels.
Recessed iPod/iPhone cradle: Ergonomically, this is a great design. Most other iPod/iPhone clock radios have the iPod/iPod cradle on the very top of the system. The problem with that design is that the iPod/iPhone is more exposed to knocking, especially as you are trying to press the snooze button when you wake up and find yourself all disoriented. The recessed iPhone/iPod cradle design make knocking much less likely. On the topic of the snooze button, with this clock radio you do not have to press the snooze button to go on snooze. You merely need to wave your hand over the motion sensor. Now, that is really cool!
Intelligent lighting: This is a pretty neat feature. By merely waving the hand over the motion sensor, all of the buttons will light up, so that you do not have to turn the room lights on to set the alarm, or turn on the radio, etc. By the way, the remote control also has lights on its buttons (no motion sensor on it, though).
Auxiliary Input: I have not used this, nor do I intend to in the near future, but is does have one. This, to me, is a testament on the level of thought that was put into the designing and making of this product.
This cool features, as well as the intuitive operation design, makes this product earn 5 solid stars.

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Enjoy amazing sound and style with an ingenious iPod speaker system that responds to the wave of your hand. Innovative light- and motion-sensing technologies make the Pure-Fi Dream the perfect iPod music system for the bedroom--even in total darkness.
Controls magically light up when you wave your hand near the Pure-Fi Dream speaker system. In the morning, activate Snooze with a simple wave of your hand. You'll never have to worry about hitting your iPod. A light sensor automatically dims the display at night, eliminating unwanted light. The high-contrast, amber display is easy to read, even at night. Set your alarm or turn on music without switching on the lights. (Or use the backlit remote.)

The Pure-Fi is compatible with docking iPods. For other iPods, MP3 players, and audio devices, an auxiliary input jack is provided.

Performance

Premium acoustics: Experience amazing sound reproduction with 3/4-inch high-definition, soft-dome tweeters, and 3-inch high-power, long-throw woofers.
StereoXL technology: Widens stereo image dramatically, creating an immersive audio experience.
Adjustable soundfield: Tweak the bass and treble settings to fit your personal listening preferences.

Convenience

Dual alarm with battery backup: Never miss an appointment again. Wake up to a buzzer, AM or FM radio, or your favorite iPod playlist.
Digital AM/FM radio: Increases your musical choices.
Motion-activated, backlit controls: High-contrast controls light up when you need to see them and dim when not in use.
Auto-dimming display: Dims automatically in response to reduced light.
Charges your iPod: Doubles as an iPod charger.
Song title display for iPod and FM radio: See what's playing from across the room.

Control

Wireless remote: Control your iPod and browse your content from anywhere in the room with a remote that's backlit for use in the dark. Enjoy one-touch access to Shuffle and Repeat.
Presets for iPod playlists and radio stations: Enjoy instant access to your favorite music, without having to navigate your iPod menus.

What's in the Box Logitech Pure-Fi Dream speaker system, AC adapter, backlit wireless remote, Universal dock adapters, installation guide, user manual, 2-year limited hardware warranty

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TEAC R2 Premium Edition AM/FM Mono Clock/Radio (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Frankly nobody seems to care that most alarm clocks are complete eyesores. Teac comes out with this wonderful effort, including a backup rechargeable battery. However there is one major problem that seems to be cropping up everywhere nowadays:
The LED display! This thing barely has any contrast, so you really can't see it well at night. Also, even at the dim setting, it is like a flashlight. Instead of using a nice LED display with simple brightness settings, you get this indistinct display that lights up your whole room.
Teac, please put an LED display on this thing. The styling is great. The button placement is fine. As is, unless you wear a night mask, I really can't recommend this clock radio.

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Delightfully retro in style but featuring audio performance befitting of today, the TEAC R2 Premium Edition AM/FM radio delivers clear, full-range sound via its built-in mono speaker. It also features a built-in clock and alarm, perfect for using as your bedside radio alarm clock. It includes a large, easy-to-read light blue, circular LCD displaying the time, radio station, and selected preset. It will look great sitting on a tabletop or your office desk, but it can also be used as a portable radio with the integrated rechargeable battery (charged by the included AC adapter).
The R2 has a digital AM/FM tuner that can be set manually, or you can program up to 10 presets. The alarm clock offers timer and snooze functions. With separate bass and treble controls, you'll be able to make whatever you listen to sound just right. It offers a rear-panel headphone jack for private listening as well as a mini-jack auxiliary input, enabling you to use the R2 as an external speaker for your iPod or portable CD player--it even comes with a mini-to-mini cable. Other features include a built-in ferrite AM antenna, telescoping FM antenna for outdoor use, pigtail-style FM antenna for indoor use, integrated handle, and function selector (AM, AM, auxiliary, off). This unit comes in black, but it's also available in white.
What's in the Box Radio (black) with alarm clock and integrated rechargeable battery, AC adapter, auxiliary cable (mini-to-mini), FM antenna, printed operating instructions

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iHome iH5 Clock Radio and Speaker System for iPod (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been long needing a new alarm clock/radio for my bedroom now and luck has it that SDI Tech just put out on the market something that I was looking for. The iHome is essentially an alarm clock radio with a docking station for the iPod. The unit is no bigger than a regular clock radio, measuring 9.2 in [234mm] width, 2.7in [69mm] height and 5.5in [141mm] depth so it can comfortably fit even on a small nightstand. Packaging contains the unit itself, instructions manual, removable docking station to fit the different kinds of iPods, back-up batteries for when power goes out [we all hate to see the flashing 12:00 when this happens], power adapter and an external radio antenna. No remote control though! You have to purchase it separately and it comes free if you buy one of their hard iPod cases for around $40 if I remember right. A smart marketing move, but deplorable. Just include the remote!
Sound quality is what to be expected of speakers of that size. SDI claims to be using an innovative "tunnel sound" system called Reason8 [resonate, how cool :/]. They're pretty loud at full blast but I was hoping they would offer a deeper, stronger sounding bass. I have a similar sized pair of computer desktop speakers that came with one of my old Hewlett Packard computers that offer better sounding bass. For those that don't listen to a lot of techno, I suppose it's no biggie. Reason8 does sound better than most other competitors out there tough, but doesn't quite touch Bose or Altec Lansing.
The iHome has some very cool features. Even without a docked iPod it can still offer quite good functionality: alarm clock, radio. On the back of the unit there is aline in on the back so you can connect pretty much any audio device and listen through the speakers. The Snooze button also adjusts the display brightness, offering 3 different settings. Also found on the back of the unit there is a small button for daylight savings time, sleep volume adjustment and clock set-up.
Dock an iPod and things get interesting. While charging it, you can listen to music directly through it, you can set it so it automatically shuts off at intervals ranging from 120 minutes to 60 to 30 to 15. As the timer approaches zero, volume slowly and subtly turns itself down.
You can set it so when it's time to wake up, you will be awaken to the sound of music coming from your little mp3 player.
Gripes:
Remote control not included. What gives? Smart marketing move, as I've mentioned above, but it would have been nice to have it included, given the unit's price.
Even on the lowest brightness setting I still find the unit too bright for my taste. The blue hue lights up my whole room. I sent an e-mail to SDI tech support inquiring about ways to make it dimmer, no response yet. If this is to be an alarm clock radio, why didn't they offer more than just 3 brightness settings? If nothing else, I think I'll find some translucent duct tape and put it over the front display, trying my best to make it blend with the design.
Buttons on the top have a different color than the front display. The front is a warm blue, the buttons are orange. I personally think from a design standpoint the unit would have looked more ballanced if it was in a single color.
Speaking of buttons, they seem rigid to the touch, giving off a loud click when pressed. The round turn buttons for volume and settings are a bit tricky to use. It may be just my unit but I found both to be sometimes unresponsive and when they finally do work, they are too touchy. I think it would have been a very nice feature if, for the price claimed on such a unit, the buttons would have been replaced with tactile wheels, just like the iPod.
Radio antenna cable has a plug that's actually in the middle of the cable itself. It would have been nice if the thing actually plugged in the very back of the unit, so if it wasn't needed [like in my case], one wouldn't have to worry about ducking away 3 inches of useless tangle.
Another nice feature would be the ability to select exactly what song on the iPod to wake up to. Presently, the thing just picks up where it left off playing the night before.
My Samsung cellphone is at fault for the following gripe, having spoiled me rotten. My phone has 3 settings for alarms: daily, Monday through Friday or Saturday and Sunday. Would be nice if the iHome had a similar feature, so if you go to bed late on a Friday and forget to turn off the alarm, you won't be awaken Saturday morning.
Final Thoughts:
I purchased this unit primarily because I wanted a system that allowed me to listen to my tunes as I read a book before going to sleep. I also needed a new, functional alarm clock. The SDI iHome paired these two needs into one nice option. I had $100 worth of gift certificates at Best Buy so I figured why not. If it wasn't for my abovementioned "overdue" needs, I probably would have waited. Wait and see what the competition comes out with. Wait for the price to go down a bit because as it stands right now, it's a bit high. If you end up purchasing it, rest assured that it's a nice gadget that will surely serve you well. Nice features, good sound quality, best suited to be used in a bedroom.

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With its built-in docking station and clean, contemporary design, the iHome iH5 clock radio is the perfect complement for your Apple iPod digital music player. Not only does the iH5 let you listen to your iPod music free from cumbersome headphones, it lets you fall asleep or wake to music you've loaded into your iPod. You can also wake or sleep to FM/AM radio or wake to a traditional buzzer. The compact unit measures roughly 9 x 3 x 6 inches (W x H x D) yet comes complete with stereo speakers, drift-free digital FM/AM radio tuning, a multifunction LCD with adjustable backlighting, and the ability to charge your docking iPod's battery right from its center seat. (The iH5 includes handy inserts to accommodate any type of docking iPod: 3G, 4G, iPod mini, or iPod photo.) Immediately upon plugging it in, the clock will set itself, drawing on its factory-installed 100-year calendar (year/month/day, 2000 to 2099). The clock will maintain accuracy all on its own, even self-adjusting for daylight savings time and leap years. Fall asleep to your favorite station or a carefully chosen iPod playlist using the unit's programmable sleep timer (15 to 120 minutes in 15-minute increments). Gradual Wake and Gradual Sleep features will increase (on wake-up) or decrease (on sleep) the system volume so as not to startle you. Adjustable sleep volume lets you select a comfortable "sleep" volume level without affecting the wake-to or listening volume levels. A supplied analog audio interconnect affords hookups with non-docking iPods, other MP3 players, cassette players, or other audio devices. Other features include automatic frequency control (AFC) for enhanced FM reception, an amber backlight on all primary buttons, and optical knobs for precise volume/tuning. For extra security, if you've selected iPod as your wake-to source and your iPod isn't docked, a buzzer will sound instead. The clock also comes with Sure Alarm battery backup--just install two AA batteries to activate the feature. In the event of a power failure, or if you disconnect the AC power cord to move it, the Sure Alarm system will maintain your clock and alarm setting for the life of the batteries, ensuring that the alarm will sound at the set time. The iH5 is "Made for iPod"-certified by Apple. What's in the Box Clock radio, a stereo analog audio interconnect, dock inserts for any type of docking iPod (3G, 4G, iPod mini, iPod photo, and iPod nano), an AC power adapter, and a user's manual with warranty information.

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Sangean RCR-8WF Internet Clock Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the RCR-8WF as a replacement for an old Panasonic clock radio mainly for the Internet radio capability and for use at night. It is not a bad radio but seems more like a work-in-progress than a well thought out product.
My issues with it are:
1) The sleep timer takes three button presses to work. Turn the radio on, press the sleep timer button, then press select. Try doing this in the dark when you are half asleep! It should take one - press the sleep button. This is the way their other radios work.
2) The display brightens to full when any button is pressed. The manual says that you can dim it in this mode but is does not keep the setting. You can dim it but then comes back full brightness the next time you hit a button.
3) The internet radio takes about 15-30 seconds to change stations or to come on the first time. I understand the technology involved, and could deal with this if it were not for the other issues.
I contacted Sangean a week go about these issues and still have not heard back. I will be returning it and waiting for a more mature product.

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Memorex MI4703P Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this alarm clock for it's ease of operation and dimmer for the clock, I like almost everything about it except for one not so small thing...the alarm volume. It is NOT adjustable (at least as far as I can tell). It starts out at 20% of max volume for about 30 seconds, then goes to 70% max volume and stays that way! I'm going to try and contact the company to see if there's any way this can be fixed. I like to lay in bed and listen to music for a little while before I get up for the day, but NOT at 70% volume...if not for this "flaw" I would have given it 5 stars.

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Set two different wake-up times so you can both enjoy waking to an iPod or iPhone with the Dual Alarm Clock Radio. With easy-to-set time and alarm functions, as well as a six-option dimmer and a unique lay-down feature to protect your iPod or iPhone, this alarm clock charges your iPod or iPhone while you catch your ZZZs.

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Zenex ZN-DS5005-B Black Alarm Clock FM Radio iPod MP3 Docking Station Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)On the ipod touch it says that charging is not supported with this accessory. I bought it so it would charge while I was listening to music. Now when I'm done I have to charge my ipod. Please change the info so no one else buys this product that has an ipod touch. The sound quality is good, just the charging problem.

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Etón Sound 100 iPod Dock, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Sound 100 iPod Dock comes in black and white. The radio only version adds other colors including silver, blue and red. I've had the white one for a while and I've been pretty happy with it. This Black Etón Sound 100 iPod Dock is very similar, but loses points for the non-black speaker face. As a stand-alone radio this device is average. But the stellar iPod dock integration makes this unit a cut above and one you must consider.
Without the iPod dock the unit ranges from being $30 to $50 less than this model. I don't believe it's worth getting this unit without the iPod dock. Still, they have been having periodic sales for the stand-alone model in the $30 range, which is very hard to pass up.
Eton Sound 100 AM/FM Radio, Silver
There are many iPod radios and alarm clocks on the market which may be able to compete against the Sound 100 iPod on price. The competition does not come close on engineering.
The remote allows you to completely control your iPod! That means menu control and navigation in addition to the standard FF, RW, PLAY, STOP, and PAUSE functions. This is so simple, yet few devices have this ability. The Line-in and auxiliary jacks can connect other MP3 players (Creative, Zune) sans the menu control.
The speaker is monaural, but optimized to prevent distortion. At the highest volume the sound won't hiss. If you like modern design, the Eton is one of the best looking. It is sleek, COMPACT and light. Wish this guy was all-black, but I can live with the silver toned speaker.
Most of the shortcomings are from the radio aspect of this device. The internal AM antenna is below average. You can use an external one, and most users will need to.
The features could be better. There are only 10 programmable station presets. The RDS broadcast data is only 8 characters at a time. The screen is hard to read; you have to be right in front of it. There are no external RCA, speaker or subwoofer jacks, only line out. There is no EQ, treble or bass control and no way to adjust the backlight.
This radio came out in January 2007, well into the HD radio era. Only 10 presets? Why no speaker or subwoofer jacks? Why didn't they add Short Wave or HD capability?
If you only need an alarm clock radio, there are better options. This unit is above average on FM but below average on AM. Competing products by Sangean, BA and Sony have higher ratings at this price.
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Black
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, White
Boston Acoustics Receptor Clock Radio (Platinum)
Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio
At the present time, there is also a larger 2 speaker version which will be widely released within a month. Some may opt to get that one, but on sale this is still a great unit to own.Pros
+ Remote control functions are very well integrated with the iPod!
+ Very nice iPod serial interface for digital sound quality
+ Line-in and auxiliary jacks for MP3 players and other devices
+ Good speaker sound with surprising bass
+ Shielding protects the radio from interference
+ Battery backup possible for power outages
+ Nice alarm clock function
+ Nice looking design in a small and LIGHT form factor
Cons
- Standard pricing means you should only be looking to get this on sale
- Many newer alternatives coming to market for those seeking the alarm clock feature
- Display light may be too bright for some when used as a bedroom alarm clock radio
- No equalizer; no treble or bass control
- Requires external antennae for good radio reception
- No RCA jacks or stereo connections for external speakers
- No Subwoofer connector - only standard stereo line out
- RDS only displays 8 characters at a time
- Backlight is not adjustable; you must be close to it to read it
If you are VERY picky about sound and want a nice compact iPod radio alarm clock, this unit is worth a look. Enjoy!

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Do most iPod speaker systems look a little too modern (read: stale) for your decor? Turn to the Eton Sound 100 system, which pays tribute to the retro glamour of radios past with swooping, curved lines and a stylish front control panel. The radio is designed expressly for iPods, with an external docking station that holds and charges all iPods with 30-pin dock connectors, including the iPod 3G, iPod 4G, iPod photo, iPod video, iPod nano 1G and 2G, and iPod mini. Simply plop your iPod into the dock and you can enjoy all your favorite tunes and playlists within seconds--no additional connections required.
Eton is recognized internationally for the quality of its radios, which is why the company added a high-sensitivity digital Phased-Locked-Loop (PLL) AM/FM tuner to the Sound 100. The advanced circuitry not only searches instinctively for the strongest station, but also locks in the frequency once it finds the signal to guarantee superior clarity. As a result, the radio's reception is crystal clear whether you're listening to the ballgame, catching up on the news, or kicking back to some classic jazz. To make tuning quicker and easier, the radio also includes five AM and five FM station presets.
Audio-wise, the Sound 100 is equipped with a 3-inch, full-range, front-firing speaker that produces distortion-free, room-filling sound with a wide range of frequencies (80 Hz to 20 kHz). The 16-character, two-line LCD display, meanwhile, offers a viewing area of 2.4 by 0.98 inches (W x H), with a gentle blue backlight that won't keep you awake during the midnight hours. And despite the display's relatively small size, it still shows quite a bit of data, including the time, selected station, alarm status, sleep status, band, and preset information.
Unlike many iPod speaker systems, the Sound 100 also handily replaces your bedside clock radio, with alarm, sleep, and snooze controls. Among the options are 12- and 24-hour formats, an alarm that wakes to either the radio or a buzzer, a programmable sleep timer (between 15 and 90 minutes), and a 5-minute snooze duration. And even though the Sound 100 is designed for iPods, it also includes a 3.5 mm auxiliary input for connecting a separate MP3 player or personal CD player, along with a 3.5 mm auxiliary line out.
Additional features include an encoder volume control, a headphone jack for private listening, a battery backup function (requires two AA batteries), a remote control, a 360-degree pigtail FM antenna, a built-in external loop AM antenna, and rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching and movement. The Eton Sound 100 measures 8.27 by 4.53 by 5.1 inches (W x H x D), weighs 2.82 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box Eton Sound 100 iPod system, external iPod docking station, pigtail FM antenna, infrared remote control, pigtail FM antenna, AC adapter, user's manual.

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iLive ICR6806DT Digital Clock Radio with iPod Docking Station (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Unfortunately I can't give this device less then one star.
My point - even $40 is way too much for this piece of junk that only can be used as a paperweight with some basic radio and electronic clock functions.
Yes, it looks really not that bad and clock/alarm functions are OK and I don't care that the clock display is somewhat too light in the night.
But the main problem of this "audio" system (the quotes are on purpose) is HOW IT SOUNDS!
The sound quality is not just bad - it's TERRIBLE!!! Period.
Since I have some background in electronics I clearly see that the analog amplifier of this device was designed by someone who has very little idea about sound at all. May be by some guy who spent most of his professional career disgning cheap $1 radios.
Horrible sound distortions (my guess - around 15%-20% at least), the noise level just kills your ears (my guess - the signal/noise ratio is not better then 30-32 dB), _very_ bad design of the power supply and filters for the analog subsystem - every time your iPod hard disk drive starts you hear all details of how it's starts spinning, etc...
My point of view is that probably iLive decided to save on few good quality parts and that lead to absolute failure. They probably saved few bucks but killed all good that was in this product.
From another point of view - this baby will wake you up for sure - you'll do anything you can to stop these terrible sounds in the morning. :-)
The bottom line - I don't think that I will ever buy anything from iLive.
PS. I tried 3 (three) different devices - all the same. Glad that got rid of it now.


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Ideal for dorm rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, the iLive ICR6806DT digitalclock radio packs a solid array of features into an affordable package. The primaryselling point of the radio is its built-in iPod docking station, which not only amplifies theiPod 3G and 4G, iPod video, iPod photo, iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle, but alsocharges the unit while you listen. Users will also dig the included remote control, whichlets folks operate all of the aforementioned iPods (except the iPod shuffle) from adistance. Even better, the radio's dual alarms let you wake up to either the AM/FM tuner,a buzzer, or the iPod itself. It's the perfect system for people who like to rise to their owneclectic soundtrack or who need a good bedroom stereo that doesn't break the bank.
The radio owes its smooth audio performance to its pair of stereo speakers, which areacoustically calibrated for the best possible performance. In addition, the ICR6806DTaccommodates both older iPods and other audio devices--such as MP3 players, personalgame systems, and personal CD players--through its auxiliary line input. Add in a videooutput for playing videos and slideshows on a connected TV and you have a greatclock radio for the modern media landscape. Other details include a sleek white housing,four preset equalizer settings, an adjustable sleep timer, and an easy-to-read backlit LCDdisplay.
The clock radio, which runs on AC power (the battery backup requires two AAAbatteries), measures 13 by 6.5 by 4.7 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a 90-daywarranty.
What's in the Box ICR6806DT clock radio, remote control, dock inserts for iPod nano and iPod mini,auxiliary line-in cord, user's manual.

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VTech IS9181 WiFi Internet Radio with Access to Online Content Review

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(More customer reviews)Imagine playing music directly from Japan while eating sushi in your dining room. Or playing Hawaiian music from Hawaii at your next luau. With this WiFi internet radio you can listen to music from all over the world and save your favorites with just a push of the "favorites" button. Then the next time you want to listen you can go directly the the "My Stations" list and choose one of your favorites. I have a classical station in Italy, an oldies station in France, a Celtic station in Ireland and some radio stations in the midwest that I grew up listening to in my favorites list. I also have a French news talk station to keep up on my French. In my video I'll show you how to make some of the internet radio selections and find your own favorite stations.
One of the other options is to listen to music from your computer on this device. The included manual gives simple instructions, with some photos, for setting up your computer so that you can connect via WiFi with this internet radio and play your favorite mp3's, WMA's, Real audio, MP4 and M4A files. There are instructions included for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS 10.4 and 10.5. I've listened to music from both my Windows and Mac computers without any problem. And the good news is that it's easy to set up, even for a non geeky person. The internet radio is also simple to set up. When you turn it on for the first time it asks you if you want to set the time, weather setting (your zip code) and wireless settings. It looks for your WiFi network and asks you to enter your password. I used both the little dial on the top of the radio and the remote to make entering it faster.
I mentioned in my video review that you can use the RCA connectors on the back of the unit to connect to other speakers, such as your stereo speakers. The RCA connector cord isn't included with the radio. There is an auxiliary audio cable included to connect another device such as an mp3 player to this radio (audio in). If you wanted to connect earphones, like the type from an mp3 player I think an adapter like this would work 2 x RCA Male / 1 x 3.5mm Stereo Female, Y-Cable, 6 inch
The sound on the video is limited not only by the camera, but by the compression into a video small enough to show here. It sounds so much better in person. But I hope the video gives you an idea of the different menus and features.

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Memorex Clock Radio with iPod Dock (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The unit worked great with my 10 year old daughter's nano for 5 months, then it stopped charging the nano. one month later it now will charge it, but the unit no longer recognizes the nano being plugged in. I tried by iPod & iPhone, both show they are getting power and are charging but the unit does not detect them :( My daughter is now in tears because she spend her hard earned money on this poor quality item.

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iHome iP16GXC Portable Alarm Clock Stereo Speaker System for iPod or iPhone (Gunmetal) Review

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(More customer reviews)I just got a new Nano 6th gen and my current alarm clock has been horrible since forever. So I figured I might as well get a new alarm clock that can also act as an iPod dock. After doing some research, it seems that many older docks are not fully compatible with the 6th gen Nano, even though it has the same 30-pin port that all recent iPods/iPhones/iPads use. Many older docks will only play music (if that) but not charge the Nano. Even Apple's own Universal Dock does not charge the 6th gen Nano. But the "newer" models that iHome has released are compatible with virtually every iPod that has the 30-pin, including the 6th gen Nano. That plus the price tag is why I decided to buy this.
The unit itself: it's an alarm clock, obviously, has stereo speakers on the sides, has the 30-pin connector on top, and has a 3.5mm line-in on the back. It comes with a 100-240V power adapter and a 2032 battery that it uses to keep the time and alarm if the power goes out. The portable part runs off of 4 AA batteries that do not come with the unit.
The alarm is pretty easy to set up. Time setup is also easy enough, if you want to do it manually instead of syncing it with your iPod. Playing music is also pretty straight-forward; there's a "power" button that you press once to play music. However it's important to note that it does not distinguish between the 30-pin and the 3.5mm. Meaning if you have two devices connected and sending a signal the dock will simply play both at the same time.
I haven't tried iHome's app because, you know. :P
I'm not very familiar with the audio quality of standard home speakers. I don't live in an environment that lets me play music really loudly. I do own a pair of Sennheiser 515's and a pair of Sennheiser 595's. Even though it's kind of like comparing apples to oranges, the sound quality of the dock doesn't remotely come close to either. But that's not exactly a surprise considering it's $40 for an alarm clock that's portable and has a 30-pin port and 3.5mm port, and those are audiophile headphones. That said, it still plays music passibly.
There's some other features on it like sleep mode that plays music at incrementally decreasing volume over periods of 90, 60, 30, 15 minutes. Wake to iPod of course (though not for 3.5mm device). Three levels of dimming plus option of turning off backlight. Etc, etc all pretty standard. The snooze is 9 minutes and unadjustable.
In the end, it's just a pretty low-priced dock that'll do what you want it to do (sans radio). Good as long as it lasts (don't play with the exposed speakers). Mine is one week old and going strong!

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Memorex MA4203BK Clock Radio with Flip Down Dock for iPod and iPhone Review

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(More customer reviews)Small in size but loud enough to wake me at 4am! This clock has a couple of cool features, you can set the days that you want the alarm to go off and it auomatically sets the time by syncing with iPhone.The led lights are bright enough so that you can see the time but they don't brighten up your bedroom. The flip down charging station is slick too.

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Sangean RCR-22 AM/FM Atomic Clock Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking for a high-quality alarm clock after about 12 years with an unimpressive Sony Dreammachine. This clock delivered on that front, and unlike most consumer electronics devices I've purchased in the past several years, it is clear that lots of thought was put into this device (and very little into the manual).
PROS:
There are tons of little nuances that the manual does not detail that I've discovered using the clock for a few weeks. For example the display can be dimmed with a dial on the bottom (which on my unit did not take effect until my alarm goes off the first time). The clock remains dimmed at your preset level, but goes to full brightness when the alarm goes off, making the clock easier to find. Combined with the pleasing blue light and the HWS (makes the alarm bell go from soft to loud) it's really nice to wake up to.
Another thoughtful touch is that alarm indicators only light within 24 hours of your alarm. Either alarm can be set to go off on particular days, with any combination of Su-Sa set for each alarm (i.e. alarm1 can be set for Monday, Thursday and Sunday, no weekday/weekend restrictions like some others). The alarm indicators however only light up when your alarm will ring the next morning. Very nice.
Other functions like the snooze, nap timers, etc. all work well. Like most alarms you need some time to figure out how it works, but after a few mornings most functions were intuitive.
The radio functions well, and pulls in way more stations than the Dreammachine. The speaker is fine, that is to say neither exceptionally good or exceptionally poor. If I want the ultimate music experience, I have an expensive stereo for that.
The clock is a true atomic time clock (not just a "preset" clock like many others). I don't know all the nuances of atomic cock synchronization, but the weather and location of the antenna seem to affect the two atomic clocks I have at home. Try moving the antenna towards the window if you have problems.
CONS
It is nicer than average plastic and construction, but still not going to win any design awards. I can't figure out why all alarm clock designs are frozen in 1992.
The manual was clearly written by a bunch of engineers. It is no nonsense, and explains how to set/use everything, but does not mention any of the usability features I noted above. For example if it's Monday and you set an alarm for thursday, You might wonder why the alarm indicators do not all light up. No mention at all in the manual. I thought the clock was broken since the dimmer did not function until the first time an alarm went off. Again, no mention in the manual of what turned out to be a very nice feature, and one I almost returned the clock for!
Another example is the unwieldly "Time Machine" antenna for the atomic clock. It is big and odd looking, but fits nicely to the back of the clock. Again, no mention in the manual save for a single line drawing.
When I initially plugged the clock in, all kinds of crytic numbers flashed on the display while it synced the time, again, no mention of what was happening or why in the manual. The manual does tell you how to DO everything, but does not explain WHY certain things work the way they do, or explain the various nice features someone clearly took time to think through.
Overal a great buy, especially for something you'll likely use every day for 5-15 years. I would like to see a better manual, autodimming of the display (it is BRIGHT when set to max), Sangean using a designer that is somewhat current, and perhaps a user manual rewrite, other than that, this clock works very well and will be on my nightstand for years to come.
I agonized over what to put on my nightstand (everything from Bose to Timex) and am very happy with my choice.

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Sangean's RCR-22 Clock Radio is the atomic clock radio you can set once and forget.It connects to the atomic clock in Boulder, Colorado to set the most accurate time available.Once the clock is set you can program the dual alarms to wake to your favorite AM or FM station.Take advantage of the Humane Waking System that begins with a low volume beep and gradually increases in intensity to slowly wake you instead of receiving a firm jolt that others provide.There is also a handy sleep timer that allows you to fall asleep listening to your favorite radio station from 15 minutes up to 2 hours.You can also connect your iPod or a CD player to the auxiliary input to enjoy your favorite soothing sounds CD or digital music collection to fall asleep.

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Memorex MI4604P Mini Alarm Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this to work with my new iPhone after I discovered that none of the iHome models currently support the iPhone 4. I just returned an iHome to Costco when it wouldn't even charge my iPod Touch 4Gen. So I was happy to read on several tech blogs that this one would be compatible with the iPhone 4. So is this one truly functional for the new iPhone? Yes and no.
The clock does charge the phone without any annoying prompts, however the Play/Pause/FF/RW buttons do not work when you play songs via iTunes. Yet, those same buttons work fine when I play songs via Pandora. The thing I was really hoping for was some integration of the built in iPhone alarm. There is none. The options are to wake to a tone, a radio station, or whatever the last song you were listening to on your iPod/iPhone. All of these start out at 20% volume and slowly increase to 70%. Personally, I think I'll stick with the built in one one the phone and just use the clock to charge the iPhone.
Some of the other parts of the clock I like are:
Nice sound, not too tinny; Line-in jack; great dimmer on the clock face; can sync time with phone easily; battery backup; iPhone lays down on an adjustable support; mannish good looks.
Some of the hokey parts are:
No AM radio, no option for line-in alarm; setting the time (manually) and alarm involves spinning the volume knob many many times.
All in all it's a decent way to charge your phone by the bed if the price doesn't bust your budget.

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Fall asleep and wake up to your favorite tunes, the radio or buzzer with this easy-to-set alarm clock. Its unique, lay-down feature protects your iPod or iPhone so you can relax knowing your iPod or iPhone will be charged while you rest.

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Philips DC190 iPod Docking Clock Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this item because of it style and listed functions. It does look good, but the device is a little difficult to get used to. Just about all the control buttons are flush mounted because of this style, and as a result are sometimes hard to locate, especially when you are in a morning funk when the alarm is going off. The all-important "snooze" button is a classic case of this. It is also recessed, and you can easily miss it, smudging the beatiful smooth surfaces in your attempts to snooze it. All in all, it's OK, it is just that I bought it as a daily use alarm clock, and it is taking me a while to come to grips w/ it.

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Philips mirror finish docking clock radio for iPod.Wake to iPod music, FM radio, or buzzer.Features stylish mirror finish with retracting dock base, anddual alarms with weekday and weekend settings.

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