Cobra CIR2000A Wireless Internet and FM Radio with USB Port, SD Card Slot, CD Player, Touch Sensitiv

• Access over 10,000 radio stations world wide using the existing Wi-Fi or Broadband connection on your Mac or PC
• Features: CD Player with Gracenote Music Recognition Service, USB Port, SD Card Slot, FM Radio, Clock, Alarm, and Sleep Timer so you can wake up to your favorite tunes
• Includes LAN Cable Connection, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack for MP3 Players, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for your favorite head gear or home stereo system
• Full Function Remote and 2, 20W speakers produce crisp dynamic sound quality
• Supports Real Audio, MP3, and WMA formats.

There are some redeeming qualities from this unit, but it just misses the mark of a nice product over all:

Pros:

Handsome looking. The shiny black looked very nice on my bookshelf in the living room.

Fairly simple interface (took a long time to figure out the "back" button) and remote control

Capacitive front panel was a nice touch and made a clean interface.

Nice small unit doesn't take up much space.

Interesting ability to get radio stations from around the world (listened to one from China for a while). Also can pull in some NOAA weather stations.

Speakers/sound was fine. Its not Bose quality, but its better than PC speaker quality. Its what I expected in this price range.

Cons:

CD made a dragging, hissing sound while the CD was spinning. I could "drown it out" with volume, but why should I? And is it scratching my CDs?

CD also skipped the end of tracks about 50% of the tracks on multiple CDs. Might have been related to the dragging sound, but it was always the end of tracks (on a couple CDs). Wasn't skipping like a scratched CD, just jumped to the end of the track for some reason. This is the main reason I returned this unit.

Capacitive touch front panel was not very sensitive. I normally had to hit it 2-3 times to get it to do anything.

LEDs brightened and dimmed with user interaction, but the timeout was so fast, it kept going on and off if you were scrolling or going through a menu...More annoying than anything.

Radio station selection wasn't great. Limited to radiostationworld.com and shoutcast.com, but couldn't get all the radio stations on the CIR2000 that are listed on the web either. Most of the US stations are various versions of NPR (40%?), so that really limits variety. No Pandora either.

SD reader could not use my 4GB cards. It did for the 32MB card, but I didn't have anything in between, so I don't know where the cut-off is located. It did play music off the USB well. I wanted to load MP3s in a SD card and it should handle at least 4GB for that.

Conclusion:

If the SD reader handled larger cards and the CD player worked right, I'd give it 3 stars. Add more radio stations (or even better, handle Android Apps), this would be a 4 star (5 with Android) product.

Buy Cobra CIR2000A Wireless Internet and FM Radio with USB Port, SD Card Slot, CD Player, Touch Sensitiv Now

We are very pleased with this product. You can play music from an sd card or directly stream from your computer. You can locate virtually any station broadcasting via the internet. It was easy and intuitive to set up. I do not recommend using the user manual however...the flowcharts are misleading. The sound quality is very good considering the unit's small size. I am able to access radio stations around the world. If you were a shortwave lover in your youth, you'll love this modern version.

Again, Amazon delivery was quick and product arrived in perfect condition.

Read Best Reviews of Cobra CIR2000A Wireless Internet and FM Radio with USB Port, SD Card Slot, CD Player, Touch Sensitiv Here

A reasonable value. Appearance is good...CD feature is a plus. Sound quality is OK...The set-up was not seamless; some patience is required. The remote is important because the front panel is dificult to read. My only real complaint (minor) is the limited number of "stations" in their system. For example, I could not find "Show Tunes" (Broadway musicals etc) in their genre list and in some other genre categories choices were there but limited.

Want Cobra CIR2000A Wireless Internet and FM Radio with USB Port, SD Card Slot, CD Player, Touch Sensitiv Discount?

Well worth the money and the only unit of it's kind which incorporates an Internet Radio in it as well as a read capability for flash drives which appears to have no limitations as to number of files on the media it will recognize.

This item has been discontinued and I feel fortunate to have gotten one. The comparable models by Sony, etc all are limited to about 2500 titles (files) for recorded media and that is a real downer for me.

Update 3/17/2012.

Continue to think it is a fabulous value, especially now that it is available for $109.00 inc shipping. I bought my second one for a vacation home. Once again I searched for an alternative because i believed this unit was unavailable due to it being discontinued by Coby. There is NOTHING out there which comes close to the capabilities of this unit.

Primarily I use it to stream Internet music and play from flash drives and it handles both without a problem. The fidelity is ok for a unit its size and if you are looking for hi end sound you won't find it in a unit selling for just over $100 anyway.

It is always possible to direct wire the unit to an amp and then on to other speakers if you wanted a more serious sound. Even with the cost of an amp this would still be a good value based on all it can do.

Solid 5 stars

I wanted an alarm that would play list from a cd or other medium (not iPod)to the end, display the clock, and then play the same or a different list for a wake-up alarm. This unit did SOME of those things. What it would not do was play the list at wake-up time. It would only play a single track from any of the media: CD, SD card, or USB stick. It didn't like my CDR, although it plays fine on other players.

The controls were very slow to respond, so I would end up trying to do something and then canceling the operation by pressing the button twice. Most of the time, I couldn't get the lighted touch controls on the front to respond at all.

The front panel was way too bright. It also displayed only what was playing, when most of the time I wanted to display the time. The volume control jumped too far at low volumes. It was either inaudible or too loud. The remote buttons were tiny and dark. They also didn't seem to do anything much of the time.

It sounded great, though. Everything actually worked. It found my wireless internet connection with no problem and played music stored on all of the various media. It would make a great console set, but as an alarm, it was alarmingly complex to set up. I liked the idea of being able to use all the different media instead of just radio/cd/iPod. I don't have an iPod and don't really want to get one until I'm forced into it. I ended up with a Sony Dream Machine.

Read More >>

Emerson CKS3020 SmartSet AM/FM Clock Radio

I purchased this item because I like the Red/Orange retro looking LED display. The clock looks cool and has good features. The problem is Emerson engineers failed to care about how this "Alarm" clock would work in the future. This clock relies on a built in date function so that the alarms fall on the correct date. The date function on this "Alarm" Clock only goes to 2005 this makes the Alarm impossible to used now in 2012. If you just need a cool looking clock though it's great.

Ordered two of these. The clocks function concepts and ergonimic design are excellent BUT...

One works, one had fried electronics or something. Emerson should pay their distributors damages for bad karma. Whoever engineered the electronics in this unit should be blacklisted.

The Seller went above and beyond to send a third clock which seems to keep time for now.

Buy Emerson CKS3020 SmartSet AM/FM Clock Radio Now

The display on this clock is orange and red. A very interesting choice but I like it. 3 settings for brightness: bright, dim, and off/wave (display turns off but will show the time if you wave your hand in front of it. good for if the clock is too bright for you to sleep). The radio is not perfect. The antenna is still part of the power cord like earlier models (see the CKS1862) and obviously channels do not come in as clear as I'd like. The wave feature is cool and I look forward to using it more in the future. In addition to showing the time when the display is in the "off/wave" position, the wave feature acts as a snooze button for your alarm.

There are a few misconceptions that I'd like to clear up: the Emerson SmartSet clocks do not set the time themselves. Yes I know what you're thinking. Well, it's a lie. The Wikipedia article is also inaccurate. They have a Lithium Ion battery (button cell) that keeps the time in case of a power outage. Someone had said that the clock only goes to 2005 and again, I am using this clock in 2013 with the correct date.

Overall, the clock was a step up from my old CKS1862 (which I had taken apart after the snooze button broke) and I look forward to many years of use. The clock appears to have been discontinued, but I recommend it if you can get your hands on one for a reasonable price!

Read Best Reviews of Emerson CKS3020 SmartSet AM/FM Clock Radio Here

The clock part on this worked for a few months.The alarm never worked but I did not realize that until it was too late to return it. I don't use an alarm very often so it was not a big deal. I seem to have an automatic clock in my body.

I don't know how these electronic clocks set themselves. After a few months, this one started to be off by 49 minutes, no matter how many times I reconnected it.

Then I tried a Sony automatic time set and that did not work at all. I returned it.

No more automatic time sets for me. I want to know what time it really is. I remember the days when I had a clock for years and it would give me the correct time.

I am still in search of a clock that gives the correct time and that I can set to do that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Want Emerson CKS3020 SmartSet AM/FM Clock Radio Discount?

Read More >>

Volf/Hag ZX-7127 CD CDRW Player AM FM Digital Radio MP3 WMA USB Port SD Card ...

• AM/FM MPX Digital Tuner
• MP3 And WMA With Esp And ID3 Tag
• Encoder Audio Control
• Built-In Noise Filter
• White Mask Display

Sometimes, the old adage "You get what you pay for" really rings true.

This car cd player worked for less than a week before it lost the ability to play cd's(disc feeder broke). This may have something to do with the fact that the seller put the retail box(no packaging in there) inside of a larger cardboard box with no packing peanuts or air pillows or anything! It did however, work long enough to get a good idea of how bad a product it was even before the failure. Here is a list of the pro's and con's:

Pro's:

Cheap price

Front USB

Front SD card slot

Con's:

Cheap quality/low durability

Low power output

Questionable sound quality

Poor navigation system for mp3's on SD

A side note for anyone planning to buy a deck online: Take into consideration the possible extra costs should it be DOA or soon afterwords. In my case, the seller offered a refund, but after the cost(installation, uninstallation, gas for driving back and forth, and shipping back to seller) I would have lost money if I returned it. The SD and USB slots still work, so I've ordered a different deck from a reputable brand(and hopefully a seller that puts some protection inside their packages!!). When it arrives, I will have the new one put in, and take the semi-broken one and have it installed in my winter beater(if it doesn't completely quit by then!). I would never buy from this brand or from this seller again.

Buy Volf/Hag ZX-7127 CD CDRW Player AM FM Digital Radio MP3 WMA USB Port SD Card ... Now

Great service. Product in good shape. Received before expected date. Product works great. I'm very pleased with how well this product works in my car. Thanks.

Read More >>

Nokia 002L4D0 N86 Unlocked Phone with 8 MP Camera, Auto Focus, Flash and Carl Zeiss Optics - Unlocke

I am not an expert, just a regular guy who buys a new phone every year because I like toys.

This phone has all of the important features I need on a phone. I have had other Nokia phones and this combines all of the great features and adds some that were not present. For example:

1. 3.5mm Headphone jack. No more need for an adaptor for a 2.5mm.

2. Bigger screen. I guess 2.6 is not comparable to other phones like the iPhone's 3.5, but this does not have a touchscreen interface. I can still text without looking using the keypad.

3. The AMOLED display is rediculously clear and vibrant. My wife is using my Nokia E51 and the difference is stunning.

4. 8 gb of storage plus microSD. This is more memory than I could fill up right now.

5. This phone is also much faster than my E51. it takes less than 1/2 second to access any application once selected.

6. Scratch resistant screen.

7. The phone is well built, feels solid, a little heavy, but strong.

8. The battery life is exceptional. I have used the camera for three days taking pictures, video, listening to music while I run etc. and still have 2 bars left.

9. The speakerphone is LOUD. I can have my windows down on the BQE commuting to work and still here the callers over the traffic noise.

10. Font sizes are adjustable and can be made noticably larger. I hate phones with tiny fonts.

I can go on and on.

My only concern is the camera. The video capability is great but I have been experimenting with the image quality and I don't think it is as good as Nokia will have you believe. The 8MP camera takes 8MP pictures, but they come out dark indoors even at close range with the flash. Outdoors they are as good as you would expect from an 8MP camera , and hopefully they will release the firmware update enabling face detection that has been rumored.

Also, the notification light for missed calls, messages, and emails is kind of weak. My E51 would scream with vibrancy lighting up my bedroom at night, where the N86 is more of a whisper.

I would reccomend this phone for many reasons.

Well I just got mine today. Build quality is excellent, slider is solid, feels great in hand. Buttons are great, glass and metal/plastic case is top notch. OLED screen is also a winner, love the always on power saver clock. Overall, much improved over the N85. Phone feels snappy especially the camera, nokia messaging works well. Call quality is excellent. Pictures leave a bit to be desired, however I am used to this on early Nokia firmware. Shutter button is much improved over the horrible one on the N85. The flash is surprisingly good. The gallery and also photo viewer are still painfully slow to load the thumbnails, they stay blurry far to long, I don't understand this as my N95 had no problems here. FM transmitter is not as good as the N85, but still a nice feature. Cell and GPS reception are excellent, compass I am sure will prove useful eventually. Overall hardware wise the phone is near perfect! As I predicted this phone is the ultimate interpretation of the dual slider N series design. The firmware is surprisingly good for an early one. I think this phone will get a following with the N95 faithful and as a result will end up with an excellent firmware within the next year. I wish I never had to use the N85 for the short while that I did. If I had been going from the N95 to the N86 I would be overjoyed. As it is going from the N95 to N85 then to N86, I just feel as though Nokia cheated me on the N85.

I feel this is the true successor to the N95, I cant wait for the v30 or v31 firmware, when the software is perfect.

If you are looking for a powerful feature packed smart phone with an excellent camera, like typing without looking, one handed and don't mind that its not a flashy touch phone. The N86 is for you. Not to mention, you are free to multitask, don't have to pay for an overpriced data plan and it is a pocket camera/iPod replacement.

Buy Nokia 002L4D0 N86 Unlocked Phone with 8 MP Camera, Auto Focus, Flash and Carl Zeiss Optics - Unlocke Now

Definitely worth every penny and I recommend this to everyone! GREAT PHONE and is loaded with features, great camera and performance!

Read Best Reviews of Nokia 002L4D0 N86 Unlocked Phone with 8 MP Camera, Auto Focus, Flash and Carl Zeiss Optics - Unlocke Here

Got the N86 8mp from Amazon.com and it's a great phone (5 stars), but it's made in China. Why do I feel a little disappointed? The phone is as advertised and works great. How much more would it be if it was made in Finland? Now China makes some great things, like really long walls and tasty noodles. But my Nokia N86 too? Oh well, sign of the times I guess.

Want Nokia 002L4D0 N86 Unlocked Phone with 8 MP Camera, Auto Focus, Flash and Carl Zeiss Optics - Unlocke Discount?

To begin with I am guy who is all for the all in one phone. As a guy i put all my esential stuff in my pockets so it was very annoying for me to carry my wallet, keys, phone, mp3 player, and camera ... if you can imagine it was horrible. Having a phone that can take good pictures, plays my music all in one simplifies my life a lot. So I constantly look for a betteer camera phone. My first all purpose phone was the N95-3 phone and will be comparing it to the N86

To start with I will be writting about the things that the N95 is better at than the N86

The first thing i noticed was that the outer speakers for the N95 were a lot better than the N86. Before I was able to use my N95 as a music player everywhere, infact my phone could play music louder than my old laptop. However with the smaller N86 they made the speakers smaller, and as a result when you put the volume all the way up it doesnt sound as great as the n95s.

The second thing i noticed was that the n95 had two shortcut buttons at the top, one that would acces the camera and would be used to take pictures, and the other that was set to go to your images and videos. The n86 only has the camera button. Even though its not esential I found it very convenient to have that button so i could quickly access my pictures without having to go through the menues, or even looking at the screen.

The third thing i noticed is that the buttons on the front and keypad for the n95 are bigger and alot easier to press. the n86 buttons are kinda small and sometimes is hard to press if you have big fingers.

This one I am not entierly sure because i havent played with my phone a lot yet only got it for a day, but in the n95 camera before you could change settings to take pictures with different filters, like a black and white picture or enhanced color pic, but i havent seen it on the n86 yet.

Now for the things that the N86 is better than the N95

One difference is that the N86 is smaller, so espceially for guys it is not too bulky in your pant pockets. The n95 was a bit bigger and blukier, however i do prefer the squared edges rather than the rounded ones but that is just my preference.

the next most obvious difference and why a lot of people bought the n86 is the camera. The CAMERA IS AWESOME. The 8mp definately improve the quality of the pictures taken, the colors are better and resolution has improved. The dual led flash compared to the single flash in the n95 also helps take better pictures in dark room conditions or at night. There is also a focusing square that tells you were you are focusing at similar to that of a real camera. The n86 also has a sliding plastic cover that protects the lens from getting scratched a feature not present in my n95. (not the n95 original had a lens protector but was removed on the n95-3 which i have and the n95 8gb model)

Another cool feature in the camera is the panoramic mode. This mode allows you to take pictures of a large area. this is done when the phone takes several pictures at key points and crops them all together making it seem as if you had taken a picture of a really wide and large aread. The results are awesome. (MORE updates will come as i play arround with my phone, I have only had it for a day as i said before)

Another advantage of the n86 is that i has already built in memory and does not require a micro sd card. Although there is a micro sd card slot allowing you to expand your memory even more. this feature was not available in the n95-3 (only had micro sd slot) and i believe the n95 8gb only had the 8gb and no micro sd slot

They added a Fm tunner to the n86 that allows you to tune your phone to any radio which is useful when playing stuff from your car or anyother place.

There is a small stand at the back that allows you to place your phone on a desk and watch things, much essier on your hands when watching videos. before you would have to hold the phone and if the video was long your hand would get kinda tiered ... especially if you were showing someone a video

... I am sure there are more differences i just need to play with it more and will update more stuff later

My conclusion IF you want a really good camera phone THIS IS THE PHONE FOR YOU ... the difference in picture between the 5mp and the 8mp are easily seen at least for me.

UPDATE 1

so after using the phone more i got more updates ... btw ... i am not talking about the oled screen because you can find it in the description of the product ...

Ok back to comparing the n95 and the n86 ... so the n95 had the headphone jack on the side ... which was kina annoying if you were putting the phone in an armband to go work out and stuff cuz you couldnt fit it on the armband ... on the other hand the n86 the headphone jack is on the top making it easy to access and put on an arm band to go work out :)

further more sometimes when you plug the headphones in it automatically detects headphones while the n95 you had to tell it you were plugging headphones in.

also on the video format of the n86 there is a light option that will use the dual LED lights as a camera light allowing you to film at night a very very good function that the n95 did not have

more updates to come ... still havent fully figured out my phone yet LOL

Read More >>

Philips DCM250 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock

• Play and charge your iPhone/iPod
• USB Direct for easy MP3 music playback
• AM/FM Digital Tuner with 40 station presets
• Dynamic Bass Boost
• Includes full function wireless remote

I received my Philips DCM250 and have been nothing but impressed by this unit. Right out of the box, it's a gorgeous piece. Very sleek and very modern. The scrunched up photograph on the page does it no favors whatsoever, so make sure you look at the larger image. It took me no more than a few minutes to get the unit set up in my bar room and it was off to the races with my iPod.

The sound quality immediately blew me away. This unit sounds fantastic. It's got two large, ported speakers that produce the full spectrum really well. What I really noticed was how much punch the little unit could throw behind bass. It's incredible. It doesn't quit at high volumes either, it fills the largest room of my house with enough sound that it starts to resonate off the walls creating a pseudo-surround effect without any distortion whatsoever.

I chose to navigate to whatever album I wanted to listen to using my iPod wheel and just turning back to what I was doing. You can't really read the iPod screen from far enough away to bother trying to control it's playback with the remote. What the unit does do though that's special is it has full video support. You can plug it directly into your TV via component cables that are included to get a large screen and full video playback.

It has a ton of playback sources. Along with the iPod it has AM/FM radio support that can be boosted with included external antennas, it plays CDs including discs that are loaded with MP3 files and it has an Aux input and a dedicated USB input. I tested the USB input with my Sandisk Sansa Clip and was able to get playback from it also once I played with the USB mode on the Sansa. If you have a device and you want to plug it into this, there's an input for it.

I really recommend this unit. It is easily the finest iPod dock that I have ever touched in this price range.

Buy Philips DCM250 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Now

This is an excellent music entertainment system. The sound quality is outstanding. It plays iPod/iPhone music, Audio CD's, MP3 CD's, MP3 Link devices, and music from USB flash/thumb devices encoded as MP3 players. It also states that it can play videos from iPod Video or iPhone devices on a television using the included Component Video cable, but the sound would still output from the Philips system.

FRONT OF THE UNIT: There is a brightly illuminated LCD screen which always shows the source input, if the Dynamic Bass Boost (DBB) is on, and the Sound Preset (Rock, POP, etc). The LCD screen also changes its display based on your source. iPod input only has the word iPod on the screen. You will still be required to use the screen on the iPod itself to search for specific songs. During CD's, the song number and time passed of the current song is shown. During MP3 CD's, the song name, track number, and time passed are shown, with scrolling song name if you press the Display button.

SPEAKERS: The sound is very clear. The speakers are of a high quality build. There are 4 presets that will adjust the sound equalizer, CLASSIC, ROCK, POP, and JAZZ. I used the CLASSIC setting for Classical music and it sounded very clear, while the instruments sounded garbled in the ROCK preset. So each setting does make a difference. Excellent adjustments by Philips. Use the correct one for the type of music you listen to. Use the POP preset and turn the Dynamic Bass Boost on for DANCE and bass-heavy songs.

BACK OF THE UNIT: The system has two 1-inch holes on both sides which are the subwoofer's bass ports/openings. The back also has a headphone jack, DC power connector port, Component Video Out (to view video on a tv from an iPod Video or iPhone), FM aerial connector (sigle coaxial cable), and an AM aerial connector (double snap-down wires). I have to mention that this system INCLUDES ALL WIRES FOR EVERY TYPE OF CONNECTION. The system includes an FM wire with antennae end, an AM wire and antennae stand, Component video cables (one end Red/Blue/Green, the other end single black speaker connector),and a stereo cable to connect to any other device besides an iPod (connection is on top of system).

TOP OF THE SYTEM INPUTS: iPod connector, MP3 Link port, USB Direct port.

The iPod slides on very easily onto the iPod connector, and it stays in place with the backing plate. It stays secure to the system. The system auto-detected the iPod when I connected it and automatically started playing the first song. You can also connect through MP3 Link (with the included stereo cable) to play any other devices besides an iPod. There is also a USB-Direct port to connect any USB thumb/flash drives loaded with songs that you may have.

REMOTE CONTROL: The remote is well-designed, sleek, thin, and comfortable to hold. From the picture, you can see there are many buttons that allow you to control a lot of different things. You can choose the source of music through the remote, and fully control your iPod (although when searching for a specific song, you need to be at least two feet away in order to read the iPod's LCD screen since it is not projected on the illuminated LCD of the system). The system does have an illuminated LCD screen, but it doesn't display what is on the iPod. The remote lets you control Playback, Volume, Display, specific CD/MP3 tracks, Prog, Repeat, Shuffle, source inputs, Sleep, Timer, Dynamic bass Boost, Presets, and the FM/AM Band.

DYNAMIC BASS BOOST: You can either turn the extra bass on or off. The OFF setting allows a decent amount of bass. Adjust the presets accordingly and you will always be able to find the right setting for you songs. I turned it off for ROCK and CLASSICAL songs, turned it on for DANCE songs. The bass sounds clear and does NOT have that cheap bass feel where it shakes the speakers and causes vibration. Excellent bass.

RADIO: The FM sounded clear. The grey connector connects easily and only one way. Radio cycles through by .1's so you can get 102.6 and 102.7 stations. The AM was somewhat clear, but still sounded well on the speakers. You may want a larger wire for better reception. Lengths are below.

WIRES INCLUDED: The AC adapter (power supply cord) that comes with the system is similar to a laptop AC adapter, with a total length of 9 feet. The FM Wire easily connects and is about 40 inches long. The AM Wire is easily connected through snap-down connectors on two wires, and is 28 inches long. The base on the AM atennae easily folds in and stores flat. A Stereo Cable is also included so you can connect any other device besides an iPod, and it is 18 inches long. And lastly, Component Video Cable is also included to connect iPod Video or iPhone devices so you can view your videos on a TV, but I was unable to test that feature since I did not have those devices at hand. The component video cable is RED/GREEN/BLUE connectors on one end, and single BLACK connector on the other end which plugs into the Philips system.

iPOD CHARGING: The iPod will charge when connected while in STANDBY mode, or when you are using any of the other sources besides an iPod. While I was playing an Audio CD, the iPod continued to charge. Very convenient.

BUILD: The device is built of strong, sturdy, hard plastic, and does not feel cheap at all. It has a great professional look as well. The buttons are all made of hard quality polished plastic, and they feel really good when pressing them. I shook the system around while a CD was playing, and there was absolutely no skipping at all.

Other features: It was very easy to set the clock.

By far, this is one of the best portable systems out there. Other than having a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker set up, this system sounds nearly flawless. A+, 5 out of 5.

I tested the following songs and each sounded exquisite, after adjusting the Dynamic Bass Boost and Presets.

Aerosmith Dude Looks Like a Lady ; Alice in Chains Would; AR Rahman Latika's Theme; Audioslave Like a Stone; B52's Loveshack; The Bangles Something That You Said; Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right; Belinda Carlisle Heaven is a Place on Earth; The Buggles Video Killed the Radio Star; La Bouche Be My Lover; Guns N' Roses Welcome to the Jungle; Collective Soul The World I Know; Nightwish She is My Sin.

Read Best Reviews of Philips DCM250 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Here

Just looking at this product, you may be reminded of the Bose Wave Music System, and for many potential buyers, you have a real contender here. Owning an iHome iH30B Boom Box and JBL On Stage, I can attest to this being much more than a standard iPod dock.

Initial setup was a snap. As soon as I powered it on, it wanted to find AM and FM stations. After a couple of minutes, I heard lots of static, and was kind of disappointed. The FM tuner is simply dismal with the included antenna, and I thought "If they can't get FM radio right, this must be junk." The manual and remote both indicate that it will display RDS info, but it didn't show up on stations that I know broadcast RDS text. This could be related to the reception, though.

I decided to slide my new copy of The Listening in the CD player, and was quite stunned by the sound quality. While enjoying the CD, I took a look at the iPod dock and was happy to see that Philips hasn't gone the way of so many of their competitors with different dock inserts. Instead, there's a back support that adjusts with a thumbscrew. We have an iPod Classic, iPod Nano, and two iPhones in the house, so being able to switch between them easily is an excellent feature. When the unit is turned off, it will charge your iPod / iPhone, which is really great, too.

The preset EQ's do a reasonable job of adjusting the sound for most types of music, but I would have preferred to have had the ability to set bass and treble individually. That said, the EQ's are diverse enough that only the most discerning listener would be disappointed.

Perhaps most surprising is everything this dock can do. Sure, you get radio / CD / iPod functions, but there's also a USB slot that will play WMA and MP3 files on a thumbdrive, a headphone jack input for anything else, and component video *out* for playing videos on a TV with component inputs. If you've got it, this will play it with unbeatable sound quality at this price point.

So, why not five stars?

Again, the FM reception is TERRIBLE with the included antenna. You might be able to adjust it to get decent reception, but you'll almost certainly destroy the clean look of this unit in doing so. Getting a decent antenna is a must, if you ever plan to use the radio.

While the included remote feels much nicer than what normally comes with units like this, most of the buttons don't seem to do much of anything. Navigating through iPod songs seems to be hit-or-miss, based on the iPod you're using. Moving from song to song seemed to work only half the time on a current-generation iPod Classic, but was consistent on the current-gen Nano. Usually, hitting Play/Pause on the remote fixed the problem on the Classic.

Although this can be used as an alarm clock, the layout shows that this was really an afterthought to ensure everything including the kitchen sink was thrown in.

To be honest, if I could give it 4.5 stars, I would. For what you'd spend on this, those issues are really minor. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an all-in-one solution in a medium-sized room, small apartment, dorm room, etc.

Want Philips DCM250 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Discount?

Purchased the DCM250/37 as a Christmas present for my mom (Dec 2009)based on the average 4.5 star rating and positive comments. She only uses it for FM Radio and playing commercially produced CD's...no custom burned CD's...no iPhone...no MP3's. It sits on a table in an air conditioned condo...and is never moved, bumped, thrown in the car...etc. Six month's later it is displaying a "NO DISC" message and will not recognize or play a CD. I tried other discs that function perfectly in a different CD player...but this unit will not play them. So you can conclude that the problem is not a scratched or dirty CD. Tried to clean the lens with a CD/DVD cleaner disc...and it will not play the cleaner disc. Also tried a can of compressed air...but no dice...still not reading. Called Phillips Customer support (1-888-744-5477) and was told "this product only carries a 3 month warranty...we can't not take it back for repair...but we can give you the name and contact info for a local repair center". So basically, if anything happens to the DCM250 after 3 months...you are either paying to have it repaired out of your own pocket...or you are tossing it in the garbage. If this were a $35 boom box...I could accept that...but not from a $150 "seemingly" high end player. It's obvious that the lens that reads the CD is out of alignment...which is a Phillips quality control issue...a repair cost that definitely should not be passed on to the consumer after only 6 months of very light use. Your taking a risk, if you buy this product without an extended warranty. Based on my experience...I would not recommend the DCM250 Docking Entertainment Center. Personally, I am staying away from Phillips Consumer Electronics in the future. This player also qualifies as my first electronics purchase that did not make it to at least 1 year prior to failure. Too bad...because it did have a nice sound...when it worked.

Save 7% Off

Playing around with the remote, it did things I expected, like switch from radio to ipod. I was happy to see it could skip tracks on the ipod, but then I wondered if it could do a little more. I hit "menu" and was surprised to see my ipod light up, then I hit the arrow keys, and it began scrolling through artists! I can pick and play any song I want from across the room, awesome.

Things I like,

Seperate, long antennae for FM/AM, both of which come in crystal clear.

Clock Radio, I set it to a classical station and this is now what I wake up to every morning. It's an enormous upgrade from my cheap, crackling wakeup radio.

Slot loading CD's. Not that I use CD's anymore, but slot loading has always been the coolest.

Wonderful sound, I believe Phillips made this to compete with the small Bose system.

Things I didn't like,

No equalizer, though the bass has two settings (DBB or normal)

Read More >>

Sony ICF-CD513 Under-Cabinet CD Clock Radio

• Space-saving under-cabinet CD clock radio--perfect for kitchens
• Mega Bass enhances low frequencies for heightened musical impact
• Built-in timer/alarm function, stereo speakers
• Drift-free, digital-synthesized AM/FM stereo tuner with AM wideband reception and 15 presets
• Self-powered backup memory; includes mounting hardware

I gave one of these to my wife six months ago, after being less than impressed by reviews of the equivalent GE product. Basically, I wanted something that would pull in her 3 public radio stations and offer me incentive to feed the cats. Trouble is, the darn thing requires installation--which took me 4-5 hours not counting the five months I simply thought about doing it.

The pluses: It seems very solid and durable, is a no-brainer to operate, and produces relatively high-frequency (if a bit hollow-sounding) fidelity.

Minuses: It's deeper than I'd bargained for. The only under-the-cabinet space that would accommodate it was in a corner. Curiously, Sony's instructions warn against installing it near florescent lighting. (What are you supposed to do--rewire your kitchen?) This may explain why radio reception, while decent, is hardly startling. Only by fiddling with the electrical cord (which does double duty as an antenna) can I get acceptable sound on most of the fringe (40-70 miles out) stations. If only manufacturers would scrap some of the automatic features and station memory banks in favor of more sensitive and selective tuners. And, true, the unit has a "mega-bass" switch with a single setting--but does anyone remember the days when radios came with a handy little knob called a "tone control"?

All in all, a well-made product offering solid performance and value. An excellent gift for the handyman in the family.

Buy Sony ICF-CD513 Under-Cabinet CD Clock Radio Now

I bought this player about a month ago after installing one for a friend. I liked the way it looked and sounded in her kitchen and decided that I wanted one for me. Its a nice unit that is easy to use and has 15 pre-sets for the radio.The slot for the cd holds one cd. The sound is good, not great. I especially liked the instructions and template for installation. It made it very easy to look like a professional install. Especially for a guy who is all thumbs.

Read Best Reviews of Sony ICF-CD513 Under-Cabinet CD Clock Radio Here

I put aside my qualms about Sony sound products (my experience is that Sony is great for pictures, but their sound always goes) and bought this machine. For about two months, I revelled in finally being able to play my favorite music while trapped in the kitchen. I liked it so much I didn't even begrudge the money I spent having a handiman install it (no way could I have done this myself). So I was really crushed when one evening, the CD simply stopped working. I tried all the remedies described in the operating instructions, but eventually was forced to take it down (no small feat in itself). Though the machine is still under warranty, Sony's online repair service told me that it will be replaced with a factory refurbished model--not a new replacement. And of course, I have to pay to ship the thing to Texas to get my refurbished model. I am not happy at all.

Want Sony ICF-CD513 Under-Cabinet CD Clock Radio Discount?

How many times have you cursed the almost ubiquitous little volume "up" and "down" arrows on most new electronics? They are hard to press and they take forever to adjust. Here's your chance to get a decent under-cabinet clock/radio with a large, simple, functional volume knob located conveniently on the side. That alone is reason to give this unit serious consideration. I actually purchased this for my garage to go under the cabinets above my workbench (I have the Salton "ICEbox" in the kitchen, but that's over 2 grand). Its only weak point is the speaker output is not quite powerful enough at higher volumes, distortion becomes evident. However, at most normal listening volumes, it sounds fine.

This is a great item! No trouble with installation. Great sound from the radio and also the cd player. Very easy to use! The price just can't be beat. I am very happy with this product and would highly recommend it!

Read More >>

iHome iP28 Portable Travel Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black)

• Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS
• Wake and sleep to your music from docked iPhone/iPod devices, with gradual alarm and sleep fade-in/-out
• Four-chambered Reson8 speakers and EXB bass-enhancement circuit provide superior stereo sound
• Power with four AA batteries, and use included carrying case for serious portability
• Includes auxiliary input for external audio devices such as MP3 or CD players

GOOD/GOOD TO KNOW: Alarm has a gradual wake-up feature -sound starts soft, and then gradually increases to the full volume over about 30 seconds.

When unfolded, the unit is about the size of a hardback book (see my additional user photos).

You have to set the volume you want on the unit before triggering the alarm. I set it to 37 because I heard a little distortion at the max (level 40).

The sound quality is very good.

AC adapter works overseas (w/the appropriate country converter, not included).

Unit charges the ipod when the AC adapter is plugged in. It does not charge when it's operating on battery power (4 AAs).

Snooze lasts for 9 minutes.

Included lithium cell battery for the clock face is secured in a separate chamber within one of the AA battery chambers (pretty well-hidden -good if you have small children who may try to eat the battery).

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: The blinking "low backup battery" signal on the bottom left of the unit is rather annoying.

The max volume isn't very loud, even with the EXB boost feature on.

You can't change songs on the ipod through the unit, you can only play, pause, and adjust volume.

Buy iHome iP28 Portable Travel Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Now

We wanted an iPod dock that would work as an alarm clock and charge the iPod, so we selected the Altec Lansing Octiv Mini Speaker System for iPhone and iPod (Black). However, that did not meet our needs at all and we were very disappointed. What made this unit stand out for us is the fact that you can use the alarm/clock without the iPod being docked. It even has an optional snooze like many alarm clocks. It is set for 9 minutes and cannot be altered. As I've had alarm clock radios with a set snooze before, this didn't bother me.

Pros

1) ALARM works independently of the ipod. Wake to music from a docked iPod, or a buzzer.

2) SOUND QUALITY is very good for this type of item; much better than the Altec unit we tried. I would use this at parties to provide music.

3) VOLUME control from the dock, and not just the iPod.

4) ADAPTERS, Comes with three to hold several generations of iPods/iPhones.

5) PORTABLE. The unit folds in half and has a padded sleeve to carry it in. We won't travel with it, but it's a nice option.

6) BACK-UP battery like most alarm clocks for possible power outage. Or, can be powered by AA batteries if you travel with no outlet available.

7) TIMER to turn off music after a set time.

8) SLEEK design, classic black color.

Cons

1) DISPLAY for clock is way too bright. Four settings: high, medium, low and off. It's backlit so the low setting is still very bright. But, when it's off you cannot read the clock display at night. We have a beacon of blue on our ceiling; I'm worried aliens have come to carry me away!

2) NO headphone jack.

3) SIZE is significantly larger than a regular alarm clock so it takes up a lot of space on a nightstand.

4) Like another reviewer, we also noticed the "battery low" indicator is always on even though the back-up battery is brand new.

Overall, though this is a bit pricey, it's worth the cost to us. The pros far outweigh the cons, and the most important features we wanted are well done. Highly recommended.

Read Best Reviews of iHome iP28 Portable Travel Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Here

I wanted to love the iP28. But I've been using it for 24 hours and have been both impressed and confused / disappointed.

PROS

+ Very compact and lightweight.

+ Sound surprisingly full.

+ Easy to set up.

+ Packaging was truly frustration free and minimalistic, little extra waste.

CONS

+ Doesn't integrate with the iHome app. I expected them to work together.

+ Because it won't work the the app, the alarm is only a buzzer instead of playing my music.

+ Using the iPhone 4, none of the dock inserts work. It still docks, MOST of the time.

+ Most of the time, it doesn't, but occasionally the incompatibility message pops up (with the iPhone 4)

When it works, it's great. It you are using another product (iPhone 3G, 3GS, ipod nano or older touch...) it may work better for you.

Want iHome iP28 Portable Travel Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Discount?

I have now owned this item for about 4 months and use it for my iPod 4. The docking is okay. But, then again docking iPods to anything, even with the right adapter can be tricky.

The clock loses about a minute a month. No big deal, it is just an annoyance. The biggest drawback is the only way you can forward to the next song is to use the iPod. This is a real pain and for fear of bending the pins, I use two hands.

It does charge the iPod, but only wakes you up if you have the iPod plugged into it. And, you are not going to put it in your overnight bag to travel.

Bottom line is that if the sound was not as good as it is, this would be a big disappointment.

Save 23% Off

This is a fantastic addition, in my opinion, to a small room or apartment. I live in the latter, and there just isn't much space for larger sized docks. The iHome iP28 is marked as a "travel" model, but all that means is it is small, well-built, durable, and convenient. It provides ample amount of sound at max volume (level 40) for a small room. You won't be blown away, but it is better than some of the earlier iHome models.

One trick you can do to increase perceived volume is to turn the speakers toward a wall (with glass or metal works best); this will cause sound to bounce off the wall and into your room. It won't be as loud right next to the device, but the sound will be spread more evenly across the room.

The only downside to this device is that it doesn't have radio. Otherwise, it interfaces well with my iPhone (which does have radio), so I don't have much to complain about. Great product!

Read More >>

Pioneer DEH-P7200HD CD Receiver with HD Radio, OEL Display and iPod Control

• AM/FM radio, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3/WMA/AAC, USB, HD radio receiver
• 4 x 50 Watts maximum power with three 4V RCA preamp outputs
• Detachable faceplate with full-motion 16 x 3 OEL display
• Front panel auxiliary input and USB; add adapters for iPod control, Bluetooth, SAT radio
• One-year warranty

Installed in 1995 Ford F150 XLT Ext. cab w/stock {for now} speakers.

Installation took about an hour, direct replacement of the factory HU. Pretty basic once you get the original HU out.

I've had my P7200HD for about a month now.

The HD sig reception is great and I've had no probs breaking/losing signal. Having the 3 row display is nice for song info, etc.

ipod {I'm using USB2.0 cable} controls are great and ipod can be controlled from HU or ipod, which is nice for passengers.

Audio control gives many options for tailoring personal tastes. I've been able to fine tune to where my factory speakers sound pretty darn good. {Still going to upgrade them though.}

I haven't tested the CD/XM/bluetooth capabilities yet, but I'm confident that they will perform as well as the rest of the system.

On a scale of 1-10 I give the P7200HD a 9.5.

The only improvement that I would have would be a dedicated ipod connection from the rear of the unit.

Would I recommend the P7200HD?

You bet!

Buy Pioneer DEH-P7200HD CD Receiver with HD Radio, OEL Display and iPod Control Now

I like this Head Unit and I'd buy it again for what I want in a head unit for all the reasons you can see in the description and other reviews, but be warned it has one major detractor in my opinion.

The Multi Control knob which is basically a volume knob on steroids and can not only twist but can be tilt clicked up down left and right and center is sometimes a pain to operate when driving.

I can't count the times that I have tried to hit the center click which activates the main menu so that I could fine adjust some audio only to accidently hit a directional click (sending me usually not just off song, but to root of directory) instead because of road vibration. It's kinda hard to hit center click consistantly when the car is moving and your driving. You have to look down, make sure your in the center and then hope the next pebble you drive over doesnt jerk you off your tiny target. I'd much prefer a multiple button setup. Also even when you hit the clicks right sometimes if going over a bumpy road you might click with alot more force than you intend to and I'm constantly afraid of breaking the only knob that controls my stereo. Know that I have most of the fine tuning done I try to use the remote to operate it when possible, But I still need to get into the menu occasionally when I drive and it's a pita to do unless I pull over. I drive a Subaru Legacy wagon not a pickup truck so my ride isn't all that rough although streets around here could be better. Why do we need a Multi knob in a non hand held platform. Multi-knobs are great for hand-held, they suck for a moving target.

Read Best Reviews of Pioneer DEH-P7200HD CD Receiver with HD Radio, OEL Display and iPod Control Here

This is a great deck with a 3 sets of 4 volt pre-outs, a built in hd-radio tuner, and usb and ipod capabilities. Great deck for functionality. The only two things I would have liked to see are a fold down face to cover the cd entry slot and a second usb port in the rear of the unit to allow a hidden usb connection somewhere in your vehicle. Still beggers can't be choosers and I found through extensive comparison that this product had more of the features that I was looking for the best price. Thank amazon for the lowest price and super saver shipping.

Want Pioneer DEH-P7200HD CD Receiver with HD Radio, OEL Display and iPod Control Discount?

This head unit is by far one of the best that I've ever owned. I am quite an audiophile and I prefer a fully customizable set up. I own a BMW and have fully amplified interior speakers; this six channel receiver is perfect for my anticipated addition of two 10" sub woofers. I have previously owned other head units including Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, and JVC (regrettably). The Kenwood was a DVD Touch Screen unit, and this radio's sound quality is far superior.

The sound coming out of this head unit will blow you away. I caution anyone who buys a new head unit to also replace their stock speakers. If you are leery of doing further customization of your vehicle, I would just say that you shouldn't bother buying such an amazing radio--the quality of sound will be lost on you.

The USB input is wonderful because you can hook up a 4Gb stick and listen for hours. I took my car from Cincinnati to Chicago this weekend and never heard a repeat song. Plus my buddy was able to plug in his mp3 player using the aux in input on the front. There is no hassle with adapters or i-pod only cables.

My powered antenna has always had really good reception, but the HD channels sound exactly like listening to a CD or mp3 player. I was really impressed.

The sound quality is good, especially for the price, and that is why this radio gets 3 stars.

I mated this to the Sirius Satellite receiver, and the sound is good, but there is no provision for directly typing in the channel you want, so you will find yourself scrolling through channels or presets while you are trying to drive. The remote is also just a channel up/down button, but no keys.

The USB drive plays songs in alphabetical order. The only way to separate the songs into playlists is to save them to different Windows folders, but the folders play in alphabetical order. For this reason, I find myself using my iPhone to play music through Bluetooth audio.

The menus and settings are not intuitive, and it is difficult to set them up how you want them.

Also, be aware that the color of the display is blue, and there is no way to change that (I didn't take stars off for that, just know that the color is fixed at blue.)

Read More >>

GPX CI3807B iPod Clock Radio - LCD - Dual Alarm - FM, AM

• Please see the above description.

I bought this item for my sister for her bday to go with her iPOD. At first it worked great but after a fe months, the time on the clock stopped working and it just stopped working all together.

Buy GPX CI3807B iPod Clock Radio - LCD - Dual Alarm - FM, AM Now

I was really excited to get this product. My iPhone stopped playing sound unless I had it plugged into something.

I got it and plugged it in immediately. Surely enough it would do the job, except it didn't charge the phone.

Whatever, I just fully charged my phone before putting it on at night& charged it back to full battery in my car the next day on the way to work.

One day I come home& it's just a blue screen. It's not responding to anything. So, now it just sits on my floor taking up space.

They people I ordered from were extremely fast to deliver the product. So if I ever need anything else they have I'll order from them. I just won't order another one of these.

Read More >>

GPX Under Cabinet CD Player with AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver)

• Drawer-Load Disc Player with Programmable Tracks
• AM/FM Radio with Blue Backlit LCD Display
• Dual Front-Firing Speakers with Slim Remote Control
• AM/FM Radio with Rotary Tuning and Digital Readout
• Includes Under-Counter Mounting Template, Screws & Spacers

I bought this to replace an existing under cabinet CD player (different brand) and am not very happy with it. It has a hollow sound and no controls for bass or treble. Also I thought it had a light like my other one but it doesn't. It is very thin and streamlined and looks good in my kitchen but that's where my positive comments end. Wouldn't recommend this one if you want good sound and adequate controls.

Buy GPX Under Cabinet CD Player with AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver) Now

Let's face it this unit is not a Sony. But at $30, it does everything it's supposed to. The cd player, radio, and mp3 input all work fine. Doesn't have a lot of volume but it works well for our kitchen.

Read Best Reviews of GPX Under Cabinet CD Player with AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver) Here

Needed CD player for listening to books but the sound is good enough that we are enjoying music as well. It does not turn itself off and it was a job getting the antenna untied but we love it. May never be able to get radio to work. Think we need about 100 ft to get outside our cement house. Time is lighted, a bonus as my new microwave has no battery backup so it vanishes with every power glitch. For the price it is amazing.

Want GPX Under Cabinet CD Player with AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver) Discount?

I have owned product for a couple of months now and I am happy with it thus far.

Installation instructions are very complete, accurate and easy to follow.

If you are looking for a product that does what it promises for the price, this is what you want.

My husband and I purchased this radio a little over a month ago now and we are happy with the purchase. We had read all these reviews here on Amazon and took them into consideration before purchasing. It is true what most people said, the sound is not that great (it definitely lacks bass) but it doesn't have that airy sound to it either. It is an average sound nothing special. The radio reception isn't the greatest either. We got in about 60% of the normal radio stations we can pick up in our car. Also, one thing that wasn't mentioned is that you cannot preset any radio stations. They are digital, but are switched with a dial on the side of the radio.

Now to the positives. The best thing about this radio is that fact that you can hook up your mp3 player or in our case, the mp3 players on our phones. We use this feature all the time. It was also easy to install since they give you a template to follow to drill the holes. I personally thinks it looks nice it isn't an eyesore. It is slim as well.

Granted, this radio does has its downfalls, however the reason I decided to give it 4 stars out of 5 is because it is simple: you get what you pay for. If you are looking for an inexpensive under-the-cabinet radio this one is just fine. If you want awesome sound obviously this one isn't for you. I would recommend it if you don't want a radio with all the bells and whistles, but something simple to play some music while cooking or eating dinner.

Read More >>

Grundig M400 Super Compact AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with Digital Display, Red - (NGM400R)

• AM/FM-Stereo and Shortwave bands
• Analog Tuner, with digital display
• Digital display shows frequency, time and alarm activation
• Telescopic antenna for FM and SW reception and an internal ferrite bar antenna for AM reception
• Power source: 2 x AAA batteries (not included) DC input (5V)

I just received my M400 and these are my first impressions. The radio is very slim and just a bit wider than previous Grundig models (100 and 300), which makes it a perfect pocket companion.

Pros:

great SW reception (on par with Grundig G1000, for instance)

good AM reception/selectivity (strong stations don't bleed too much into the adjacent frequencies)

solid feel. non-slippery plastic body

Cons:

some mirror images from powerful FM stations on SW (not a huge problem, though)

FM is quirky without the extended antenna only the most powerful stations are heard, but if you extend antenna for just one inch, they overload the receiver so I couldn't listen to some of the weaker stations in my area (like 90.3 or 91.1).

touching the unit below the LCD panel changes the tuning by a couple of kHz, so I learned to hold it a little lower to prevent a station drift.

Overall, not a bad buy for $30.

UPDATE (after 1 week): I essentially gave up on the FM band in this radio it's practically useless as it fares much worse that any other radio I have. There's no way for me to change the initial 4-star rating but I'd give it 3 stars based on this fact

Buy Grundig M400 Super Compact AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with Digital Display, Red - (NGM400R) Now

ONE STAR RATING!!! I've used this radio for a while now. Please buy something else. It drives me crazy. the drifting is getting worse and I have to retune the radio every 15 minutes or so. Buy the Sangean or a Kaito KA11. I did and now this radio is in a drawer. I will give it away at some point.

I bought this to carry to baseball games and it sure fits in a pocket well. The little speaker does a nice job, talk radio is tolerable and a ball game sounds OK as long as you are in a quiet place while listening. It's not great but for this size radio it's very acceptable. FM reception seems very good, AM is spotty at best, and SW I don't know enough about to inform so I'm not saying a word. A bass boost would have been a great option as well as a lock for the tuning (more on that in a moment).Now that I have said the most positive things I can about this radios lets move on to it's shortcomings.

The volume control is unguarded so when you drop this into your pocket or the supplied carrying case the volume goes to 11 and you either jump like an idiot or your ears are bleeding. Seriously the volume control is very easily rotated so it goes to zero while removing it from the case and all the way up while inserting back into the case.

This radio drifts, and I mean alot. You can tune in a strong AM station and just watch the digital tuning go up or down. Also as another reviewer wrote, if you hold it in the wrong place this will definately move your tuning point.

I wouldn't recommend this radio to a friend. It has a few good points, but the negatives really hold this radio back. I've thought about returning it but by the time I pay to ship it back to Amazon, it just isn't worth it. Sangean makes a good AM/FM pocket radio with a speaker....try that first. It's more expensive but you tend to get what you pay for. Another option is the CCrane SWP. I have one coming in after borrowing a pals. It isn't perfect but it's a much better product.

Read Best Reviews of Grundig M400 Super Compact AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with Digital Display, Red - (NGM400R) Here

UPDATE 9-24-12 -FOUR stars are now in place.

ETON are working on their problem areas. AM reception for the 2012 edition is now "satisfactory"! FM still really good. LCD display is excellent! SW exception is good to excellent, but still difficult to tune. The "tuning drift" problem 'still annoying'.

-----

FM: EXCELLENT, sensitive, stable, good stereo earphones. Note, I live in the boonies, do not have issues with overload.

AM: See above Sept 2012 update.

SW: GOOD sensitivity. DIFFICULT to tune in the higher frequency band (19m and 16m). You will miss (skip) many stations when manually scanning this band.

OTHER: Build-Quality is EXCELLENT. The accessories are nice and good quality. The radio is too wide for my palm. This destroys its "thin-ness" appeal. Speaker output is "high-pitched", this elevates unnecessarily static and noise on both AM and SW.

NOTES, two weeks after the first purchase and a trip to Europe: I love the easy to read (without glasses) ALARM and CLOCK functions! SW is actually "good" (I am comparing to "Grundig Buzz Aldrin G6", and the SANGEAN built "Radio Shack DX-398" Do not forget, this is a $30.pocket radio.)

Two IMPROVEMENTS which I would like to see: 1. Give us a "Snooze" button 2. The "Lock" button does NOT lock the "Alarm" switch the radio can switch itself on while in your luggage.

Want Grundig M400 Super Compact AM/FM/Shortwave Radio with Digital Display, Red - (NGM400R) Discount?

I have owned several Grundig radios in the past and have always been satisfied. Unfortunately, I find that this model does not live up to the previously highly regarded name of Grundig.

The general quality of the radio's presentation is excellent, as is the design of its exterior. It is my opinion, however, that the quality of the electronics is terrible. I believe that Eton have (re-)designed the radio's electronics; my guess (as a layman) is that the design may be ok, but that the quality of the electronic components is sub-standard. Truthfully, I cannot even receive one of the strongest local fm radio stations. The shortwave reception is practically useless.

I regret that I have bought two of these radios as presents and I am embarrassed before my friend to whom I have given one of them. The other radio I haven't even unpacked. I realize that the radios are low cost, but counting on the name of Grundig, I did expect them to work properly.

I cannot recommend this model to anyone.

This is a nice looking unit. However, I was unable to turn the radio "on" after just 3 weeks of very light use. I tried replacing batteries with several different brands but no luck.

Read More >>

Boss 612UA MP3-Compatible Digital Media AM/FM Receiver

• Single-DIN mounting, Active black mask display, Illuminated control buttons Single-DIN mounting Active black mask display Illuminated control buttons
• PLL synthesized tuner with 30 station presets, USB port / Front panel AUX input, Compatible with audio output of iPod and other MP3 players
• ID3-Tag display, Quartz digital clock, Separate bass and treble
• Max Output Power / Channel : 50 Watts x 4,1-Year Free Parts & Labor

Pros: price, both USB & SD(HC), id3 tag display, and sound quality. Cons: crappy docmentasen [sic;], warranty will cost you, and the mp3 read order. I did the research and knew what to expect for the price I was willing to pay. The unit therefore meets my needs; the sound exceeded my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised that it takes 8GB SDHC media. Not so happy that it did not have standard mounting screw holes, in fact no mounting holes; easy to fix. One of my dislikes is that mp3 files are read in the order written to the USB/SD, not in alpha-numeric order. It therefore requires a bit of planning when putting a larger number of folders (albums) on the device (and even more planning for Mac users...hint rsync really helps!). Nice ability to skip forward & backwards by ten songs or by an entire folder (album), and doesn't have a problem with nested folders, but remember it plays files in the order written, not in the order your file system might show them to you! The other dislike is no illumination control (for night driving).

I did not have the problem others reported of the volume reseting; I don't know about issues with the randomize feature since I generally listen to albums or pre-arranged playlists. FM seemed to pickup the few stations I listen to as well as my old radio did. I was very pleased with the fidelity; 320kbps mp3's sounded clear with full dynamic range, 128kbps I could hear the drop-off. Did not hear any distortion as I turned to volume up to what I consider "too loud to enjoy" or ~30 on the unit's scale of 40 max. Mounted in a 2005 Prius stealth mode can finally listen to mp3 on USB/SD or iPod via AUX in my Prius at a fraction of the cost of other solutions. Note: warranty requires you to ship the unit with $20 (thus loss of a rating star for just that).

I would recommend this for the budget minded (e.g. unemployed), mildly techno person. I would not put in my wife or daughter's car!

-Update --

Five months in service and working fine. There have been a few times where I have turned the volume all the way up to 40 for some soft classical passages, and no distortion or hum noticed. One problem that another view noted and I am now seeing: it is resetting the volume to level 15 every time I start the car. Generally this not an issue with SDHC or USB (the volumes are fairly low at 15), but if the radio is selected, you will be quite wide awake when you take your road trip!

Buy Boss 612UA MP3-Compatible Digital Media AM/FM Receiver Now

I installed this on a 2000 Oldsmodbile Alero and I had no issues. Just made sure that I matched the color connectors and hooked it up with the existing harness and voila, it worked. Also purchased an auxiliary cable to hook up with MP3 player and it worked like a charm. Lots of powers (200W) and could receive AM/FM signals. This unit has no CD player and is replaced by an SD Card which is fine. CD's are almost the thing of the past. All in all, I recommend this Boss 612UA car stereo/mp3 player/am/fm receiver.

Read Best Reviews of Boss 612UA MP3-Compatible Digital Media AM/FM Receiver Here

I threw this into my winter beater since it was only five bucks more than what the junkyard wanted for a factory unit. I gotta say, this thing is worth the money as long as it lasts (only had it for a week). The tuner pulls in stations as well as a factory GM unit, and will even fill your presets automatically if you wish! Aux, SD and USB all work great. It took a 8 gig SD with no problem, which I have problems with my other mechless reciever in a different car. The clock is tricky to set, but at least you have one, unlike my other mechless unit. Since the manual is worthless, this is how to set the clock: /// 1)Hold the mode/clk button for about two seconds and clock will appear. 2) Release button and immediately press again for two more seconds; clock will flash, release button. 3) use volume knob to adjust hour. 4) Depress volume button, and minutes will flash, again use the volume to adjust minutes. 5) Clock is now set. //// However, I have not discovered how to constantly display the clock. You have to hold the mode/clk button for two seconds every time you want to see the time. My other mechless reciever is the Dual XR4110, and it will be replaced with one of these come spring time as long as everything keeps working well. This thing is awesome, love it!

Want Boss 612UA MP3-Compatible Digital Media AM/FM Receiver Discount?

My early Impressions are as follows

User Interface:

The UI is simplistic, but easy to understand. Most of the buttons on the receiver serve simple functions, and auxiliary functions are accessed by holding the buttons down. Their feel is hard and they click with a hard "snap" feeling every bit as cheap as the radio costs. The volume control knob is depressed to access settings, and held to turn off the unit. This is not very favorable as it is possible to hit the button when attempting to turn down the volume, forcing you to wait until it returns to normal function. The pale blue backlit display is adequate during the day, but the bright blue accent lights around the volume knob shine too brightly at night. At this price point you cannot expect a color changing display, but a dimmer would be nice.

Radio Performance:

The radio is sensitive, picking up even remote stations easily, and sounds quite good. The buttons are small and clustered on the right side of the unit yet are somehow easy to select by feel alone. Tuning the stations is irksome, as pressing the tuning button seeks to even the weakest station. Holding the tuning button sends the radio to manual tune, which is slow to tune and returns to seek after a seemingly random period of time. I set my favorite radio stations in memory and forgot about the tuning difficulties quickly.

Audio:

This radio has only simple settings for audio Bass, Treble, and Loud. A few built-in EQ settings are present, but I favored custom settings. The radio puts out 200W peak, which is just enough to drive my 6.5" Polks. The sound quality is good, but a more customizable EQ would be nice. It has two RCA outputs on the back for an amp, but not subwoofer controls in the menu to adjust volume, crossover, phase, etc.

MP3 Performance:

Coming later but keep in mind: no iPod control you'll have to use the AUX input and control the iPod manually. The unit has outlets for SD card, USB flash drive, and an AUX input, so there are plenty of options for playing MP3s.

Overall Impressions:

Considering it's excellent price, despite some shortcomings this is an excellent radio. Time will tell whether it is durable enough to withstand hard use, but the lack of movable parts should help. My truck sees lots of rutted dirt roads and some 2wd offroading so time will tell whether the CD player subtraction helps. Few people listen to CDs anymore, favoring MP3 players, so I no longer see the point of paying for all the extra moving parts. I'll be purchasing an extra SD card soon so I can keep my MP3s in the truck all the time and don't have to fiddle with plugging in my phone unless I want to play Pandora.

----------------------

Odd things of note:

If I turn off the truck with the stereo turned low, when I turn the truck on the stereo comes on very loud.

This unit is only about 4 inches deep so it should fit in even the most shallow of mounting points.

My unit appeared to be prepped from the factory for a Volkswagen it had a VW wiring plug which had to be cut off the wiring harness, and a little VW Beetle features prominently in the center of the display. The wiring harness was easy to fix (just cut off the plug) but the little Bug in the display looks silly in the dash of my F250.

Save 58% Off

I just installed this stereo in my Nissan Sentra 03. This stereo works superb! Radio, Aux and SD cards works fine. USB doesn't take input, but charges my iPhone, but I'm okay with that. In fact, SD card thingy even remembers to start from where you last left (I've read many reviews where this feature doesn't work in other cheap stereos). I haven't created folders in my SD card so I don't know about folder navigation. The stereo has no off button as far as I could see, but I don't care, I Just turn the volume to 0.

So the stereo feels excellent for a reasonable price.

(Those who are interested to know something about the installation which doesnt necessarily concern the stereo performance but which you should know esp if u have a Sentra! I had trouble finding help on youtube with this ;)). The stereo box doesnt have screwing holes (Sentra factory radio panels had brackets which screw onto the radio set which had these holes. The guy at the electronics shop told me all other "standard" shop stereos have them, but I don't know about that.

So I had to jam this new stereo somehow. If I pull really hard, the stereo will come out of it's slot!. Also, I'd bought a sentra stereo panel from amazon, and I had to "expand" the installation panel's slot a bit (using hacksaw and pliers) so the stereo could go in.

Also the inputs to the stereo and the car stereo wires are not directly adaptable. Meaning you can't just plug the car wires and the stereo wires and play. You've to buy adapter ($5) for your particular car, which has color coded wires. This adapter will join to your car's wires which feed the speakers. Then you cut off the adapter plug that comes with this stereo, expose the stereo's wires, and join them to the adapters' wires. This process is fairly easy if u have the wire cutter pliers, the adapter, and the butt connectors.

To do all of this you'll need-

Philips screw driver ($14)

Torx star-shaped screw driver (esp if u have a sentra, I don't know about other cars) ($12)

Wire cutters ($10)

Pliers ($9)

Butt connectors ($4)

Hacksaw (depending on your whether your car's installation kit panel needs trimming)

It took me 4 hrs to do all of this. I din't mind doing it, and I also saved around $85-ish which otherwise would've gone towards the installation charges.

If you think you're interested in installing yourself, go for it! Else go to your auto shop to get it fixed. Your choice. Hope this helps

Read More >>

iHome iD28 App-enhanced, Rechargeable Portable Speaker System with FM Stereo Clock Radio, for iPad,

• Wake and sleep to your iPad, iPhone, iPod, custom playlist, FM radio, or buzzer; Charges iPad, iPhone or iPod with AC adaptor (included)
• App enhanced to work flawlessly with free iHome Sleep app and paid iHome Radio app
• Rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery for music anywhere for up to 10 hours
• Reson8 speakers (2 passive and 4 active) for superior stereo sound; and SRS TruBass expands the size of the audio image to create a deep, rich bass response
• FM radio with 6 station memory presets; Aux/MP3 line-in jack; Retractable dock for travel; Remote control

I bot this product 3 months after reading review online but i love this one. It is very slim, Sounds gr8, Holds iPod, iPhone n iPad very well.The legs seem very thin, will come to know about the quality in long run. The Tray is little slow to pop out.

The 2 iHome apps are cool, dont have to buy the paid one though. It plays the pandora n other iphone apps too.

This is by far better than bulky products i have seen in market for $150-$199.

Pros Look, feel n Sound

ConsLegs and tray

Buy iHome iD28 App-enhanced, Rechargeable Portable Speaker System with FM Stereo Clock Radio, for iPad, Now

I've had this product for over a year now and my phone still charges every time i plug it in. Any dock product might occasionally tell you charging is not supported when you plug it in, but all you have to do is unplug it and plug it back in. The only possible explanation i can see is if they were pulling the iphone forward while it's docked and stressing the dock connector. Even if this did ever end up happening I'm sure iHome would be happy to replace it.

Now onto my review of the product. I'm what some might consider an audiophile, and I love this ihome. The sound coming from this little box is superb. Crisp highs and a very tight definitive bass. The alarm app is also a huge pleasure, allowing you to set different songs/playlists to fall asleep to and to wake up to. You can also control sleep and wake volumes. It has been through heavy use (I'm a college student) and is still like new. Could've paid a fraction of the price for a cheap speaker system and just had crap sound and have to buy a new one every few months. This is definitely a better investment.

To put shortly, this is one of the things in life that is worth spending the money on.

Read Best Reviews of iHome iD28 App-enhanced, Rechargeable Portable Speaker System with FM Stereo Clock Radio, for iPad, Here

I have had this dock for just over two months. I had the same problems as a couple of the other reviewers with the intermittent charging. After a while, there was no angle or jiggling that I could do to get it to charge at all. Worse yet, I couldn't return it because it was past the 30 day window. All in all, no matter how many great features this product has, if it doesn't charge my gadgets, it's essentially a very expensive and heavy alarm clock. Buyer beware!

Want iHome iD28 App-enhanced, Rechargeable Portable Speaker System with FM Stereo Clock Radio, for iPad, Discount?

I wanted something that I could listen to my music on while at home. The features like the radio and recharging were not main factors for me. The sound is decent for one decent size room and it's nice as a good night light. A common problem seems to be the difficulty of fitting the Ipad onto the charging station, especially if you use some kind of cover. It is a big MUST to get a connecting cord, so you don't have to put your IPad directly on the unit. Sound is good, you're charging the unit, and it's handy to use.

Save 51% Off

So the iHome iD28 is "app-enhanced." Annoying to keep getting reminded to download the app....talk about pressure. Remind me once and I'm okay....but since this is something you are buying, you should not be pressured into downloading the app! With that said, the iD28 is a very versatile, portable, alarm clock, radio, docking station, speaker system! A little extra space in your suitcase and it easily travels with you. The sound is enough to easily fill a room, though you won't be "rocking the house," with it. Sound is crisp and clear and relatively clean. If you are looking for audiophile sound, keep looking, as you won't find it here. However, if you are looking for exceptional sound for an alarm clock, you've come to the right place! As for ipod/pad sound, it is better than I expected. You might think this is pricey for an alarm clock, and I would normally agree with you, but it really has a lot going for it. I like the fact that that it is rechargeable. I love taking it away with us when we go away, even just for the weekend. Setting it is easy and intuitive and can be done without looking at the directions. The remote is great and has good distance. It is very thin and light, but not cheap feeling.....I like that.....you could keep it in your pocket and forget it's there. The unit, like the remote, is sleek and attractive. The supports on the back of the unit seem sturdy and well made and do not feel like they would be damaged with normal use. The FM antenae is great, and I get good reception. You have an option to swith the radio from mono to stereo. Why you would do this is beyond me, but it's there. Lastly, I love the display. It is bright, clear and easily read. I will update if this product starts to have issues. Nice job, iHome. :-)

Read More >>

Innovative Technology Under Cabinet iPad Player Dock - FM Radio, Speakers & with Full Functional Rem

This product is a very poor design. The iPad does not fit properly in the holder and falls out when put in the "store" position. The iPad plug is very difficult to use. The installation information is written by someone that does not understand English very well and the pictures don't help. You need to figure it out by yourself. When returning you can be charge up to 50% restocking fee, plus shipping. DO NOT BUY !!!

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY WERE VERY HELPFUL WITH MY PURCHASE I THANK THEM. I BROUGHT IT FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR HER CHRISTMAS PRESENT..

Buy Innovative Technology Under Cabinet iPad Player Dock - FM Radio, Speakers & with Full Functional Rem Now

Read More >>

TEAC MC-DX50i 2.1 Ch. Hi-Fi System & iPod Dock

• System remote control also controls basic iPod functions.
• NXT flat-panel speakers. Bass and treble controls. Slot-in CD player plays CD/CD-R/CD-RW discs.
• Clock and timer functions. Digital tuner with 20 station presets (10AM and 10FM)
• Docking Station for iPod.
• Powered subwoofer

I bought this for my wife for Christmas because she wanted a radio in the house and we haven't had one for years. I decided on this model because I was also getting her an iPhone. I thought it would be a great way for her to have the radio and all of her music available in the same source, as well as a convenient way to ensure her iPhone stayed charged.

I was disappointed when we put the iPhone in the docking station and the screen indicated that this device was not compatible with the iPhone (apparently the iPhone has something different on its docking port than the other four iPods that I own and I get this message on all but one of my third-party chargers). However, I was relieved to see that after that message all the functions on the iPhone proceeded without any problem. The iPhone played through the system just as the other iPods and all were controllable from the controls on the TEAC remote or head unit. So, all worked fine except the TEAC does not charge the iPhone and that is the only difference from the iPods.

The TEAC works wonderfully and sounds great. I was impressed right away as I unpacked the item. If you have ever bought a product from Apple Computer, you are aware of the exemplary job they do in their packing. It puts other products to shame, but here it seems that TEAC must be using the same folks to design their packaging. The TEAC unit was packed neatly and efficiently. The inside lid had a large, clear diagram of how all the parts were packed. The parts were packed in a way that made doing inventory and set up as easy as could be.

The manual could have been a little easier to read. i found it a bit redundant, but i'm sure that some would appreciate that if they were only going to read specific sections and perhaps out of sequence. The sleek and well designed remote control fit comfortably in the hand and was impressively solid, made almost entirely of metal except for the touch sensitive surface.

I also had a little trouble picking up a couple of my favorite stations that I listen to in the car when I used the auto-scanning feature, but was able to pick them up tuning manually. At first I thought that the TEAC antenna was just weak since I didn't connect it to an FM antenna (a coax input is provided), but then I realized that the auto-scan actually picked up about 10 local stations that my car always missed no matter which part of town I was in. So, I guess the TEAC has very good sensitivity after all.

Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase. This was my first TEAC product. My dad had a TEAC reel-to-reel back in the 70's, but that was my only exposure to the brand. I will definitely consider this brand in future electronics purchases.

Buy TEAC MC-DX50i 2.1 Ch. Hi-Fi System & iPod Dock Now

Have only had this for a few days, here's what I think so far:

Pros:

1. Only one power cord for the entire unit, from wall to the powered sub-woofer. The main unit is powered by the thick cord from the sub-woofer.

2. Cord from sub-woofer to main unit is substantial and about 6 feet long

3. Easy to setup, did not need the manual

4. Sub-woofer helps the sound

5. Modern looking with thin smaller speakers

6. Can get pretty loud, for a somewhat inexpensive room unit

Cons:

1. speaker cords could be a bit longer

2. Plays purchased CDs and CD-R's but not in MP3 format

3. CD loader is on top hope it is not affected by dust getting in

4. Think it's a little overpriced

5. My daughter thinks the clock light is too bright at nighttime in her room, but have been told that the light can in fact be dimmed (see comment, Thanks!) I've been told it can be dimmed, need to check that out.

6. Another person noted it does not have battery backup. Not sure why Teac did not include that.

Read Best Reviews of TEAC MC-DX50i 2.1 Ch. Hi-Fi System & iPod Dock Here

I purchased this primarily as a way to get local radio as well as have something to play my ipod on at work. This has nice, robust sound for an office setting, and I was really surprised at the quality for the price. The sub-woofer really does make a difference, even if I felt a little ridiculous busting it out for the office. This isn't a home theater system, so you need to adjust your expectations accordingly. But for the price you will be very pleased.

Not only is this AM/FM/CD/iPOD ready, but you can also use it as your computer speakers through the AUX IN port on the front of the unit. Since you can move the separate components around to your liking, that worked out very well for me on my desk, and I was able to lose my old speakers. What a deal!

Since I don't have this at home, I can't really test it, but there is an S-video hookup as well, so that you can hook it up to your TV. I would consider this for our den, which has a small flat screen so my husband can work and watch sports.

The only thing they could do any better would be to to include a FM antenna (AM is included, but not FM). A very small complaint, as I would likely buy a more robust one anyway (I already had a TERK antennae that I brought with me).

All in all, a great little setup!

Want TEAC MC-DX50i 2.1 Ch. Hi-Fi System & iPod Dock Discount?

I purchased the TEAC MC-DX50i at my local Costco. I have an iPod Touch and have been looking for a sound system that I could plug the iPod into. I also wanted something that could play CDs, had a radio tuner and would be "low profile" on my bookcase. The sound quality suits me. My only concern is I'm not getting a clear signal on one or two of my favorite FM stations (one is Sports Talk) but I can live with this!

Save 46% Off

The system sound good, however the picture doesn't show the "booster" speaker that is bigger than the actual system. The booster is so huge and heavy you can't fit or hide it in a "shelf."

Read More >>