iHome iP45 Portable Stereo with Rechargeable Alarm Clock, FM Radio, and Dock for iPod/iPhone

• Bongiovi Digital Power Station technology.Real time digital signal processor constantly scans audio and restores details lost in today's compressed audio formats.
• Charges and plays iPhone or iPod while docked.Enjoy your music while keeping your iPhone or iPod fully charged.
• Wake or sleep to iPhone, iPod, custom playlist, FM radio.Start or end your day just the way you want it to sound.
• Operates on AC or internal rechargeable Lithium Ion battery; Sync button; Adjustable EQ; Programmable snooze time; Universal dock with inserts; Universal voltage adaptor.
• Alarm with Weekday/weekend alarm settings.Alarm with 7.5.2 alarm settings allow you to set alarm for full week, work week or weekend with separate wake times/ alarm sources to suit your lifestyle.
• Wake or sleep to iPhone, iPod, custom playlist, FM radio.Start or end your day just the way you want it to sound.
• Charges and plays iPhone or iPod while docked.Enjoy your music while keeping your iPhone or iPod fully charged.
• Bongiovi Digital Power Station technology.Real time digital signal processor constantly scans audio and restores details lost in today's compressed audio formats.
• Alarm with Weekday/weekend alarm settings.Alarm with 7.5.2 alarm settings allow you to set alarm for full week, work week or weekend with separate wake times/ alarm sources to suit your lifestyle.
• Operates on AC or internal rechargeable Lithium Ion battery; Sync button; Adjustable EQ; Programmable snooze time; Universal dock with inserts; Universal voltage adaptor.

I did not have a chance to compare the sound of this unit directly to other similar units, but my subjective sense is that it has decent sound for the size. It also cranks out a lot of volume more than enough for what I am using it for (a speaker in the kitchen while I do chores). The bass response is much better than I would have expected. The unit closes to fold fairly flat (a little more than an inch), which is nice if you need to pack it up and move it. It includes a rechargeable battery should you want to take it with you to some location where there is no place to plug in. I can't imagine needing that myself, but perhaps if one wanted to take their music camping, it would be a good choice. I experimented with the battery a bit. After two full hours of non-stop playing, the battery indicator still showed full.

The controls are fairly simple and obvious. It includes adapters for various iPhone models. Unfortunately, as is typical of these devices, you have to remove the phone from its case to get a good connection. I haven't found one yet where that wasn't the case, but that is a feature I would be willing to pay extra for.

I have only two complaints. First, the backup battery for the alarm clock and the remote were dead on arrival. I haven't had a chance to go buy replacements. Consequently, I can't comment on how well the remote works. Secondly, even with the included antenna, the FM reception is not great. It only clearly picks up about half as many stations as the radio in the next room. However, that wasn't really a feature I was looking for in this device. I would be more likely to use the Pandora app or one of the radio station apps on the phone in order to ensure clear sound.

Buy iHome iP45 Portable Stereo with Rechargeable Alarm Clock, FM Radio, and Dock for iPod/iPhone Now

The sound is good and the volume can be turned up extremely high without any distortion. It is not as clear as some of the high end sound systems (Bose, Fidelio, etc) but it is still pretty good. The portability features are great.

Pros:

Small footprint: It's roughly the size of a box of tissues so it easily fits on most desks or nightstands.

Clock: I love that it doubles as a clock and alarm. I have it on my desk and the clock is bright and easy to read.

FM Radio: I like having the ability to listen to the news/weather when I don't have my ipod plugged in.

Rechargeable: It's nice to have the option of bringing this into another room or outdoors without plugging it in.

Portability: It folds very easily and would be easy to pack to take on vacation.

Remote: The remote (comes with battery) gives you full to access your ipod menu and allows you to switch from ipod to aux to radio as well as the control the equalizer.

Cons:

FM Reception: I plugged in the included antenna into the aux line and it did help but I have a hard time pulling in a good signal. I dont have great reception on any radios in my house but I usually get a better choice than what I get with this model.

Controls: I find the time/date/preset settings to be awkward. Not a huge deal since I wont be using them often but it was a little frustrating.

Equalizer: I didn't hear much of a difference in sound when playing with the built in equalizer.

Overall it is a good system with good features although I personally feel the listed price is high given the sound quality.

******UPDATE*******

After about one year it stopped working. I tried all of the troubleshooting suggestions but it didn't work. Very disappointed.

Read Best Reviews of iHome iP45 Portable Stereo with Rechargeable Alarm Clock, FM Radio, and Dock for iPod/iPhone Here

I am using my ipod with this system. The music sounds great. It took just a few minutes to figure out how to work. It comes with a rechargeable battery, so it will play plugged in or not. The remote control works well, too. Setting the clock and alarm is easy. This is a simple and satisfying way to listen to my ipod in the house---the entire house from a little speaker.

I didn't have any problem tuning into radio stations that came in well even without the antenna.

The remote control is a little unreliable. The range the product suggests is 15 ft, but I found it unreliable even within that distance. It often requires several pushes and moving it around.

Want iHome iP45 Portable Stereo with Rechargeable Alarm Clock, FM Radio, and Dock for iPod/iPhone Discount?

After our previous iHome portable dock finally died after 5 years of uninterrupted service during camping trips with really severe weather and conditions, construction projects, and harsh treatment, we wanted to reward the company, and decided to purchase another iHome unit. We found and purchased this one in Costco for around $70. The biggest single pro and con at the same time is the rechargeable battery. The unit is still new, and the battery lasts forever! I am really impressed but at the same time I am aware that as we start recharging the unit on regular basis battery performance will diminish. This is how it is, and nothing can be changed about it. Unfortunately, the unit wasn't designed with battery replacements in mind, and it lacks accessible compartment that will let a user replace it without a hassle of going through the warranty/service repair.

Hopefully, this issue is still long ahead of us, and for now we like how it folds flat so it's easy to transport. The sound quality isn't comparable to Bose or Sonos but it's fine for the price. The unit is light, easy to use and has a remote control. All pros. Finally, some similar units don't have the FM radio built-in and that feature is important for us when we camp. In the mountains, when weather can suddenly change public broadcast announcements are very important. Luckily this unit is equipment with that.

In conclusion, if you are looking for an affordable portable iPhone dock, with all essential features, but don't want to spend a fortune this unit is a good offering.

Save 50% Off

I bought an IP45BZ from Costco. This was after I bought an IP11, and returned it because the volume was barely audible.

I unpacked and connected the IP45 to AC power, and my iPhone. Worked fine. Then I tried the remote and nothing. I replaced the remote battery and tried the sync procedure in the manual. Nothing. The remote would not communicate. Returned it to Costco and bought another IP45BZ.

Brought the second one home, connected to AC power. Nothing. No display.....nothing. Maybe the rechargeable battery was discharged fully. Charged for two hours and still nothing. No display....nothing. Returned it to Costco and came home empty handed.

Bought three iHome products, and returned three iHome products.

-Jim