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Showing posts with label best iphone clock radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best iphone clock radio. Show all posts
Zallars 5.0" Android 4.0 MTK6515 1.0Ghz CPU Dual Sim 2G Mobile Phone A7100 (Black, NOT 3G Phone)
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RCA RP7887 Super Radio 3
- A high performance SUPER RADIO III AM/FM radio is still our best long-range performance and selectivity radio 2-Way Speaker System
- The built-in 2-Way speaker system is driven by a 6.5" high sensitivity woofer and 2" cone tweeters 2-Way Power with Automatic (AC/DC) Switching
- Automatically switches from DC to AC when the unit is plugged in to avoid using battery power
- Separate Bass and Treble Controls Leaves the control to you by providing separate bass and treble controls
- High performance Super Radio III - still the best in terms of long-range performance and sensitivity
- 2-way speaker system - the built-in 2-Way speaker system is driven by a 6.5" high sensitivity woofer and 2" cone tweeters
- External AM/FM antenna terminals - easily connect your own antenna
- Separate bass and treble controls - leaves the control to you by providing separate bass and treble controls
- Thumbwheel tuning controls - provides convenient and accurate tuning control
The radio they are sending now (8-2009) is a heavy but cheap plastic radio with low end components. The sound is fairly harsh in the midrange and treble due to surprising amounts of high frequency distortion at all volumes. The sound breaks up completely into noise and distortion with the volume set past 3-4 on FM. It's not the speaker distorting, the problem is the tiny amp rated at 1/4 to 1/3 watt and low voltage power supplies. The 1/3 watt power readings are fairly accurate as they are based on actual electronic measurements with a quality true RMS Volt and watt meter. While being physically large, this radio has 1/10th the output power of a decent, 4 watt mp3/clock radio setup. Due to it's size it gets loud enough to use in a typical kitchen or living room setting but it's easily surpassed in reception, sound quality and volume by pretty much any decent quality boombox and most amplified mp3 or computer speakers.
The original GE SuperRadio woofer has been replaced with a lighter speaker with a smaller magnet and a thin lightweight cone.
There is a separate tweeter for clarity but that's not helping in this case with the small amp that distorts the treble response easily. On the plus side the batteries will last a long time because the small amp doesn't take much power.
They should replace the amp with a better one and consider changing the design over to AA batteries instead of D cells since it would still run a long time even on AA's and the radio could be built at half the size and weight while sounding better.
The AFC button (auto frequency control) has a design flaw in the circuitry that reduces the bass response by 3-4dB when enabled.
The rotary knobs have a large amount of slop in the mechanism even when new.
Good tuner designs (even very sensitive ones) can be quiet between stations but they didn't try much on this one. It has loud noise and distortion between FM stations and the noise is actually louder than the stations themselves.
Even a tiny Sandisk $29 Sansa mp3 player that I compared to gets more stations and sounds clearer.
I own the original GE SuperRadio and have realistic expectations so I felt inclined to let people know that this is not the same product. After reading some reviews talking about the wonderful sound quality I felt obligated to provide more technical information of the current product.
Buy RCA RP7887 Super Radio 3 Now
If you're looking for a 45-dollar radio with no frills, the best AM available, very strong FM, big sound and you don't care about looks or big size, accurate tuning dial, no clock or MP3 output, you've found your radio in the RCA High-Performance Super Radio. I keep mine in the garage and it booms big enough to hear when I'm washing the car. The AM is great. About the biggest headache is getting used to the tuning dial, which is less accurate than any radio I've owned. But it's still easy to use. To get a high-performance radio with digital tuning, presets, similar big sound, and accurate read-out, you'd have to dish out 125 dollars or so for the Kaito 2100. So depending on your budget and needs, the RCA may be the best radio available.If you're looking for a replacement for the now discontinued Super Radio, you might want to check out the even better Sangean PR-D5, featuring a 200mm internal ferrite antenna, the biggest one available.
Read Best Reviews of RCA RP7887 Super Radio 3 Here
As a professional broadcaster for many years, I LIKE radios a lot. I've lived with my Superadio for about 10 years.THE BAD: the ergonomics of the unit, the "human engineering", is pretty awful. The rotating pots for volume and tone are often sticky and gritty right out of the box. The plastic toggles for band, AFC, narrow/wide AM, are as cheap and cheesy as can be made and still function most of the time. The big tuner knob is pretty good, though. I don't get much drift once I set a station. The calibration of the dial is comically inaccurate, however, so the frequency markings are pretty much just a rough guide.
The form factor is another annoyance. Center of gravity is high so the unit tips over easily, and sometimes even adjusting the volume is a two-handed operation -one to hold the unit and the other to twist the gritty little knob.
Overall build quality is not very high, and many purchased units are defective. Anyone who complains that they can't get decent reception or the sound is bad on their Superadios have defective units. That's the only possible explanation.
THE GOOD: The sound is absolutely glorious. Nothing can touch it in its class, and for twice the money. In addition to the large speaker the unit boasts a small tweeter. Voice or music, it offers the best sound you can get in a portable radio.
Reception is likewise incredibly impressive. Listening to AM at night is a real trip, literally. This is one of the reasons that there is no digital tuning on this model. A dial setup will pull in stations much better than a typical digital tuner will. "Digital" is not always best.
Battery life seems infinite.
BOTTOM LINE: This is the radio for people, and only for those people, who want the best available sound from a table/portable radio. Dontcha all be lookin' for clocks and alarms and doodads on this sweet thing, now. It's ugly, downright fugly, with iffy build and questionable design. But once tuned in, the glory of the sonics will be a reminder of a little money very well spent indeed.
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This is a copy of a review that I posted on another listing on this site... Check around, prices vary over time between different vendors on Amazon.How is it super? Let me count the ways:
Super Big...About 13x9x4 inches this is a large radio that has room for a large speaker for decent bass, and also a small "tweeter " for enhanced treble.
Super Heavy...Nearly 7 pounds with batteries, and installing batteries does seem to improve the sound quality.
Super Sensitive AM reception...At night, it is sometimes difficult to tell if a station is 1000 miles away or only 10!
Super Easy to Operate... No complicated digital stuff, just basic tuning, volume, tone controls, and a few switches.
Super Sound...Has separate Bass and Treble tone controls, to contour the sound to your taste.
Super Plain Looking...Very basic and functional design, not an eye-catcher. For "fancy" see my review of the Sangean PR D2V or Q radio.
Super Economical Operation...This radio will run *almost forever* on 6 D cells, and has a built-in power cord for AC operation, (you don't have to buy an extra wall wart supply).
Super Good Deal... I know of no AM/FM portable radio that offers this kind of performance at such low cost!
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This is more of a Super-Radio 4 with the cosmetics of a Superadio III. This is the third version of the RCA-branded "Superadio". It's not made by Thomson Consumer Electronics as the original Superadio III was made but by a Canadian outfit called AVC Electronics. The target market no longer seems to be the USA but Canada (nothing wrong with that).I bought one of these just to see what changes were made I'm a radio engineer by trade and hobby.
It took me three samples before I found one radio that worked sort of properly. The first one was extremely mis-calibrated. The second one had floppy controls (the audio pots would turn 360 degrees as if their detents were broken) and dead spots across the dial. The third unit is calibrated properly on AM but slightly off on FM, particularly noticeable on the high end of the dial. A station on 106 FM appears halfway between 106 and 108.
Sound quality is not as good as the original IIIs. Audio is tinnier. The woofer in the current model doesn't have as much bass response as earlier units, even with the bass dial turned to maximum.
When turned on, it takes a while for voltages to ramp up and let the varactor tuning diodes return to the previous station that was listened to. Older IIIs would do this much more quickly. I haven't yet opened the radio to look at the circuit board, but the difference in performance suggests the electronics have been redesigned.
The most insignificant part is the slight but noticeable cosmetic changes: Printing on the top part of the cabinet is now gone. Also gone is the chrome finish on the knobs and switches replaced by a dull-grey matte finish.
In short, I think it's seriously time to consider retiring this model line.
It's been a good 30 years (I, II and III under GE and the second version of RCA-branded III; the first version being plagued by defective tuning potentiometers) but better-quality contemporary analog-tuned and digitally-tuned radios (by companies like C-Crane and Sangean) have superseded it.
Clearly the current manufacturer (AVC Electronics) is just cruising on name recognition and not quality.
LG Optimus Elite Android Phone, Black (Sprint)
I never had a lg phone before I am a Samsung lady but so far I love the phone and cant complain it was worth how much I did pay for it a good bang for the buck
Everyone lese in my family has Ipnoes, this seems to have the same funcitonality, there are a tremendous amount of apps, etc. If I had any complaint, it would be typing on the qwerty keypad is somewhat frustrating since the software inserts its interpretation of what I'm typing into texts and searches instead of what I am typing correctly. Smart software = dumb output. Aside from that, good phone with impressive capability. Smaller screen makes int very handy.
Buy LG Optimus Elite Android Phone, Black (Sprint) Now
Most smartphone users will be more than happy with this one. It is fairly quick and takes good pics too. I easily do bar code scans and more.Read Best Reviews of LG Optimus Elite Android Phone, Black (Sprint) Here
iHome Portable Alarm Clock Stereo Speaker with USB Charging for Smartphones
- Portable and compact audio solution operates on 4AA batteries or included universal voltage AC adaptor
- Alarm Clock with backlit LCD display
- Quick Charge USB charging port with included MicroUSB cable
- Works with iHome Sleep alarm app for enhanced wake and sleep options (free Android Market download)
- AUX line-in with included stereo audio cable allows connection of any external music source with a 3.5mm headphone jack
The iC16 is a simple LCD alarm clock with side firing Reson8 stereo speakers. Unit has AC adapter, small coin battery to maintain clock and alarm settings, and is portable with the use of 4 AA batteries. The AC adapter brick is rather large and sits at a right angle to your outlet/power strip. Set up and installation was easy. Size is 8 5/8"Lx2"Hx2" D.
LCD Display:
Could be a little bigger
To control the lighting it has 3 dimmer selections plus off.
Has a Daylight Saving Time switch in the back.
Alarm functions:
Simple set up and operation
Gentle Waking feature is nice, where the volume slowly increases up to the the level you set it at.
Snooze/Dimmer button is nice and big. A nice feature is the snooze time can be changes from 9 min (default) up to 29 min.
For the alarm to operate you must have AC or 4 AA batteries installed. The coin battery only maintains the clock and alarm settings.
Android Phone Feature
One of the nice things about this is the ability to hook up your smart phone and listen to your playlists through the speaker system or listen to a You Tube video, listen as you play your favorite game, etc.. With the included auxiliary jack/cable it is very simple to attach.
In addition you can charge your phone through the unit via a usb to mini-usb cable. This feature only works with the AC adapter plugged in.
There is a usb mode switch that switches between A and B. This could be a little bit more clearer as to what the difference is. Switched to B is the default and it worked for me.
Another nice feature is the free iHome alarm app from Android Market works with the iC16 so you can wake up to music on your Adroid or alarm.
One thing that is a little bit odd is that to play your music you have to press the power button vs it automatically turning on when you start playing music/sound from the hooked up Android or shutdown when you stop playing music/sound. Maybe it has more to do with saving battery life when in portable mode?
Speakers:
Are on the sides facing out.
For it's purpose the sound is good. It obviously isn't something you would use to entertain a room full of people as the output isn't significant. If you are looking for higher end sound this probably wouldn't meet your needs, but next to your bed or in your home office it is fine.
Other uses: Works with your iPhone and iPod
You can hook up your iPhone and iPod to the speaker system to play music, listen to video's, etc.
You also use the charging mechanism, you just substitute your iPhone usb cable for the one provided with the iC16.
In addition, the iPhone free iHome alarm app works with the iC16. I didn't spend a lot of time on it so there probably are some nuances with using the iHome alarm app with the iC16.
Rating 4/5
Buy iHome Portable Alarm Clock Stereo Speaker with USB Charging for Smartphones Now
Design: 5 StarsFeatures: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Overall: The iC16 is a basic alarm clock/speaker system for Android that does its job well.
Setup: The iC16 is as easy to get up and running. All you do is insert the backup battery, connect the power cable, USB cable, and AUX cable. Once you plug it in to an outlet, it is simple to set the time and the alarm time. You can optionally install iHome's Android app with alarms and a sleep log.
Usability: In contrast to the iC50, the iC16 is very easy to use. With your Android connected, the power button controls whether the unit accepts sound or not. The + and buttons control sound. Also unlike the iC50, your Android device rests on the table next to the unit rather than using the flawed mounting scheme.
Sound: The sound quality is OK, but it is not on par with the iC3 speaker doc. It is good enough for a dual function device.
Alarm Clock: I like the alarm clock on the iC16 better than that of the iC50. The functions are the same, but the iC16 has raised buttons. Once you know that the power button on the end turns off the alarm, it is easy to find and turn off in the morning. The iC50 has flush, unmarked buttons making it harder to turn off.
Other: Continuing with the iC50 comparison theme, the iC16 does not have an FM radio. However, I see this as a positive. It allows for a simpler design and better performance overall. Users who truly desire FM radio can find a replacement app anyway.
Conclusion: The iC16 is a solid alarm clock and Android speaker dock. While the performance is not world class, it does its job well.I received this as a review unit and it was boxed nice and looked nice but does not feel up to the task. Biggest issue is the external plug without a dock. It's as if you have to hang the droid off the side and let it do it's thing. One reviewer had issues with a button and you can see why when you feel the lightweight quality.
For $45.00 you can buy a much better alarm clock, or several smaller alarm clocks. You can connect your Droid to the unit with the included USB, and it sounds pretty good. It makes up for the cheap build, but not enough to warrant more than 3 stars.
Overall I can see where iHome was going with this unit, but there are so many other more durable, dockable units out there that I'd suggest looking elsewhere before buying. If the unit was under $19.95 then it would be worth the price, not $45.00
Good sound, good idea, bad implementation.
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Full clock radio functionally with backlit display; the brightness control allows for 4 settings (1) High; extremely bright (2) medium; brighter than an advantage nightlight (3) low; too dull to see at night (4) Off; not helpful at all. Prefect for a bedroom that requires a nightlight; or for use in a home office. Dual wake, sleep and snooze functions work great and are easy to set. One Built-in USB charging port and an auxiliary-in port.What is missing ~ cable management
Didn't try the iHome Sleep alarm app ~ Neither my hubby nor I have an Android phone.
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Out of the box, this unit is a simple alarm clock with a lighted display. The clock numerals are a bit small, but still easy to read. There is no radio in the unit. The feature that makes this somewhat special is that you can hook up your android device to it and play radio or other music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. through the units dual speakers. You can also charge your device with the included cables. The unit has a lithium battery backup for power outages or surges, and 4-AA battery operation or you can just plug it into a wall outlet. Another nice feature is the ability to change the snooze default from the usual 9 minutes to anything up to 29 minutes.While this iHome clock specifies it is for use with android devices, specifically smartphones and mp3 players, I was able to hook it up to my Kindle Keyboard for both charging and to play podcasts through the clock's speakers. I also used my own iPod cable to successfully charge it through the clock and used the included phone jacks to play the iPod through the clock's speakers as well.
The speakers sound robust and the control buttons on the unit are easy to find in the dark, a good feature for an alarm clock. The size is a little awkward, not big enough to park your smartphone on top of, but not small enough to be a compact travel alarm clock.
iHome iH11 Alarm Clock with Dock for iPod (Pink)
- SPACESAVER ALARM CLOCK FOR IPODPINK CHARGES/PLAYS
Buy iHome iH11 Alarm Clock with Dock for iPod (Pink) Now
This is a good Ipod alarm clock that does everything it advertises. I have to say, however, that for an extra $10-$15 dollars more the Sony Dream Machine (ICF-C7iP) does everything the iHome does but also has FM/AM radio, a larger and more attractive display, a smaller size, automatic time setting and two alarms that can be set for weekdays/weekends which makes it worth the extra to me.Read Best Reviews of iHome iH11 Alarm Clock with Dock for iPod (Pink) Here
It does everything it says it's supposed to...plays the radio, plays my Ipod (Itouch). Sound is decent (what do you expect out of a little box for a clock radio?), but...no presets for the radio? That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. So I'm supposed to scroll through all the stations any time I want to change my mind on a station. I don't know about you, but there's about 5-6 stations that I consistently listen to and will change around when a radio is playing something I don't want to hear. Regardless of it being a clock radio where at my bedside I wouldn't be changing the station, if I bought this to go on my desk or something like that, then it would be completely pointless in my opinion. So if you really don't care about changing the station ever or scrolling through it is no big deal or you never will listen to the radio because you're only going to use this for your IPOD anyway, then you can make your decision. Just remember too that the sound is just okay.Want iHome iH11 Alarm Clock with Dock for iPod (Pink) Discount?
This Alarm clock is great, it has all the features I want: it plays my iPod loud enough for me to hear it in the morning. It also is a great speaker system in and of itself. The one problem is that when you set an alarm for a certain time (let's say 7:30 am) it doesn't start playing your iPod for a little bit (until around 7:30 and 30 seconds), but this problem has an easy solution set your alarm to sound 1 minute earlier (7:29 am)! I recommend also setting your alarm on your iPod as well as on the iHome. Overall, this product is to use and I am so far enjoying it. Additionally, the remote control is an amazing feature, you'll find yourself using the remote for snoozing in the morning. GREAT PRODUCT and it looks good too!!Save 25% Off
This is a good little iPod dock. Flaw in that it is on the same frequency as the remote for my Direct TV. When I use my Direct TV remote it turns on the iHome. It works pretty well, other than that.
iLuv iMM190 App Station Alarm Clock Stereo Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone (Black)
- Establishes full functions of the iLuv alarm clock application (available from Apple iTunes app store)
- Stands horizontally or vertically to match your iPhone or iPod touch screen aspect
- Portable / desktop (6 x AA batteries or AC operated) speaker for your iPhone or iPod
- Plays and charges your iPhone /iPod.Built with dynamic acoustic speaker chambers to enhance sound clarity
- Compatibility (plays and charges): iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G,3G, 4G; iPhone 1G, 3G, and 4 (AT&T and Verizon)
HARDWARE:
The unit is light and simple. There are 3 buttons on the top (when configured in landscape position). On/Off, Volume control, and Snooze. I have the iPod Touch and the iPhone 4, both of which fit nicely in the dock. There is an adjustable rest (for use in the landscape position) that holds your device securely in place, and the docking pins are easy to access. There is also sufficient depth between the pins and the face of the unit, which, when coupled with the adjustable rest, allow you dock your device even with a skin or protective cover on it a big plus.
The default position is horizontal if you like the button on top the traditional location for a Snooze button, but the unit easily rotates to a vertical position if that is your preference. On the rear of the unit is the AC connection for the 120v power adapter, as well as an AUX IN connection.
The sound quality is decent for a device of this designed purpose. There is noticable distortion when you reach 75% of the volume band, but if want that much volume you probably want a dock for a more powerful amp anyway. There is plenty of volume available in the lower band (up to the 70% or so range). There is a nice range of tone from bass to treble (not an adjustment via the iLuv unit, but via your iPod/iPhone). But there is a noticable buzz at all volume levels. Not a good set of speakers. I'm okay with it for its purpose, but would certainly not use this to do any serious music listening.
Lastly, the unit is attractive and modern in design. It won't grab attention, nor will it look out of place wherever you place it. It also charges both my iPod Touch 3G and my iPhone 4 with no problem.
SOFTWARE (The iLuv App):
For features and functionality, you need to download the iLuv app to your iPod/iPhone. Be sure you get the latest version of the app, so that you can use all the newest features and avoid any bugs that might have been addressed from previous versions.
The app features a split screen or single screen display, and can disply time, date, weather, music art, photos, etc. Most of the above can be combined. I like to have the time and temperature on the split screen usually.
Just below the display mentioned above, there are a few icons depending on vertical or horizontal placement (which I find odd and a bit annoying). There is an alarm clock icon that takes you easily to the setup screen for an alarm setting. There is also a ticker style bar showing the current song playing. When in the vertical position, there is a "i" icon that takes you to additional (and very useful) options, such as Dimmer Level, Wall Paper settings, Sleep Timer (a must have feature), and Auto-lock selections, etc. What is annoying is that in the horizontal position, this General Settings ("i") option is not available. Quite odd.
Alarm settings are pretty good. You can create one-time or recurring alarms, and even choose the days of the week that you wish the alarms to function. The alarm sound is configurable to allow you to select from several built-in sounds or the "wake to music" option which lets you specify the exact song you want to wake to, a nice feature.
I don't know how often the app will be updated, I belive 2.0 is the most current version. One complaint I have about the current app is that is tends to "reset" your configured display every time you start it. So, if you want to have the time and temp or time and music art displayed, you have to set that every time you start the app it defaults to time/time. I hope they address this in an upcoming version.
Overall, I think this is a nice device to use as an alarm or just as a desktop dock/player for your iPod/iPhone. Not perfect but most of the imperfections are software related, and hopefully these will continue to improve.
Buy iLuv iMM190 App Station Alarm Clock Stereo Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone (Black) Now
The ILuv App Station Alarm clock is a nice addition for iPod or iPhone. The station functions fairly straight forward. There is just an on/off, volume and snooze button on the station. The main functionality comes from the app that is downloaded for free off the iTunes apps store. There are parts of the app that require wifi Internet access. These are the Internet radio and the weather. Without the Internet wakeup to any playlist from you iPod. There are some nice wake-up options for those who need help in waking up. There are several sounds designed to REALLY wake you up. The app has some nice visuals with four unique clock styles that use the sharp high resolution retina display. These can be swiped sideways to switch between the different clocks. Speaker sound is average and not unexpected from this small of a docking station and iphones/iPods are charged when plugged into a wall outlet. Batteries are added for mobility but not for charging. A nice product to make use of iPods/iPhones and one that is well worth adding to any college student's or kid's desk.I'm on my second App Station. The first one had the on/off button stop working after three days. It was getting power, i.e. my iPhone was charging, but I could not use the button to turn the unit on to hear output from the iPhone.I returned the first App Station, and immediately upon receiving the second one, I find that the volume control rocker does not work. I can change volume using the iTunes interface, but the volume is completely unaffected by using the App Station control. This thing almost makes me long for the old days of analog.
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If you are looking for high quality sound from the ILuv, you are going to be very, very disappointed. As far as alarm clocks go, I don't see the advantage of this over a $5 digital alarm clock you can pick up at Walmart, unless you are simply app crazy and want to use your iTouch for everything. And as someone who travels quite often, I was kind of hoping this would be small enough to throw in an overnight bag to use as a clock/iTouch charger when I'm on the road. The iLuv is "smallish" but not so small that it would slip easily into a carry on.It may sound as if the iLuv is useless, but I have found a great place to use the thing. If you spend quite a bit of time in your cubicle or in the office, the iLuv is perfect as a desktop iPod player. As a denizen of a cubicle farm, it's a nice workday distraction to have some music playing lowly at your desk as background noise. The iLuv is perfect in this setting as you usually have to keep the volume low when you're at work (and lower volume/low sound quality expectation are the iLov's friend), it's small enough to take up just one corner of your desk, and looks sleek sitting there too. On the plus side, you have your iTouch all charged up at the end of the workday, so it's ready to roll on the long commute home.
Would I recommend a purchase of the iLuv? Not really. While it works well in the scenario I've written about above, there are plenty of similar products that can do the same thing at a fraction of the cost.
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This is the second update to my review. I received a second unit because of the sound quality (see original reviews below) and the replacement unit had the same issues. I'm disappointed because I love the design but am returning them both because of the sound quality.I'm changing my review to 3 stars for now because the customer service of the manufacturer has been very good. They responded to my online inquiries very quickly and even called me to arrange for me to exchange the unit because of the sound quality issue. If the app is released soon and the new unit has the sound quality I expect then I will give it more stars. Original review follows...
I love the design of this alarm clock. It's sturdy but small enough to also use as a portable speaker so I can take it wherever I am in the house and listen to my music, podcasts etc. It's also really clever the way you can rotate it to have your iphone/ipod touch either vertical or horizontal. All that being said, it was a terrible idea for them to ship this without the app being available. Here's the response I got from customer service online:
"Thank you for contacting iLuv. We apologize for the confusion with your iMM190Blk. The iLuv app clock is in the process of being uploading and we are doing our best to be done by mid March. Until then the unit can be used as a speaker. Please let us know if we can assist you further."
My other problem is that the speaker makes a fuzzy sound as soon as it is turned on and the fuzz continues in the background when I play music or podcasts. I think I may have a defective one since other reviewers said the sound was good on theirs. If the app comes out soon I will try to exchange it and hope the sound is better on another one otherwise I am returning it.
Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker, DS1200
- When connect and dock, this Fidelio docking station will automatically synchronize the clock with your iPod/iPhone/iPad.
- Charge your iPad on this Fidelio docking station through the dock connector. At the same time, you can also charge your iPod, iPhone or any other mobile device via USB connector together.
- LED clock display for clear time viewing
- Smartly designed spring-loaded docking port effortlessly accommodates any iPod, iPhone or iPad, without special adaptors. What's more, it works even when most protective cases are on - just dock your iPod, iPhone or iPad as it is NOW.
- Soft glow night light
Works fine if you just use the iPhone alarm.
Buy Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker, DS1200 Now
Awesome to play music from. iPhone or iPod fits perfectly on top of speaker and charges it! USB cord in back allows you to charge multiple items. There is even a Phillips app for iPhone and iPod touch.Read Best Reviews of Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker, DS1200 Here
I bought this through Bed Bath and Beyond for one reason: my wife can dock it while her iphone is in her kate spade case! No other speaker dock I tested in a store accommodated a case, but because of how it is designed, this speaker dock accommodates an iphone in its case! So that alone made me happy. (oh and we bought the floor model for $48)I took it home and found out that it is a nice solid little speaker with sound that is much better than its size would suggest. It also is very solid/heavy compared to very plastic feeling speaker docs. No distortion. Very adequate for a bedroom night stand. It has a decorative light that seems nice but not too functional.
There are controls for the light, volume and that's about it. No sound EQ.
I'm happy.
RCA RCD10 Alarm Clock
- 1.0-Inch display
- Easy-to-use control buttons
- Portability when needed
- On-demand blue backlight
- Snooze function
The clock does require 2 AAA batteries, not as common as they once were. RCA elected to not include the batteries, which I found odd, but not a catastrophe. Unlike another reviewer, I found no issues with the slide bars or the black on black raised text of the indicators.
I would imagine most will relegate it to a travel alarm clock due to its size. Either way, I consider it a good buy at the price point.When I travel I never rely on hotel alarm clocks or wake-up calls so I always bring my own. I own some nice, smaller and more expensive clocks but I am always afraid that I will accidentally leave it behind. This alarm clock is bigger than most modern models but it is so inexpensive that I won't lose much sleep about losing it. Here are the things that I like about it and some things that I don't.
PROS
* Inexpensive
* Relatively small but there are much flatter clocks on the market
* No-brainer when it comes to setting and using it
* Battery operated so there is no need to find an outlet
* Large display with manually activated back-light
* Loud enough to wake most people
CONS
* It's small for a desktop unit but somewhat bulky for a travel clock
* Runs on AAA batteries which are usually more expensive that AA's and do not last as long
* The display can't be seen in the dark unless you press the snooze/light bar
* It seems cheaply made so I wonder about how much abuse it can take which is an important feature for travel clocks
CONCLUSION:
For five or six bucks it's okay, but really nothing special. I would hope that I could pick up something like this a little cheaper at a discount store. I wouldn't use it in my home because it is not permanently backlit and doesn't use an A/C cord, but it would be fine for travel.
Read Best Reviews of RCA RCD10 Alarm Clock Here
This is a small, very basic alarm clock -it doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of bigger models, but it gets the job done. Not that it is NOT a clock radio...as it doesn't have a radio. :-)It's good as a backup in case of a power outage, or for a nightstand in a guest room -nice that it won't take up an outlet if you're short on them.
The display is nothing special -and note that it's not a lit-up display (like many clock radios) -rather, it is a simple LCD display like you'd find on a digital watch. You can light it up with a button, but you won't be able to see it in the middle of the night otherwise.
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This alarm clock is as basic as you can get. The clock does require 2 AAA batteries and has no electrical back up. You could use it as a travel alarm, but it is a little bulky. This is a clock you could buy at a discount store, for a much lower price.
AUDIOVOX CNP2000H XM MINI TUNER HOME DOCKING STATION
- Please see the above description.
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I bought this with the car mount kit, so I could have XM in the car and wherever else I go. Figured, wow! This is a GREAT idea, all I have to do is buy a compatible portable device (because they say that in their advertisement) and no more dismounting a portable unit from my car and snapping it into a boombox. Now, all I'll have to do is plug in this card right? Wrong! Where are the compatible portable devices as advertised? Maybe I'm missing something here... Please correct me if I'm wrong. However, If I'm not wrong, then don't buy this if your looking for something to move from the car to a boombox because the technology isn't there!Read Best Reviews of AUDIOVOX CNP2000H XM MINI TUNER HOME DOCKING STATION Here
Product works great.. I wish the XM programming and the price plans for subscriptions were the same quality.Want AUDIOVOX CNP2000H XM MINI TUNER HOME DOCKING STATION Discount?
It kind of bothered me when I discovered I would need to purchase an additional accessory to make my XM function on $1200 receiver however that's the way it was. This unit does everything is promises, XM comes through my system crystal clear.They give you plenty of antenna cord to get it to where you need.
I did have an issue when I initially hooked up the XM where a screaming static would come through rather than music until I re-powered the system each time wound up I had a defective Denon receiver.
All is well now highly recommended.
Supersonic SC-1100 Handheld Digital AM/FM Radio with Display
- Portable AM/FM 2 band radio
- AC/DC compatible
- Digital readout with LCD display
- Time display
- Alarm function
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This little radio is as good as I hoped it would be. The sound is larger than you'd think for such a small thing. The antenna works well so there are few blank spots where there is no reception (although I have not taken it with me many places). So far I am very pleased with it and I feel that it is a good buy.Read Best Reviews of Supersonic SC-1100 Handheld Digital AM/FM Radio with Display Here
This item is what is described, and make sure you read that it is a digital display, not a digital tuner. You tune the radio by turning a dial on the end of the unit just like you would an analog tuner radio. The only thing digital about it is the readout. The radio will drift off of tune and not stay locked in on a station like a digital tuner radio would. Overall it works ok for the price.Want Supersonic SC-1100 Handheld Digital AM/FM Radio with Display Discount?
For the price it's really hard to complain. But for those looking for a good radio, be advised that this is a very small radio (smaller than I expected), and the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired. It's very tinny sounding.The reception is pretty good and the controls are easy enough to use. It also can be used as an alarm surprise!
It does sound better if you use earphones (not included).
Update:
I guess I CAN complain. Bought this in March and it's dead already in May. The tuner just decided it didn't want to work anymore. And at the $10 price it's hard to justify the trouble of trying to get it repaired or replaced.
Downgraded from four stars to two stars. Don't waste your money.
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This is not AC/DC compatible. There is no AC adapter jack. Otherwise, it was what I expected, serviceable, but not great. If you are lucky, you get what you paid for. Since I paid for AC/DC capability, I did not get what I paid for.
Partner EA900 Deluxe English & Arabic Bidirectional Talking Electronic Dictionary and Audio PhraseBo
- Delivering flawless voiced output of all the words in its enormous database with True Voice human pronunciation, the EA900 Deluxe offers a unique chance to improve your pronunciation by hearing how a native speaker says a word or phrase. The world's most advanced English and Arabic Speech Recognition modules let you speak into the device in your own language and get an instant, hands-free translation that can be spoken out loud in the target language.
- A fully functional talking, translating Audio PhraseBook provides you with all the words and phrases you need to communicate in almost any situation. Divided into 15 easy to navigate topic areas, it includes 14,000 phrases so that there's nothing you won't be able to say. Simply select a category, press the 'Say' button and the translator speaks the phrase fluently in the language of your choice.
- Easy to navigate and astonishingly responsive, the customizable and intuitive Windows CE powered interface offers instant access to the information you need quickly, easily and dependably. A Smart Virtual Keyboard with Audio interface and layout for both languages complete the built-in support that makes the EA900 Deluxe different from all the rest.
- With the patented Language Teacher system that comes pre-loaded on the EA900 Deluxe you are well on your way to complete control of a new language within minutes. One of the most effective methods ever designed for language study, it employs the advanced True Voice and Speech Recognition modules and step-by-step lessons to guide you comfortably from beginner to advanced speaker. With a full set of enjoyable games and exams, you improve your language skills naturally and intuitively. The inclusion of the unique U-LearnTM Car Tutor lets you study hands-free and eyes-free to make use of every spare moment to improve your language skills.
- The EA900 Deluxe offers the most sought-after extras to make every trip you take more enjoyable. The included jetBook Reader lets you read and translate your favorite e-Books. A built-in voice recorder lets you record conversations and audio notes and a robust audio player with mp3 support lets you listen to your favorite media files, AudioBooks and pre-loaded cultural notes to learn Modern Arabic Traditions. An FM radio helps you keep up on the latest news while a Calendar, a World Time clock, Metric Conversion, and a Calculator keep you organized while saving you time and money.
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Naxa NX-3103 Alarm Clock Radio iPod Docking Station
- Naxa; alarm clock; docking station
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This clock radio appears to be identical to one I bought under the Craig brand name at a large drugstore. There's nothing special about the sound or the design, but it works just fine and is a good value. The item on this page appears to be an updated model; with the model I own, the iPhone 3G more or less fits in the cradle and plays through the speakers, but does not charge. (An alternative is to plug the iPhone into the wall and connect it to the speakers using the included audio cable.) My daughter is now using the clock radio with her 5th-generation iPod, which charges and plays perfectly.Read Best Reviews of Naxa NX-3103 Alarm Clock Radio iPod Docking Station Here
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my 11 year old daughter. It works with her ipod nano 4th gen.It is not an easy item to figure out. To set the alarm you have to pick up the clock and use the button
inconveniently located on the back.
Also, whenever the ipod is docked and you use the click wheel to advance to a different song the clock returns to flashing 12:00. You have to remove the ipod from the clock to avoid resetting the time.
The sound is OK, not great but OK.
If I only paid $10.00 I would expect the poor quality and quirks....but at $50.00 it is a HUGE disappointment.
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I plugged it in, it took forever to figure out. Then when I switched songs it shut off and wouldn't start. It felt cheap, the remote never worked and isn't worth the time to even look at it online.I hope you have a better experience than we did.
Kaito KA1101 AM/FM Shortwave Radio, Black
- Dual conversion technology + wide/narrow AM filter + 50 memories
- Four tuning methods: direct, manual, scan and preset
- Built-in automatic battery charger, alarm clock and sleep timer
- Compact design, ideal for travelling
- 1-year USA limited warranty
PROS:
1) Comes with rechargeable batteries, velcro-sealed slip case, earbuds, long antenna wire, adapter/charger and very readable manual (which fits nicely inside of the supplied slip case!). Batteries are designed to be easily recharged inside the radio.
2) Excellent weak signal reception on ALL bands including Low frequency FM or FML (starting at 70 MHz). It really performs very well!
3) Excellent bandwidth choice for the Wide/narrow switch on the keyboard on AM (MW) and SW and a separate FM, FML tone switch (labeled as Music/news on the right hand side of the radio), a Mono/Stereo switch on the keyboard as well as a Local/DX switch on the left hand side of the radio.
4) Lock switch and external antenna jack.
5) Back light controlled by available ambient lighting with an on-board light sensor system.
6) Numerous tuning methods available.
7) Very high quality and very readable display with numerous icons for charging, battery life, Mono/stereo settings, wide/narrow filter setting, etc.
8) Very long battery life.
9) Simple direct system for changing the 5 individual bands in direct order only (no reversing of the band change direction is possible).
10) Finally, it has a nice and very easy to use reset button on the front panel just in case the system acts irregularly (which I have not observed at all).
CONS: These are all very small and of no great significance whatsoever!
1) Tuning is limited to only the up/down slewing keys with only a 5 KHz frequency step which is relatively coarse, but usually sufficient given its bandwidth (Wide/Narrow) capabilities.
2) Only a total of 50 presets are available (10 on each of the 5 bands), however they are extremely easy and very intuitive to set and recall.
3) Smallish speaker (after all, I wanted the radio to be small and portable so this has to be the case!).
4) No signal strength meter available on-screen or otherwise.
5) It uses 3 AA batteries instead of a pair of batteries. Also, when rechargeable AA's are used, the full battery charge will not register on the screen (only 3 of 4 of the battery indicator icons are visible under these conditions).
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After reviewing many radios, I decided because of its price to go with the Kaito. When I received the radio I tried to charge the batteriesone battery refused to charge in a powerex charger. I tried a refresh with no luck. I replaced this battery with a Panasonic that was fully charged. As I opened the battery compartment lid, it fell off. I used tape to hold it on. I could not stand the moth ball smell of the nicely designed case so I threw it away.Performance is poor. I live in a fringe area and did not expect miracles, but this radio does not come close to pulling in stations that were a breeze with the CC Radio. The DX switch is a joke-it is there for cosmetics. It did nothing! Shortwave is a silkscreen label-not a fact.Kaito KA1101 AM/FM Shortwave Radio, Black
Ergonomics: The buttons are poorly designed. The on-off switch is flush
with the case and almost impossible to activate by touch.
The volume potentiometer is located on the side of the case where it can be moved accidentally.
It is low cost and that says it all. I will stick to Grundig and Sanjean.
Read Best Reviews of Kaito KA1101 AM/FM Shortwave Radio, Black Here
Pretty darned good radio for the size and price. I bought this one after much consideration for travel.It has everything I need and seems to pull in harder stations with ease. Turning off the sleep timer is a
bit of an annoyance and it would be nice to have the option to turn the backlite on.
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I bought the Kaito KA1101 and it was stolen before I could review it. I had it just long enough to know that I had to repurchase it. I bought it from Electronnix through Amazon for $49.95 and free shipping.Our minivan was totaled while visiting relatives in Indianapolis and then eight days later, while completing our trip in a rental, our car was robbed in Columbus, OH and the radio lost along with my Kaito KA321 and Kaito Voyager V1 (also reviewed).
This is a good radio, excellent for the price! The AM has a "wide/narrow" filter that allows the user to separate one station from another near above or below. Example: 760 WJR Detroit from 780 WBBM Chicago can be listened to without interference using "narrow" setting from where we were staying in Indianapolis. This filter works on AM and SW stations.
This radio has been available from a long while and has always had great reviews for its sensitivity (good solid reception). It comes complete with NiMH batteries, built in charge, AC adapter, earphones that actually sound good (wish could buy them separately), case, long wire antenna and manual. The speaker sounds great for a portable.
SW is divided in two bands and I have no trouble receiving English broadcasts of CRI China for a different view of world news. Amazingly CRI broadcast US sports scores. May broadcasters still use shortwave and times and where to listen can be found on the internet.
FM stereo is excellent through the included headphones and better reception than my home AM/FM receiver.
This review is based on two KA1101's since I didn't have time to review before my first was stolen. I still have to replace my other radios. The Kaito KA 1101 is a very good radio and Electonnix via Amazon shipped quickly at an excellent price.
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Works very well. Sensitivity and selectivity above average. Good quality. AM and FM also seem to be above average for this price range of shortwave receiver.
Sony MHCEC709iP Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System
- Powerful 360-watt (RMS) music system
- Two-way bass reflex speaker system
- Works with iPhone and iPod--charge, play and control
- Single-disc CD Player plays CDs and CD-R/RW recorded in audio or MP3 file formats
- Audio-in lets you easily connect MP3 players, PCs or other devices
- Powerful 360 Watt (RMS) music system
- Single Disc CD Player; CD, CD-R/RW playback recorded in audio or MP3 file formats
- Works with iPhone, Made for iPod;charge, play and control
Now that I've talked about the other reviews, let me give you my opinion. These speakers are GREAT!!! They have great sound quality to them, it gets quite loud, and it's perfect for any application. I use it for listening to music, playing sound over my TV, and watching movies. It goes up to a volume level of 30, and I've used it on 13 with my laptop at full volume and my neighbors have complained about the booming sounds coming from next door. Everything is very simple to use, and it even has this DSGX setting. I don't know what it stands for exactly, but it makes the sound seem fuller, along with adding a TON of bass. It also has several EQ settings. I use the Rock EQ, because I listened through all of the EQs and chose it. You don't even really need the EQ changed though, only if you're picky, like me.
If there was one complaint I had about this system, it would be that some bass notes cut out. These speakers are excellent with most low, mid, and high frequencies, but once the bass notes start to get reallyyyyyyy low, it likes to cut them out. It's a little upsetting, but it doesn't happen that often, and for the money I spent on this system I couldn't be any more content with it. This system is a really great buy, and if you do your research and find that this is the one for you then great, get it! If not, then go your own way. If I had just a little more money when I went to go buy mine, I would've goten the next level up for 50 dollars more (the one with 3 speakers instead of 2, since the extra speaker is really for a bass boost and most definitely would've gotten me those missing bass notes). But either way, I'm glad I made the decision to buy this and you will be too.
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I brought a Thievery Corporation CD to Frye's and tested every system in there. This had the best sound for the money BY FAR. I like my music to have powerful base and thought about getting the same system with the sub woofer, but the highs and mids were not clear on that one. This unit had great comprehensive sound--clear mids and highs with great base. All of the other systems in this price range couldn't handle high volume and had around 150-170W, but this one maintained good sound as loud as I could turn it because of the 360W. The only drawback is that it's a little bigger than I wanted for a shelf system.Read Best Reviews of Sony MHCEC709iP Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System Here
This stereo looks great and sounds great for the money yet suffers from a couple of bad design decisions.I bought this unit for the computer room to add a little boost to my computer sounds and to allow me to play my iPod through.
Here are my thoughts on this stereo
The Good:
For sound quality: The sound on this unit is rich and deep and LOUD. It works perfectly with my iPod classic, the remote may be a little tricky at first, but you will get used to it, and with games and movies passed through it from my computer.
For Construction quality: The unit feels sturdy and well made and looks amazing.
The Bad:
For reasons I cannot fathom Sony's engineers decided to go against several decades of stereo design when they made this unit. As has been pointed out by other customers there is no headphone jack on the machine, which isn't a problem for me, but one must wonder why this classic staple of just about any other stereo ever made was left out. The second design issue is that the main stereo unit is quite long so although this is marketed as a "shelf unit" I do not know a single person with book shelves deep enough to fit this unit. To add insult to injury Sony decided to put two computer style fan exhaust ports on the backside of the unit which adds another inch to its length and means there must be a clearance of at least 15 centimeters behind the unit and the wall. So Sony has made the first "shelf unit" stereo that cannot be used as one. Oh well no matter, I'll just put the main unit out of the way somewhere and just run some longer speaker wire to the speakers which I can put where I like. Whoops. No I can't. Again it seems Sony's designers have decided to ignore the last 50 odd years of stereo history and instead of the usual "alligator clip" style connectors where you could use any length of wire you like, they have hardwired some very cheep wire to the speakers and added a special plug device at the end that connects to the unit, which are very much like the power connector of a computer fan. This means that the speakers can never be more than about 5 feet from the main stereo unit, and if a wire happens to go bad you are S.O.L.
Sony tragically missed the mark on this one.
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I wish I had known that that there is no headphone jack! (Ronnie's review came too late for me, unfortunately). I was very pleased with this system -nice and loud so I can play drums with it with earplugs on, nice bass and overall sound quality. Then I discovered that there is no headphone jack. I didn't even think to see if it was included -a headphone jack is a most basic feature that should be on every stereo. So, if you never ever use headphones, this is a great stereo, especially for the price.Save 13% Off
This stereo looks and plays fine. That said, Sony really missed the mark. They didn't bother to include a headphone jack on the system. The audio input is a mini jack not standard RCA audio jacks, it's marked "PC", and its use is not really covered in the instruction manual. The speakers connect with flimsy mini plugs similar to cordless phone battery connectors, so you have to cut and splice if you need to increase speaker separation. And finally, the factory manual is a generic document that's not specifically tailored to this unit. If not for the looks and the sound I would give this horribly awkward unit a one-star rating!
Casio Men's AQF100W-7BV Forester Sports Thermometer Watch
After reading the reviews on here, I was a bit hesitant about buying this watch. I have had other Casio thermometer watches in the past, and was able to calibrate them to the accurate temperature while on my wrist. Despite all the reviews complaining about the inaccuracy of the temp, THIS WATCH IS NO DIFFERENT. All that needs to be done is to get a temp reading with another thermometer, and then program this watch according to the instruction booklet. That's it. It's reading temperature very accurately as I type. Yes, the instruction booklet is complicated (the PDF version from Casio.com is MUCH easier to follow), but it is worth it!
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I have returned to Casio after using a Timex Expedition electronic compass watch for the last 6 1/2 years. The Timex Expedition's batteries kept dying after only a year even though they were supposed to last three to four years, plus the Expedition kept resetting itself.This Casio Forester packs a lot into a watch for Amazon's super-low price.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors and want to know the temperature, tides, and moon phases, this is the perfect watch. Be warned, though: The instruction booklet is wrong in detailing how to calibrate the temperature sensor. Calibrate the sensor while wearing the watch. Otherwise, your body heat will add almost 20 degrees to the sensor's reading. Right now my watch says it's 70.2 degrees inside. A nearby thermometer says it's 70.9 degrees.
To get the most accurate tidal data, don't rely on using the nearest major city's longitude or lunitidal value. Use Google Earth or another mapping application to get your exact longitude. Then use data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine your locale's precise lunitidal value (http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/faq2.html#22).
Aside from the specific features this watch has, positives include the luminescent analog hands, the Daylight Saving time toggle switch, and the World Time function that enables you to see the current time in major cities around the world. Also, the analog display enables you to see the time when you're using the stopwatch, timer, or tidal calendar.
Negatives include the fact that you have to set the analog hands separately from the digital setting. This means that toggling Daylight Saving time on and off for the digital display has no effect on the analog display. Another negative is the tiny date display and the relatively small digital time display. The time should be larger than the temperature. This is, after all, a watch first and foremost.
Read Best Reviews of Casio Men's AQF100W-7BV Forester Sports Thermometer Watch Here
I love this watch but it has one major flaw. The bezel is not protected by the case at all. It actually is a dome shape instead of being set into the case like most sport type watches. I got 2 big scratches in it within 2 weeks. As above....the temp does not read correctly unless you take the watch off but I expected that.Want Casio Men's AQF100W-7BV Forester Sports Thermometer Watch Discount?
all good tells the time, some stuff about the moon and tides temperature is pretty pointless as the heat from your wrist messes things up. Theres a handy function where the back light turns on when you tilt your wrist. Only problem is the backlight only stays on for a second and you cant hold the button in to keep it on longerSave 43% Off
Sony ICF-CD555TV 7-Inch Under-Counter LCD TV/CD Clock Radio
- Super-Slim Under the Cabinet LCD-TV
- 7" Wide-Screen LCD Color Panel Display
- TV/Cable Tuner (w/Auto Channel Search)
- TV Stereo/Auto SAP Function
- Mega Expand/Mega Bass Sound System
Our requirements for a replacement unit were as follows:
1. Small, sleek, unobtrusive, LCD design that would blend in under our white cabinets
2. CD player so my wife could enjoy her books-on-CD in the kitchen (DVD and radio would be a plus but not essential)
3. We wanted to be able to view both local channels as well as satellite channels without needing to also install a DirecTV decoder box (this would take additional space -defeating our compactness goal -and require more complicated wiring, not to mention monthly charges).
4. Quality (and warranty) that would ensure it would last several years.
5. Price under $500.
6. Given the limited selection and the poor quality reviews on other models, I needed to be able to examine it in person before buying.
I looked at these options:
1. Audiovox VE-1020 (and its older/smaller siblings). It way too pricey at $600-700 and read too many `poor' reviews on audio quality and overall durability.
2. RCA BLC524: Screen too small, and `poor' quality reviews, plus could not find it in a retail store.
3. Motorola/Moxell Tech KA-A13: Sounded good, reliable manufacturer, but could only find its announcement as it is not yet available.
4. Standalone 13" LCD (Gateway, Aquous, Sharp) with a separate swivel mounting bracket. I eliminated this option early because it would be too large, too expensive (~$100 for the bracket alone!), and it most cases would not include a CD player.
I bought the Sony as soon as I found its availability was advertised at a local electronics retail store. Bought it with an inexpensive 5-year extended warranty.
It's been in place for 2 weeks and we *like* it it is living up to expectations, despite a couple of design flaws -the absence of which would have earned the unit *five* stars.
First the flaws-all minor:
1. Fit and connections. As an earlier reviewer on this site pointed out, its installation is a tight fit under our cabinets, leaving only about an inch clearance to plug in the coax and a/v connectors. But this was easily remedied by purchasing right-angle adapters (Radio Shack, $4 each) that can be screwed in after installation with the 1" clearance. These redirect the cable and RCA connectors downward, making attaching the cables post-installation easy. Sony would do well to include these right-angle adapters.
2. Installation instructions. The alternative is to connect all your cables *prior* to installing the unit something the instructions did not point out. In fact, the instructions could be improved in various areas. For instance, while the unit comes with variable-depth spacers so that installation under cabinets with doors that overhang the cabinet bottom, if you have flush-mounted doors (as we do), you *don't* want to use the spacers at all. Well, the instructions don't suggest this option, leaving you to think that the spacers are required in all cases. For me, this meant re-installing without the spacers, a minor hassle.
3. No built-in TV antenna. Unlike our old RCA, this unit does not have a built-in extending-wand antenna. This makes it a *requirement* that you connect TV and/or A/V inputs to another signal source to receive *anything* on the TV. While many people may be planning to do this, it *does* raise the ante on hooking it up. Sony would have a more versatile product for less experienced people if they included an optional "single rabbit ear" antenna that could be plugged into the TV/cable connector.
Now the good features:
1. TV: Sharp, noise-free wide-format picture, with settable options for standard 3x4 picture size and two wide-format variations. Just the right size. When not in used, screen is easily folded into a cavity under the unit and latches mechanically (more securely than magnetically, which may also wear out).
2. Sound: Perfect for TV viewing and CD story listening, and quite decent for FM or CD music, both in volume and fidelity. Two 3" speakers main the sound forward and downward, and the bass extender works as advertised. As long as you don't expect home theatre quality sound from this unit, you should be quite satisfied.
3. CD Player: Quality feel of its slide-out tray. Plays commercial and my home-recorded MP3s flawlessly.
4. Remote: Small, intuitive, well-constructed. Its bottom magnet attaches to our refrigerator nicely.
5. AM/FM presets: 5 of each, easily set, with manual tuning buttons on the unit and the remote.
6. TV/Video switch: Easily switches from the antenna/cable input to the a/v inputs. This is important, as the way we wired the unit, it only takes my technology-challenged wife one button click to switch from local channels to satellite channels coming in from our home theatre system.
7. Clock: Intuitive and easily set.
8. Timer: Doubt we will use or care about -this feature.
Bottom line: We like it a lot, both how it looks and how it works. The Sony name (and their 1-year manufacturer's warranty) coupled with the inexpensive 5-year extended warranty we bought should give us several good years of service...until it is again technologically out-of-date and needs upgrading again!
Buy Sony ICF-CD555TV 7-Inch Under-Counter LCD TV/CD Clock Radio Now
Bad points:1) As all of the other reviewers have pointed out, this unit is almost exactly the same depth as a standard cabinet -with about 1/2 inch to spare at the back. Very funny, Sony... No room to connect the cables to the back. I would like to thank the previous reviewer who pointed out that you can buy a right angle coax adapter at Radio Shack. It works good with that.
2) The LCD screen is 'wide screen' format. In other words, it is not the shape of a normal TV picture. This would be good if you played DVD's in letterbox format, I guess, but who is doing that under a kitchen cabinet? You end up having to decide if you want the TV picture to be a) kind of stretched widthwise (even in what they call Full screen mode), OR b) with a smaller square 'normal shaped TV' picture in the middle of the screen with about 1/2 inch of black bars on each side, OR c) in a slightly ZOOMed full screen mode, with a little of the top of peoples heads slightly chopped off sometimes.
3) The screen should flip down to end up in a more forward position (and not half-way under the cabinet) in case you are standing closer the the cabinet with the TV.
Good points:
1) Good picture and sound. Good quality.
2) Very compact after it is installed.
3) It's cool.
4) Sony's Zoom mode can make up for the odd shape of the screen.
Read Best Reviews of Sony ICF-CD555TV 7-Inch Under-Counter LCD TV/CD Clock Radio Here
I was in the market for an under cabinet TV to replace an old GE Spacemaker. I considered the Sony. But this thing is HUGE! The dimensions are: 15 3/4 H x 4 1/8 W x 12 3/4 D inches. The width dimension was a problem for my desired corner installation but I could have made it work. The depth was a more serious problem.I believe I have typically sized American style cabinets. My kitchen was remodeled about 10 years ago. My base cabinets are 24inches deep and my upper cabinets are 12inches deep. I have a tile backsplash that reduces the depth under the cabinets by about 1/2 inch. The cabinet doors are about 1/2 inch thick. What this totals up to is the Sony sticking out 3/4 inch past the front of my cabinets. Ugh! Now if you want to add space so you can attach the cables to the rear, add another inch. Barf!
I wonder if Sony even bothered to research the dimensions of the kitchens they were trying to fit into. I would really have loved to put a Sony in my kitchen (much of my hifi equipment is Sony) but this is plain bad design.
I got an Audiovox VE640 instead. It is not the greatest but it does the job and it fits in the kitchen space allocated for it.
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First off, I can't fathom how people can review an item based on their lack of research. For those who didn't think to measure their cabinet depth, I refer you to the specifications....Secondly, who buys an undercabinet TV for the radio? Maybe that's just me...
Okay, on to the review:
I replaced my completely horrible Audiovox (also purchased through Amazon) when it finally gave up the ghost (it was my 4th replacement). Let me just say right off that the difference is night and day. The controls are easy, the remote is nice and has actual buttons, and the sound isn't tinny. Oh, and the TV itself looks fantastic.
Here's the good:
Picture excellent. The Regular, full (expanded regular TV to wide), and Widescreen all look good. It's too bad it doesn't come with HDTV, but I suspect that's why I got it for $50 off the lowest price I had seen. The picture is bright, colorful and can be seen at steep angles.
Sound excellent. I can't say how much this is worth after having suffered the Audiovox's tinny, fading, and static-filled speakers.
Controls simple to understand and use though a little tough to access if you recess the TV from the front of the cabinet.
The remote is well integrated and about the only thing I would ask for is that they ship the 2 AAA batteries for it.
The TV screen rotates to almost any viewing position as well.
Includes CD player and Radio, both pretty much nice add-ons to me as I bought it solely for the TV. Both sound good.
It works. Unlike almost every other unit I've seen in the store, it doesn't look cheap and it functioned out of the box. We had degenerated into slapping the Audiovox when it would simply cut out. We got to the point where it functioned less than 30 seconds without hitting it... I can't speak for the rest of the crowd here, but having decent Sony quality means a lot.
Here's the Bad:
No external antenna hookups for radio pure silliness, and given the size of the unit, unforgivable that it wasn't included.
Bulky yes it's deep, that wasn't an issue for me since I read the dimensions and put it under a corner cabinet, but it's seemingly 1-2" too thick.
No Battery backup for stations or time settings.
No MP3 minijack input.
TV screen is a bit small.. about 4" for regular 4:3 ratio shows but it's livable. If the shows are in widescreen, it looks fantastic.
Although Sony's recent shenanigans with rootkits and the PS3 debacle and general difficulty of navigating their customer service made me wary, I've never really had trouble with their electronics components. I'm happy to report that although we are still a bit twitchy over the last unit and fully expecting the Sony to fall apart any second, it has remained beatifully functional.
For what it is, it's fantastic. Their next model may improve in many areas including size, inputs, and HD support, but for now, there is no other TV on the market that looks or sounds as good. You'll notice on many of the other under cabinet TV's that there are 5 "decent to good" reviews from 5 people who haven't reviewed anything else. Obviously someone was loading the deck. Don't be fooled as I was. Spend a little extra to get something of decent quality or you'll be replacing it in a year. I've now spent over double what I would have if I had simply gotten the Sony to begin with. Now that it's price has dropped, it's simply a no-brainer.