Showing posts with label clock radio iphone dock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clock radio iphone dock. Show all posts

Dual XDM7615 AM/FM/CD Motor,4x50W, MP3, WMA, c3.5 Input, F/R/S, Remote, SWI

Dual XDM7615 AM/FM/CD Motor,4x50W, MP3, WMA, c3.5 Input, F/R/S, Remote, SWI
  • AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA Receiver features US/European frequency spacing tuner with 30 station presets,preset scan,one touch memory,auto stereo mono
  • 1.0 DIN chassis, electronic motorized 2-step detachable face,electronic volume , bass, treble, balance, fader. Programableturn-on volume
  • 3-pair of preamp outputs, 3.5mm front panel input, clock, mute, loudness
  • Displays MP3 ID3v1 tags, displays WMA tags , repeat/random/intro
  • Wireless inferd remote, 5 selctable EQ curves-pop, jazz, classic, beat, rock
  • Steering wheel control input(PAC SWI-PS required )

I was gonna give this rating 4 stars instead of 5 stars only because the remote doesn't work. I don't know if it's the battery in the remote or if it's the remote itself. Will be contacting the proper parties when I change the battery.

Then I was gonna give it 3 stars instead of 4 because the dials were acting weird, but I simply hit the very small reset button on the unit to get it to act normal again.

Now this unit looks AMAZINGLY cool! It has a motorized faceplate which has an optional detachable feature. The picture shown on this site doesn't do it much justice. The blue lights are much cooler, cleaner, and deeper, ESPECIALLY at night. And when the unit is off the knob turns red giving off a nice Red Halo.

Before I hooked my system up I had factory speakers in the car. This radio brought them to LIFE! I was shocked at how clean and clear the music became after changing the factory unit and putting in this one.

I don't use many of the features, but I am pleased, very, very pleased with this unit. I've recieved many compliments on how nice it looks and how cool it is.... and I blow them away when I tell them I much I paid.

I don't use the radio (am/fm) unless I'm checking up on my Browns so the radio feature doesn't get any play at all right now, but it works clean and fine and picks up my stations pretty well (I'm in Cleveland). I have tried using the bluetooth feature to stream music from my Android device and it worked perfectly.

I don't use CDs anymore, but I burned 2 just to test the quality of the unit. One was a MP3 disc, and the other was a copy of Disc 1 of Life After Death Disc by Notorious B.I.G. Each worked perfectly fine. So whenever I need to use a CD I know I can use one.

I use the auxiliary jack input (AUX)to connect my iPod and it works flawlessly with pure, clean, crisp quality. I truly bought this device for three things and three things only "PRICE, LOOKS, and AUX INPUT", but there are a ton of features on here that I don't even use. But I love options, and this has plenty of them. There are a few EQ settings that work nice, fade settings that work well, and the interface is EXTREMELY SIMPLE and intuitive.

There is a regular RCA jack input in the back for loudspeakers (or whatever) and there is a subwoofer RCA jack input for Subs. I have my 3000 watt max (2100RMS @1-ohm) Planet Audio Anarchy Amplifier Class D Monoblock Amp hooked up to this, and three subs hooked up to that, and this thing is perfect for me.

It fits my style (ballin' on a budget lol), it looks nice, and it works like it should.

Like I said.... I would have given it 5 stars, but I have to see whats with the remote first.... if it's the battery and not the remote then I'll update, but even then I might not change the review stars, because that shouldn't have been an issue in the first place.

It deserves 5 stars tho'... it truly does. (but that remote was very important and it isn't working right now)

Buy Dual XDM7615 AM/FM/CD Motor,4x50W, MP3, WMA, c3.5 Input, F/R/S, Remote, SWI Now

GREAT HEAD UNIT SHIPPED WAY BEFORE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO AND IT WORKS GREAT LOOKS AWESOME AT NIGHT TIME CATCHES EVERYONES EYE ''DUAL'' MAKES GREAT PRODUCTS WOULD DEFINATELY RECOMMEND TO ANYONE !

Read Best Reviews of Dual XDM7615 AM/FM/CD Motor,4x50W, MP3, WMA, c3.5 Input, F/R/S, Remote, SWI Here

So i've had the dual xdm7615 for a little over a year now. I really like it, it plays back really well, it has many audio features such as loud on/off, 5 eq settings, 12 fm and am settings for radio, cd/mp3 cd playback, one feature that i really like because you have 20 cds on one, especially if you don't have an ipod or mp3 player, there is a also a auxiliary jack that you are able to plug an mp3 player or iPod into which is nice. It also looks really nice, all the buttons and volume wheel are illuminated blue but its not obnoxiously bright and the display is clear when its open.

Now that i've given my pros here are my cons:

The fact that it IS moveable poses problems. sometimes the door doesn't open all the way or close all the way, i've had to push it along to get it to open and close recently. depending on the angle of your dash, the display is either clearly visible or not at all because of the angle of the movable door. I had this in my buick, which was a flat dash and it was easy to read, HOWEVA, in my new lancer its at an angle and it nearly impossible to read when open, which in my opinion, creates a hazard while driving. I've also had problems with it in the winter time when it gets cold. the volume doesn't want to go up when its really cold it goes back down to zero and takes almost 5 or 10 minutes to finally warm up and scroll correctly. I also have had issues with it not voluming up and down correctly over the last week or so. the buttons on the door also seem kinda flimsy when its open and need some force to push them in and change stations, or songs. finally the clock is a bitch to change and it took me nearly 2 days to finally figure it out.

All in all it does what i need it to do, I have it connected to a 500 watt dual amp and 2 12" dual subs and it sounds great. I had no problems installing it myself in both cars and even with some of the flaws still get great sound out of it and you can hear me coming from at least a block away with it. Its perfect for someone who is putting a system in their car for the first time and wants something that looks cool.

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After a 600 mile journey with a bad stereo set up in my vehicle, I had amazon overnight me this (I have prime so it was only an extra 4 bucks-if you don't have prime you should get it)-so that when I made my return journey I could survive the ride better. The unit is a straightforward easy installation. And -especially for the price-the features are outstanding. It is a powerful enough little unit without a high amount of distortion that you would expect for a value priced system-even through old, (what I assume to be) stock speakers. I like the motorized face plate which not only is cool but makes for a neat appearanceand the remote-especially considering this went into a van where the reach to the console is a bit larger. switching between cd,radio and an ipod/mp3 plugged into the front jack is a tap of a button. This unit could stand along side the more recognized name brand unit with non-stock speakers that is in my other vehicle. With better speakers this thing would really kick I 'd imagine...and who knows what it'd do with a power amp.....very smart buy.

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THIS RADIO LOOKS GOOD BUT IF YOUR LOOKING FOR QUALITY SOUND THIS IS NOT IT. I HOOKED UP AN AMP OFF THIS STEREO TO PUSH A SUBWOOFER AND IT WOULD HARDLY THUMP. REPLACED IT WITH A KENWOOD STEREO AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET.

Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod

Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod
  • Supports most iPhone and iPod models with Universal Dock Connector
  • Dual alarm lets you wake to iPod, iPhone, FM radio, or buzzer with separate settings for weekday/weekend
  • Automatically syncs the day and time from your iPod or iPhone at the press of a button
  • Battery alarm backup with two AAA batteries makes sure you wake up even in the event of a power outage
  • Alarm volume is increased gradually every 5 seconds until maximum volume is reached

I'd been primarily looking for a speaker/charging dock for my new iPhone. However, when my alarm clock began acting up, I took the opportunity to look for a new one that was iPhone compatible.

I initially purchased an Emerson iC2196 iPod Dock Alarm Clock Radio. It was quickly returned to Big Box Store for refund. Not only was it not actually compatible with the iPhone (my bad), it was a real piece of junk!

After some research, I decided to try this radio. At twice the price, I had high hopes that it would be 'the one'. Well, I couldn't be more pleased. The following things highlight the pros and cons of the unit so far.

Pros:

1. Alarms are easy to set and customize.

2. Alarm can be set to Radio, iPod (iPhone), or Line In.

3. Alarm volume level is adjustable.

4. Comes with a very easy to follow, yet thorough, instruction manual in both English and Spanish.

5. Radio presets are easy to set and use.

6. With five brightness levels, the display won't keep you up at night.

7. Includes Sleep and Nap functions.

8. Snooze button is huge so you don't have to open your eyes to locate it.

9. Despite it's relatively small size, the unit has beautiful sound that you don't generally get out of alarm clocks.

Cons:

1. The included remote is pitifully small and it is not intuitively obvious how to use it.

2. Contrary to another review, the alarm cannot be set to a single day. Options include 7 days, weekdays, or weekends.

3. Unit does not remember what track to play from iPod/iPhone. You must turn on the alarm, power the clock unit off, and set the track on your iPod/iPhone you want to wake to before docking it. This can be a more tedious process late at night than it's worth.

4. Similarly, if you want to go to sleep listening to one playlist, you will have to use that playlist to wake to.

5. You have to power the unit off to set the nap feature. Don't forget to turn it back on!

Bottom line:

I'm impressed. This unit is feature rich without being too complicated to use. And the price is very good for what you get. It gets four stars instead of five because I wish each feature had it's own button instead of a set/preset and sleep/nap button.

Buy Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod Now

I LOVE the Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio!

The sound is amazing, it's really user-friendly, and looks nice and sophisticated.

I must have read over 100 reviews before picking this one. And I'm so happy I did!

Here's what i was looking for:

1) Amazing Sound Sound Sound! I'm really picky about the quality of speakers. I have bose in ear headphones and paid a lot for them actually, so you can imagine how good the speakers must be on these! To tell you the truth, i went to Fries (A cool electronic store) to test out all the ipod dock alarm clocks with my own ipod to see which one had the best speakers, and Memorex was the BEST by far! I immediately came back home and ordered it on Amazon. To tell you the truth, i never thought such a small thing could sound so great! and especially for this great price!

2) A dual alarm. (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's when you can set two different times on the clock to wake you up, which is really efficient for me and my husband).

3) Something that is compatible to a lot of different ipods. I have a 2nd Gen ipod but my husband has an itouch, and Memorex plays just about every type of ipod out there, and also has a port for mp3 players as well! How convenient!

4) I didn't want the light to by shinning in our faces at night. Memorex has a really nice reverse lcd backlight display that looks really cool. (Which is basically a dim light in the background of the display, and the numbers are white, and even though you would think that the dim light is adding more unnecessary light, it actually makes the whole display very dim and almost sets a nice ambiance) It is in no way annoying. And the best part? There are different settings to control how bright you want the display to be. How cool is that!?

5) I badly wanted a remote, and this one has it! A small compact one that is so cute! What I love so much about this product is that not only is this an alarm clock, but also makeshift speakers for your ipod! You can use the remote to turn on not only the system itself, but also your ipod to turn your music on! So you don't have to get up to turn your ipod on to play it through the dock! You can even change songs and control the volume in the comfort of your bed! The remote works from almost everywhere in a fairly large room which is always a plus!

6) I wanted the dock to simultaneously charge my ipod. This is a great feature that believe it or not, not all ipod clocks have. This product beautifully charges my ipod to always full, but stops charging it once it is full. It's always important not to overcharge anything or else the battery will loose it's power. So anytime I take my ipod off the dock to play in my car or to go jogging, I never have to look at the battery indicator, praying that the battery won't die on me. How cool is that!?

Some cool extras in this product is that it will sync the day and time onto it from your ipod. Or you can do it manually, it's up to you. It has equalizer settings that you can change depending on your personal music taste. To turn off the alarm, you just have to push the power button which turns off your ipod, but your alarm isn't turned off for the next day! So you don't have to remember to turn your alarm back on! And you can choose on which days of the week the alarms will wake you up! So no longer do you have to be woken up on Saturday mornings when you can sleep in for a chance!! Too cool! I don't really use the radio, but that is a plus for some people. You can even preset your favorite radio stations!

I would suggest this product to anyone who is looking for a great alarm clock which will wake you up to your favorite songs with awesome sound and pretty cool features that make your life just a little bit easier!

Read Best Reviews of Memorex Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPhone/iPod Here

I bought this item at Target, and it had all the features I was looking for. The only problem was the display. My spouse and I wear glasses and when we dimmed the display at night, it was impossible to read the time without putting on our glasses. Without glasses, we can both read the time on our old clock radio which has a .6 inch red LED readout. If it had not been for this problem, I would have been happy with this product. It has great sound for a clock radio, was the right size, has 2 alarms and can charge an iPod. I hope Memorex will develop a similar model with a different display.

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So overall, I'm happy with this alarm clock. It's got a lot of great features -the gradually increasing volume alarm, option to have two different alarms, brightness control, remote, size and placement of the snooze button, etc.. All that's worked great. The snooze is in 10 minute increments, which is different from most alarm clocks, but not that big of a deal. So, starting with what would have been a perfect 5 star review, I have to work down to 3 stars because of one very big and two little issues.

Big Issue #1 (minus 1 star): Occasionally the alarm goes off, but doesn't actually make the ipod play. This, as you might imagine, is very bad. The alarm goes off and the ipod wakes up, but stays in pause mode and doesn't play. I've experimented with several different scenarios trying to figure out what combination of events causes this to happen, but haven't figured out why it does it. I have a classic ipod purchased in September 2008, for reference. If I use the remote to get the ipod to get to whatever song I want it to wake on, and then turn off the unit with the remote while the ipod is playing, it seems to avoid the issue. That being said, if I have to catch an early flight, I use the radio setting on the alarm.

Small Issue #1 (minus 1/2 star): Setting the radio preset stations was not what I would call intuitive. I had to pull out the manual for this and it seemed like they should have put one more button on the device to make this easier.

Small Issue #2 (minus 1/2 star): After the alarm's been going off for an hour, the device automatically shuts off. Even if you're in a snooze mode at the time, so when you hit that sixth snooze, it won't be going off again. I only tend to run into this on weekends when I'd set the alarm planning to get up early and exercise or get stuff done around the house and that plan ends up not sounding as good in the morning. So not a big deal, but it would be nice if the alarm had some sort of lock out mode that wouldn't let you snooze it again if it's going to shut off during the snooze.

like many others, it works for a while, then you stop getting sound. I unplugged the machine for a few minutes and the sound came back. Then the alarm, using the ipod music, did not work anymore. I had to return it.

Executive Docking Station for Sportster Replay

Executive Docking Station for Sportster Replay
  • Desktop speaker system with four 1" drivers
  • Dock for Sportster¿ Replay receiver
  • Blue backlit LCD display with clock, source, input, and volume indicators
  • Includes AC adapter and flip-up antenna with 16 cable

And here's why:

Got this thing to use with a Sportster.

My wife and I have been trying to get this thing working meaning, positioning the antenna for the last 2 hours. It would go to 3 bars for a second, then down to none in the same place. It would receive ok in the exact MIDDLE of the room held up in the air but not in the window... It would work when hand-held, but not when in the EXACT location placed on a book or something, would not work.

It didn't work right in front of a window, but would suddenly spring to life in a position which made no sense such as when I was standing in a ridiculous pose (making fun of the unit) and pointing it right at the ceiling.

It did receive fine.... out front of the house. I'm not drilling holes for a 50' extension antenna...

So as we were exasperated and a bit stunned at what seemed to be not-ready-for-primetime technology, I decided to try something....

I took the receiver that came with the Sportster... plugged it into the Sportster unit, and plugged that into the Docking Station... instantly, 3 bars. I moved all around the room and the least I got was 2; I covered it with my body, though, and that stopped the reception. But that makes sense, unlike the laughable and erratic performance of the Directed base unit.

So, it comes down to the antenna. Frankly, if the quality of the antenna is this poor, it doesn't say much for the base unit as a whole.

1 star because without the antenna, there is no reason to own it!

And guess what? Here's a bonus critique: the display on the base unit stopped working correctly >>three minutes

Apple iPod 30 GB Video U2 Special Edition Black MA664LL/A (5.5 Generation) OLD MODEL

Apple iPod 30 GB Video U2 Special Edition Black MA664LL/A OLD MODEL
  • Special Edition U2 iPod holds 7500 songs, many hours of video, thousands of photos, and more on 30 GB of storage
  • Encore U2 edition features distinctive colors, laser-engraved signatures, and an exclusive video from U2
  • Large, 2.5-inch, 320x240-pixel, color display screen is 60-percent brighter
  • Search function lets you type out the name of a song with the Click Wheel for instant results
  • Measures 2.4 x 4.1 x 0.43 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 4.8 ounces

Okay, so this is my first ipod, which means I may be somewhat easily impressed. Regardless, I'm VERY happy with my purchase. My only complaint would be that I don't think the battery lasts nearly as long as advertised. Other than that, it rocks!

Buy Apple iPod 30 GB Video U2 Special Edition Black MA664LL/A (5.5 Generation) OLD MODEL Now

This iPOD plays back video, but in a special format (MP4); and yes, you CAN see the video on your TV, just buy the A/V cables & in video settings choose "TV OUT" option.

Everything you would expect from Apple and iPOD.

Can charge from the wall outlet but with an adapter sold separetly.

Gets soiled very easily with the touch of your hand, but it comes with a special pouch that can help keep it clean.

Defective wise...well..3 months with it and no problems yet...

Read Best Reviews of Apple iPod 30 GB Video U2 Special Edition Black MA664LL/A (5.5 Generation) OLD MODEL Here

Great ipod, good screen definition and colors,30 GB is plenty of space for me, I am using it for running, in the car, BBQing and travelling with out any problem. I am very happy with it.

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I have been wanting this ipod forever now it seems. I am a big U2 fan and I love this special edition mp3 player. I never had an ipod before and it's so user friendly. It's easy to download songs, make playlists and the video is awesome. Love this product! If you're bored on the treadmill, ipods are a blessing!

Who doesn't like iPod's? I got this one to replace a 4G ipod that was giving me problems. And U2 is one of my fav bands, so why not getting it. Isn't that expensive as it was a couple of years ago and I already use iTunes for my music, so its all fine. Also really good to carry files as an external hard drive. Excellent for traveling or when in the bus. A must have I would say.

Magnasonic MAG-MM176K AM/FM Projection Clock Radio with Dual Alarm, Auto Time Set/Restore, Temperatu

Magnasonic MAG-MM176K AM/FM Projection Clock Radio with Dual Alarm, Auto Time Set/Restore, Temperature Display, and Battery Backup with Mini Tool Box
  • Automatically Sets the Time/Date & Restores Alarm Settings after Power loss
  • Projects the Time on Your Wall or Ceiling; Dual Alarms with Optional Weekend Skip
  • AM/FM Radio with Digital Station Display; Temperature & Calendar Date Display
  • Connect Your iPod or MP3 Player; Blue Backlit 3.6" LCD Screen
  • Wake to Radio/Buzzer/Time Projection

I am happy wit hthis product except one things i.e battery operared mode. This piece runs only with 120v AC supply unit. There is battery backup option mentioned in the product ddescription, but running this on Battery only Mode is not available and no where mentioned this in the mannual. Apart from this I love he projection mode and nice alarm tunes and AM/Fm radio and Nice LCD display.

-Sreekanth

Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Deadbolt Starter Kit System, Bright Brass

Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Deadbolt Starter Kit System, Bright Brass
  • Receive email or text notifications
  • Install and set up the system with ease
  • Access your home from anywhere
  • Remotely monitor access to your home
  • Monthly subscription fee required for remote access

I just purchased the Schlage Link from amazon.com, got it yesterday, and followed the instructions exactly. Watch out. It's a trainwreck. Here's the rundown step by step:

1. After pairing the bridge to my schlage lock and lamp module, I went online to register. Before you can do ANYTHING, before you can even test that the box is working, you must give them a credit card which they charge up front and enroll you in a monthly subscription. You can't do anything without paying them monthly, and there's no trial period or anything to see that the device works before you enroll. And they told me on the phone this subscription enrollment is non-refundable even if the device doesn't work and I return it to Amazon. So, the bottom line is, I had to start paying them up front just to find out that the product is totally broken.

2. When you try to pay them, the web browser (firefox) gives warnings that Schlage's online security certificate is not properly setup. The only way to proceed is to click "exceptions", even though Firefox warns you that you should never do this and no legitimate company will ask you to. Screen shot attached. If Schlage doesn't even have the technical skills to secure their online credit card page and keep my credit card safe, something every mom and pop etailer can do, how on earth do they expect me to trust that their lock entry system is safe? Clearly they don't trust themselves since, the first step of the online process, requires you to accept terms and conditions that waive any responsibility on their part, even if they are negligent.

3. During the setup I chose to have them send the cell phone app to my Blackberry. The cell phone app, also, does not have a security certificate and the Blackberry warns you that it's unsigned and untrusted.

4. Right now, you cannot use the Schlage link with ANY cameras or thermostats or sensors or scene controllers or handheld remotes or any of the other hundreds of ZWaves devices out there, except basic lamp modules. Schlage confirmed this when I called their support line. They said that in a few months they will sell a Schlage brand camera and it will work with their camera, but not with 3rd party IP cameras. So my Panasonic IP cameras will not work at all and I have to buy all new Schlage cameras; which, btw, don't appear to have pan/tilt/audio and other stuff like the Panasonic.

5. At this point I've resigned that this bridge will, basically, just allow me to control the Schlage lock, and for everything else I will need another gateway. But, wait, it gets worse. The web interface at Schlage's site says my bridge is disconnected. But that's wrong. It ---IS--connected. And I can login to my dhcp server and see that it's getting an IP. So it is plugged in and working. There is NOTHING in Schlage's documentation to explain this. The green light on the bridge is blinking 3 times. But there is nothing to indicate if this is normal, or an error. So I call Schlage's customer support line. I get bounced around between low level operators who know nothing more than to read trouble shooting guides. They ask stupid questions that prove they don't know what they're talking about. They ask me to try removing/reinserting the ethernet cable. At this point the bridge locks up; all the lights stop working. We need to remove the battery to get it working again. Then we need to exclude and pair again the lock and lamp module. Still nothing. They tell me to get a longer ethernet cable (mine is 6') so I can move the Schlage bridge further from my network router. Huh??? It's not a wi-fi device, it's hardwired. What's that about? They can't give me a technical explanation, just saying it's on their trouble shooting guide that the Schlage should not be too close to the router. After an hour on the phone, they say that an engineer will need to look into it and get back to me. They can't give me a timetable. And they don't have any answer about getting back the money they charged me up front for their subscription.

Bottom line: the lock works as a lock. You can lock/unlock it with a key and with the pin pad. But the bridge is a joke. It doesn't work at all. And it's impossible to troubleshoot because, although the bridge gets an IP address, it doesn't run a web server or telnet or anything else to let you log into the bridge itself and see what's wrong. All you can do is login through schlage.com and see that "the bridge is disconnected". Therefore, without a way to talk to the bridge locally on my network, and with the bridge unable to connect to schalge's online service, I seriously doubt they'll ever be able to get it working and imagine it's just a black brick. After all, if the Schlage bridge is too buggy to get a network connection and find the Schlage server, how will it ever upgrade, since there's no way for me to talk to it over my local network.

The part that pisses me off the most is that I had to pay up front for their stupid subscription just to find out this thing doesn't work and can't get my money back! So watch out!

Buy Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Deadbolt Starter Kit System, Bright Brass Now

I received the starter kit and had the whole thing up and running successfully within an hour. If you're somewhat tech savy and good with a computer the installation should be pretty painless. I have to say, I'm fairly impressed at how well it works and that I haven't run into any real problems yet BUT beware, the deadbolts are NOT motorized. Perhaps I misread, or was mislead but I am a bit upset that the only functions you gain with the lock is knowing whether its locked or unlocked and temporarily engaging it to be opened. So, just know it will not unlock itself if you send the signal, rather someone has to be there to turn it and you have to co-ordinate this with them(which to me makes it someone less useful). That being said, being able to assign and manage separate codes online, get alerts based on who is coming and going, and control lights makes the overall experience worth it and the value pretty spot on. My last issue(which is why I give it 4 starts) is that there is a major lack of compatible devices at present and that makes the $13 charge for the SchlageLink subscription weak. If I were able to control most of my lighting, a camera, and the HVAC then I'd feel much better about the yearly cost but for now, just knowing whether my door is locked or turning off/on a single lamp hardly justifies the fee.

Read Best Reviews of Schlage LiNK Wireless Keypad Deadbolt Starter Kit System, Bright Brass Here

I was getting ready to buy this thing when I read that you cannot actually lock or unlock the deadbolt remotely because the thing is not motorized. The only thing you can do is monitor whether it's locked or not, and also send a signal so someone can get in. Why pay $13 a month (not to mention about $250 for the product) when the only thing you can do is MONITOR the thing. If you're on vacation and you find out you didn't lock it, it doesn't do any good.

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Schlage's interface requires you pay 100.00 annually to access even the most basic functions. The interface is not even accessible from a home network without intent access.

User codes entered manually in the lock transfer to the online web page without any way to distinguish what they are.

There is no way to add or remove users from the GUI without setting it up online and paying the fee. The interface is primitive at best and far from intuitive.

As a Schlage loyalist I will consider replacing all of my locks with another brand, because they would rather force people into their revenue stream rather than give them choice and options.

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I have a house and cabin that I am installing some home security/automation in. I have found the Schlage Link system to be the best in the market but they are too spendy. I am now using a Vera2 at my cabin by Mi Casa Verde. With the Vera2 I'm able to setup lights and my Train home thermostat to be remotely managed by my phone or a web browser with NO subscription fees!

Schlage Link $9/Month really isn't worth the cost for the extra items that you get. Some of the items that I like about the Schlage Link is the fact that you can monitor the usage of your heating or cooling over time and you can also schedule codes on the front door lock. Other than that I'm not impressed with them. I asked if I could add another Schlage Link Bridge for my cabin with no additional monthly cost or at least with a discount but they were not willing do either. So It would cost me $18/month to monitor my cabin and home which is way to costly. Not to mention the fact that they only sell the Schlage Link bridge as a package with other products. They don't communicate that hardly at all unless you call them which doesn't impress me much.

If you don't have any problems with the service fees, I will say that the product is pretty solid and works as expected.

The only other problem that I have is the android app to control the system. It seems like a web page almost. I feel that they could improve the application to be more of an application that is quicker then just a regular web page.

Sony ICFCD3iP 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock with CD Player

Sony ICFCD3iP 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock with CD Player
  • MP3 Compatibility: iPhone, iPod 4G, 5G; iPod mini 1G, 2G; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod touch, iPod classic
  • Hidden sliding dock tray connects iPod and iPhone to clock radio
  • Preset alarm volume for CD, iPod player, iPhone, or radio
  • Large easy-to-see LCD display for those grogy mornings
  • Digital AM/FM tuner w/ 30 station presets

I bought and returned the Sony ICF-C1IPMK2 a few weeks ago. You can find my review of it and my reasons for sending it back. In brief, audible distortion killed it for me. I subsequently ordered the ICFCD3iP with the expectation that sound output would be weaker.

I received the CD3iP today and I'm happy to say that it accomplishes its mission very well. It's not meant to be a Bose SoundDock, but it produces very well behaved sound. Let me see if I can explain it further...

First, there is absolutely no audible distortion. The sound is clean and well balanced; it has weight and is not as tinny as some would suggest. For a clock radio, the speaker does a remarkably good job. The volume goes up to level 20, which is loud enough for a single room but not loud enough to damage your ears. Realize that it's a small speaker and keep your expectations reasonable. Even at maximum volume there is no distortion and the sound is tightly controlled.

The FM tuner does a superb job of producing a clean and clear output with no listener fatigue. Small amounts of hiss or noise can quickly lead to fatigue, so it's particularly gratifying to have an FM radio to which I can listen at length. NPR (local 88.5) comes through very nicely.

The alarm and clock are thoughtfully designed. Large numbers are easy to read, the display has 3 brightness levels, and the dual alarms can be set for weekday, weekend, and wake-to-radio, wake-to-iPod, wake-to-CD, or wake-to-buzzer.

Alarm and radio presets are backed up by an onboard battery, so no flashing 12:00 after a power outage.

iPod/iPhone integration is the same as on the ICF-C1IPMK2. The remote lets you navigate your iPod.

Overall I'm quite happy with the design and performance of the CD3iP. It replaces a 12 year old alarm clock without taking any more space while adding CD, Radio, and iPod playback.

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I've had this since just before Christmas and have no complaints so far. I wanted an alarm clock where I could wake up to my iPod but also have a CD alarm. I've used it to wake up to bought and burned CDs as well as my iPod and it's worked every time. There are a few neat things about the clock I like: 1) The clock sets itself 2) You can set two alarms and you can set the alarms to wake up on weekends or weekdays (and it displays the current day) 3) I can fall asleep to a CD and wake up to my iPod 4) It charges my iPod 5) The remote controls the iPod itself too. Also, for an alarm clock I think the sound is pretty good. Two things to note however. First, the display is kinda bright. It has a dimmer with three settings but even the lowest setting is brighter than a normal clock. It doesn't bother me but if you need your room pitch black to sleep, this is not the clock for you. Second, just a heads up, the default for waking up to the iPod is by artist in alphabetical order. To wake up to a playlist you actually have to go to your playlist, select the first song, pause it, then turn off the iPod. It says this in the instructions but it's not obvious. Overall, I really like this clock. Here's hoping it lasts, unlike the mini stereo I was waking up to before I bought this.

Update 4/2013: It has started to occasionally act flaky. Sometimes it wakes up to the wrong playlist on my iPod. I didn't care about that much but when for some reason it didn't go off despite being set correctly I decided it was time for a new player. But considering it has been over four years of daily use and it only occasionally had issues, I'm satisfied with it. It had a good run. I may keep it as just a clock radio in another room. It still sounds great, I just don't trust it as an alarm.

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I like this clock/docking station, but I have one major complaint which almost made me return it. The clock face, even on its lowest brightness setting (there are three levels), was so bright that it lit up the entire room at night. I couldn't sleep while facing it. If it hadn't been for a friend's suggested remedy, I'd have had to send it back. What I did to dim the brightness was to put a piece of red transparent plastic film over the clock face. Now it is tolerable, but looks kind of cheezy. You'd think for the pretty steep price and the fact that it's a SONY, it wouldn't have to be tinkered with. If you don't like BRIGHT light shining in your eyes while trying to sleep, you may want to think twice about purchasing this item.

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This product has a lot of reviews, I'm just writing to fill in a few questions I had when I bought it.

First off, the main display is the time, the day of the week above it (small), whether the alarm is on or off (Alarm A or Alarm B), and below it (small) what music is on (CD / radio/ iPod). If you hit the display button on the top, you get the date (eg 4 7) and hit the button again and you get the year (eg 2009).

There are three brightness levels for the display, off, low, and high.

Sound quality is fabulous (caveat: I am not an audiophile, and have never put money in super expensive speakers or headphones). Even on the highest volume, the sound does not crack. Classic Sony quality.

Love the little remote, the presets, the radio (am and fm) and the CD player!

iPod / iPhone slide out tray works awesome, initial impression is be gentle so you don't break it off. Comes with an adapter (presumably for Nano).

Problem: back up battery does not come installed, you need to open the CD player and install it yourself. This isn't a big deal, except the battery compartment is screwed shut, so you need a tiny phillips screwdriver (the plus ones) to unscrew it, which I don't have. So the battery (which comes with the clock) is a bit of a pain to install.

Love love love the display, very clean design, attractive, does its job well and with flair.

Can't imagine my life without the little clock (small footprint is a plus!).

I have an old iPod (3G) which is on its way out, this clock charges it, and is kind of life support for on-their-way-out iPods you no longer have a use for.

I haven't tested it with my iPhone (not the 3G one) but will update my review when I have.

Hope I've helped your purchasing decision!

EDITED REVIEW (OCTOBER 16, 2009):

(Amazon does not let you change your star ratings, which is unfortunate. Count my review as three stars, then, as of today).

I've used this alarm clock, radio, and iPod/iPhone music player every single day since I purchased it.

Problems:

1) iPhone interference. This model of the clock radio is supposed to be resistant to iPhone interference. It IS NOT.

2) Slide out trade is FLIMSY.

3) Back up battery COMES WITH the clock radio and I still have not been able to put it in my clock radio because I do not have a screwdriver that would be compatible. Eyeglass and computer screwdrivers (PC or MAC) will not work.

4) Display is very bright. So bright it bathes my room in a blue light. Which I no longer find a positive experience.

5) Sound is very one-dimensional. It's not awful, but it's not that great either.

6) CD player makes funky noise when it works.

AND MY BIGGEST PROBLEM:

7) The alarm clock GETS STUCK. For example, you set the alarm for 7am, hit the snooze for 10 minutes. Okay, it turns off. It goes off again, you hit the snooze again. Problem: it DOES NOT TURN OFF. You hit the "alarm off button" instead of the snooze. Problem: IT DOES NOT TURN OFF. You end up having to unplug your alarm clock to get the buzzer off, which means you have to redo all the settings. Because the battery could not be installed.

Did I get a defective product because of the alarm clock snooze button / off button problem? I do not know.

Did I contact Sony? Not yet. I will update this review when I do. I will contact both Sony and Amazon and see what they can do.

The inability to use the snooze button because of its malfunction is the worst thing in the world.

The WORST THING IN THE WORLD.

I have tried it on buzzer, radio, CD and iPod. Fail, fail, fail, and fail.

Most people review the product within a week of getting it.

I would be curious as to whether more long term owners (I've had mine just SIX MONTHS, it is already malfunctioning) have the same problem. Is it a defective unit, or just a design flaw?

I still like this clock, but because of the not working, I would probably not purchase it again.

I relied heavily on the idea of "Sony Quality". Maybe because of the times we live in, Sony no longer has the sterling reputation for quality that I remember from my childhood. I am very disappointed by this fact, and will have to consider very seriously if any Sony product in the future is right for me.

I will keep you posted on my attempt to have someone fix my defective / design flawed product.

Thanks!!

UPDATED REVIEW (DECEMBER 2, 2009):

My alarm clock is outside its Amazon.com return period. I purchased the item on March 31, 2009. The return period ended May 8, 2009. The snooze button started malfunctioning after the return period ended. So Amazon won't exchange the item for a non-defective item, and won't accept a return. The best they can do is take the item back as a defective product and credit (at max) 50% of the purchase price to me (and the CSR emphasized that that is in the best case scenario). The CSR also recommended that I contact Sony because, after all, it is their product that is defective, and they must have some kind of warranty on it, right? (Of course, the reason I purchased the alarm clock from Amazon was to avoid Sony's customer service, because it is awful.)

Well, maybe Sony's customer service is not as awful as I remember it being. I will contact Sony and update this review with what happens with my defective alarm clock.

Worst case scenario I can return it to Amazon for a pittance. (The CSR said that the fact that the alarm clock was working initially makes it look like I abused it and that is why it is not working, so I probably wouldn't get the 50% back anyway). (The CSR also said that Sony might have designed the product to break in a few months, knowing it would be outside the return period and I'd be stuck with a $100 mistake and would be forced to purchase a new alarm clock). Out of the frying pan and into the fire with options like those!

Wish me luck!

UPDATED REVIEW (DECEMBER 2, 2009):

I called Sony Style at 1-239-768-7547

I spoke with a CSR named Cesar, who told me that I would send the alarm clock in for service, but could not exchange it or return it. He said the service process takes roughly 7 10 days, that I would have to pay shipping costs to get the clock to Sony, and that they would pay the shipping cost to get the (repaired) clock back to me.

Alternatively, I could take the clock in to a service center with a copy of my receipt and the product warranty and get the clock repaired.

This is not ideal and this alarm clock is not worth this headache.

Three stars and falling. Do not make the mistake I did of purchasing this product.

ANOTHER UPDATE:

For those in my situation, here are some links that might help:

Sony Service Website

(where to get a work order number)

Sony Product Website

(where to get a copy of the warranty of the product)

I think this product is great in every way, except one... it doesn't work with the latest iPhone 3GS model. I bought it and was very excited about the product. But every time I put my iPhone in the dock, it would tell me that it wasn't compatible, and would ask if I'd like to turn on "Airplane Mode". If I clicked 'no', and tried to play it, it wouldn't be able to play through the speaker in the clock radio. It would just play it through the iPhone's internal speaker instead. I contacted Sony technical support, and they confirmed that it is not compatible with the iPhone 3GS. Too bad. Now, if only they had listed that in the product description. It says it works with an iPhone (and that it is even iPhone 3G certified), but apparently not for the latest model you'd think that would be pertinent information.

Motorola KRZR K1 Unlocked Phone with 2 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, and MicroSD Slot--International

Motorola KRZR K1 Unlocked Phone with 2 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, and MicroSD Slot--International Version with No WarrantyI just upgraded from a RAZR phone, and this new KRAZR is exceptionally nice. The phone has great reception, the sound quality & volumn are very good, the menus are very easy to get around,it fits your face well (not too short as many phones now are) and operating the phone is simple. This phone is clearly evident of Motorola's evolution in the cell-phone industry. By the way, you can customize the "soft-keys" to be whatever you want them to be. Likewise, you can customize the menus to appear as you would like. They have really thought of the user and have made this phone very User Friendly as well. It seems that the majority of the people I talk to aren't as interested in "whistles & bells" as much as they just want a plain old GOOD phone. This is it! However, if you want more, you can load your MP3 music on to it, you can use the calendar, you can take a picture, and if you are really adventurous, you can access the internet, and also retreive your email! By the way, this phone is capable of taking advantage of the Cingular/AT&T EDGE network which gives you 'faster than usual' internet. I highly recommend this Good Looking, Well Working phone.

Pros:

Exclusivity. Nobody has this phone/color combo.

Killer looks. The glass front is mind-blowing. Photo doesn't do it justice.

Killer size. Left to right it's thinner than the RAZR but slightly longer and slightly thicker front to back.

Sturdy. This is where it shines. When you close it, it feels like a luxury car door. Very solid; lightyears ahead of the RAZR.

Sound quality is top-notch. Excellent reception.

Camera is actually very, very good. I was very, very surprised.

Works with all my old RAZR accessories.

Cons: (barely justifiable to even call them that)

A couple of the included games/java apps were in Chinese.

The phone language. "Centre" instead of "Center", Personalise instead of "Personalize" Not really a big deal. Must be a UK English vs. a US English thing.

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I hung on to my old v60i in the hope that Motorola would fix their user interface, this one is substantially different, but the bad features of the v60i remain. The side buttons.

As of 5/22/08 I'm about ready to hurl this from the roof. The UI is just too inconvenient. I've also had to replace the battery once.

6/13/08 Enough already! I replaced it with a Nokia E51. On the E51 the side buttons are not too sensitive, they require deliberate use, and all buttons are automatically locked after a timeout period anyway. The E51 is nearly twice the price now but 10 times the phone (GSM quad band, WCDMA dual band, 802.11g an FM radio and god knows what else that I haven't found yet). I have temporarily given the KRZR to my significant other, but I'll be replacing that and the daughter's phones with Nokia phones when we change the plan to use the E51's data capabilities; why would I inflict on her what I wasn't happy with myself?

Let's do the good first: The voice quality in both directions is good, the talk time is good and the standby time is good enough that I am surprised when it needs recharging. I use it quite a lot and that still only seems to be twice a week. The ring tones are the usual selection but the maximum volume is considerably higher than in my old phone. Signal handling is much better, it holds on to calls that AT&T could previously be relied on to drop, but there are still issues where it fails to roam to the next cell, though I strongly suspect that is due to lame network software rather than the phone (symptoms are that after a dropped call with no signal the signal strength immediately maxes out). For someone who travels to Europe the quad band GSM is indispensable, I keep a spare SIM for UK visits because it gives me calls to the US for about 1/10th of the cost of allowing AT&T to roam to Europe. The music player is fine, but you are going to have to either buy bluetooth headphones, which you can't use on a plane, or buy the USB adapter which should have been included for the trivial cost in such an expensive phone. It makes an excellent alarm clock and is loud as hell.

The not so good: The iTap text entry is slow and not as good as the old version, whatever that was called. I guess I'll eventually get used to iTap, but the old predictive text had some advantages.

The Ugly: the joker who came up with these side buttons that can't be disabled should be fired. It's the easiest thing in the world to brush against the phone and fire up the crummy voice entry (below) or, with a bit more of a rubbing motion, switch the ringer from one more to another. So you can silence the phone and drop it in your pocket only to find it ringing in the middle of a movie. Or you eventually notice nobody is talking to you and check the phone only to find you have a couple of missed calls and the phone has been set to silent. Somehow. Then there's the voice entry, the best you could say is that it's not good. If you brush against the voice button it thinks about it for a good while and then some awful woman say "say a command". Now you have to try and convince it to call someone based on the phone's attempt at pronouncing the name you used in the phone book. Since I work with a load of Indians and Chinese that's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. It was much more useful to be able to program the nicknames.

But would I buy it again? Yes. There aren't many neat phones like this and if there's another one with quad band GSM too I didn't find it.

But if someone comes out with a quad band GSM phone with good signal handling and no side buttons you'll see my KRZR on Ebay the next day.

Read Best Reviews of Motorola KRZR K1 Unlocked Phone with 2 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, and MicroSD Slot--International Here

This is a great phone. What impressed me most about it was several things. One was its sleek design and feel. If you liked the RAZR, this phone will really knock your socks off. It's not quite as wide as the RAZR, which makes it easier on the hands, and it's solid construction makes you feel like you're holding a quality product. I love how it snaps shut after you finish a call. It's satisfying. Two, it has better reception than the RAZR, or at least it seems that way to me. I don't have any data to support this claim, but I have fewer dropped calls on this phone, and the volume is much better. I don't find myself pressing the phone against my ear like I used to do with the RAZR, which is really nice. Three, I dig the MP3 and multimedia features. I popped a 2GB card in the phone and loaded about 50 of my favorite songs and about 75 family photos in it. It's great because now I can set the phone alarm to wake up to my favorite songs, or set ring tones to whatever tune I have loaded on it. Also, I setup a playlist and listed to it while jogging the other day. I was most impressed. I also created a family album on the phone and showed it to friends in a slideshow format. It was funny. Rather than complimenting me on my beautiful family, they focused their comments on the photo quality of my phone. I was like, dude. Anyway, if you like cool phones, I totally recommend this one. Yeah it's pricey, but from my perspective, it's worth it. One last comment. I'm a Cingular customer and they, if you haven't noticed, haven't offered the KRZR K1 phone to their customers yet. Well, that's okay. You can still use this phone on thier network. All you have to do is take the phone out of the box, pop in your old SIM card from your previous phone, then call Cingular and ask them to activate it. They will ask you for the IMEI number located on the box and within minutes, you will be connected. It was a snap. Enjoy!

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This particular unlocked version seems thinner than the ones being sold by cell phone carriers. My initial impression was this phone was very tiny. It is smaller than the RAZR V3 in overall dimensions. I use this unlocked phone with Cingular in the Los Angeles area.

The good:

1)Small and cool looking. Most people who have seen it seems to be enamored with its design and form factor. It is definitely an eye catcher.

2)Call quality is great. The volume can be turned on VERY loud. So if you are hard of hearing or just like to hear loud voices over the phone, then this phone will probably fit the bill.

3)Speaker phone. Motorola managed to incorporate a great pair of speaker phones. It is loud and clear enough to have a conference call in a small room full of people.

4)Comes with more than basic ring tones. It comes with several (around 12) musical ring tones. Better yet, the ring tones comes out in a full stereo mode (or at least sounds like it).

5)Camera is good (2MP). Although it will not replace your digicam, it will be more than adequate for emergency uses.

6)Battery life. My informal test on this is that it can handle upto 4-5 hours of talk time.

The Bad (mostly due to it is unlocked):

1)You need to configure EVERYTHING on the phone. Nothing comes preconfigured. This includes the default language, time, date, voicemail, email, IM etc. This can get rather tedious since Cingular does not support unlocked phones.

2)You may lose some functionalities. For example, I have noticed my web browser functionalities do not work with my cingular SIM card. This is no biggie for me since I never browse the web using my phone

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Craig Retro iPod/iPhone Docking Clock Radio (CMB3215)

Craig Retro iPod/iPhone Docking Clock Radio
  • Retro design iPod/iPhone docking alarm clock radio with digital FM radio
  • LCD digital read-out display with blue backlight
  • Snooze and sleep function - wake to alarm or radio
  • Connect non-docking iPod/iPhone, CD players and other MP3 players via aux in jack
  • Included assorted adaptors and remote control

What good is an alarm clock when you can't see the clock at night? When the unit is off, not playing music, the clock display is not back lit. Who designed this thing???

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I bought this for my granddaughter as a Christmas gift. She had specifically asked for this one because she has a friend who has it and she liked theirs. She is thrilled with it. It is exactly as advertised. It also arrived quickly.

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My daughter loves the look of this clock radio but it gets really poor reception for the radio stations. So she only uses it for docking her i phone.

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Not sure what I ever did without this clock radio. I want one for every room in my home! Big box sound.

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The product is okay as a radio, but the add needs to mention which versions of iPod/iPhones this product works with.

SDI Technologies iP90BZ Desktop Clock Radio

SDI Technologies iP90BZ Desktop Clock Radio
  • ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE USA

I love this clock radio that works with my Iphone and my Ipod. The remote control is a nice feature. The sound is very good. I would buy this again.

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I purchased and iH55 dock/alarm clock for my daughter last year for Christmas and it has NEVER worked. It began loosing time right away. The manufacturer charges for repairs and doesn't cover shipping costs. And worse yest, it was returned to me still not working. It is currently running 18 minutes behind and the company still wants to charge me to fix it and ship it AGAIN. I don't think so. I'll be taking my money elsewhere.

Yamaha TSX-130BL Desktop Audio System (Black)

Yamaha TSX-130BL Desktop Audio System
  • iPod Dock on top panel
  • Connect USB player/devices via port on top panel to play MP3 and WMA tracks
  • CD Player, Clock with dual alarm modes
  • Handy card-type remote unit

I decided to abandon separate components in my new (small) apartment. Having made the leap into the Ipod world, I figured a good-quality docking system would be fine. I've trusted the Yamaha brand many times, and liked the look of this piece.

That being said, this system doesn't really cut the mustard. Yeah, it's real convenient Ipod, CD, USB, receiver (I couldn't care less about the alarm clock), but the sound is disappointing. The DSP settings what the #*$&% ever happened to tone controls? simply do not give enough treble. It's either massive bass with no high end, or tinny high end with no definition.

I wasn't expecting audiophile quality, but for $400, I think Yamaha blew it with this piece. The $30 speakers I hooked up to my MacBook sound significantly better, frankly.....

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This Yamaha unit is pricey, but well worth it for us. It has outstanding sound that greatly exceeded expectations. The alarm functions are great and have several options to choose from. The alarm is also easy to use, which is a relief after some complex systems we have tried in the past (and considering all its options and functions)...we found it extremely easy to use for set up and to snooze/cancel each morning. My iPod Classic works great with the unit and keeps charging too. Unsure about whether newer iPod Touch gen2+ or iPhones will get a charge, but there are lots of adapters included to choose from.

My only minor complaint is the remote could be glow in the dark or lit a bit. The remote is easy to use and useful in a lit room, but when the lights go out, I have to turn a light on if I want to use the remote (unless I just keep my finger on a button).

I recommend this unit without reservation. Even the wood finish on top looks good.

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First off, this is not my primary listening portal nothing comes close to the auditory bliss of separates. That said it is definitely used on a regular basis. The TSX-130 is a fine little piece of audio and fully commands the price for the sound it delivers. Since Yamaha is known for making trustworthy digital portals and even better receivers, it's no surprise that even at a measly 30 watts amplification, the sound here is bright and clean enveloping the room (large, wooden floored living area) and creating a respectable soundstage even casual listeners have come to expect. And like many skeptics who fear quality of bass oozing out of a small system, simply channel Brian Bromberg's double bass masterpiece Wood. Within seconds of the opening plucks, I was completely blown away as one hears the low range of the TSX-130 being put to test. The resonating strings are crystal clear as they reverb along the wooden neck. No rumbling, just straight clean bass. To take it even further by discounting the modern state-of-the-art studio recording of Wood, I put the TSX-130 through a `tougher' test by slipping in James Moody's mid 50s Verve recordings Moody's Mood for Bluesonce again Eldee Young's acoustic bass was crisp and had a full bodied tone. In fact, album after album I found that all the frequencies are well defined be it the mid-range of Dylan's pipes Together Through Life or Macca's alter ego as The Fireman on Electric Argumentsto the higher ends typical of the late 70s proto-disco/soul heard on Philadelphia Classics....and as a good sound system should be, deserve no tone adjustments (as absent here). The only downside to this system is the absence of a rear input jack to for a video connection. Overall an excellent product that goes beyond casual listening.

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Wanted to have a clock radio that would also work as an iPod dock, could not believe how poor the sound quality was on the iHome and a few Sony products so decided to move up in price a little. Very happy that I did. The sound quality is infinitely better and the look is much nicer. I am actually more impressed with little things that I didn't know that it did when I purchased it, like the gradual increase in volume when the alarm goes off so that it is not jarring and the gradual dimming of the display when the room lights go down making it less bright for sleeping. A very nice product, only 4 stars because it is a little expensive for what it is.

I am really impressed with this unit. I bought it because I wanted something that is very light and compact, plays both CDs and my ipod, but still sounds excellent. This is the only unit out there that really fits the bill. The sound quality is incredible for such a small unit, it is warm and broad, filling my 700 square foot apartment with ease you will be amazed. I tried Bose units in the store, even some really pricey ones ($500+) and they just cannot compare to this. I recommend using just the "normal" DSP setting, or switch to "mild" if you have music with sharp treble. The other settings have too much bass or treble. I think it was a mistake for Yamaha to have the unit start in the "heavy" DSP setting when you first plug it in.

The look and style of the black unit is aesthetically the best you can find for such a unit. It looks very much like a fine piece of audio equipment, rather than the junky, plasticy look of most other comparable units (even Bose pales in this regard). It looks rather sophisticated on my bookshelf.

It has various alarm clock functions, but I have this in my apartment's living room, so I don't foresee trying those out any time soon.

The only downside is the lack of an AUX input. I'd really like to be able to connect a vinyl record player, as the speakers have great bass output, and the richness of vinyl would shine through. Too bad. It's particularly disappointing since the cheaper model without the CD player DOES have an AUX input. This tempted me to give the unit 4 stars, but every other aspect of the unit is so superb, and so beyond the competition, I would be silly to do so.

Overall, a pricey unit, but a fantastic one. You get what you pay for, as they say.