- iCraig CMA3014 Alarm Clock Radio Speaker System General Features: Color: White Alarm clockWake to iPod, Radio and Buzzer LCD Clock display (3-inch) Universal dock for iPodPlays and charges all dockable iPodsAux input (3.5 mm) allows for use with any MP3 player or other portable audio deviceComposite Video Out: can play iPod video on TV!
iCraig CMA3014 Alarm Clock Radio Speaker System w/Dock Connector for iPod (White) - Powers and Charg
Philips DC320 Digital FM Dual-Alarm Clock Radio with iPod Dock
- electronics
- computer
- ipod
- mp3
iHome iC50BY Android Alarm Clock Speaker Dock
- Play and charge your Android Smartphone; FM Alarm Clock Radio allows you to wake & sleep to radio or tone
- Works with iHome Sleep alarm app for enhanced wake & sleep options (free Android Market download)
- SmartSlide dock with custom Quick Charge micro USB cable; AUX line-in for music playback with included stereo audio cable connection to your smartphone or other music device
- Specially designed stereo Reson8 speaker chambers for superior audio performance; built-in EXB sound enhancement
- Battery backup ensures your alarm sounds during a power failure
There is no real compatibility or interface between the clock and your Android. There is a micro USB cable, and a standard headphone cable (both of which must be plugged in for this to work; and by "work" I mean it charges your device and allows you to use the clock as a speaker). That's it. Otherwise it's a pretty mediocre alarm clock. The clock has 4 brightness settings: 1. blinding, 2. way too bright, 3. still too bright, 4. and off. The dimmest visible setting was bright enough to bother me while I was trying to fall asleep.
The clock has an alarm on it with a nice big convenient SNOOZE button in the middle. But if you want to use your phone as the alarm, (thereby making use of the "compatability") the snooze button does nothing. You have to use your phone as the interface.
My Galaxy Nexus looked as if it would fit quite nicely in the dock, but after trying a few combinations of cables sticking out every which way, I discovered that the only way this would "work" wold be with my device bobbing around precariously with all of its weight on the micro USB cable. This made me pretty uncomfortable, as a bump or jolt could potentially snap the phone off of the cable, breaking the cable, the phone, or both.
I returned this thing after a week of trying to like it. But it's basically broken. I'd recommend getting a nice phone dock instead. This thing is a trumped up alarm clock that provides the "convenience" of charging your phone. Do not recommend.
Buy iHome iC50BY Android Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Now
Got this at BestBuy and will be returning it.PROS the micro USB stand works well enough, and with the adapter, you could just circumvent it if you want to, which I consider a good thing as you could connect and charge any micro-usb device. The aux-in 3.5mm jack also works. The included cord is a little short, but is still able to reach the top-side jack on my Samsung Galaxy S2, which is a pretty big phone.
CONS my main complaint is that the clock number display is illegible. I posted a photo to Amazon of the clock showing 9:19; it looks like 8:18, because 6s and 9s display just like 8s, no matter what the brightness setting. It's possible that this is a lemon, but really, LCD displays have been around far too long to be getting screwed up. For $50, this is an indication of unacceptable quality control.
It's also lame that there are no radio presets.
Read Best Reviews of iHome iC50BY Android Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Here
Volume is great. Goes upto 40 and sounds great. Dock is great and keeps phone steady because my micro usb port is on the side and not under neath. Got it at bedbath for half price with 20 percent coupon because the box is all beat up. But the unit was mint. I like the dim feature so I can finally sleep now and don't stay awake with all the bright light. Was a little confusing at first (but hello, instructions are thrown in the box for a reason) but now works great. Alarm fade in is great also. But confusing at first because it makes you think it is not working. Also alarm can be set to any station you want to wake up to. Or you can use your phone connected to the headphone jack. All in all good clock.Want iHome iC50BY Android Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Discount?
The one thing that made me jealous of the iPhone was the litany of devices (including iHome's) that worked with it. I had this vision that I'd be able to dock my phone in, and play audio off it while charging it.Sadly, no.
Strike 1: In order to work, the phone needs both a USB connection and a 3.5mm line in. When I think about it, it does make sense, since there's no standard for playing 2.1 channel audio out of a microUSB connection.
Strike 2: As other reviewers have alluded, the iHome can't really hold the Galaxy Nexus with any sort of stability--the phone wobbles in the dock if I touch the screen.
Strike 3: There is no integration whatsoever between the phone and the alarm clock.
However, the thing that made me ultimately return this device was that for no good reason, audio would suddenly stop playing, and I'd have to turn it back on again.
Save your money, get a speaker dock instead.This seems to be the only dock currently available for the Android phone. While it has it's faults, the sound is pretty good. My complaints are as follows & prevent tis from getting more than 3 stars.
I have the HTC Shift with the charge port on the bottom left. This prevents the dock from holding the phone in a proper position. It sits way off to the left & looks silly when docked. The port is hard to align when docking my phone. Phones with the port on the bottom should have a better experience. The radio has no presets. I switch between a few stations & would love to have a few saved. To allow the dock to play via the phone, you have to plug in an auxiliary cord to the headphone jack. Not very convenient. The built in alarm clock works great. Today I downloaded there app but can't comment yet as it looks a bit overwhelming. More time with it would be fair & I may append this review at a future date.
So for now, this dock is great if you need an alarm clock, charging cradle & quality radio. Relying on the phone for the sound source is a bit inconvenient.
Onkyo HTS680S 6.1 Channel Component Home Theater Audio System (Silver)
- Power Output -100W/Channel; 750 Watts Total (100 Watts x 6 channels) and 150 Watts at the subwoofer
- Built-in Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS Neo - 6, Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing, for surround sound from DVD, VHS, and stereo sources
- THD (Rated Power) -0.08 percent (all channels) / Frequency-Response-20 Hz-20,000Hz
- 6-channel amplifier (100 watts x 6)
- Wide Range Amplifier Technology WRAT - delivers amplification consistently throughout the frequency-response range
I'll let others comment on their subjective reactions to this system versus other systems. Those comments are extremely important; however I don't feel qualified to offer contrasts, because I haven't carefully compared the systems. Instead I'm going to offer some broad observations, and you can get other insights elsewhere.
With multi-channel sound becoming common, I became interested a sound system that could render it, but I wanted a flexible system that was neither expensive nor junk. After surveying the turf, I gravitated towards the Onkyo boxed systems. Here's why:
First of all, I did not want a system that included a DVD player. It struck me as a bad idea to tie the sound system to a specific DVD player. I figure a DVD player, being mechanical, will have a shorter lifespan than a receiver. And I'd like to be able to upgrade my DVD player with a recordable unit or BluRay or whatever. So it's best to buy a separate DVD player, rather than a boxed system with an integrated DVD player. Let's focus here on decent audio rather than extras.
It would also be preferable to have a theater system where the individual components are not tied together. That is, I'd have the freedom to use different speakers or the like. It makes the system more flexible if the components can stand on their own. By way of contrast, I had looked at some of the Panasonic systems, such as the HT-15 or HT-17. I rather liked the look and convenience of these systems (e.g., integrated speaker stands); however I noticed that the speaker amplifiers resided in the subwoofer enclosure. There's nothing wrong with this, and in fact you might even prefer it: Your controlling pre-amp box is smaller and generates less heat, while the clunky amplifiers are set off in the corner. But this means you don't have the option of upgrading your subwoofer unless you're replacing the sound system entirely. (Of course, the logical extension of this idea is to buy separate components in the first place; however being a newbie to the theater idea, I was tempted by the all-in-a-box package.)
I'm amazed to see how cheap some of the low end home theaters are. For under $100, you can have 5 speakers, a subwoofer, and a receiver or maybe even a DVD player. Wow! Of course, these cheapest systems look sort of like toys. The speakers are tiny and have only a single driver, and the power isn't high. They probably won't produce great audio. But the price is very appealing. My worst concern is the cheapest units have cut so many corners that they'll fail soon, and the entire system will be trash.
So my eye was drawn to the Onkyo systems, which offered separate components that appear respectable. Note that the receiver included as part of this package can be had as an individual component, the Onkyo TX-SR503 (retail $299). I liked this receiver; it felt solid and its control scheme and buttons struck me as relatively intuitive. And the 7.1 speaker combination is also sold as a package, SKS-HT530, for retail $279. The subwoofer is a solid unit, with 230 watts and a 10-inch down-firing woofer (when buying a subwoofer, size matters). The front and center speakers are 2-ways, each with 2 midrange drivers and 1 tweeter; the rear and surround speakers are also 2-ways with a single midrange and tweeter. The speakers and subwoofer are in wood cabinets, larger and heavier than the plastic that's more typical. This perhaps makes them more "real" but less stylish. The whole package (made in Malaysia, by the way) seems a good deal, by price per pound if nothing else. Onkyo includes a 2-year warrantee, which is encouraging; nobody else offers more than a year.
I agree with others who note that upgrading to heavier speaker wires is a good idea. No point in paying for the Monster brand name; wire is wire as far as I'm concerned.
Bottom line is you end up with a respectable small audio system that should give you decent surround sound, and you can later upgrade or replace the individual components if you choose to.
Buy Onkyo HTS680S 6.1 Channel Component Home Theater Audio System (Silver) Now
After heavily researching all of the home theater's in the 300 dollar range I found this one seemed to be the best bang for the buck. After receiving the stereo in only 3 days with the Shipper Saver! I was completely impressed with the clarity of sound and the theater like sound. Everyone i bring over is completely blown away with the crisp lifelike sound. I thought there would be no difference between 5.1 and 6.1, but the rear speaker adds so much to the surround effect. There are a multitude of sound options to choose from on the receiver and you can individually select each speakers db level. I replaced the speaker wire that came with the system with 16 gauge wire from RadioShack before I even hooked up the system. This is the best system I have ever purchased and can definatly push an amazing amount of sound out of it. This stereo is sufficient for the largest rooms (24' x 24'). Would recommend to anyone buying a budged home theater.Read Best Reviews of Onkyo HTS680S 6.1 Channel Component Home Theater Audio System (Silver) Here
In looking for a first home theater, I sort of stumbled across this one and liked it because it did NOT have a DVD player included. Sounds strange but I have DVD players already and found that so many offerings of HT systems made you take one with the package. So much for my idiosyncracies. I found this Onkyo system to be just what I needed.Some notes about the purchase process. Delivery (free via UPS) was earlier than Amazon's earliest promised date. A special note about the package. It really does weigh 70 pounds and has nothing to grab onto so some preplanning for the arrival is in order. A handtruck helps unless your delivery guy is especially cooperative.
The packaging of the system is the best I've ever seen for electronic equipment. The outer carton is of especially thick stock. Inside are three separate styro moldings surrounding the 20-pound subwoofer, the receiver (with paperwork), and the six speakers (with cabling, antennae, etc.). Six bundles of molded, color-coded, 2-conductor speaker wire with pre-stripped and tinned ends are supplied. The three rear speaker wires are 30-ft. long each; the right and left fronts are 15-ft. each and the front center wire bundle is 10-ft. long. The powered subwoofer preamp RCA cable is about 8-ft. long. Matching color-coding is present both at the speakers and at the connection points on the receiver. OK, this is probably standard practice but, this being my first HT purchase, I was impressed.
The 55-page manual is well written and is well illustrated. I was a bit taken aback by the number of alternative hookup arrangements but I found that I had inadvertently shortened the process by my selection of other components. My TV is a 42-in., 1080p LCD model with three HDMI in-ports and a digital optical out-port. The HD cable box, HD DVD player, and DVD recorder are all connected by HDMI to the TV. Due to this use of HDMI, the TV's innards contain the full spectrum of sound (as well as video) of anything that is sending program material. This results in the happy circumstance of being able to transmit full sound spectrum down a single digital optical cable to the Onkyo receiver. Pressing the right buttons on the receiver enable sending all the program sound to the speaker/subwoofer array.
At first turn-on, a press of the Test Tone button on the remote sends a white-noise signal to each speaker, in turn, to ascertain balance at the viewing position. Imbalance is corrected manually, again from the remote, by adding or subtracting db's to or from each speaker. These settings are displayed on the receiver's LED screen. I was sure I would get a hiss or buzz from the system due to the rat nest of wires in back of the setup but the sound is pure as can be.
I was a total newbie to HT, yet was able to get a great sounding system up and running in a short time with this 6.1 Onkyo HT system. I contacted Onkyo support by email twice with questions and received prompt, literate and helpful answers.
Oh, BTW, I got a copy of "Home Theater for Dummies" by Briere and Hurley (also from Amazon) for a security blanket. It helped.
Want Onkyo HTS680S 6.1 Channel Component Home Theater Audio System (Silver) Discount?
Wow! Im a teenager and an audiophile. This system has the makings of an excellent buy. The price point is wonderfull for starters! The only problem would be the lack of HDMI imputs. I, however use the system as a audio system and never hooked up the video so thats never been a problem. The abundence of presets turns digitalized ipod music into a more lively output. Digital coaxial imput from a CD player gets great sound. The OR-EQ feature makes the whole thing unbelievable. It's a great buy. It does sound better than Bose (shiny junk). Anyways have no hesitation to purchase, Ive had it for a year with no poblems, now stop reading my review and buy it!This is better than a 5.1 and a lot more feasible than a 7.1 today. It's compatible with my 6 disk Onkyo DVD player and hooks up to just about any new TV for great surround sound system. Terrific versitility and the best bang for a buck I could find.iLive Intelli-set Clock Radio with Dock for iPod (Black)
- Supports most iPhone and iPod models with Universal Dock Connector
- Charge and play your iPod
- Wake to iPod, AM/FM radio, or buzzer, with battery backup in case of power outages
- Auxiliary input for external audio devices
- Automatic time set - just choose your time zone
I hooked it up yesterday and was excited to see that it set the right time automatically. I was also happy to see that it was easy to set up the radio presets. My iPod touch 2nd generation docked perfectly in its silicone case without any adapter (this unit comes with 4 adapters if necessary).
The sound is pretty good. I tested 20 radio stations (there are 20 presets available) and I tested my iPod. For my bathroom, the sound filled the room and was not buzzy or scratchy.
There is no remote control included for this unit, but the controls are right on the top of the machine and easy to see and use.
I am very happy with this purchase. It is the right price for what you are getting. Good value! I hope this unit lasts a long time, I will update this review as time passes.
Buy iLive Intelli-set Clock Radio with Dock for iPod (Black) Now
I bought this for my 10 yr. old son who received a 5th generation nano for his bday. This is great for the price. I found the controls a little confusing for him, but once he learned them, it has been fine. I like the size (compact) and the look. Well worth the $31 I paid. Also, like the option of dimming the clock light.Read Best Reviews of iLive Intelli-set Clock Radio with Dock for iPod (Black) Here
I was sick of having a glowing light from my alarm clock. I was looking for something that you could see in the middle of the night, but didn't leave the room lit up. This is perfect. So far I love all the features. My only tiny complaint is that I set up the automatic time through your time zone and it is about 8 or 9 minutes fast. I don't mind because I can hit snooze though.Want iLive Intelli-set Clock Radio with Dock for iPod (Black) Discount?
I bought this as a cheap alternative to the expensive iPod docks.I use it as the primary clock and alarm clock for my bed room.
This dock does everything I wanted and more!
The duel alarm clock is great, especially with all the options. I love that it starts quiet and gets louder, instead of instantly waking you with a lound noise.
Don't expect amazing sound quality, but do expect to hear clear music without a fuzz. For the amaingly low price, you get much more than you ask for with this unit.Does what it is suppose to do. Alarm, charges ipod, has AUX input. Sound quality is not that great. Volume is good, but no bass line.
Tenergy Centura AAA Low Self-Discharge LSD NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 6 Cards 24xAAA
- Very slow self discharge maintains 85% residual capacity after 1 year of storage and 70% residual capacity after 2 years of storage
- Exact replacement for standard AAA size battery in all the devices
- Designed for enhanced performance for high drain applications such as digital cameras, CD players, portable audio devices, hand held games, 2-way radios, PDAs, and other portable high drain digital electronics
- Can be recharged for up to 1000 times, providing big saving by replacing hundreds of throw away AAA batteries.
- Can be rapidly charged with any quick charger, smart chargers, plug in charger or universal chargers
My experience to date has been really equivalent with regard to the Eneloop. Only wish they could make these at 1.5v instead of the 1.2. After a full charge, I find these actually top off consistently and hold at 1.354v, right in line with the Eneloop. These compare to fresh alkaline at 1.565v and fresh lithium at 1.631v. When using in some flashlight applications, the difference in voltage between the 1.2 rated hybrids and 1.5 alkaline or lithium is noticeable.
Bottom line is I would recommend these highly. I've saved bundles already on batteries and my testing confirms these do hold their charge for a very long time (slow natural discharge rate), unlike normal NiMh rechargeables.
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I was skeptical about buying the Tenergy products since I read so many reviews that had negative impact. However, I am glad I did get these. The price was so reasonable and I am extremely satisfied (so far). They seem to be so much better than the Energizer rechargeables that I was previously using. I use them mainly for my MP3 player and they last 24 hours. That is about 6 hours longer than the player says they will work. I also put some in my booklight. I turned it on as a night light just to see how long they would last. I am on my 6th full night and going strong. The Centura batteries seem to be doing much better than the reviews on the regular Tenergy batteries. I purchase these because they said they would hold the charge longer than other rechargeable batteries and are called LOW SELF DISCHARGE. I purchased both AAA and 1 card of AA but have not tried the AA yet. The AAA are only 800 mAh but are great for my use. I do wish the mAh was higher but it isn't so I'll live with my 800. Tenergy Centura AAA Low Self-Discharge (LSD) NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 6 Cards 24xAAAI bought six cards of these based on the reviews here on Amazon. No regrets, they work great. AAA batteries don't last very long, whether rechargeable or alkaline. At this price, after three uses you've made your money back, so the next hundred recharges are all gravy. Highly recommended.I was surprised to find this set of batteries for significantly less than any others of the type, so I gave them a shot. One minor mistake I made was to assume they are pre-charged, like all other low self-discharge batteries seem to be, but they aren't. Out of the package I got about 350 mah. Still after running them through a couple charge cycles they have all provided well over their rated output. Generally I have gotten 850-900 mah.I checked the capacity of these cells using my Maha C9000 charger. About half were over 800mAH and half were between 780 and 800mAH. Given the low price I don't think a 2.5% deviation from spec is a big deal. I haven't had them for very long but seems to work just fine.Chestnut Hill Sound GEORGE Audio Speaker System for iPod
- Brilliant Sound. Drop in your iPod, select your favorite tune and hear it in a whole new light.GEORGE features 5 speakers in a bi-amplified configuration to deliver your audio the way it was meant to be heard.We call it TBSTM (Tonally Balanced Sonics)
- Ultimate Control. Navigate through your music faster and easier than any other system.In fact, only GEORGE allows you to navigate from Aimee Mann to Rolling Stones in one click.
- Smarter Radio - 24 Presets. Traditional presets are great, if you have a photographic memory.Using the high-resolution display, GEORGE actually displays your favorites.Why search when you already know what you want
- Advanced AM/FM alarm clock with BANDLESS Tuning
- Powers/charges iPod while docked
The HK sounds somewhat better. Better bass, volume and soundstage. The George does, however, have clearer treble on some songs. (I import music to the IPOD at 320 kbps.) Moreover, the George has treble and bass controls. Don't get me wrong, the sound from the George is very good!
The George is a marvel --the unique remote, very good AM/FM, and a clock radio. Looks are ok. (Note: due to its features and intended use, a comparion with the Bose Wave --similarly priced and a CD player rather than IPOD dock --might be more appropriate but no one is doing that, not even Chestnut Hill.)
It's an excellent product, so why only three stars? Well, I gave the HK four stars --the George costs substantially more and the SQ is a bit weaker. I really do like the extra features (AM/FM radio, clock radio, unique remote). The problem --its very good sound quality does not justify the price. (It's high price is partly due to the special, detachable remote.) The remote is a marvel of engineering but I don't need it. I prefer to use the IPOD itself --the IPOD screen is in color and the George remote screen is black and white (sort of like the IPOD a few generations ago; moreover, the remote does not hold a charge for very long.) Videos --the George will not help you there.
So, no, it's not worth $499 to me. At $399 it would be very appropriately priced IMHO. It might even sell like hotcakes! Even then, I would get the HK because of the better SQ. Moreover, I like the portability of the HK and the ability to use batteries.
Should you buy it? If the extra features mean a lot to you, then a definite yes. (Especially if you would make extensive use of the remote and prefer it to the IPOD interface for some reason.) The sound is much more than adequate for a clock radio and compares well to the popular Bose Sound Dock.
It's actually a very well made product, set-up is very easy and SQ is very good.
My ratings:
George B (features partially offset high price)
HK Play+Go A(SQ is very good, price is lower)
Sound Dock B(SQ over-rated, pay for Bose name)
Sound Dock Portable C+ (very overpriced for SQ and weak battery)
Good luck!
Buy Chestnut Hill Sound GEORGE Audio Speaker System for iPod Now
Had my George for a few days but have cycled different music -rock, jazz, classical through it. I would describe the sound as "comparable" to the Wave. The fact that the sound is so good sealed the deal for me because the features just kill. I love having a clockradio on steroids that can be across the bedroom filing the whole room with sound rather than right next to my head. Ditto the alarm. With the remote unit (remote control doesn't do it justice) my night table is tidy and the display is inches away while the music fills the room.The lighted adjustable remote offers the ability to navigate the full Ipod menu. That means laying flat on my back in the dark I can scroll all my albums, playlists, even podcasts, Very James Bond. Very luxurious. Also the AM FM is on it with presets and it appears that other sources are going to be released.
I have a den next to my bedroom and even though the sound radiates I love the idea that I can take the remote in there and blah, blah, blah. Also the line output means I can add a pair of speakers in the den and still use the remote to access my full collection and the radio.
The alarms -there are 5 will couple with any source or tune and are easy to set and reset. This thing is the coolest device since the Kindle.
Read Best Reviews of Chestnut Hill Sound GEORGE Audio Speaker System for iPod Here
I really like the interface on George. It's so easy to get around and view all my music. Plus it does everything else that you need and gives great sound. Pretty cool gadget. Not cheap feeling.Want Chestnut Hill Sound GEORGE Audio Speaker System for iPod Discount?
Awesome! But... expensive? Maybe, but it sounds better than the rest by far and at least as good as its price!the remote is cool for sure but the sound is what really makes it for meSharp SPC800 Quartz Analog Twin Bell Alarm Clock (Silver)
- Quartz analog twin bell alarm Clock
- Button for backlight
- Luminous glow in the dark hands
- Luminous dial
Some characteristics:
* The single alarm is loud. Damn loud. Not to fire-alarm levels, but I wouldn't expect a sleeping partner to ignore it.
* The alarm is set by a twist dial on the back. There are two dials; the other one sets the time. You have to be careful which you grab.
* There's no snooze capacity here. The alarm is either activated or not, as set by a small switch on the back.
* It ticks audibly. I sleep with earplugs so I don't care. If your sheep can't stand a fixed rhythm, you won't like this.
* There's a small button on the back to activate a side light. The face is otherwise invisible in the dark.
* It appears to hold time. The first few days I used it, it seemed to lose time, but it's been steady for the last month.
* It really is a pretty clock, especially for the $8 WM wanted for it.
The only question mark for me is the battery wear rate. This clock uses a single AA rather than a proper AC adapter. I've erred on the side of caution with a 1.5V Alkaline rather than the usual 1.2V Eneloop. I'll update when it gives out and add back a star if the clock turns out to be reliable in the long run.
Buy Sharp SPC800 Quartz Analog Twin Bell Alarm Clock (Silver) Now
This is an awesome alarm clock. The ticking sound is not that irritated unless your annoyed by minor noises. It can wake me up and I wont wake up to anything. All over its a great clock and if you need an alarm clock and are a heavy sleeper. Buy itRead Best Reviews of Sharp SPC800 Quartz Analog Twin Bell Alarm Clock (Silver) Here
I've never written a review before, but when I saw this clock on Amazon, I had to.I bought this exact same clock about 3 years ago, and I still have mine. I lost the cover to the battery compartment about a year ago, but other than that, it still works as great as it ever did, and I'm really rough on my alarm clocks! The best thing about the clock is how loud the alarm is, no other alarm clock that I've tried could wake me up.
I highly recommend this clock!
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If you have trouble waking up...if you have a child with trouble waking up...if you just want to wake up your neighbors for a few laughs -Buy this clock. It's cheap, and I swear to God the thing will wake the dead. I have issues waking up because of my meds, and I'm capable of dismantling a phone while asleep to stop the beeping, throwing an alarm across the room, snoozing for two hours, etc. My poor fiance finally told me that one super loud alarm would be better than two hours of alarms every few minutes, while I manage to stay in bed.I set this thing for 5am, and I swear, I was up and trying to make it stop within 30 seconds, afraid it would wake the entire house. Plus, you can't hit it or push a button to make it stop, you have to find a tiny little black switch on the back.
The only drawback is that you since it's a traditional manual alarm clock, you have to remember to set it each night, so I now have a reminder alarm on my phone so I can remember to set my alarm.For the price the alarm clock is amazing. I tend to sleep through most alarms, but this one woke me up immediately. The ringer is loud and distinct. If you can't fall asleep with background noises then this might not be your best choice, the ticking is fairly loud. Nevertheless I am happy with this alarm clock. The back-light button is a nice feature and the clock is easy to use.
Oregon Scientific Step Pedometer With Clock and MSA
Grundig S350DL Deluxe AM/FM/Shortwave Field Radio, Black - (NGS350DLB)
- AM (530-1710 KHz), FM (88-108 MHz) and shortwave - continuous coverage from 3 to 28 MHz.
- Highly sensitive and selective analog tuner circuitry with AM/SW
- Frequency Lock, Rotary volume control and Variable RF Gain control
- Inputs for supplementary AM/FM and shortwave antennas
- This includes 13 international-broadcast bands (11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 41, 49, 60, 75 and 90 meters)
The controls are nicely laid out, the instruction manual quite easy to understand to enable you to derive the full enjoyment of all this radio has to offer.
The big drawback and dissapointment I found with the 350DL is the tuning control. There is a lot of " slop " in the control, not just the knob but from what is behingd the control panel. Another problem with the tuning control is an overabundant " backlash " when trying to set the tuning on a station, particularly when tuning in shortwave stations. You tune in the station or desired frequency, let go of the tuning knob and you can actually see it change as it moves forward or backward from where you left it. For those desiring to tune around the shortwave bands to see what is there this is a big drawback. I actually wonder how long the tuning control will last on this radio before it falls apart. The entire tuning knob assembly wiggles and wobbles while you turn it. This should not happen, and I feel is a major cause for concern. For the $100 price tag I am not expecting a mil-spec radio by any means but the poorly designed tuning system in this radio gives me no other choice than to down rate it. That is unfortunate too as this radio has many other features so worthwhile.
If you are planning on purchasing this radio to use for AM & FM broadcast reception and not change stations too frequently, it's a decent radio. If you plan on tuning to different stations frequently you may wish to consider looking at other makes and models befoe buying this.
I purchsed this radio primarily to use as a bedside clock radio with sleep timer and only occasional tuning. The digital display is not absolutely accurate but for the price it is good enough.
Buy Grundig S350DL Deluxe AM/FM/Shortwave Field Radio, Black - (NGS350DLB) Now
If you're looking for a basic table radio without presets and digital tuning, you would do well to consider the Grundig S350 Deluxe, which I have owned and used for the last 3 years. The S350 will get you best FM performance possible. AM is great also. The speaker is loud and fills a room easily.The antenna is very long. Make sure you have room to extend the antenna so it doesn't bend by jamming against a wall or a ceiling.
The tendency to drift in the old model of the S350 has been fixed with the new Deluxe model.
You will also like the fact that though the radio is analog, you can see the digital read-out, so you always know what station you're on.
Another outstanding feature is fine-tuning and RF grain so you can filter as much as you need in the event you get AM overloading.
My only complaint about the S350 is really a complaint about all modern radios: They are built of light plastic. Gone are the days of heavy, high-grade radios. But on balance if you are a stickler for AM and FM reception, you will find that you have a reception champion in the S350.
Read Best Reviews of Grundig S350DL Deluxe AM/FM/Shortwave Field Radio, Black - (NGS350DLB) Here
Radios are all about sound and the Grundig 350 has very good warm tones that are easy to listen to all day long. This radio can do very well as a table radio which is how I use it. The sound is solid with no distortion even if driven to full volume. This radio is a keeper for the sound alone.As far as Am/Sw reception goes the Gundig 350 does very well provided you use external antennas to pull in the signals. The new added frequency lock works well to stop the drifting this radio was so infamous for. The Fm reception is very good pulling in many stations on the built in whip antenna and holding them rock steady.
If you want SSB ,or better Am/Sw signal capture, a full sized proper Communications Receiver is a better choice. That said, for every day casual listening ,on all bands offered on the Grundig, it does a fine job that will entertain one and all. This radio does Am/Sw well enough I can take my time now to find a deal on a decent older Communications Receiver in the used market. For now (maybe longer????) I'll just enjoy the Grundig.
All the controls on the Grundig work as they are supposed to instead of just being dials/switches to look good. Reading the well written manual will help the new user to gain full benefit of just what this radio can really do. One point about this radio that is little understood is the analog tuning. Analog tuning gives the user a way to really control this radio in ways not possible with electronic tuning while holding down the cost to enable Grundig to put in other features that normally would cost more. More bang for the buck 'cause you do your own tuning. Oh yes, I prefer analog tuning because I can slide right onto a weak signal I couldn't with electronic tuned radios.
Can I recommend the Grundig 350DL? Yes, as long as the buyer understands this is a first rate "casual" radio and they will not be disappointed at all.
Follow up after external indoor antenna added........
WOW!! Talk about an improvement!! A simple $2.50 300ohm wire dipole that I bought at the hardware store worked magic on this radio. I just hung the dipole & clipped it to the radio's antenna and this little radios was able to reach waaaaaaaaaay out there with ease. There is still the imaging problem but that is to be expected. That said, now I can listen to lots of stations that were not there before !!!!
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With many SW radios to choose from, some prohibitively expensive, there's no wonder that many consumers are left confused about which one is right for them. Costs for a radio can range from $10 to $10,000 depending on the make, model, and features one is looking at. Many radios in the price range of the S350DL are tiny and due to compact size, have terrible sound output as limited by the accompanying small speaker. So is the S350DL a good middle of the road option?That all depends upon what you need, and what you're willing to put up with. The features of this radio can be summed up in basically one sentence; AM/FM/SW, with tone control, band filter, Hi-Z input, and gain. That's pretty much it.
As far as sound quality, the S350DL is rather good. I've used various other SW radios and this one puts out some of the best in its price range. I've seen other reviewers hold the sound quality against this radio when actually in my opinion and experience, this is one of its shining points. The sound quality is on par with my 750 Satellit, and blows away the compact portables such as the G6 and Sangean portables.
Other great options with this radio not available in other radios of this price range is the option of RCA stereo line out and plugins for Hi-Z antennas. Just get a very long speaker wire, plug it into the back, and you've got a super cheap and effective shortwave antenna with a length and the geometry of your choosing. MOST SW radios do not have this. Kudos.
But the Achille's heel of this radio is the tuning. The tuning is so bad, it's almost unusable except to all but the most determined and patient. Sure there is a digital readout, but the tuning itself is analog. That's ok, but the analog tuning is very poorly designed, leaving cheap radio tuners outperforming this one.
For one there is no consistency with the tuning. We're afforded coarse and fine tune knobs but this makes little difference. Turning the fine tuning knob 1/4" at one part of the band might move you 5khz. Another part of the band it might move you over 100khz! I was first listening to the clock in Colorado at 5000khz and managed to tune to it within about 20 seconds. Same thing at 10000khz took almost 2 minutes and I almost gave up on it entirely. Couple that with the fact that there is no direct entry tuning or frequency lock, and you're stuck fiddling with the knobs for a ridiculous amount of time.
In addition to that, when the radio is overloaded it will drift quickly on you. I tuned to 27185khz to test the radio with my handheld CB (which is channel 19). Keying up the mic at low power settings on a 5w transmitter made the radio drift several hundred khz! I had to employ my wife to drive down the road with the radio while I watched and at 1/4 mile away there was no drift when she keyed up. What this means is that if you're tuning to a station, by the time you know you're overloaded (which happens easily), the station has already drifted before you can even adjust the RF gain, and you're stuck fiddling with the clunky knobs for a minute or two to get back on track... provided that you haven't reduced the gain so much that you don't get the station again. Very frustrating!
Even without overload there is inherent frequency drift. Drifting 20khz in less than 10 minutes is not uncommon... and getting back on frequency means dealing with those knobs again...
These problems presents themselves with FM and AM as well, although the results aren't as debilitating to reception. I was trying to tune to 93.3 FM and just couldn't get it right. I'd be at 93.50, tune down a bit it jumps to 92.8, back and forth, back and forth. FINALLY I got it to 93.39 and just left it there. I could get the station but stereo was in and out because I wasn't right on frequency.
If you're looking for a cheap radio and you know exactly the stations you want to listen to, then this will serve you better than some of the $100 miniatures that lack options for antennas and have tinny sound with no tone control. If you want to "browse" the SW band looking for interesting stuff, then avoid this one. If you're even somewhat serious about SW DXing, spend a little more and get the Satellit 750. Look for my review on that radio as well for more details.I originally ordered a Sony ICF-SW7600GR World Band Radio thinking I would sit here at night listening to radio stations from around the globe. Well it turns out I don't enjoy that as much as I thought I would. Plus, I just was not that happy with the sound quality of the Sony as an everyday AM radio, plus the antenna on the Sony was just horrible When in the straight up and down position it would wobble back and forth between the 11:00 and 1:00 position and drive me nuts (unacceptable to me on a $140 radio). So I did a little research and came across this radio and it's ideal for me.
This is my everyday AM radio that sits on top the 'fridge and the sound quality on AM and FM is wonderful. Its ability to pull in distant AM stations is great and it works really well on shortwave.
The old fashion tuning takes a little bit to get use to and it can be a bit of trick sometimes to get it right on the exact frequency, but the look and feel and sound of this radio outweigh any of the negatives. It reminds me of an old Radio Shack radio from the 70's I used to play around with as kid.
It is really fun to sit there and turn the dial and see what I can find from across the country. I strung up 75' of wire from one end of my attic to the other and with that attached to the connection on the back (another plus as I don't need to clip it to the antenna) I easily and clearly pull in stations from Cuba, Mexico, Canada and even a few from Europe. Plenty interesting to satisfy my shortwave appetite.
I don't have any problem with the tuning dial being cheap and flimsy as others have mentioned. Sure it could be a little more solid, but I don't foresee any issues down the road. This radio will last me a long time. Oh ya and the antenna on this radio is strong, stable and quite long.
So if you're looking for a nice, fun to use, good sounding, all around table top radio give this one a try.
Philips AJL750/37 Kitchen Clock Radio with 7-inch TV
- 7-inch widescreen LCD display with built-in ATSC digital TV tuner for high quality viewing
- Features under-cabinet mounting for clutter-free kitchen counters; flip-down display panel saves counter space
- MP3 Link with stand for portable music playback
- Magnetic remote control for convenient mounting onto fridge
- Includes built-in cooking timer and clock for your convenience
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This is just what we needed in our Kitchen. It barely fits under our counter, but it works very nicely. I plugged it in hooked up my cable tv cable, and set the unit up with out any problem. Picture quality is just fine though I have no HD source hooked up to it. Didn't really get this tv for HD viewing. Found all my basic cable channels fine with out any additional tuner. Probably the best television speakers in my house. The audio quality isn't high end, but the sound is pretty rich for such a small unit. Be warned though if your cabinets aren't any deeper than 12 in. it will be a tight fit, and the unit will stick out a little from the front of your cabinet. It would fit much better under a 14 to 16 in cabinet. Mine are 12 in and the unit sticks out about an in., and getting the cable hooked up required me taking the unit back down. It's a tight fit.Read Best Reviews of Philips AJL750/37 Kitchen Clock Radio with 7-inch TV Here
My wife has wanted an TV for the kitchen for some time. I was fortunate to find this unit on sale (Gold Box) and got it for Christmas. She could not be more pleased. The picture quality is great and the sound is surprisingly good. At times she simply listens to the radio and I am really surprised at how clear and loud this little unit can be. I would purchase it again even if it weren't on sale.Want Philips AJL750/37 Kitchen Clock Radio with 7-inch TV Discount?
I got the radio on the deal of the day but the tv doesnt work withcable or anttena, im very unsatisfied, the radio works ok the timer too, it looks good but the tv doesnt work with directv or cable so ill return it.I had previously purchased a Phillips 7" TV and loved it. After about 5 years it broke so I replaced it with this version. Not only does this one not have a DVD player or AM radio but it is not compatible with cable television. I called up Phillips directly and they said the TV can only be used with an antenna. What a joke! I returned it the next day.Koss PP257 Water-Resistant Sports Armband Digital Radio (Yellow)
- Dynamic bass boost
- 10 station presets
- Arm strap, belt clip, band clip, sports ear clip, headphones included
- Easy-to-read LCD screen
- Matching sport-design earphones
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I take this in my gym bag -toss it on the bottom, throw it around and it still works great! I've had BAD luck with Sony -I think their products have decreased in quality lately. I think the reception is fine (though I only use it to listen to the rebroadcast of the TV sound at the health club. It is an inexpensive radio -if you don't need anything fancy - this is your best bet.Read Best Reviews of Koss PP257 Water-Resistant Sports Armband Digital Radio (Yellow) Here
I purchased this Koss radio because it was small, light-weight, and had a stop watch feature which would be perfect to use during my workouts at Green Lake in Seattle. I was so excited when it arrived, but my excitement quickly changed to disappointment the first time I tried to use it and didn't get any reception. I know there is great reception at Green Lake because I have a larger Walkman that works just fine. My advice to potential buyers would be... Don't waste your time, you will likely be as disappointed as I am!Want Koss PP257 Water-Resistant Sports Armband Digital Radio (Yellow) Discount?
I bought this radio to use on the walking portions of my daily commute from downtown Chicago to the suburbs (I take the train in between). Unfortunately the reception is terrible in both places: multiple stations fading in and out with bursts of static common. I had hoped that the digital tuning would give improved reception over my old analog Sony, but no! I may have to fish the old Sony out of the trash -as bad as it can be, it's better than this one, alas. Very disappointing!The Koss PP257 was obviously designed to compete with the more expensive Sony Sports Armbands that are popular. It has the same type of yellow plastic casing, and it comes complete with 10 preset buttons and a station autoseek function. This unit also includes a reflector plate to add to safety at dusk. I used to own a Sony Armband, and I experienced very similar performance to the Koss I just bought. The earphones have a unique design that wraps around the ear, giving them more stability when you are using them like you should (to do sports!), and giving them a sleek look. Reception is typical of very small radios, decent outside, hit or miss inside. Some stations sound good while I work out at the gym, while others don't come in at all. Also, the included earphones have difficulty putting out the bass that you can expect in more expensive units. There is a lot of distortion if you use the bass amplification option and turn the volume past halfway. Nevertheless, I like this unit because it was inexpensive, works adequetely, and breaks the stranglehold that Sony has on the portable music market. If you buy a Sony you will only gain a little performance, but you will triple or quadruple your expense. You will also perpetuate a virtual monopoly. You don't have to buy Sony to be cool.Teac Table Radio and iPod Dock
- Plays & charges iPod
- AM/FM stereo tuner
- Clock with dual timer
- Wake to iPod, radio or buzzer
- Sleep timer
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The concept of this unit is great; good sound for a compact unit, and the ability to use my iPod on the alarm is great. Daylight Savings Time mode is very nice.However:
1. The backlight display is way too bright; can't set brighness for "off" mode.
2. Alarm Clock workflow is terrible. When the radio alarm goes off, the radio gets progressively louder (which in and of itself is OK). However, you can't set the maximum radio volume for the alarm ahead of time; it just goes to level 24 on its own. BUT the big problem is that once it gets loud, you CANNOT TURN IT DOWN (spinning the volume does nothing)! You have to turn off the alarm itself, then turn it back on again; then you can turn it back down. However, this turns off the alarm itself... so you have to reset it for the next morning. Very easy to miss this step and have no alarm the next morning. It does a good job of making you angry when you wake up.
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I have been looking for this product for some time and I am very happy to have found it and more than pleased with it's quality, in all aspects.Want Teac Table Radio and iPod Dock Discount?
I bought this at Costco and was quite surprised with the results. At first, I was kind of distraught that the LED screen was so bright, but figured out that you have to press the "Standby/On/Off button" which does not actually shut the unit off, but puts the screen into sleep mode, and you can easily make it brighter by pressing the snooze button.The gradual awake alarm thing is a bit annoying, but can get around it once again by pressing the same standby button.
The nap function (can have the alarm come on in 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes) is cool and you can go to sleep with the radio or ipod by setting the sleep timer.
The remote is a great idea especially when you preset the stations. Sometimes I hate the morning shows, so this way I can just grab the remote and skip to another pre-programed station.
All in all, the sound quality is really good for the price, and of course, the ipod doc is a great bonus, so if you don't mind the incremental loudness of the alarm (I have only tried in it radio mode), this is a good little machine (and takes up less space than many of the longer ipod clock radios out there...)Great radio--have to remove outside cover of ipod to get it to work, even though it felt like it was sitting solidly on the dock, but once I figured that out,it is just fine.
Remote is very sturdy & instructions are easy to use. The fm reception is very good & not full of static like many smaller radios.
Liked the first one so much, I purchased another one for the spare room. Only thing that could be better is the clock display at night when it is at its lowest setting, but easily something I can "live with".