Best Buy alarm clock dual alarm auto set

Excellent sound & functions. Could use better iPhone/Touch docking., January 15, 2010

I wanted to replace my clock radio for one that charges my iPod Touch & has decent sound. After sampling several models at the Apple Store & researching online, I picked this one. As a note, there is a previous model of this unit & there are some major differences. Since both are still available as of 1/14/10, you might want to decide which one works better for you. The differences are:

-The old one was shorter, designed for regular ipods. The Touch & the iPhone stuck out higher then the radio, which meant when reaching for the snooze or other buttons, you may hit the iphone/touch and knock it off.

-The old one has a smaller clock display.

-The old one had a BETTER ipod dock. It actually had a rest behind where the ipod stands, which could be adjusted from the back to go in or out. This to me was an amazing & rather unique solution.

The one I bought, the new one described in this item listing, has a bigger clock display & is taller so the touch and iphone no longer stick out on top. However, the dock no longer has the adjustable backrest like the older model. Instead, it comes with 2 plates, one for the iphone, one for the Touch. If you have another ipod, you’ll have to bring your own dock plate.

The main problem with this dock plate solution is that my Touch doesn’t fit with the protective case on (I use an Agent 18). Since taking the Touch out of the case everyday is not something I wish to do, I have to use this without any dock plates. The problem with that is the only support the Touch has is the dock port. This is obviously not a good thing in the long term. It makes using the Touch while it is docked a 2 hand operation; one to stabilize the Touch & keep it from pushing back & the other hand to make the adjustments. This is doubly frustrating since they had a much better docking solution in the older model.

I plan on glueing a piece of foam or other material on the radio behind where the Touch would be to support it.

Even with this caveat, I would still recommend this Sony. The price to benefit ratio, to me at least, is great. The sound quality and clock radio functions are excellent, especially when you factor in the price you paid.

Things I like:

-Excellent sound

-Lots of options for the clock radio; 2 alarms, different days of the week, can wake up to ipod, buzzer, or clock.

-Sleep function also works with listening to iPod

-Comes with external AM & FM antennas. Picks up stations I listen to without a problem.

-Electronic tuning for radio stations with presets

-Plays Pandora & other sound apps through the system also

-Buzzer for alarm works great. Starts off slow and low volume. Then increases in intensity after every hit of the Snooze bar.

-Clock auto sets & remembers time if unplugged. Only have to set time zone when you first set it up.

-Remote works with iPod and has decent range.

Things I don’t like:

-Docking solution is a regression compared to the older model

Overall, I recommend this unit. If you don’t use a case with your iPhone or Touch, than it would get 5 stars, IMO.

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Excellent Iphone dock clock radio, December 24, 2009

Like the previous reviewer, I also went to a brick and mortar store to buy the previous model, which was on the display, but the inventory was for this unit, billed as a slightly newer replacement unit by Sony. This unit fixes two complaints from the previoous model: 1) the Iphone no longer sits above the snooze button; 2) the clock is far less cluttered and the display is larger and easier to see.

What really amazed me when I took it home and set it up was the sound quality. I currently have the Ihome IP9 and IP99. One of my IP9 units failed after about 10 months, so I bought this Sony unit to replace it. This unit is so much better in sound quality than the Ihome! I can’t believe how great the sound is from such a small and inexpensive device. In addition, my Iphone fits snugly into this unit without any adapters, and I do not have to remove my protective case to properly dock it. I think Sony fixed the majority of complaints quite successfully with this new unit, and I am very pleased to have purchased it. I strongly recommend it over the Ihome units.

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Great features — great sound, November 8, 2009

By 

A. Davis (Philadelphia, PA USA) – See all my reviews

  

  

I have been going through a few alarm clock/music systems in recent years, because I couldn’t find one I really loved. I wanted something with good sound quality, dual alarms, good radio reception, and MP3 compatibility — in a reasonably small package. I wanted to be able to fall asleep and/or wake up to the playlist of my choice, but I also want to be able to listen to my favorite radio programs. And I wanted it to sound good. I have finally found it. This clock/radio/iPhone player has great sound with a bass booster and “mega-expand” feature that makes the full spectrum of sound seem “bigger.” I can’t get over how much I like the quality of the music that comes out of this little box.

The alarm settings allow you to choose whether the alarm goes off all days, weekdays only, weekends only — I don’t have to remember to set the alarm Sunday night or turn it off Friday night. The radio works very well, even on public radio stations that tend to have weaker signals.

The whole setup was pretty simple — very user-friendly. I only had to consult the directions on a couple of points. The buttons are labeled well so you can figure most of it out. The clock is set at the factory, and there’s a lithium battery installed, so the clock is set as soon as you plug the radio in. (It is set to eastern time as the default, so you may have to adjust it.) And of course, battery backup means you don’t have to reset everything after a power outage.

A number of iPod docking stations will *play* iPhone music but won’t *charge* your iPhone. This one does both, which is great. My iPhone is fully charged every morning — one less thing for me to remember. One caveat — if you forget to put your iPod or iPhone in the dock, and you have selected your MP3 player as your alarm, there is no backup. The radio doesn’t kick in if you forgot to plug in your iPod.

The system is relatively compact and fits easily on my nightstand without taking up the entire surface. The controls are pretty simple to use. I didn’t have any trouble turning the alarm music off the first time I used this system. This replaces another Sony Dream Machine that had unbelievably complex controls/buttons. I’m much happier with this one. Definitely a keeper!

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