iHome iP47 Bluetooth Clock Radio for iPod/iPhone (Black)

Price: $128.40
Manufacturer: iHome


iHome wireless Bluetooth enabled iPhone/iPod Alarm Clock Radio and speakerphone with presets

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11584 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: iHome
• Model: iP47BR
• Dimensions: 10.50" h x 6.00" w x 12.00" l, 6.95 pounds
• CPU: AMD Athlon 1 GHz
• Memory: 128000MB DRAM
• Hard Disk: 1GB
• Processors: 1
• Native resolution: 640x480
• Display size: 669.2913385827

• Plays and charges iPod mini 1G; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G
• Wirelessly stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled phone, PDA, or computer
• Controls Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and other devices; supports the Handsfree, Headset, AVRCP, and A2DP Bluetooth Profiles
• Wake and Sleep to your iPhone, iPod, Bluetooth enabled device, AM/FM radio
• 4 speaker stereo (two active, two passive) with Reson8 technology for full, rich sound

Product Reviews

Look no further for a complete sound system for your iPhone or Bluetooth mobile phone. The iP47 is designed and engineered to shield and avoid annoying iPhone/mobile phone GSM noise so no airplane mode is required--which means that you'll never miss a call again when your phone is docked.

A complete sound system for your iPhone or Bluetooth mobile phone. Click to enlarge.

Use the rear auxiliary input to connect external audio devices. Click to enlarge.

Full-function remote control included. Click to enlarge.

The iP47 supports Bluetooth technology and allows you to wirelessly dial and receive calls through its speakerphone function and to see clearer caller ID on the large LCD. The dual alarm clock radio allows you to wake and sleep to your iPhone music, radio, or buzzer and to set separate alarm times. Stream your music wirelessly from your A2DP Bluetooth-enabled device through the Reson8 speaker chambers to enjoy beautifully enhanced audio sound. Also includes a full-function remote control.

Play and Charge Your iPod
The iP47 will play and charge most docking iPod models, so you can enjoy your music while your device charges. Get up and go with a full battery.

Bluetooth Support
Answer and place calls with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones using the built-in microphone. Dial a number using the remote or the iP47's keypad and enjoy a hands-free call.

You also can wirelessly stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled phone, PDA, or computer. The iP47 supports the Handsfree, Headset, AVRCP, and A2DP Bluetooth Profiles.

iPod, Radio, Bluetooth, or Buzzer Alarm
Wake to your docked iPod, the radio, a Bluetooth device, or--if you must--a classic buzzer alarm. A dual alarm lets you set separate wake times.

Battery backup means you'll still get up on time even in the event of a power outage. If the alarm is set to Bluetooth/iPod, and no device is present, the buzzer is substituted. So you'll always get up on time.

AM/FM Radio
Save your favorite AM and FM stations on the 12 user presets for quick access.

Rich Stereo Sound
The iP47 boasts two active and two passive speakers, along with Reson8 technology for full, rich sound.

Reson8 is iHome's through-body ported speaker chamber technology. Porting speakers gives better bass response characteristics, and helps the iP47 deliver sound beyond its size.

Auxiliary Input
Connect external devices like MP3 or CD players to the rear auxiliary input for your enjoyment.

Full-Function Remote Control
Enjoy convenient control from a distance with the included remote--control radio and iPod functions, hit snooze from a distance, and dial or answer phone calls when your Bluetooth phone is connected.

What's in the Box
iHome iP47 Bluetooth Clock Radio for iPod/iPhone (Black), Remote control, iPod inserts, AC adapter, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, User's manual

iHome iP47
Be warned, this product only has a 90 day warranty. After owning this product for only five months it began producing an overwhelmingly loud hissing noise that could not be remedied. Thinking I had a year warranty like most modern products, the iHome company quickly informed me of my expired 90 day policy. Now I have a defunct product not even six months old, complete waste of money.

Awful product, awful support -- DO NOT BUY
This is probably one of the worse products I ever owned. I purchased it thinking it would be a great speakerphone and alarm clock for my iPhone. First I used it primarily as a speakerphone. I could hear the person/people at the other end well enough, but they couldn't hear me unless I was literally speaking right into the unit.

After becoming frustrated with that, I decided to bring it home from the office and just use it as my alarm clock. Surely it was more functional than my Sony radio alarm clock that is 20 years old. I loved the idea of waking up to music on my iPod or iPhone.

Well, unfortunately, it is not functional with my iPod touch or my iPhone. EVEN THOUGH THE WEBSITE SAYS YOU CAN USE YOUR IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH AS A SOURCE FOR MUSIC FOR YOUR ALARM IT WILL NOT WORK. I, do, however happen to have an old iPod Photo that was collecting dust, and that works wonderfully. But that means that the lifespan of it is limited to old iPods that are either no longer being produced (like the Photo) or on their way out (like the Classic). Great.

So I contact support. I email them and a week later I get a response. It was a fairly cryptic "we know this doesn't work but we're coming out with an update soon. Do you want to wait?". I responded back as to what "soon" mean. Another week passes. I got a response with no specific date. I emailed back asking more specifics. Another week passes. I get another response that is just as cryptic and vague as the one before it. I write back asking for more clarification. And now... three weeks after that... STILL NO RESPONSE.

You have got to be kidding me. Not only is iHome falsely advertising, but they don't seem to care to make things right.

I will NEVER buy an iHome product again and STRONGLY encourage anyone looking to look elsewhere.

Doesn't live up to what it advertises
So I bought the iHome IP47 model so that I could charge my iPhone while listening to music at night. I was also looking at something that would wake me up in the morning--this model boasted 2 alarms. And what edged me to buying the IP47 rather than the IP9 or IP99 was that this allowed you answer your phone while still docked. As I don't have a landline, I liked this idea, even if it cost me some extra bucks.

So... getting this home and setting it all up, I was mighty disappointed that the sleep function didn't really work. Yeah, after 15-30-60-120 minutes the sound tapered into silence BUT my iPod portion was STILL going! Ha! All it did was turn the sound off!

Secondly, I could never get the one alarm that is supposed to trigger the iPod to work. It always defaulted to the buzzer. I was also disappointed to find that the other alarm was set to trigger only the radio--I couldn't choose iPod for that one too.

Thirdly, the nice bonus of a remote to adjust your volume, advance to the next song, etc. was a nice idea, but not an actuality. The advance to the next song feature worked directly after first docking the iPhone with the iPod already playing, but the feature stopped working after a minute or two. Volume still worked, as did the ability to pause or switch to radio.

Fourthly, the Bluetooth to connect my iPhone so that you can use the phone function part of the iHome IP47 only worked some of the time. Even when docked, it sometimes would lose the signal.

And lastly, the thing that bugged me the most and decided me against even exchanging the IP47 for either a IP9 or IP99--which were basically the same thing but without the Bluetooth phone feature--was the docking station. It was very precarious setup and, as I had to touch the iPhone screen sometimes since my remote wouldn't work, pushing buttons also pushed the whole phone, making me wonder how long it would take to ruin my iPhone.

So I returned the iHome -- period... no exchange. The people at Apple didn't even ask *why* I was returning it. (I wonder if that's telling.)

In the end, I bought a Sony Speaker Dock and Alarm Clock Radio that works with the iPhone. (I'd give it 4 1/2 stars)
* Sleep function that really works (turns your iPod off)... check
* Remote that actually works... check
* Remote that allows you to move OUT of the playlist and into another... double-check! (iHome doesn't do this at all!)
* 2 Alarms where both allow you decide what you want to wake to... check
* Dock that has a backstop to hold your phone securely (and recharges your phone too)... check!
* Able to answer phone while docked... well, no, but not missing it
* Sound quality... check--about the same as the iHome
* Right price... check--about the same as the iHome IP9.

Bottom line: I recommend AGAINST the IP47--not worth the money--even if it was half the price. Think twice about the other iHomes, as well, considering the docking strategy Apple uses for them.

Coby CR-A129 Digital AM/FM Alarm Clock Radio with Front Panel Touch-Sensitive Snooze

Price:
Manufacturer: Coby


Coby Electronics is a manufacturer of quality consumer electronics products designed to deliver outstanding performance for value conscious consumers who do not compromise on product performance. Coby incorporates new designs with innovative technologies to produce great looking and great performing consumer electronics products.PRODUCT FEATURES:Front-panel grill functions as a touch-sensitive snooze sensor;Digital Green LED Time Display;Alarm Clock with Snooze/Sleep Function;Wake to Music or Buzzer;AM/FM Radio;3.5mm Audio Line-In Jack.

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53220 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Coby
• Model: CR-A129
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 4.00" w x 9.00" l, 1.75 pounds

• Alarm clock with snooze and sleep functions
• Entire front panel functions as a touch-sensitive snooze sensor
• Green LED time display
• Wake to music or buzzer
• 3.5mm audio line-in jack

Product Reviews

Coby Electronics manufactures quality products that are designed to deliver outstanding performance at a terrific value. The CR-A129 Digital AM/FM Clock Radio with Front Panel Touch-Sensitive Snooze gives you all the features you expect from a quality clock-radio: an AM/FM tuner, a large green LED display, an alarm with snooze and sleep functionality, and a choice between waking to music or a buzzer. Furthermore, its entire front panel is a touch sensitive snooze sensor that eliminates fumbling when you're trying to get extra rest.

Best Radio Alarm clock for the price!
Been looking for an alarm clock with radio for a long while. This is perfect if you like to awake to music or even if you want the buzzer. What I like best about this clock is that you can turn off the light or dim the light and can set the radio volume down low. I like dark rooms and low radio to wake up to. The touch screen is great when you want to snooze. No more hunting or thrashing around for a button just touch the front of the clock and it goes back on snooze. The screen appears to be white but it's silver (not bright silver) and the clock is attractive and easy to use. Believe me, I've been looking for just the right alarm clock and you can't beat the price. Love this alarm clock.

Works Great
Bought this for my brother, since he was always complaining about his alarm clock's off button being so close to the snooze button. Instead of snoozing, he'd shut it off and end up being late for work.
Now he wakes up, hits the front of it, and snoozes for an extra 9 minutes before it goes off again. I like that it will either buzz or have the radio go off. And you can clearly see the time, which the picture doesn't show too well.

battery option does not work
I need the battery option to work since where I live there are many power outtages. It does not work - we've tried 2 different, new batteries. Bummer.

Sony ICF-CD3iP

Price: $109.95
Manufacturer:




Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49764 in Single Detail Page Misc

Product Reviews

Naxa NX-160 Digital Alarm Clock with Am/fm Radio & Snooze

Price: $18.88
Manufacturer: Naxa


Product Features AM/FM Radio Tuner Digital Clock with 0.9 Red Display Wake to Radio or Alarm Snooze Function PM LED Indicator Battery Back up with 9V Battery (Battery not Included) UL Listed

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50218 in Single Detail Page Misc
• Brand: Naxa
• Model: NX-160
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

• AM/FM Radio Tuner
• Digital Clock with 0.6 Red Display
• Wake up to Radio or Alarm
• Snooze Function
• PM LED Indicator

Product Reviews

Ford Thunderbird Retro Neon Alarm Clock Radio with CD Player - Red

Price: $69.46
Manufacturer: TELEMANIA


Get your morning motor running with this retro neon analog alarm clock. Styled after the classic 1950s Ford Thunderbird, it features a rectangular shape with classic knobs and detailing for a vintage look. Listen to your favorite tunes on the AM/FM radio or the top-loading CD player. Set the alarm to music or chime. Illuminated by a neon tube light. Includes a second hand and snooze option. Measures 7-1/2"H x 7"W x 7"D. Color: RED

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26416 in Single Detail Page Misc
• Brand: TELEMANIA
• Model: tbirdred
• Dimensions: 48.00" h x 96.00" w x 144.00" l, 6.00 pounds

Product Reviews

Defective Product
Nice idea, but poorly executed. I purchased for my son. The radio buzzes with a neon light noise, and the CD player unexpectedly comes on and off. I believe I have a defective model; but in reviewing other individuals who purchased this clock radio, some had the same experience.

Looks are great. Just not well-engineered.

Sangean RCR-5 Digital AM/FM Clock Radio

Price: $46.73
Manufacturer: Sangean America, Inc.


Sangean's latest digital RCR-5 AM/FM clock radio is as attractive as it is unique offering features and performance generally found in the most expensive clock radios. Dual Alarm Timers for both "Waking Up to Radio" and/or "Waking up to HWS Buzzer" at different times for week days, weekends, daily or just once. Has both "Sleep" and "Nap" and "Snooze" timers if you need a little extra sleep. "Aux" input allows listening to your CD or any audio device through the RCR-5 radio.

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2430 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: White
• Brand: Sangean America, Inc.
• Model: RCR-5
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 5.57" w x 7.00" l, 1.20 pounds

• Digital tuner with 10 station presets
• Dual alarms with "human wake" buzzer
• Set recurring alarms for daily, weekends, and weekdays
• Sleep timer (15-120 minutes)
• Includes AC Power Adapter

Product Reviews

Most Impressive!
I have nothing but praise for the Sangean RCR-5 clock radio. Specifically, here are the most noteworthy aspects of this truly amazing product:

Display
Here is where the RCR-5 truly shines, as it incorporates a backlit LCD with adjustable intensity: one may adjust the backlight to suit your needs, so you have a perfectly legible, yet not too bright display (at night) which can never be "washed out", even in direct sunlight. The display even has a clever feature whereby it will illuminate to full intensity when any of the buttons are pressed, after which it returns to the user's preset intensity after ten seconds. As you can see from the product photos, the display is of a soft, warm color, most conducive to a good sleeping environment; other clock radios using bright blue or green illumination, IMHO, should be avoided if you want to get any sleep.

Auxiliary Input
Very useful for listening to my podcasts at night; when an external source is attached, the Band button will cycle through AM/FM/AU; when none is attached, only AM/FM are available, thereby eliminating "clutter" for those who do not wish to enable this feature. (Note: I'm old-school, and prefer using this method over a "Dockable" iPod solution, as I prefer to completely run my iPod's battery source to zero before recharging...)

Flexibility in Programming
Only found on more expensive clock radios, this model will allow you to use the "Sleep" feature to listen to a particular station (or podcast with the Auxiliary feature) at night, and then to wake to radio on a different station. In addition, all alarms allow Daily, Mon-Fri, or Single, with the Audible Alarm using a gentle "ramp-up" feature.

Reception and Speaker Quality
The radio's receiver portion of this product is very good, rivaled by only my Sony short wave receiver (a great radio, by the way!); what looks like a 3-inch speaker provides a very warm, intelligible output, very suitable for the spoken word, adequate for music. If you need a strong system for powerful music, I would suggest purchasing an additional desktop speaker setup (such as for a computer) which can be attached to the headphone output by means of a standard mini-jack connection.

Finally, a no-nonsense Sleep function
Sangean has cleverly incorporated the Sleep function into the Power button (which is gently illuminated when the radio's off); to turn the radio on or off, press the button. To use the Sleep feature, press and hold the same button to select up to 120 minutes. Simple, effective, "it just works".

Final Recommendation
Well, what more can I say? This product works for me (and I'm purchasing three more for gifts) and has a lot going for it, including high value (very reasonably priced!). Is there anything that you should be aware of? Yes:

> As described in the previous customer's entry, setting the alarm may require a few extra key-strokes, as this product offers many options when it comes to waking by either the alarm or the radio; if you do not need all of these features, you may wish to consider something of simpler means. That being said, it took me only about 22 seconds to set the alarm; for me, it was relatively intuitive and logical.

> The built-in battery back up feature only works for about ten minutes worth of backup, according to the manual; in my neck of the woods, this is not a big issue, but should be noted if you experience many nighttime blackouts where you are located.

> Even though this model is referred to as an "RCR-5", it should be noted that it does not employ an automatic time synchronization feature as is found on Sangean's higher end clock radios. (Not a big issue for me, and may actually be desirable for those of us who prefer to set our clocks 5, 10, or 15 minutes fast to "keep us on time"!)

I hope this helps you in making the right decision! All the best!

High Quality Digital Clock Radio that looks like one too!
I started realizing the quality of this radio as soon as I held the box it came in. It's well packaged in heavy cardboard throughout. Take the radio out and look it over; you can tell this is not your everyday clock radio you find in all the stores. It's built solid and the buttons and controls feel solid. The sound is much better than any clock radio I've ever owned in this price range. The display is easy to see from all angles and not too brite. The amber is soft on your eyes unlike some of the blues and greens out there. Setting the alarms is slightless less intuitive then it could be but it's easy once you do it a few times (the reason for the 4 out of 5 stars). Products like this are few and far between these days. High quality and does what it is made to do very well without looking like an alien aircraft with unessessary bells and whistles. Very possibly the best engineered clock radio for under $50. Im very happy with my purchase.

a QUALITY clock radio...
I have to say that I'm quite impressed by the QUALITY of the Sangean RCR-5 clock radio. Quite a bit of great detail has already been mentioned in a fine way by a previous reviewer. I just have to say that I'm really impressed at how clear the radio reception is...absolutely NO drift, it locks onto the radio frequency and stays there! And the sound from the speaker (even if it is just a single speaker) is rather impressive...I've never heard a speaker sound so clear, crisp, and distinct, whether it be music or spoken word! I also like how smooth the volume control feels. It keeps great time with an easy-to-view display, and wakes you up comfortably with its "humane waking system." Some people have noted that the settings for the clock are too complex and complicated, but I frankly didn't experience any problems in that sense. Of course, it does not have the atomic clock updating, nor does it have a built-in cd player, but it does have the auxillary input, if you wanted to connect a cd player or mp3 player. Overall, I have to say that certainly alot of thought has gone into the designing of the Sangean RCR-5...this certainly is NO ordinary clock radio...it's a finely-crafted instrument!

RCA RP5605 AM/FM CD Clock Radio with Large LED Display

Price: $28.53
Manufacturer: RCA


The RP5605 CD clock radio by RCA is the perfect companion in the morning. The AM/FM clock radio has a large 0.6-inch LED display that makes it easy to see and read. This is a basic clock radio that offers dependability without having to learn how to set-up various features. The simple alarm button layout eliminates any confusion and ensures that setting the alarm will be easy. The top-loading CD player also is easy to access. You can change the alarm settings to wake to the radio, buzzer or any track of a favorite CD.

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2826 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: RCA
• Model: RP5605
• Dimensions: 3.46" h x 7.91" w x 5.51" l, 2.75 pounds

• AM/FM CD clock radio with LED display
• Top loading CD player
• Wake to radio, CD or alarm
• Simple alarm setting
• Basic design is very easy to use

Product Reviews

Good clock for the money
I am very happy with this clock radio/CD player. I especially like that the time can be set forward and backward and that the time display is easy to see without the light from it keeping me awake. The radio and CD player sound fine for what I use it for and for the price. The control buttons are in a good location and easy to use in the dark, once you know where everything is.

Decent for the price
I got this cheap alarm clock hoping it's two speakers would sound better than my even cheaper alarm clock with one speaker. It does but not by much. The CD player is very quiet but I find that the buttons are rather loud. Changing the alarm time at night will often wake my wife. The CD always starts at the beginning when using the alarm so I found it helpful to make my own CDs with a different wake-up song on each one.


Pros

Controls are strait forward and function well
Quiet CD player
Easy to read display

Cons

Loud buttons
Sort of ugly

Simple, cheap, quiet, just what we wanted.
We bought and tried several different units that all had different deficiences. This does have only one alarm setting but that's okay since we only get up once a day. The display is red with a black background so there is no glow keeping you awake half of the night. The CD motor is the quietest of 5 units that we tried. We have no problems with the volume. It stays where we put it for falling asleep to the CD and waking to the radio. Don't get hung up on the bells and whistles that you'll never need, this works great.

Emerson Dual Alarm SmartSet Clock Radio with 1.3" Red Display

Price: $17.99
Manufacturer: Emerson


AM/FM Dual Alarm Clock Radio

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58295 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Emerson

• Clock Radio
• Analog, AM/FM Tuner
• Additional Functions: Buzzer, Alarm Clock, AM/FM Radio, Built-In Digital Clock, Cooler
• Built-In Speaker
• Features Sleep Timer, Analog Tuner, Built-In Speaker, LED Display Screen, Separate Weekday Alarm Setting, 90-Min. Sleep Timer, Sure Alarm Battery Backup to Ensure You Wakeup, Patented SmartSet Automatic Time Setting System
• Operational Modes: Sleep Mode, Convenient Snooze Button, On/Off Mode, Volume Control, Snooze Mode
• Audio Features: Adjustable Volume, AM/FM Radio
• Other Features: Dual Alarm, Battery Back Up
• Yes; Uses 1 Rechargeable Li-ion
• 8 x 4 x 4 "

Product Reviews

This is an excellent clock radio and a great value!
After buying and returning four clock radios, I purchased this Emerson Dual Alarm Smartset Clock Radio. I am very pleased with this product and here are the reasons:
- Clock comes with battery back-up.
- Automatically sets time (and date), just plug it into the wall. This is an amazing feature
- Red LEDs are much less glaring than other colors - this makes it easier to sleep with. This is because red light has shorter wavelengths. Fewer and fewer clocks offer red LEDs.
- Dual alarms
- Excellent construction. Construction quality is an issue across the board for this type of clock radio. The Tuner and Volume dials are stiff and stay in position.
- A great price.

I only wish it had a built-in CD player.

Bad display
We bought this alarm clock less than a week ago at our local Target and already the display is on the fritz. Based on another bad review for this product on the Target site, I will not merely exchange this one for another of the same type, but for a completely different brand or style.

Sangean HDR-1 Table Top HD Radio Receiver

Price: $160.64
Manufacturer: Sangean


HDR-1 Wooden Table Top Receiver5 w/information display showing channel no. channel frequency, ensemble label, service label, dynamic label, transmission mode, data rate & secondary service availability indicator. Auto tuning list, automatic multiplex re-configuration, real time clock with Alarm & Sleep function, Multicast capability, PAD services, Aux IN for iPOD or MP3 player, Remote Control with IR, Auto tuning system, Frequency range: AM: 520-1710 kHz (10kHz steps) FM: 87.5-108 MHz

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16411 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Walnut
• Brand: Sangean
• Model: HDR-1
• Dimensions: 4.50" h x 8.00" w x 11.00" l, 7.00 pounds

• Auto tuning system
• Auto preset system
• 20 memory presets
• Backlit LCD display
• Tone and bass control

Product Reviews

Amazon.com
HD radio is the next step in the evolution of sound. For some time, radio listeners have had to put up with static, hiss, and lost signals. HD radio eliminates this loss of signal by providing a digital signal that allows AM to sound like FM, and CD-quality sound out of FM stations. The HDR-1 is a full-featured, portable HD radio, with 20 memory presets, tone and bass control, an IR remote control, and much more.

Feature List

• Auto Tuning System (ATS)
• Auto Preset System
• 20 Memory Presets (10 FM, 10 AM)
• Backlit LCD Display
• Automatic Multiplex Re-configuration.
• Tone & Bass Control
• EQ Pre-sets
• Adjustable Sleep Timer
• Program Associated Data Service (PAD)
• Hybrid and Full Digital Radio Reception
• SPDIF Optical Out-put
• IR Remote Control

From the Manufacturer
HD radio is the next step in the evolution of sound. For some time, radio listeners have had to put up with static, hiss, and lost signals. HD radio eliminates this loss of signal by providing a digital signal that allows AM to sound like FM, and CD-quality sound out of FM stations. The HDR-1 is a full-featured, portable HD radio, with 20 memory presets, tone and bass control, an IR remote control, and much more.

Feature List

• Auto Tuning System (ATS)
• Auto Preset System
• 20 Memory Presets (10 FM, 10 AM)
• Backlit LCD Display
• Automatic Multiplex Re-configuration.
• Tone & Bass Control
• EQ Pre-sets
• Adjustable Sleep Timer
• Program Associated Data Service (PAD)
• Hybrid and Full Digital Radio Reception
• SPDIF Optical Out-put
• IR Remote Control

Excellent Initiation Into HD Radio
After owning a Sangean WR-2 clock radio for a year and a half and growing more fond of it, I decided to get another upscale radio for my office, a radio with a remote control so I could avoid computer interference by keeping the radio a good 6 feet away. After reading about HD radio and Sangean's entrance into the market, I decided to take a chance. Worst case scenario, I figured, is that it would be another high-grade radio like my Sangean WR-2. Like the WR-2, the HDR-1 has a high-grade feel, a solid construction, memory presets, a remote control, and strong sensitivity on AM and FM. However, the HDR-1 is definitely an upgrade and you might consider that it has the following advantages and differences:

1. Two speakers instead of one.
2. Easy-to-use (simply plug in) AM external antenna for hard-to-get stations.
3. HD quality is clearly discernable, clear, full, no static, no "birdy," no chirps.
4. Some HD stations have multi-broadcasts.
5. Most functions have to be performed with the remote. For this reason, I don't see this as a bedside radio. Who wants to squint at their remote in a dark bedroom? More appropriate for a bedside radio is the Sangean WR-2 or the Eton Sound 100. But for office or anywhere that requires a distance between you and your radio, the HDR-1 is an excellent choice.

Update: Be aware that in AM it takes a few seconds before the radio "kicks in" to digital mode. The sound is so good it's hard to listen to non-digital AM stations. Even the strongest station in Los Angeles, KFI 640, sounds bad because it's non HD. One last point: I'm more and more in love with the speaker sound. I can't even play them as loud as I want to as I'm working when I have the radio on. But these dual speakers really shine.

Second Update: 1-19-07: After 3 weeks, I've discovered a weakness on AM: Rainy weather compromises the HD signal. This problem is compounded by the fact that the radio has weak conventional AM (much weaker for example than my Sangean WR-2 and my Eton/Grundig S350) so that when it's not in HD mode the AM sounds bad, a constant crackle in the background. FM remains strong in both HD and non HD mode, but Sangean needs to address this AM weakness.

Comparing Sangean HDR-1 with Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD
de K0UNX. I know radios.

A year ago I purchased the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD, one of the few available at that time. I used it for a weekend and returned it immediately. It would pick up ONLY HD, not standard AM or FM stations. The receiver was so weak that even strong local stations in the Denver market didn't hold lock, and would have to rebuffer.

Last week, I decided to give the Sangean HDR-1 a try. Yippee! This one is a keeper! It picks up BOTH HD and STANDARD AM/FM stations. The receiver is much more sensitive than the BA model, and easily holds lock without even raising the FM antenna. The audio is clear and strong enough to fill the whole yard.

I was also impressed with the EQUALIZER. I'm an "old-timer", so I have high-frequency loss. Conversations sound "muddy" to me. This radio allows me to tailor the frequency response so that it sounds good to my failing ears.

Having an auxiliary input is VERY WELCOME, so I can use it for my XM radio or iPod as well.

One other really nice feature is NON-VOLATILE RAM, so it doesn't have to be completely reprogrammed after moving it from room to room or a power failure. You need to reset the clock, but that's all you lose. Being retired, I don't even care what time it is, so thats no show-stopper for me. I'm very happy not having to reprogram all the stations and equalizer.

Congratulations to the Sangean team!

Good sound, terrible interface and buggy
I am returning this radio, even though the sound was very good and -- except for one difficult station -- the reception was also very good.

I bought this to use as a bedside clock radio. It has no real controls except those found on a poorly laid-out remote (the bose for some reason also just uses a remote only). If you lose the remote, or even if you can't find it in the morning, you can't operate the functions. Changing the clock time, changing the alarms or putting the radio into sleep mode all take endless button pushing on the remote. It got very frustrating after a while, but because I liked the HD sound I had planned to keep it.

That was before I found out that the radio alarm would sometimes just not go off. Then the machine sometimes jammed up when setting the functions and refused to respond to the remote or the on and off switch until the unit was "reset". Resetting the unit means unplugging it, unplugging it means you lose everything but your presets (you have to go through all the cycles to set the clock and alarms). The final final straw that caused me to return it and find a new radio was when it started losing the signal from a local station (but not the sister hd stations transmitting on the same frequency).

So, in sum, I liked the look, I liked the sound, I liked the hd stations, I hated the required remote, I hated the difficult and cumbersome user interface, I hated the buggy operation.

Timex Clock Radio w/ Dual Alarm and 12 Radio Presets - Silver ( T312S )

Price: $24.50
Manufacturer: Timex


The Timex T312S is a clock radio with pre-set digital tuning and MP3/CD line-in.

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15510 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Slvr
• Brand: Timex
• Model: T312S
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds

• AM/FM Clock Radio
• Digital AM/FM Tuner
• Additional Functions: Built-In Digital Clock, Buzzer, AM/FM Clock Radio.
• Built-In Speaker
• Features Buzzer, Programmable Snooze, Adjustable Alarm Volume Control, Backlit Display, 90-Min. Sleep Timer, Automatic Time-Set, Separate Weekday Alarm Setting, Sure Alarm Battery Backup to Ensure You Wakeup

Product Reviews

Great series of clock radios
I own several of the clock radios in this series including T312 and T307. They are compact, have good quality sound, lighted screen with level control, am/fm presets, choice of wake-to radio or "natural" sounds, dual alarm, sleep mode, date... It sounds like a typical clock radio except in my experience most are lacking in some of these features, most often being either too big or having tinny sound. CAUTION: I found that I had to spend 5 minutes reading the manual for each model to figure out how to set the time and date. Normal day to day operation is intuitive though.

Dissapointed
I'm dissapointed with this alarm clock. When I first saw it in the box I thought it would be great and even bought a second one for my girlfriend. However, after using it for a few months I have 2 complaints: (1) it does not seem to have a plain buzzer option (2) when you hit snooze a few times it turns the alarm off.