 The Best You Can Buy |
| Review Date: April 17, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Hali, Maryland, USA |
A big step up from the last model. Just be careful when buying, since it's easy to get messed up with the two versions of the same item. There is one iHome that plays third generation, and one that plays second generation. So, if you get the second generation iHome, you will be unable to play the third generation iPods.
Pros
+ 6 radio presets
+ comes with remote
+ easy alarm functions; you can set an alarm up so that all you ever have to do is hit the power button when it goes off
+ charges iPod so you don't have to go through the hassle of plugging it into the computer
+ remote can control iHome from across the room
+ crystal clear radio reception
+ remote has practically every button you could ever want
+ louder volume settings
+ easy to set and use
+ can dock almost every kind of iPod with add on attachments
+ better display; numbers are easier to read and the light had just the right amount of brightness
+ more dimmer settings
+ can play cd's
+ AM and FM radio
+ can play the shuffle
+ seems to charge faster than before, if only by a little bit
Cons
- the softest volume setting is quite loud
- HUGE AC adaptor which gets sort of hot
- remote gets kind of confusing the way it's laid out
- still can't charge the shuffle
All in all, the pros outweigh the cons. It's THE best iHome yet. And the silver color looks amazing.
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Well Near Perfect iPod Dock
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| Review Date: June 23, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Daniel G. Lebryk, |
I'm impressed with this clock radio / iPod dock. This device shares a room with a Bose Wave Radio. $90 David versus the $300 Goliath. David wins on the critical counts, sound, radio reception, and cost. The iHome iH9SR is way better than I ever expected.
This is a complete rebuild (I think they threw out the horrible plans from the iH8) of the previous model. The controls are smoother, the display better, the sound infintely better (stereo to start with), and the heft is wonderful. I just spent 2 weeks with an iH8 in a hotel, it was good. The iH9 blows that older model away.
Honestly, I've read the other reviews of this unit, and I frankly don't understand them at all. The sound is clear. The clock is perfectly visible, the dimmer works exactly as reported in the owners manual. The AM and FM reception is way better than anything I own (including that Bose Wave connected to a roof antenna). The sound is clear and very tunable to your taste. iPod integration is wonderful. I love the two alarms with play list, radio, buzzer, or iPod; and 2, 5, or 7 day settings. The unit includes every battery you will ever need (two double A's in the base, and the remote battery). Even the remote - you almost have to close your eyes and not think to use it correctly. The remote is actually a nice size, not credit card thin, but not TV big - just thick enough, just large enough to be usable.
My only complaint? The wall wart is big and it is heavy. But if they made it smaller, the amp would be less powerful and the sound would suffer. So it's essential.
Oh packaging - this is hilarious. I think the company must own stock in 3M scotch tape. I've never seen so much tape in one box in my life. And the little iPod inserts (you know those nasty little plastic inserts for different iPods), come in two separate bags, and then each is individually wrapped in a bag. Kind of a waste.
The box says it big and bold - this unit will not charge or control a Series 3 iPod. Dec. 15 update: It will not control or charge the Third Generation iPod Nano, and it does not include an adapter for the iPod Touch (just got this from the www.ihomeaudio.com website). And after 6 months with this dock, we still love it. Would gladly buy it again.
Bottom line - I love this baby, great price, great sound, great iPod dock. |
So far, so terrific
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| Review Date: May 20, 2008 |
| Reviewer: a k smith, NYC |
I've been looking for an alarm clock that would combine rising alarm noise (ie, getting louder as it continued to try to wake me up) and my ipod and a radio all in one. I found it in this thing. It's great so far. My ipod is happy there and the sound quality is very good for such tiny speakers. I've had other ipod-compatible speakers before and these are better. (The old ones were by company that I don't think exists anymore - a few ipod generations ago.)
The radio reception is also very good - both am and fm. I especially appreciate that I can control the brightness of the display too. That's good for people who don't like any light when sleeping.
And, as I wrote above, so far, it's been terrific at getting me up on time (I have it across the room from my bed and the remote is NOT in my bed since one can use the remote to turn off the alarm.) Eventually I might be able to sleep through its rising sound, but not yet! |
Overall nice sound
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| Review Date: January 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Sullivan, Princeton, NJ United States |
| I bought this for my 10 year old daughter to use with her 4th generation Nano. Fit perfectly with the provided insert. She loves all the features it offers - especailly the remote. She mostly uses it to listen to music in her room, and, oh yeah it functions as an alarm to wake her for school. I LOVE the 5 day alarm setting - I don't have to wake in a panic on Friday nights "Did I turn off her alarm?" The display does seem bright - not sure if she has played with the brightness settings. It seems like it would give you a tan in your sleep but I'm fussy about light when I sleep. I read all reviews for alarm clock radios that play/charge iPod Nano 4G. This one just seems to do it all. I may order one for me since Santa brought me a Nano too. I will check the brightness settings first, though. |
Happy so far
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| Review Date: January 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Paul M, Boston MA USA |
| I just received this last week but so far I'm very happy with it. I like not having to set alarm every night, handy remote control, good sound,and easy to read display. Serves the purpose well. Will add more after I get my Ipod. I'm just using radio so far |
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
As a designer of iPod cases myself, I sometimes wonder if covering an iPod with diamonds represents any true degree of design creativity. In designing my cases, I tried to reinvent the Nano with a handstitched cases that features a spring-loaded precious metal belt clip.