 The best value iPod clock radio gets even better - good sound, great radio |
| Review Date: August 16, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Paul Christensen, West Chester, PA United States |
Last year I bought the previous version of this clock radio (the ICF-C1IP) and was extremely impressed, especially compared to many other iPod clock radios that I tried. This week I bought this updated version for another room, and was pleasantly surprised.
What I've noticed in this updated version:
- explicitly iPhone compatible ("works with iPhone" indicated on the box)
- AM radio reception is notably clearer (and the old one wasn't bad)
- the display is brighter and easier to read (it might, in fact, be a little too bright at the lowest dim level)
- the grille is a dark gray, not pure black as the last model (in my opinion, this has a slightly cleaner look to it)
- sound quality just slightly less bass than earlier version (subtle - probably because of magnetic shielding for iPhone)
How do you tell which version you're buying, aside from the model number? Look for the "MK2" in the product name, as well as the "Works with iPhone" on the box.
Like the previous version, the Sony is fully compatible with my iPod Classic, and the sound quality and radio performance is notably better than other iPod clock radios I've tested.
Sony has done a great job with the ICF-C1iPMK2. It is an upright design, with most of the unit behind the iPod, in a slanted design with controls at the top. The iPod dock accepts universal adapters, but they aren't really needed as Sony has an adjustable supporting plate behind the iPod.
Unlike other iPod clock radios, the Sony does not attempt to duplicate the iPod menus on its display. Instead, the Sony includes a remote control that lets you completely control the iPod menus as if you were manipulating the scroll wheel. Quite impressive.
Sound quality is very good for a clock radio - with crisp highs and even midtones. You may want to play around with your iPod equalizer settings to see what sounds best. (To my ears, "Jazz" EQ setting works well with these small speakers.) Sony includes a simulated mode they call "Mega XPand" that in my experience made the music sound muddied and under-sampled. Your mileage my vary.
The blue-backlit clock is located in the iPod dock area, and 3 brightness levels are available. In my experience, even the lowest setting is a bit too bright, but not enough to disturb me at night. I wish that the display were slightly larger, although the high contrast lets me see the time without my glasses from a reasonable distance.
And, unlike most iPod clock radios, the radio reception is outstanding - with an external AM antenna provided. The unit has dual alarms, which can be set to iPod (you can even select a wakeup volume), Radio, or Buzzer.
On the downside, the battery backup for the buzzer alarm and clock is a small expensive lithium battery (although after nearly a year of use, this battery was still working on my old model). And, if your relying on just the buzzer to wake you up it's not very loud. You also have to be careful when changing the alarms to make sure that you don't accidentally turn the alarm off. But all of these are minor issues. However, these are all very minor issues that don't detract from the unit overall.
All in all, in my experience, this is the best iPod clock radio you can buy. |
Works fine with Iphone
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| Review Date: June 10, 2008 |
| Reviewer: R. Allison, Washington DC |
Seeing as one of the reviewers posted for all the items (always frustrating since its misinformative), I'll enter a fair review on the MK2 version of this Sony clock.
As a previous owner of 2 of the original Sony iphone clock radios and a current owner of the identical looking upgraded versions, I can say that the original (and one thats on big sale on amazon) will have interference with your iphone. It will also tell you upon docking your iphone, that the iphone isnt compatible with teh device. So hello, wake up and realize that sony released a new shielded version (THIS version, teh ICFC1iPMK2) specifically for the iphone. When you dock your iphone on the right version, you dont get an incompatibility error.
You also get none of the GSM buzz found on the previous model.
As for sound, this isnt my klipsche sound dock, but it does a good job. I keep one wherever I may need time, music and ipod charging. As someone who lives next to their cell phone, I love that in the evening I have one less thing on the nightstand when charging my phone. Iphone's been handy charging in my 2 cars, both factory ipod capable too. I'm down with the Iphone :)
The clock is where this unit shines. If you've had a sony dreammachine clock since you were 4 years old, you will appreciate the dual alarms, easy to reach snoozes, easy to set clock and alarm selection. The sound is more than enough for a bed room, although thats only my opinion. If you want a full blown knock your socks off stereo, these shelf units arent going to cut it anyway.
So, this model... 100% Iphone safe. In fact, its the exact model previous except with shielded speakers and iphone recognized approval programmed in. If you buy the cheaper, on-sale model, you'll know you have the wrong one the moment you dock and your iphone warns you! |
2 Great Features rarely noticed...
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| Review Date: November 23, 2008 |
| Reviewer: geoffgg, Tigard OR |
| I also have purchased a few of this types of clocks etc and agree that none are perfect, but for me, this one has ended up being the best for two reasons (well they are both sort of the same reason) .. I don't think I'm the only one out there that has my iPhone in a case, like mine is an in INCASE rubber cover, so with the case on, the phone won't fit into any standard size docks - so what a pain as no one is going to take their case off to fit into a standard dock insert (right?).. so what is nice about this clock is that it doesn't even come with inserts, it has a decent size opening in the dock that nicely fits iPhones even with cases on (so that is what I think is the first good reason) and then this is almost the same reason but a bit different is that one could use the iHome IP9 without any insert and the phone would slide in there with a case, but it would be so unstable and could break the dock connector, but on this one, since the dock is mounted low and the phone can lean its back up against the phone itself, then the phone is securely in the dock and won't bend backwards and break the dock connector, and Sony put a dial on the back to so to adjust that square you see to hold the iPhone securely... so for me these are important features, I agree the iHome has a better dimmer, but I'm not as bothered by the light of the clock on the low setting when trying to sleep, if this is a driving issue for a person then that may be an issue.. and the iHome has the 5-2-7 alarm where you can set it for just work days, weekend or all 7 the same, that also is a nice feature the iHome doesn't have, but in all the rest of the areas I think the Sony is a bit more refined and better, the remote, the sound qualtiy, the tuner of getting in stations (as Sony has been doing this stuff for decades and is known for it where iHome has not).. actually both the Sony and iHome IP9 are both very good you just have to pick which features are best for you as not one model offers the best of all worlds, but for me, the fact I can use it simply with the case on alone makes this one better in my situation.. |
The only game in town for the iPhone 3G
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| Review Date: August 10, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Robert Chadwick, Nashville, TN United States |
| The other positive reviewers have pretty much described this product accurately; but I just wanted to add my two cents worth. I also did hours of research; and I can tell you that this unit works as advertised. It charges and plays the iPhone 3G without any issues ... no warnings ... just the experience you would expect. Regarding the wobbling, I don't have much of a wobble. I think that may be related to where you actually place the device as much as the device itself. Not all tables, counters, etc. are level and I think that is the problem with some of the people who have mentioned it. The fitting adjustment on this unit is absolutely wonderful because as long as the docking mechanism is the same size, it will never matter how thick or thin your next iPod is. This unit will work fine with an iPod or iPhone of ANY thickness. Just perfect! Oh yes, the sound is pretty good too; and there is even a feature that improves the sound. The radio reception is one of the best I've seen in a clock radio. One thing: make sure you get this unit. You will if you pay anywhere near the retail price. The older ones are on sale everywhere; and I expect those that have the wrong unit were looking at the price more than anything else. You get what you pay for. FIVE STARS! |
So Far So Good
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| Review Date: March 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Senthil Pichandi, Portsmouth, NH |
| Like most people, I did my home work before buying this product. As you might know, there are not many choices out there for systems that are compatible with IPhone 3G so it didn't take much time for me to pick this one based on the inputs from several other customers. This product performed as promised. It started charging my IPhone 3G without any glitch, the sound system was great and I loved the fact that I could wake up to different music every day. Several people complained about the powerful clock light illuminating the room during night but that didn't bother us. Infact, this happens to act as a night lamp and the easy time check now and then when you walk up in the middle of the night is very helpful instead of trying to stare at the dark wall clock. The other complaint was it might have the tendency to tip over (or at least felt like it because of the way it looks) but I didn't have that problem either. The full function remote is fantastic along with the scores of other feature like 2 alarms, sleep settings and snooze button. The FM / AM reception wasn't good as I anticipated but that didn't bother me much because we seldom listen to radio at home (more in the car). May be if I am careful with setting up the antenna it might work better. Overall, we love this product and it has become part of our nightly routine of sleeping with music on for a set time of 30 min. I highly recommend it!!!! |
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