Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD Radio with Dock for iPod/iPhone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Excellent product for something that I wasn't so sure at first. Reading the other reviewer's comments, I was afraid that the giant voltage converter (the "brick") was going to make a lot of noise. But it doesn't and quiet actually. The sound quality was acceptable (the surround sound is a very old feature of Sony, all the way from the 80's). There is an audio in, for your non-iPod gadgetry. It works fine for my iPod Touch and iPod nano (3rd gen). The remote can play playlists. The iTunes tag, a cool feature, is not used often enough by me, since I listen mostly to NPR, not music stations. I do notice the tag light will light up at times (if the station identifies the song at all).

At first I didn't know how to take off the universal dock adapter (supplied), causing a little problem and a nick on the plastic with a sharp surgical blade. There is a little recess at the back of the plastic adapter to take off the whole adapter. The universal adapter does not work for the two iPods I have. And the connector works fine without it.

The reception is generally good for HD Radio. However, I had to use my own radio amplifier to get the best reception. There is a little drop if the signals are not "locked" in (almost like stuttering of human speech, repetitive words here and there if the signals are not strong).

I also like the auto scan feature, reminiscent of most car audio. Other than that, the unit delivers what it promises for a $150 radio. Now there is a 50 bucks off rebate if you buy it right now before the end of Sept 2008. This would bring the price to almost just a $100 for an exceptionally cheap HD radio/ iPod dock charger. Yes, it should work with iPhone 3G, as per other reviewers. And the speakers are shielded, since I can put my Motorola Razor next to it without any problem. No buzzing sound!

Highly recommended for its price (to get the rebate of course). The remote is not lighted, but nobody is going to fault it for its generic design. Have not tested the alarm system, but do NOT think that it is going to be a real alarm clock for you in the morning. There is no Snooze button. Having used a few times of its alarm function, I can tell you that it is better to use your cell phone (like my Razor, which has a snooze button). This is not a real alarm clock. It will wake you up, but not for a lazy guy who hopes to hit the snooze a few times.

Buy this only if 1. you need an ipod charger, compatible with 3G iPhone (my girlfriend's does work!); there are cheaper HD radios out there 2. cannot live without HD radio's promise of multi-cast, like digital TV. Local NPR and classical stations have mutli-cast features, which are very nice. 3. Beautiful black design, which complements any decor. I always like Sony's look and built. Look expensive! 4. Awesome adaptation as a wifi radio, if you happen to own an iPod touch with wifi connection. I listen to Pandora and AOL radio on the net, using this unit.

Don't buy this if you 1. expect HD radio exceeds your audio expectations and needs. The quality of HD radio is not that much better. My stereo system pumps out excellent analog radio sounds, similar to this unit 2. expect this to replace a real clock radio. No snooze button. 3. no audio outs or a headphone jack. Why???!!! Every radio needs an audio out. But this doesn't.

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Product Description:
Amazon.com Product DescriptionTransform your listening experience with the XDR-S10HDiP HD Radio with dock for iPhone and iPods. Featuring more choices, crystal-clear sound, and no subscription fees, the Sony dock lets you enjoy your music the way it was meant to be heard. With HD radio, AM stations deliver FM sound quality, and FM stations sound like your favorite CDs. Made for iPods, this system allows you to listen your favorite tunes using the integrated docking station. A built-in clock with alarm, 20 AM and 20 FM presets, and an included wireless remote control round out the features.


Transform your listening experience with the XDR-S10HDiP HD radio with dock for iPhone and iPod players. Click to enlarge.
Play and control your iPod or iPhone while it charges. Click to enlarge.
Includes full-function remote. Click to enlarge.
View a control diagram. Click to enlarge.
Backlit LCD
Easy-to-see large, full-dot backlit LCD has brightness, contrast, and display mode adjustments.
Quality Sound
The XDR-S10HDiP enclosure features stereo, full-range 2.6-inch speakers with bass reflex for tight, quality audio. Dial it in with treble and bass tone controls, and get a little more spaciousness with surround sound functions.
iPod Dock
Play and control your iPod through the XDR-S10HDiP system. While it's docked, it receives a charge, so it's ready to go when you are. You also can control iPod features from the included remote control, and enjoy iTunes tagging capability with certain models.
High Fidelity AM/FM/HD Radio Technology
With 20 FM and 20 AM presets, accurate digital tuning, and HD radio, the XDR-S10HDiP is a powerhouse of the airwaves. Listen to traditional AM/FM radio or enjoy clear, static-free HD digital radio reception of digital broadcasts simulcast by many stations. HD radio provides the ability to receive multiple program streams over a single FM frequency (multiplexed broadcasting), allowing stations to have subchannels with different programming and opening up a wealth of listening options. HD radio also provides text-based information--artist name, song title, etc., which are scrolled across the receiver display.
Best of all, there are no monthly fees for HD radio, unlike satellite radio, where you have to purchase a subscription.
iTunes Tagging Capability
The iTunes Tag button on the new XDR-S1OHDiP allows you to tag songs you like that are broadcast by HD radio stations. Information about these tagged songs is stored by the receiver and transferred to your iPod. When you connect your iPod to your computer, iTunes automatically presents the songs in a new Tagged playlist so you can preview, buy, and download them. iTunes Tagging is a great way to discover new music add it to your collection.
The iPod models that are compatible with iTunes Tagging are iPod nano 3G and iPod classic 5G, 5.5G, and 6G.
Alarm Clock
Wake up to the radio, buzzer, line-in source, or iPod--it's your choice. Also, a sleep timer lets you drift off to your favorite tunes.
What's in the Box
XDR-S10HDiP, wireless remote control, FM wire antenna, FM dipole antenna, AM loop antenna, audio connecting cable

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Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime Premium Alarm Clock for iPod and iPhone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been looking for an alarm clock for my iPhone 3G since I bought it in June '08!Finally I found this one, and it is perfect.
- Charges iphone without interference, no weird "not compatible" message
- sounds great!perfect for the bedroom
- 2 alarm presets
- Motion Sensor!This is cool, you just wave your hand over the top instead of having to find the sleep button.Best feature!
- Dimmable display
- remote control
- looks great

I highly recommend this alarm clock to anyone with the new iPhone.Charge your phone while you sleep, wake up to your favorite music.The best!

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Altec Lansing iMT620 inMotion Classic Portable iPod Dock with Rechargeable Battery and FM Tuner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When you have a product as strong as the Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 USB-Charging Portable Speaker System with FM Receiver for iPod (Black) you'll be forgiven, particularly in a niche market such as this, for leaving well enough alone and letting a good thing ride in the marketplace.Instead, Altec Lansing has clearly listened to those who bought the iM600, and re-engineered the product as the iMT620 addressing virtually all the concerns, while also raising the bar where there were few if any complaints.

Right out of the box, in contrast to the 600, the 620 is a sleeker unit.Gone is the high gloss black bezel that looked great but would forever show fingerprints around the buttons.While the 620 weighs in a scant 6 ounces heavier than the 600, it has a lower profile than its predecessor by nearly two inches.Portability is clearly one of the areas of improvement, as the 620 is now supported by its own full-width handle, a feature the 600 lacked, as it was supported on a hinge by the part of the device that served as the dock.Which is to say that when you plugged your iPod or iPhone into the 600, and sat it down on an uneven surface, the iPod could move and bump up against the front face of the 600.The dock in the 620 is set into a fixed recess, meaning once your iPod/iPhone is in place, it's secure.Another obvious change is the antenna -- the 620's extends nearly a foot higher and is of much sturdier construction, which translates (from my own experience) to much crisper, sharper, and clearer reception from local radio stations.

Much can be said about the audio quality, but subjectivity and a lack of a baseline make it difficult to be precise.As a starting point, I will say that the sound quality (given the small size of the device) is exceptional for both the 600 and the 620.That said, the 620 is audibly superior by a perceptible margin on a number of fronts.Deeper is the base, less tinny is the overall sound, more natural are the vocals.Again, however, it's important to note that these aren't slights towards the 600, but rather areas in which the 620 has improved upon what's already good in the previous model.You're not going to close your eyes and confuse the audio for something that would come out of a pair of Martin Logan speakers hooked up to a top-end tuner and amp; what you are going to get is sound quality that will very likely exceed your expectations based on the size of the unit.You just don't expect that depth and range of sound from such a small device.I set the 600 and the 620 side by side, and played different types of music through each in a direct comparison.Andrea Bocelli, Wu-Tang Clan, Nine Inch Nails, The Doors -- each (while offering very different 'needs' for play-back) performed well on the 600, but on the 620 sounded more 'natural,' for lack of a better word.

The remote, a feature largely ignored on my 600, may be one of the best improvements.No longer do you have to use the iPhone/iPod itself to find the song you want, the remote is complete with menu controls, and you can control the music storage device from a distance right on its own screen.Obviously this is a bigger deal for those devices (like the iPhone 3G/3Gs) that have larger screens, but it is highly convenient.

Depending on the volume, the internal lithium battery will hold a full charge for about 5 hours.While it will not charge your iPhone/iPod while running on batteries (this is simply a matter of voltage), you really wouldn't want it to anyway, as that would dramatically reduce the play life of the device off-power.

I have few complaints, and those that I do have are minor.First, there are little adapters that click into place on the port so that the slim body of an Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (4th Generation) NEWEST MODEL (for example) will be as properly supported as a full-sized iPhone 3G/3Gs.Once that particular adapter clicks into place, it's not the easiest or quickest thing to remove.As my wife has a Nano, and I have a 3Gs, and we'll use each device in the 620 at different times, we're going to have to figure out the best way to handle that, one that doesn't involve prying it out with the tip of a knife.Perhaps we're just over-looking something obvious.Another wish is that you could pre-set radio stations, but that is the weakest of concerns, given how quick and easy I found it to hop back and forth between them.

Wrapping up, the iMT620 has greatly improved upon the iM600.Enough so, that for many it may well be worth the upgrade even if you already own the latter.For those interested in a docking/charging/external speaker/FM radio solution for the iPod/iPhone, I really don't know that you can do better at present.Light, attractive, convenient, feature-rich, outstanding depth and quality of sound given the size; it really is a nearly-ideal option, and one that I will be enthusiastically recommending to friends and family.

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Scosche Neoprene Sport Band Case for iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First day I used it, it ripped in the upper lefthand corner of the casing.Spent $20 on it and it ripped after the first use.The iphone 3g fits in there but its too tight. I would recommend something different.

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Product Description:
Allows all previous bottom doc accessories to work with the iPhone, itouch and nano

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