|
Sony ICFC1iPMK2 Speaker Dock and Clock Radio with iPod Dock (Black) | 
 enlarge
| Brand: Sony
Category: CE
List Price: $99.95
Buy New: $81.88
You Save: $18.07 (18%)
New (11) Used (2) from $64.99
Rating:  13 reviews
Color: BLACK
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
MPN: ICFC1iPMK2BLK
Model: ICFC1iPMK2BLK
UPC: 027242735798
EAN: 0027242735798
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | Wake/Sleep to iPod, Radio, or Buzzer | | • | Automatic Time Set (ATS) | | • | Automatic Daylight Savings Time (ADST) | | • | Full Function Wireless Remote Control (included) | | • | Dual Alarm |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
AM/FM clock radio with built-in iPod dock * for all docking iPods, including iPod classic, iPod touch and iPod nano * backlit blue LCD screen * dual alarm and sleep timer * remote control *
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Works well with iTouch after reset August 20, 2008
Nan in Maine (Minot, ME)
I just bought this unit today to use with my iTouch and am very happy with it now that it is working properly. At first the only thing the remote would do is turn the iTouch on and off. I did a live chat with Tech support online at Sony and he had me reset the Sony unit and now the remote works fine. I can scroll through my music and pause and turn it off and on. The reset button is in the battery compartment. Now that the remote is working properly we are very happy with the system.
 The best value iPod clock radio gets even better - good sound, great radio August 16, 2008
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.
 Display too BRIGHT 8( August 15, 2008
R. Chin (San Diego, CA)
As noted by some others, the display (even at it's lowest of three brightness settings) is too bright and lights up a dark room, if I wanted a night light, I'd buy one.
Early versions of the iHome clock radio suffered from the same problem. I tried a later version of the iHome product (iH8), and it solved the too bright problem by adding lower levels of brightness including no light, but then added an annoying low humming sound (I saw that another Amazon reviewer noticed the same humming sound even on the most current iH9 iHome clock radio), even with nothing on.
Doesn't anyone do quality checks anymore? It's almost as if the people who designed these products (both at iHome and Sony) didn't bother to put their clock radios in a bedroom at night and try to sleep. I suspect, Sony will fix this brightness problem on later versions, just as iHome did after seeing the complaints all over the internet (check Amazon reviews for yourself, many complaints on the iHome iH5).
Well, 2 iHomes returned (iH5 and iH8), and now debating on returning the Sony... I will say the Sony has noticeably better sound quality than the iHomes, and no humming, and is generally very good all around. BUT, when a "CLOCK RADIO" canNOT even get the most fundamentally basic and important functions of what a Clock Radio is (appropriately display the time in a dark bedroom where people SLEEP), that is a problem. Also, the actual clock display of the time could be a little larger, it'd be nice to be able to read the time without having to put my glasses on or stretch over to see the time.
Still looking for the perfect clock radio for my 80GB iPod... :(
Geek's "Dream Machine" for iPhone 3G August 10, 2008
Sam Ellis (Little Rock, AR United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
While getting ready for work and getting ready for bed, I like to listen to podcasts downloaded into iTunes. Prior to buying the Sony Speaker Dock and Clock Radio, I had a cluttered setup on my nightstand, including:
* a clock radio,
* laptop,
* the excellent JBL On Tour Portable Speaker System ( Black ), and
* Apple USB Power Adapter for iPod (White) for my iPhone.
After applying a bit of creative thinking, the Sony Speaker Dock and Clock Radio has replaced all of these as a single device on my nightstand that does all of the above.
How did this replace having a laptop on my nightstand? The solution involves Apple Airport Express base station. I connected the base station's audio output to the Sony's audio input.
Using Apple's free Remote software for iPhone, I can control iTunes audio on any computer on my home network. Since iTunes can redirect audio to the Airport Express, I can listen to podcasts on this device that were downloaded to a computer in another room. If you don't have an Airport Express, you can do the same thing by syncing your iPhone with your computer before bedtime each night.
From the dock, I can even use my iPhone to peek at my email if I'm lying awake at night.
The sound quality on this device is good for a product in this price range. Mid-tones are clear and full. Low bass notes have some slight distortion, and higher frequencies don't have the oomph that they do on my JBL. But as a bedroom entertainment hub, this provides a very good audio experience. Previously I had bought and returned an iHome because of its horrible audio quality, but by comparison the Sony provides a greatly superior audio experience.
Each of the dual alarms allows the choice of buzzer, iPod audio or radio audio at an adjustable preset volume. I configured one alarm for audio at a relatively low volume and the second alarm for buzzer to activate a few minutes later. This combination gives me the opportunity to wake up gradually. (As someone who is not a morning person, I'm grateful for that feature!)
By default, the clock automatically sets the time (provided you enter the correct timezone), and the included button cell battery provides backup for the timekeeping and buzzer functions.
In summary, this product is full of features that are practical and well thought out. If you think about the fact that this produce frees up your USB iPhone/iPod charger for something else, that may help justify the expense.
Be warned that most models of alarm clock/speaker docks for iPod (including the older version of this product) do not work with the iPhone 3G. (Older iPods could charge at either 12V or 5V, but the iPhone 3G charges only at 5V.) If you're interested in another product, be sure it's compatible with iPhone 3G.
Pros
* Good sound quality compared to similar products in this price range
* Digital AM/FM tuner (with 5 and 10 presets, respectively)
* Auxiliary audio input (in addition to iPod dock)
* Compatible with Apple Universal dock inserts
* Allows content playback and charging of iPhone 3G
* Dual alarms can be used in tandem to gradually wake up
Cons
* Fairly large footprint takes up a lot of nightstand space
* Display too bright, even at dimmest setting
The only game in town for the iPhone 3G August 10, 2008
Robert Chadwick (Nashville, TN United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
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!
|
|
|
. | |
