iHome iH9 Alarm Clock Speaker System with Dock for iPod (Black)
by iHome
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List Price: Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of iHome iH9 Alarm Clock Speaker System with Dock for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: LOVE it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit that I was hesitant in buying an iHome because I've read so many negative reviews. The main thing I wanted was the brightness control on the LCD screen. That was the biggest thing for me. When I saw the the iHome 9 had it (and I think the iHome 8 does as well..) I decided to go for it.
I will admit, however, that the lowest brightness setting basically completely shuts off the backlighting of the LCD screen, and while that is perfect for sleeping, you can't see the time very well on the clock during the night. In fact, you can't see it at all in the dark. For me, however, it's better like that than really bright. The next brightest setting is still too bright for me. What I've been doing is putting it on the lowest setting at night, and then making it brighter when I wake up so that I can see it during the day. It's not hard to adjust the brightness setting, all you have to do is literally hit the dimmer button a few times and that's it.
Other than that, I LOVE this product. I bought it because of the alarm clock. I wanted to be able to wake up to my iPod. It was very easy to set up and it's very easy to use. Everything works beautifully! I woke up this morning on time to my iPod! There are two alarms, and as it says above, you can wake to the buzzer, the radio, the ipod, or a specific ipod playlist that you create yourself. It also comes with a remote control. It's very easy to move the iHome around so I've been using it in different rooms when I'm doing something and want a little background music from my iPod. It's great! It also of course charges your ipod while it is docked.
I love the sleek design of it too. I think it's a very attractive alarm clock.
Basically, I love this product, and I don't find the brightness of the LCD screen to be a problem, especially when you put it on the lowest setting which is basically no backlighting at all. The price of the item is a little steep, but I think it was worth it. I'm very pleased with my purchase and I love the iHome!
Customer Review: Good, but not perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
Just set this up last night and I'm pretty happy with it. It's not perfect, but it's WAY better than the Homedics iSoundSpa and the Memorex iAwake. Here's what I like:
1) The eight different brightness levels for the display are really nice and you can easily read it from many angles. In my case, the clock sits next to my bed, above my head, and I couldn't read either of the other brands' display at all while lying down.
2) The buttons on the main unit are well placed, easy to feel without a light on, and intuitive.
3) The sound is good.
4) The remote is decent. It's no TiVo remote, but it's decent.
5) There are two alarm clocks and they have options to set them 7 days a week, 5 days a week (M-F), and 2 days a week (Sat & Sun).
6) Sleep mode will lower the volume incrementally as time runs out.
7) The clock sets itself automatically and there's a DST switch in the back.
8) The preset buttons for radio stations.
9) You can set the snooze length to any amount from 1-29 minutes.
10) The iPod integration is done well.
Here's what I don't like:
1) The lowest volume is still too loud for going to sleep to.
2) The FM tuner is horrible. I got really weird results, like finding 104.5 down at 101.7 and tuning one station across eight different frequencies while other stations came in behind it. There are also some local radio stations that it should get, but couldn't.
Since I probably won't listen to the radio nearly as much as the iPod, it's not that big of a deal that the tuner is so bad. Still, I expected more. The volume issue is a bit more of a problem, because it's just a little too loud for falling asleep to. Additionally, since you're already on the lowest volume, it can't fade anymore as the sleep timer runs down. I'll probably get used to it, though.
All in all, though, I like it and I'm keeping it.
Customer Review: overall great with some issues but workarounds
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this to replace a Timex alarm clock that I would have otherwise been happy with except for two things: The time was always creeping up (fast) and it couldn't play from my ipod. I bought the iH9 after some research on Amazon and based on the good reviews this unit received. I've read through several of the reviews here and can agree with some issues but not others. The tuner hasn't been a problem at all. I pick up all stations that I expect to pick up. As I see it the main problems with the iH9 are insufficiently low volume (setting on "1" is not low enough for sleep function), the volume/change wheels are so slick its difficult to turn them, and having a single button for dimmer/snooze. I get around the first issue when using the ipod by using only the line-in. That way I can set the volume lower with the ipod. Yea, i guess it sort of defeats the purpose of having a dock, but I'm happy enough being able to use the ipod with line-in. When docked you don't have full control of it anyway with the remote (yes, it comes with a remote.. if you didn't get one in the box, like I didn't, then call iHome or the store you bought it from and they should send one free of charge). The remote gives you limited control over the ipod function. But the remote is actually great for everything else... volume, snooze, dimmer, time/alarm setting, etc. Another issue is the volume/change wheels. They are very slick and turning them is not so easy. I kept looking for something in the box to resolve this issue like rubber stickers or something.. something to give it texture/grip. Nothing is included. I ended up just sticking some little rubber pads on them. Turning is not an issue now. The other minor issue is the dimmer/snooze. You can accidentally change the dimmer setting when hitting the snooze button. Then you will have to re-adjust the dimmer setting. This is a minor annoyance made less likely to happen when you use the remote.Customer Review: Solid alarm clock but it has its issues
Summary: 3 Stars
It is a good ipod alarm clock but it has several issues I was displeased with.
Pros:
- Good alarm settings. Dual alarms, ability to wake up to a playlist or a selected song, can set the alarm to go off on weekdays only so there is no need to turn the alarm on/off
- Easy to use/set up
- Good interface and controls
- The remote can fully navigate your ipod and the other ihome funtions such as the radio and alarm.
Cons:
- Although there are 8 dimmer settings for the backlight, all of them besides the brightest and the darkest make an annoying buzzing sound. (its subtle but I can't stand it)
- The radio DOES NOT WORK. I live in New York City, can see the empire state building and I cannot get a station that is broadcast from it. If you plan to use the radio function at all do not get this alarm clock because you will be VERY disappointed. I get only 3 stations somewhat clearly from the middle of Manhattan.
- Does not work with some ipod models so make sure it works with yours.
In the middle:
- The sound doesn't compare to my bose sounddock. If you want great sound and don't care about the alarm features get a bose or klipsch igroove or room groove. If you do want an alarm clock to play your ipod I don't think there is anything better out there without spending a lot of money.
Overall, if you want a solid alarm clock to wake to your ipod (and only your ipod), don't want a radio, and don't care for a better sounding unit like a bose or klipsch then this may be for you. If you really want to spend some money check out the polk isonic or the chestnut hill george
Customer Review: Very Very Good Clock Radio for iPhone 3G - only one small complaint
Summary: 4 Stars
I do really like this clock radio a lot. I have had it for about 5 days now, and I've had no big problems. I'm using it with an iPhone 3G, and I do not have to put it in airplane mode (although every once in a while, when I dock it, depending on the app I'm in, it will ask me to put it in that mode. I just pull it off and reattach.)
I think the sound is great, and I really enjoy being able to listen to AOL Radio and Pandora through speakers (although not for the alarm function, which launches iTunes). I actually wanted this type of radio so I could use the Ambiance app to fall asleep. I was afraid that the clock would use whatever I was last listening to for the alarm, so I was happy to learn I could use Ambiance and the alarm would go back to my music.
VERY easy to program the alarms, which is fantastic. Giant numbers so you can see the time from all the way across the room. The dimmer actually dims it so that you don't feel like you're sleeping on the Vegas strip. Battery backup (a huge plus for me). All in all, a great little product.
My one small complaint (and I have to figure out if it's user error) is that the alarm volume is whatever the volume was the last time you used it. Well, when I'm trying to fall asleep (or I'm in bed reading) I do not put the volume very high. That means when I wake up, the music isn't all that loud. So far I haven't slept through it, but this morning it was a little TOO subtle. And because the volume is low, it's not waking my husband at all.
I'll have to give it a test in sleep mode.