Sony iPod Clock Dock - White (ICFC1IPWHITE) Review

UPDATE: Sony has updated this clock radio with a new model - the ICF-C1PMK2 - which has even better AM reception, a brighter display, and official iPhone compatibility.

Several weeks ago, I upgraded to a new 160GB iPod Classic. At the same time, I bought an XtremeMac Luna clock radio, which had good reviews. Unfortunately, I found that the Luna is incompatible with the new iPods - it cannot wake them from deep sleep to play the alarm in the morning. A call to XtremeMac got nothing more than a note that my issue had been forwarded to their technical team.

Without any reviews, I took a chance, and ordered the Sony ICF-C1iP iPod clock radio, and am I glad I did! The Sony is fully compatible with my iPod Classic, and Sony includes instructions for using the iPhone as well. And, the sound quality and radio performance is remarkably better than the Luna or other iPod clock radios I've tested.

Sony has done a great job with the ICF-C1iP. 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 the Luna, which attempts to duplicate the iPod menus on its display, the Sony ICF-C1iP 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 full bass and even midtones. 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. 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.

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Product Description:
Designed to work with most iPod models, the ICF-C1iP clock radio accommodates standard iPod adapters, but does not require their use. An adjustable backstop mechanism ensures that the iPod fits snugly and securely to the clock radio's 30-pin connector. An included wireless remote control provides full access to the iPod's menu, as well as to radio tuning and volume functions. Additionally, the unit charges the iPod while it's docked.Sporting a full-function alarm clock, users can wake up or fall asleep to content on their iPod, the radio or a buzzer. When first powered on, the clock will automatically display Eastern Standard Time, which easily can be changed to other time zones as appropriate. The unit also has automatic Daylight Savings Time adjustment, eliminating the need to reset the clock in the spring and the fall. Adjustable brightness control over the LCD display provides easy readability.

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