Sony ICF-C1IPMK2 Speaker System and Clock Radio with iPod Dock (Black)
by Sony
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyBrand: Sony
Edition: Electronics
Model: ICFC1iPMK2BLK
Color: BLACK
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
Music Label: Sony
Product features:
- Compatibility: iPod classic 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G; iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod touch 1G; iPhone 1G, 3G
- Fall asleep and wake up to your iPod, the radio, or--if you must--a buzzer
- Dual alarm allows you to set two separate wake-up times for fluctuating schedules
- Audio input lets you easily connect other digital music players to the clock radio for easy access to all of your music
- Full-function wireless remote control (included) allows access to all the music on your iPod from across the room
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony ICF-C1IPMK2 Speaker System and Clock Radio with iPod Dock (Black)
Customer Review: The best value iPod clock radio gets even better - good sound, great radio
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
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Description of Sony ICF-C1IPMK2 Speaker System and Clock Radio with iPod Dock (Black)
Universal iPod, iTouch & iPhone Dock, Wireless Remote w/ Full Menu Control for iPod, Digital AM/FM Tuner, Wake or Sleep to iPod/Radio/Buzzer, Auto Time/Daylight Savings Time Set, Dual Alarm, Adjustable Support for iPodDigital Cameras and Photo Categories