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

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

Our Price: $400.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Network Media Player
See more product details

Customers in the UK, buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Sony
Brand: Sony
Edition: Electronics
Model: XDR-S10HDiP
Color: Black
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
Music Label: Sony
Product features:

iPod compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G
iPod/iPhone compatible docking station with built-in digital AM/FM/HD tuner
HD radio for more choices, crystal clear sound, and no subscription fees
Alarm clock allows you to wake to radio, buzzer, line-in source, or iPod
1-year limited warranty

Accessories:

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD Radio with Dock for iPod/iPhone

Customer Review: The finest radio I have ever owned
Summary: 5 Stars

I went into this purchase with some aversion about HD Radio based on the industry gossip that it's bound to fail and that it's for a niche market. At this point that is true, but they said that in the past about both FM radio and HDTV, so someone has to be a pioneer.

I was also looking for a good unit to play my newly purchased iPhone 3GS and an existing iPod, and I wavered between this unit and several others until I decided to bite the bullet and purchase this one. I've had wonderful luck with Sony in the past on their radio products, so I was hoping for the best here.

Let's go into this review with the usual disclaimer that I'm between two radio markets, Milwaukee and Green Bay, so I'm on the distant end of both of them. However since there is as of this review one single station from Green Bay with an HD Radio signal, the focus on this review will be on reception from Milwaukee on south.

First of all I'll say it; the power brick is massive. It makes the XBOX 360 brick look positively petite in comparison. But since I have it beneath a bed it's never seen, and the cord is long enough to the radio itself to keep it thankfully out of the way. And since I have a fan next to the radio in the first place because I need sound to sleep, I have no issues with the fan within the radio and actually welcome that it's there.

The setup of the radio took around two hours, with most of it going into situating the antennae that come with the unit. Since I'm distant I went with the T-antenna rather than the rattail antenna. Then I programmed the stations in and adjusted as needed.

I am very delighted with the reception of AM on this unit, and am pleased that distant stations come in very well on it, sometimes indeed in HD. Because of the current restrictions on AM HD reception after dark I can only get WTMJ from Milwaukee in HD throughout the day and night, but it's definitely a much improved and clear signal, coming in at just above FM quality and rarely wavering. Compared to the usual muffled sound I get from WTMJ it's a thankful improvement. I can also recieve WSCR and WBBM from Chicago and WISN in Milwaukee in HD during the daytime hours. Although I don't listen to WSCR or WISN with regularity, again, the radio and the included loop antenna pulled all stations in very well, and WBBM has a much-improved listening experience via HD Radio. It is definitely even in audio quality to its stream via the AOL/CBS Radio app on the iPhone. On a good evening I have even received WTAM from Cleveland, St. Louis's KMOX and KYW in Philadelphia in HD also.

Now for the FM side, I was pleasantly surprised by how powerful the reception this radio has. In my area I have two stations which bleed over everything because their transmitters are located within Sheboygan. But the radio processes out all that junk and helps make everything in the public radio band come in much better than it would on a regular radio. One station I listen to regularly, WYMS in Milwaukee is an adventure to get in through my area unless you're listening on a car stereo. But it comes in well here without any bleedover. The reception range on this radio on a good day in the troposphere stretches out to receive signals as far north as Traverse City, east as Grand Rapids, and as west as Stevens Point. I even have had one morning where WMBI in Chicago came in with HD reception.

As for HD performance, it's exemplary. It's nice to listen to the HD2 signal of WUWM, which has an eclectic format, along with true oldies from WRIT-HD2, and the television audio of WITI which is heard on WMIL-HD3. Everything comes in well, and though there are times when the signal is weak it's more because of weather conditions rather than the radio itself. There are some issues with content (WXSS, the Kiss FM station in Milwaukee, wastes their HD2 channel on a standup comedy channel, for instance), but otherwise I'm willing to root for HD Radio to succeed, if only because we need another "Jack FM" station in my area like we need a hole in the head.

iPod/iPhone performance is great. Menu control takes a little while to get used to, but it works out well, and with the iPhone connected it's like getting a very high-quality wifi radio for free using iPhone radio streaming applications rather than scrolling and text-heavy setups like current era wifi radios have. I enjoy using the audio out to amplify my weather radio, and the alarm clock works well, although I didn't buy it for that because I have an alarm clock I've preferred to keep. And I do use something to cover up the front display at night due to brightness, so I hope a future model includes a light-off option for the display.

I have to say that this compares well to any more expensive radio from Bose, especially due to the inclusion of HD Radio. This is a fine purchase that will provide enjoyment for years to come, and the price for it is right where it should be for a radio of it's quality.

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

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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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