Found a new radio alarm clock I did.....

Wayner · « **on:** 10 Mar 2014, 08:53 pm »

My 20 year old Proton 320 is on its last leg, so I've been searching for a long time for a replacement. Brought home a Sony yesterday, but the sound quality sucked big time so I brought it back. Searching some more on the web, I found a company called iHome. What a stupid name. But I remembered seeing one at Best Buy yesterday when I bought the Sony.

So today, I picked up the iHome iBN97 FM/Bluetooth clock radio. All I can say is wow!!!!! A nice looking unit, heavy for its size. Comes with a wire antenna, that I was suspicious of, but the thing produced music in stereo having 3 watts per channel. I plugged it in and dialed in KQRS 92.5 FM (classic rock) and it came in perfectly! Not bad for deep fringe.

The alarm clock has 6 presets, 2 different wake up alarms that you can set for weekday or weekend, and set those alarms for individual stations if you want. I don't know what a guy could want for more.

I was just so excited about this product, I thought I would spread the word.

Wayner

murphy11 · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Mar 2014, 08:58 pm »

Pretty cool looking but wonder how many people use alarm clocks anymore. My wife has an old one next to her side of the bed which she uses everyday but I prefer my cell phone for alarms. I think alarm clocks in 10 years will go away like film based cameras.

Wayner · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Mar 2014, 09:02 pm »

I don't have a cell phone either. After 35 years in manufacturing, answering questions (usually the same ones from the same people), I don't want one. I like listening to the radio.

spence · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Mar 2014, 10:01 pm »

I still use an alarm clock to wake me up every day. I recently bought a new $20 Sony am/fm radio and it kicks butt. At night I can pick up tons of stations including some in foreign languages. Oh, and I don't own a cell phone either.

fridays · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 02:11 am »

I've got an expensive alarm clock...Sonos in the bathroom,and bedroom

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 02:16 am »

Too bad I sent the Sonos 2 back to crutchfield after I was unable to load my favorite Radio station on their playlist. Now, I do have the SONOS Player which I can wire to my Definitive Technology CUBE....which by the way is way more flexible with the AptX Bluetooth chip. The best alarm for me, Iphone5 with multiple functions and infinitive selections of tones and snooze options.

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 06:59 am »

Very happy with the Logitech UE Smart (wireless internet) Radio. $99, pleasant/room filling sound, has mini-pin analog input, mini-pin analog output for headphones or powered speakers, has alarm functions.

low.pfile · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 07:14 am »

Fridays.
what device triggers the Sonos? or is there an OS that has its own alarm?

Guy 13 · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 08:05 am »

Quote from: JLM on 11 Mar 2014, 06:59 am

Very happy with the Logitech UE Smart (wireless internet) Radio. $99, pleasant/room filling sound, has mini-pin analog input, mini-pin analog output for headphones or powered speakers, has alarm functions.

Hi all.
Very happy with my Grace Mondo however, not at 99$ but 149$
Have a zillion different alarm configurations.
Good sound, nice color display and headphones jack and RCA audio out.

Guy 13

martyo · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 08:50 am »

I just use an alarm clock, a Westclox, had it forever. Had to use some Caig's on it recently.

I was curious about the name, "i..." and it being a bluetooth clock radio so I took a look:

Quote

Break the tether with wireless stereo audio streaming over Bluetooth. NFC (near field communication) technology instantly connects NFC-capable devices to Bluetooth. Stream wireless digital audio via Bluetooth from your iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry–most Bluetooth devices. The iBN97 is a fully featured bedside alarm clock with twin speakers for room-filling sound. Control your music or take calls with wireless speakerphone over Bluetooth, or listen to FM radio or line-in audio. A 2.1 amp USB port and 2 device rest inserts keeps all your mobile devices charged and ready to go

Pretty cool. All makes sense now. Should be quite a market for it. For so many the smart phone is just the interface to........ Nice find Wayner.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Mar 2014, 10:53 am »

Quote from: low.pfile on 11 Mar 2014, 07:14 am

Fridays.
what device triggers the Sonos? or is there an OS that has its own alarm?

The SONOS programs has a built in alarm function. You set it up through the computer program.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 05:26 am »

I have a Pioneer flip clock timer, originally designed for turning your stereo system on and off, but I use it as a clock.

It's a 100% analog device, but for the life of me, I don't understand how the Japanese could make this thing so precise that it's time is very much in sync with my digital clock, maybe only 20-30 seconds off (and it's from human setting error).

We are talking 70's technology here, just amazing.

Guy 13 · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 05:34 am »

Quote from: rcag_ils on 12 Mar 2014, 05:26 am

I have a Pioneer flip clock timer, originally designed for turning your stereo system on and off, but I use it as a clock.

It's a 100% analog device, but for the life of me, I don't understand how the Japanese could make this thing so precise that it's time is very much in sync with my digital clock, maybe only 20-30 seconds off (and it's from human setting error).

We are talking 70's technology here, just amazing.

Hi rcag_ils.
Any picture, so we know more precisely what you are talking about.
Please.

Guy 13

Bob2 · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 10:55 am »

Nice clock Wayner... too bad you couldn't wait until July. That's when I'm throwing mine out.. could have sent it your way for free.
Might be good for some clock karma though.

Guy 13 · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 11:02 am »

Quote from: Bob2 on 12 Mar 2014, 10:55 am

Nice clock Wayner... too bad you couldn't wait until July. That's when I'm throwing mine out.. could have sent it your way for free.
Might be good for some clock karma though.

Hi Bob2.
May I ask if that's your wife in your avatar?
If yes, you lucky....

If you are throwing your's out , then it means it no good,

why should it be good for Wayner ?

Guy 13

Devil Doc · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 12:45 pm »

I still have and use my Radio Shack alarm clock. You know, the one you plug in anywhere in your house to improve your system's sound.

Doc

Bob2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 05:08 pm »

Hey Guy,
no that's not my wife in my avatar.. Just thought the message on her shirt was funny!
No way I'm getting rid of my wife. After being married for 40 years I'm getting used to having her around..

I'm getting rid of my alarm clock because I will be retiring at the end of July. No more ringing at 4 a.m.!
I think I'll offer it up in the Karma circle!!

edn4x4 · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 07:19 pm »

Quote from: Bob2 on 12 Mar 2014, 05:08 pm

Just thought the message on her shirt was funny!

What message

Brad · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 08:01 pm »

There may not be anything written on her shirt, but there IS definitely a message

sounddog · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Mar 2014, 08:39 pm »

I'm interested in these new clock radios. How do the iHome and Grace clock radios sound? Reasonably natural (which is how my Tivoli radio, which is not a clock radio, sounds to me) or artificial/boomy (the way Bose sounds to me)?