Dec 27
- Charges your iPod and iPhone
- Mega Bass and Mega Xpand for great sound
- 2-5-7 Day Alarm fits your lifestyle
- Fits easily on the nightstand or desk
- Built-in stereo speakers
Product Description
Sony’s speaker dock digital AM / FM clock radio is the perfect bedside accessory for iPod1 and iPhone users. Set the 2-5-7 Day Alarm for waking to the radio, iPod / iPhone to match your schedule. Charging tray gets your iPod1 / iPhone ready for another day…. More >>
Sony Speaker Dock Clock Radio for iPod / iPhone
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I bought the CS10iP from a local Brick and Mortar store thinking that it was the Sony ICF-C1IPMK2 Speaker System and Clock Radio with iPod Dock (Black) (which was still on display, but nowhere to be found in the store). My main reason for choosing the C1iPMK2 over the newer CS10iP was the fact that the C1iPMK2 supported docked ipods/iphones differently than most similar products. Instead of including various docking clips, the C1iPMK2 has an adjustable piece of plastic directly behind where the ipod/iphone would be docked. Depending on the thickness of the ipod/iphone (even if enclosed in a thick case), the thickness of the plastic support could be adjusted by turning a dial on the back of the radio. This feature was what I wanted for my iphone so I wouldn’t have to remove the protective case each time I wanted to listen to the ipod app or stream internet music. I know that it was the store’s fault for keeping the C1iPMK2 on display when it wasn’t even available to purchase, but Sony didn’t help matters by including an iphone in the box and internet picture of the CS10iP, clearly blocking where the plastic support should have been located (pictures of the C1iPMK2 leave the dock empty so the plastic support is visible). Even though this was my main reason for selecting Sony’s radio over the iHome iP99BR Dual Alarm Clock Radio with Dock for iPod, iPhone (Black), I decided to give the CS10iP a try.
Compared to the ip99, which I now currently own, the CS10iP is lacking in a few areas. First, the CS10iP doesn’t give the user as much control over the sound. MegaXpand and MegaBass are two features that Sony did include, but I found that MegaXpand distorted the sound and made the radio sound “far away.” The ip99 also includes a similar feature to MegaXpand but gives full control over treble and bass settings, allowing the user to better achieve the desired sound. For the clock, the CS10iP only has 3 brightness settings as opposed to 6 with the ip99.
The CS10iP does have a few extras over the ip99, namely 10 total FM radio presets instead of 6 and the ability to connect two additional speakers via input on the back.
Aside from the plastic support issue, the main differences between Sony’s CS10iP and C1iPMK2 are:
1) Increased unit height on the CS10iP so a docked iphone is flush with the top of the radio (on the C1iPMK2, an iphone would stick up a few centimeters above the top of the radio; not a problem if you’re using an ipod classic or nano)
2) The CS10iP has a larger LCD
3) The CS10iP features more control over the alarm (weekend, weekdays, or seven days a week)
3) The buttons on the CS10iP are easier to read due to increased contrast between the button labels and the color of the unit.
After all of this, I opted to return the CS10iP and get the ip99. I’ll just have to be careful when navigating my iphone while docked (without proper support, the phone moves in the cradle when touching the screen, posing the possibility of damaging the dock of the phone or the radio).
Rating: 2 / 5
Like the previous reviewer, I also went to a brick and mortar store to buy the previous model, which was on the display, but the inventory was for this unit, billed as a slightly newer replacement unit by Sony. This unit fixes two complaints from the previoous model: 1) the Iphone no longer sits above the snooze button; 2) the clock is far less cluttered and the display is larger and easier to see.
What really amazed me when I took it home and set it up was the sound quality. I currently have the Ihome IP9 and IP99. One of my IP9 units failed after about 10 months, so I bought this Sony unit to replace it. This unit is so much better in sound quality than the Ihome! I can’t believe how great the sound is from such a small and inexpensive device. In addition, my Iphone fits snugly into this unit without any adapters, and I do not have to remove my protective case to properly dock it. I think Sony fixed the majority of complaints quite successfully with this new unit, and I am very pleased to have purchased it. I strongly recommend it over the Ihome units.
Rating: 5 / 5