Says was $199 on the box. Also was $69….
At $69 it could be a bit 'either way' on quality.
$29 is a bargain and a bit less than this would be worth anyway
Nationwide apparently, quite a few in stock in warringah mall
iCoustic Bluetooth Tower Dock Floorstanding Speaker $29 @ Target
110
Related Stores
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There's also about 4 models of this… which one are you referring to?
Model?
Specs?
Photo?
Receipt?
Link?
Place?ANYTHING??
From experience, brand is not that good. Buy at own risk, even if it's 'original price' is high.
Well the price is right.
Currently unavailable online
ITEM CODE 54242418Love the features - only lists construction material MDF.
Has 2 x 17W + 18 W speakers, built in sub-woofer, remote, 30 pin iPod etc dock, aux in. Features video out!
it says "Packed with 2x7 + 18 watt speakers"…. not 2 x 17W
Thanks for picking that up!
Just popped back to check & was in middle of edit, when you posted.Trouble when commenting in more than 1 deal - did not check for typos :-(
(My phone's keyboard app does add things I did not type if I'm too fast, but I should have checked.)
That's the one. Stupid blackberry said it had uploaded the photo !
OP: Store in title.
Not available online.Is there enough available to meet minimum stock level (10) to make this a deal?
Thanks for your interest in me (blushes).
Maybe that is because I am overseas up to 9 months a year enjoying my life, & try to check my deals meet guidelines before posting.
Certainly not my guidelines - its OzBargain's.
No neg from me ;-)
I certainly make mistakes.Heh, that's why I upvoted your useful comments above and 'borrowed' your link :-) Ta
Pity it wasn't my link.
Hope you didn't use my typo :-(Gave the deal a + after your changes.
Ah people neg, who cares ;-)
…and theres another neg for me.@bleugh:
I didn't mean negs from you!
Almost all my earlier comments were negged. Now, my typo deserved it, but you gave it a +!Enjoyed the "banter and stirring", although it seems more like a cooking term when I look at it.
I've already threatened detention for whodidthat having a dig at me over my first typo of the day in another deal, but I think they would like that :-)
Hey, you've been a member (slightly) longer than me, but only have 3 badges against my 8 ;-)
As for letting the side down with your meagre 421 comments since 2011… my verbosity count is 5797! (Add another 1 for this.)
After I was sin-binned for comments challenging a MOD's seemingly one sided ruling within a controversial forum, I was left there overnight, but still earned a badge for it.
I now go for quality rather than quantity in my posts. Daily I see deals that would be ok posts, but know those will be posted by others. I am glad to see them become deals for others. I'd rather contribute some background research. But I have failed to post a couple of deals that became very popular :-(
About stock levels, I made basically the same comment in an Aldi phone deal in the past week. As I suspected, stock level was 1, as no one found any other than the 1 in the deal's photo!
All taken in good humour.
We contribute in different ways.I gave the deal a + after your changes.
Now you're showing off.
Well, I posted more deals than you, so, ner, ner, ner.See, that how adults settle things :-p
Where's the tongue poking out emoticon when I need it… :-P
Same time next week?
I've got to take up smoking if it's going to be this good all the time :-Q
You two really need to go out on a date. That should bleugh all the smoke away.
@cornbeef:
And I've got the perfect location - the Target Cafe at the latest stores.This is what they are saying about it on the influential Inside Retail blog
"To the left is a café with glamorous Hollywood style lighting to attract attention. The café ranges lesser known beverage brands and has a basic range of foodstuffs."Now who wouldn't be impressed with that on an intimate first date. (No Smoking allowed.)
@bleugh:
I don't know, I've never been anywhere near that ;-)
You win :-(Hey, I've got a most popular comment badge :-p
Damn, so do you :-(Strangely people who criticise me seem to really cop negs :O
So don't mess with me.
One persistent critic of mine received 44 negs over 7.5hrs'Do you want me to add a neg, or should I add a + to really confuse the neggers?
I look forward to your next post :-)
I'll make sure to piss you off, then you smash me over the head with a low comment…
I've just got the envelope from the adjudicators…
You posted
Deals with votes: 29
+ Votes received: 244
- Votes received: 5 in 4 deals
Average + votes per deal: 8.4I posted
Deals with votes: 7
+ Votes received: 249
- Votes received: 0 in 0 deals
Average + votes per deal: 35.6you average just two bargain posts a year?
It's not just the number of deals posted, but the size of the + vote that really counts. That shows the gratitude of the community. But who is really bothered. There are far greater contributers than us minnows.
But, my average is over 4 times the size of yours :-pKeep going, 2015's gonna be a record breaker for ya :-p
I guess this means I get this year off ;-)
Yeah, travel overseas again!
Thanks. Will pop into Target in the morning to check this out. May be worth a call first to find out local stock levels.
If it really is crap, I'm sure they will be used to returns
No way to tell if they are available at any other store? Not sure if this is a deal or a waste of time.
Not a dig at OP, but i don't want to spend an hour checking it out to find its a Warringah only thing…Yes, it will sound like balls compared to known brands for the price, but still a charger, stand and basic speaker for this price isn't bad. thought i'd grab one for the Bluetooth and leave it at work for some noise at Friday drinks or to pull apart and put some decent drivers in it.
Ring Target Customer Service on 1800814788 or 1300753567 and ask which nearby stores are showing stock - has worked in another clearance deal.
ITEM CODE: 54242418See my review & modding below ;-)
At $69 it could be a bit 'either way' on quality.
$29 is a bargainIt's not "either way"…. it's a horrid brand and horrid product.
It's dubious that it's even worth $29. You are sure to be disappointed in the quality and sound, irrespective of the price.
Just rang Target for stock check in SA. Some stock levels:
Hollywood Plaza
Newton
Mawson LakesAll should have stock.
There was one display model left in Westlakes which I will be picking up by Wednesday. The display model is $20 if I decide not to pick up will let you know.
Rang one suburban Brisbane store - 15 in stock. So no possible shortage as some idiot suggested (me).
Staff member was surprised anyone was interested in these. She said, as soon as the red $29 discount tag went on, no one showed interest!
Available in 5 Brisbane stores, and 2 outside Brissie. That's it for QLD.
Couldn't find reviews for this model, but general impression of icoustic is not good.
Also check comparability with your iDevice.
Visited Local NSW Target. (I think most of store will have enough stock)
Although their price is marked down from 199 -> 89 dollars, if you ask their staff to scan the barcode, it will show up as $29.
Bought one for myself and cant wait to try :D
Will be interesting to read your review. What will you be using with it - iDevice / Android?
I will be interested too. Hoping to pick it up tomorrow for $20. But if your review is really bad may decide against it.
I am using Iphone 6. It states that its is compatible with new iphone and ipod, so fingers crossed
just out of curiosity, which store was this? I've rung up customer service and they said they had stock at hornsby hurstville, macquarie, parrammatta and broadway. Rung up parrammatta and thy said no stock. :(
How is the icoustic?
Got mine today. Tried it all out. Loving it…hopefully it stays good, but if not I suppose it will last for under 12 months and I'll get my money back.
But brilliant so far but I've never been too fussy about my sound and subwoofers so to a sound expert it might be pretty crap but for $20 I'm cheering!
That's great. Enjoy :-)
Hope it lasts, although getting your money back is always attractive, after enjoying using it. I've done that at Aldi.
[I was hoping you'd say it was crap so I didn't need to make a decision ;-) Now will I buy it? ]
@treeman:
You've been reading my personal moto, when buying from Aldi.But it's raining & I'm lazy :-)
If the local store had stock, I would have posted my own review. But a 2+ hour journey on buses carrying a big box… makes me lazier ;-)As I said above… If it really is crap, I'm sure they will be used to returns
@treeman:
Just bought with Flybuys points ;-)Added a few $2 Thomson 5 in 1 Accessory for 7" Tablet. Needed another deal to make the trip worthwhile.
@treeman:
Will give it a good test today. It only made its way to the bedroom last night for less than an hour use - so did not crank sound up. Enjoying some Blues via Bluetooth from my $79 Huawei G526 Android 4G phone at the moment.Impression so far…
I don't have an iDevice to try functions (remote & dock buttons that control it [play/pause, next/prev, repeat], and sound quality). That's a major reason for most buying this unit.I like the sound with Bluetooth so far, but it's early days & seems lacking in depth, but some types of music is fairly impressive. That would be my major use.
Fed my PVR audio output (watching tv) to Aux2 input via RCA leads - not impressed with the sound with that input. Listening to Rage through it now - hopeless sound :-(
Similar with headphone output of phone fed into Aux1 - seems worse than Bluetooth on same music. Not an issue as Bluetooth is much easier connection & almost never need to connect via a headphone output these days.
Sound lacks much depth, being very bassie. Depends on music being played. That's not surprising, given the 2 small 7W speakers. I'm comparing it to an old stereo I picked up off the street free 10 years back (Marantz amp, Bose bookshelf speakers).
Remote has to be pointed straight at sensor in top of unit. Buttons are not that sensitive - sometimes takes a few presses to change. Can select inputs. Have not tried other remote functions yet (bass, treble, menu). Will connect it to RCA video input of a tv - to access menu control.
It would be disappointing for the marked $199, but seems ok at $29. Probably better value if you own an iDevice. Probably good for a child's bedroom.
I asked about returns - pretty easy with Target. Easiest if return in unopened state. Although the carton had "security" tape around the top, the bottom opens easily with no tape! Did not assemble base, just put on solid shelf. That way I can return easily, if need to.
Bluetooth pairing was fast & effortless. Connects to phone when switched on.
But don't forget to switch unit off afterwards to save electricity. Unit has max power consumption of 35W.
USB output at top back of unit is rated at 2.1A & is charging only. Shows output of 1.25A on my meter while charging tablet, same as it's charger.
Video Out will display videos from iPod & iPhone to TV via RCA video cable, which could be handy connection. There is no other use for this connection.
Remote buttons…
Menu controls [Menu, up, down, Enter] are only to control iDevice in dock. So 8 out of 18 buttons on Remote are iDevice only. [4 iDevice play, 4 iDevice Menu, 4 bass/treble, 3 sound level, 2 input select, 1 standby]Cranking volume to max, it is fairly loud. But not party loud.
Sound at any level is what I would describe as muffled, but more so at lower volume. Changing bass/treble did improve a little - adding some treble to offset sub-woofer. Music with more treble (vocals) sounds better. More volume sounds better. Of course some distortion at maximum.
I compared with a fist sized Bluetooth battery operated Logitech mini Boombox. That unit sold for same price or less in a deal a year back. Lower volume than iCoustic, sounds better, but less bass.
Modding…
When my car sound system broke, I wired the Logitech up to front speakers, which was a passable Bluetooth system, but lacked volume. (Quickly replaced with $100 Sony BT head unit deal.)
This unit could easily be wired to other speakers. I'd suggest using external speakers in enclosures.
If you wanted to do that… (honest Target, I didn't even open the carton)
Access is via the back panel, removing the 9 outer screws. WARNING: unplug unit first as this is where 230Volt cable enters, down to power supply in base. So main board has mains power connections!
Use care when removing / replacing panel as there is a large heatsink at the back of attached circuit board.
Who knows if speakers are usual left/right pair found on stereo.
The 2 speakers connect to the circuit board via 4 pin white plastic removable connector at a corner of circuit board (3 black, 1 red wire). (Often found connecting speakers in consumer electronics & PCs but often as 2 pin version. I used 2 x 2 pin connectors from old PC front panel switches, which had short wires attached.) Plug orientation is shown on circuit board. Speakers read as 4 ohm, according to my multimeter.
Finding another connector, wire cables to external speaker boxes. Leave the tiny sub-woofer in box along with rest. There's a port (air vent) at the back which can take the cables to external speakers, and the whole thing reassembled as new. Insulate any joins in cables, carefully replace board into unit, visually check, & screw down panel before testing.
On the Logitech, I took cables to 6 screw connector block, with connections back to internal speakers - so could use external or internal.
About a 5+ minute job, given parts & following these instructions. (Took me 30 minutes to investigate, do, check & write up.)
I'll report how it sounds later. Only worth effort if that improves.
Sound is certainly better with even basic external speakers - currently wired to ones from an old cheap stereo. The concrete floor is vibrating.
Am trying out my collection of scrounged bookshelf speakers.
Aux2 input is now connected to an old DVD player, used to play the $5.99 30CD Boxed set of Handel. Sounds great, even at lower volume - which wasn't the case before.
Impressive now. Especially for the price. I might even keep this ;-)
@treeman:
Was that the review you were expecting?One manufacturer contacted me to say they had used my reviews to improve their design! As soon as I posted a review, it was sent to the design team & factory. They offered me a job playing with as much of their product as I liked. But I'm usually too busy holidaying overseas ;-)
Was worth buying, but really only after modding.
Haha wow you kidding?
That's crazy!
I'll take the job though! ;)
Obviously my review not worthy enough.Your reviews have been an interesting read thanks!
@treeman:
This review would not exist without yours! I bought because you said it was a good enough unit.[As for reviewing / quality control positions employing people based on their (miniscule) reputation in a field - the more attractive the offer, the more they will use you for their reputation, and the more you get screwed over. Knowing when to turn down offers is important.
One offer I had as a first year Uni student with little money, was to lead a project in Pakistan. Every time I turned down the offer, the higher the salary got. Soon after my final refusal, there were news stories about a Afghan group kidnapping foreign workers in the region. Few knew then of the Taliban.
Worked out well for me - the prettiest girl in my year asked me out after learning I was leaving & stayed on with me, I went on to lecture, set up a new education unit at my Uni, had a (shared) Secretary while I was still in 2nd year, was paid to teach my own Professors how to teach, and earned $250/hr talking - all before I got my first degree :-)
Now I just travel, or plan the next travel. For most of last 10 years, I have spent most of year on holiday overseas. It's a hard life. But I always have money, despite little time for work.
I find budget deals challenge my mind, and still leave the money for travel.]@treeman:
Now onto testing unit with other devices. Remotes on cheap devices often use same code as other devices.I have an ancient PVR that is rarely used (often only as my test case), and sure enough, pressing Treble up turns it on. Then other buttons do things like turn on the sleep timer (Vol+). Trying the PVRs remote - it changes inputs, etc on this unit.
Due to low sensitivity / low power of this unit / remote, all I have to do is not locate close together.
Off to test more devices.
Finished the conversion off with a standard stereo speaker connection panel scrounged from an amp (press button, insert speaker cable) - secured on bracket by panel screws. Made a neat job at no cost, just a little time.
Wires from speaker connector were taken through rear vent to plugs on circuit board. Disconnected internal speaker plug was fitted with shortened sewing pins, which had cable soldered to them, then insulated. Colour coded cable from internal speakers was then fed out of vent & secured.
That way internal speakers can be reconnected if wanted. Just make a note of which cable goes back to which connector, as original set up. So can be portable as supplied, or wired to external speakers for better sound as needed.
Note: external speakers should be 4ohm.
Checked power supply (located in bottom of speaker box) output = single 14.9Vdc via a plug on circuit board.
May work with car battery 12.6V. Control electronics works on lower voltages - dropped by 2 regulators. Output power would drop.
Would just need to add socket on back, & use suitable cable with cigarette lighter plug.
Good for picnics in the park ;-)
For the technically literate, the amp chip is a STA540SA…
4 x 10W DUAL/QUAD POWER AMPLIFIERThe amplifier is a class AB Audio amplifier designed for high quality sound application.
Every ON/OFF operation is virtually pop free
Reliable and safe operation, in presence of all kinds of short circuit involving the outputs is assured by built-in protectors.
Configured as Bridged amplifier with this speaker specified as…
2 x 7W into 4 ohm + 1 bridged 18W (8 ohm? sub-woofer), at 14.9VBridged amplifier typically…
2x9W@2Ω, +1x18W(@4Ω) 12V 2x12W@2Ω, +1x26W(@4Ω) 14.4V 2x8W@4Ω, +1x16W(@8Ω) 16V
Bridged Circuit on p7
(Higher output power with 2 ohm speakers)Supply voltage: 8-18C
@treeman:
What makes you think I understand it ;-)
Audio electronics was never my strong point. But I'm always open to learning.It's just the chip's specs…
means speaker tower can run on lower voltages (but will not be as loud),
you can't damage it by shorting the speaker wires (if you follow my modification).
And it's louder with lower ohm speakers - so look for those.I am enjoying it. Can easily try different speakers & compare with internal ones - by changing the cables at back.
Now to decide if I keep it. The modifications just unplug back to original in a few minutes. But it will now be hard to part with, it sounds quite good - certainly no longer a $29 sound system :-)
No Target, I did not open the carton ;-)
This speaker tower will operate off a car battery with a simple modification… which takes a lot of explaining to avoid disaster.
I haven't done it yet, but would take me 10 minutes to grab parts - all scrounged, 10-15 minutes to build, and a fair bit of checking to see it is wired correctly before plugging in.
[You could just disconnect the mains power supply & plug in cable between circuit board to battery, being careful to wire positive to positive… ]
A fuse in power from battery would be recommended.
But only attempt this if you know what you are doing, as reversing the power supply will instantly wreck this device!!
You should have a multimeter to check correct polarity of low voltages before connecting power to the circuit board.
Always check & check again, before connecting power!!
Different cables used to connect tower socket to battery have 2 possible pos/neg connection, so be careful, wire appropriately, and check power will be correctly supplied to circuit board - before applying power!
The modification…
Unplug from power point.
Remove rear panel (8) outer screws. Carefully remove panel.Find low voltage cable coming from base of speaker tower box into circuit board (twin red & black lead going into white plastic socket with of little lever - depress lever to unplug). Socket is between largest capacitor (black & metal cylinder) & big heatsink at corner of circuit board.
All other leads going into base of unit are 230V mains cables. DON'T TOUCH THOSE!
Install a switched low voltage socket in back of tower (socket is same as a plug pack cable plugs into - a round hole with a metal pin in middle). These have 3 connections - centre pin, outer, switch to outer connection.
Generally, the centre pin is positive, and the outside is negative. Switching is carried out on the outside connection. When the round plug is pushed into the socket, the internal power supply is no longer connected, with power from the external source.
This is wired between the tower's 14.9V power supply & circuit board socket. If you can, find suitable socket & plug, so you can just plug this modification between the two.
The polarity of the socket depends on the cable you use to connect to the battery. Here I assume positive is the centre connection of the round socket.
Wire the negative cable from tower power supply to the switch connection on rear socket - find out which pin is switch with multimeter. Wire positive cable from tower power supply to positive (centre pin) output of rear socket.
Connect positive & negative output cables from rear socket to white plastic power socket on circuit board - where cable was unplugged from.
Check for wiring faults, especially transposing positive & negative cables!
Before connecting power to circuit board, test voltage & positive/ negative is correct to circuit board socket with multimeter.
Check speaker tower works.
Unplug power.Add cable to suit from rear socket to battery or cigarette lighter socket. With cable unplugged from circuit board as before, check positive / negative wired correctly. Check voltage. If ok, apply 12V from battery.
For a very simple task, it took a lot of explanation :-(
Any questions - PM me.@cornbeef:
Well OP stood me up on our romantic Valentine's Day date, so had to do something to fill in my time ;-)@cornbeef:
I used to live for years with solar 12Volt on a small farm overlooking the ocean, and am quite used to adapting electronics to other uses. These were simple modifications.Correction:
Remote has to be pointed straight at sensor in top of unit.
Remote should be pointed at middle of tower speaker box.
Sensor is what I thought was a speaker between the 2 speakers. Couldn't work out why more than 2 wires connected to it.
Discovered after tucked box away behind speakers - no remote operation despite top of unit exposed. As box contains electronics & sub-woofer, there was no need for ready access, except access to controls & for remote.
Remote codes are common to my other PVR, so likely to be common to tv's, other sound gear, etc. So keep out of way of other devices & their remotes.
(The very common RC-5 protocol was developed by Philips in the late 1980s as a semi-proprietary consumer IR (infrared) remote control communication protocol for consumer electronics. However, it was also adopted by most European manufacturers, as well as many US manufacturers of specialty audio and video equipment. Uses a total of 14 bits for each button press. But it is now used on a wider range of consumer electronics than envisioned, causing problems between devices using same code for different functions.)
Went to Target Hay st Mall Perth yest arvo, got one. One more there, but it's demo stock.
About 6 at Toombul, Brisbane last night. There were 15 3 days back. Stock at other stores including CBD.
Ring Customer Service on 1800814788 or 1300753567 and ask which nearby stores are showing stock. Ask for store phone number & check stock exists first. Stock reports are 2 days old.
ITEM CODE: 54242418I saw 3 at Roseland (Centro), NSW.
How does OP find things on clearance at target.
I had a look for this item on the target clearance page but it doesn't come up. Must mean there are other things available too.
So how do you find them?
Hi treeman… um… as I commented just after deal posted, it's unavailable online - so it would have been removed from clearance page (for stock available online) a while back. But if you'd looked then…
I used to check there regularly, before there was a minimum purchase for click-n-collect. Stock online may not be available in stores. Often (especially clothes) it is removed back to warehouse, so available online. Larger items like this remain in store, with the red tag applied to move recalcitrant stock. So is available in some stores, but not online.
There's a little known thing around here, actual stores - one where you can stumble across items like this & maybe even touch the product. And if you read the deal description (between the lines & there was then no link to online) the OP discovered it there ;-)
Ah okay.
What I mean exactly is I know it is not available online, but wanted search things that were on clearance like this. But when you search on the site an item like this doesn't come up at all. Therefore there must be a whole bunch of stuff heavily reduced that isn't listed by search on the website.
Target search is only of available online stock. There is no facility to search store stock, unlike other retailers like OW, JB, etc. That is probably because it's store stock levels are not live, rather it is 2 days old. You can ring for store availability, get store phone number & check store stock level. Expect this system will be updated some time.
They used to have products available in store online listed online only a month ago.
It must be new.With $2 7" tablet accessories, there was no availability online, but many in some stores. It was not economic to return to warehouse, so discounted in store.
Thomson Home Theater System DVD HT220 - Target Clearance - $50 is similarly in store only deal.
If you look back at most Target electronics deals, they were discovered in store.
I used to buy $3 t-shirts, $7 shirts on clearance - usually only available online. Those were easy to find under clearance tab.
They used to have products available in store online listed online
Never noticed that. But I haven't searched clearance for ages.
So those were unavailable online, only available instore stock? Like this.
They still list online available stock that may be available in store - that's different.
Yes they did, when target had free shipping on everything I was checking what was available in clearance and some of the stuff was only available in store so had to sift through it. But was checking over the last few days and there are no items only available in store.
@treeman:
So they've changed their system.Just like DS removed the easy search of (old) stock by store over 2 years ago. Picked up great bargains that way. Like a $120 dab+ radio for $13, 8 outlet surge boards for $2, $2 Remington hair cutter set, etc.
My guess is it caused complaints since their stock system is historic & may not be accurate - just like the issues with DS system.
Lucky we have OzBargain ;-)
But some things will not be seen by others to be bargains we find interesting, so will never appear here :-(Oh well, it'll just mean we save our money ;-) (Channelling my Scottish ancestry.)
@treeman:
My local Targets are almost new stores - poor pickings for clearance stock :-( Until this deal, I rarely have been in a store for years.
Now using this as a plinth under $130 FHD 24" Samsung monitor - box is full width of monitor. Setup is mainly used as spare bedroom TV with PVR input. Still fed to external pair of speakers.Trying combining internal & external speakers, given output is protected. Have not used chrome stand.
Adds a pretty good look & sound for $29 worth of FlyBuys. When not used as TV or PC monitor, works great as Bluetooth sound system. Of course may not be so convenient to mount iDevice horizontally.
Good simple solution.
But I don't have an iDevice ;-)
Have added a $116 Sangean DAB+/FM radio bought for $13 @DS to Aux1.
Do you have a link to the special, or at least a photo? Where did you see it.