Bargain for digital radio (with clock)?

• 

  altomic on 08/12/2011 - 22:48

  -1

  I'm selling a digital clock (with radio) but that's not what your after.

  • 

    dadots on 08/12/2011 - 23:38

    Sorry ain't interested in that, am looking for the item for a gift really.

    Thanks anyway.

• 

  ESEMCE on 09/12/2011 - 09:51

  Depends what you value as features I think.
  I was looking for a clock radio replacement with good sound quality - sick of waking to a tinny clock radio speaker with that little but of buzzing from crappy electronics in the background. I also wanted Internet Radio cause I think DAB+ will be overtaken by Internet Radio eventually.

  After a lot of looking around and baulking at the high prices, I came to the realisation that anything less than $100 was going to sound tinny and pointless. I ended up buying the Kogan DAB+ Internet Radio Deluxe and I'm very, very happy. http://www.kogan.com.au/shop/kogan-wi-fi-digital-radio-dab-i…

  Pros:
  -There are 2 alarms (programmable for one day, Weekdays or Weekends and to tune any station FM or DAB+ or Internet Radio or input - note that some radios can only tune into the input/station that you were listening to before putting the unit into standby which sucks),
  -the clock is clearly readable when in Clock only mode (hard to read - too small - when in Radio mode though),
  - Has an Orange colour LCD display so it does light up the room a bit, but it's not at all blinding or even distracting to me.
  -The internet radio is a great addition, not only does it play streaming radio, it also allows you to stream podcasts.
  -I like the piano black plastic, I don't find it intrusive despite its size and I hate the "retro" look of a lot of the other DAB+ radios.
  - the remote is a nice addition, but the unit is very easy to control with the front face buttons.
  - the build quality feels good.. everything fits nicely, the buttons click so you know you've pressed them and the menu system is logical. I set everything up and worked out how to use the unit without looking at the manual.
  - Best of all, the sound quality is impressive, good bass (I've actually tuned the Bass down in the EQ cause I think there's too much at default), nice mids and even decent highs!
  - features I haven't used but I think are good additions are the audio output, iPod/iPhone dock and Auxillary input (very important for me as I'm an Android user with no iPod)
  Cons
  - the biggest "flaw" is the size of the unit.. you're going to need a Size 14 (mens) shoebox size space on your bedside table to fit this thing! But for me the sound quality (which you wouldn't get close to in anything smaller) makes this a non-issue.
  - Price - Once you get over the mental hurdle that spending $100 on a Clock Radio is ridiculous of course, definitely buy with a discounted gift voucher (currently on sale http://www.kogan.com.au/shop/category/xmas-gift-ideas/) or through some other discount method.. I bought it on LivePrice, (I watched it every morning until it came up on LivePrice) total cost delivered was around $150 (from memory delivery was around $25 to Adelaide).

  Kogan have cheaper, non stereo versions available as well, the advantage being that they are also smaller (but still probably shoebox size).

• 

  dadots on 09/12/2011 - 17:14

  Thanks scuba, seems like a good value radio.

  For now, I will try to search for one with simpler function as it's for an elder family member who doesn't have ipod/iphone and wireless at home. The complexity may not be what they want.

  I will nevertheless keep the kogan one in consideration.

  Thanks

• 

  [Deactivated] on 12/12/2011 - 13:20

  The Sony one looks great and seems really easy to use. I saw these for about $149 in Myers and other stores however there was a sale earlier at another electrical store for $99. So I'd buy it a few days before Xmas from a store who will refund the difference if you see it cheaper within a few days..

  http://www.sony.com.au/product/xdr-c706dbp