Find great computer deals at StaplesCambridge SoundWorks i765
Manufacturer: Creative Part number: C1765NBX
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The i765 adds DVD playback and a built-in iPod dock to the Cambridge SoundWorks' great-sounding tabletop radio, but less-than-intuitive controls and a rich price tag limit its appeal.
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CNET editors' review
Cambridge SoundWorks i765 price range: $314.99
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 02/15/2008
The good: The Cambridge SoundWorks i765 is a high-end stereo tabletop clock radio with DVD/CD player and integrated iPhone/iPod compatible dock; large, easy-to-read LCD display; dual alarms with unusually flexible snooze/volume options; auxiliary line-in for connection to non-iPod devices; supports iPod video output; RDS text support; superior sound quality (for a tabletop radio); excellent FM reception; 24 AM/FM station presets; includes bass, treble tone controls; headphone jack.
The bad: Very expensive; no video output for iPhone; lacks HD Radio, satellite radio, and network audio support; remote and front panel controls could be more intuitively arranged.
The bottom line: The i765 adds DVD playback and a built-in iPod dock to the Cambridge SoundWorks' great-sounding tabletop radio, but less-than-intuitive controls and a rich price tag limit its appeal.
Editors' note: As of June 2008, Cambridge has lowered the price of this product.
Remember when clock radios were merely clock radios? That was long before the iPod-ization trend took the world by storm. Outboard docks are yesterday's news and integrated docks have become de rigueur. Witness the new Cambridge SoundWorks i765 with an iPod/iPhone dock molded into its top panel. The i765 is the latest and greatest entry from Cambridge's well-regarded line of stereo clock tabletop radios. The new model also boasts a slot-loading CD/DVD player, so it functions like a self-contained home theater in a box.
Design
The conservatively styled gray and black radio has a sturdy and solid feel and is 5 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 10 inches deep and weighs 13 pounds. Except for the Snooze/Mute button and iPod dock on the otherwise bare topside, all of the i765's controls are located on its front panel. CDs and DVDs load through a slot just above the large, 32-character LCD readout that sits above two clusters of eight buttons. The buttons are tiny, identical size, and shaped so that they're hard to see in low light. The display is linked to a light sensor that dims to eliminate glare in dark rooms. The centered knob controls volume by default, but clicking the nearby jog key, the knob toggles through a variety of other functions including bass, treble, and loudness tone controls. The loudness circuit boosted bass at low to moderate listening volume to create a rich, warm sound balance.
The newly designed remote has 43 identically sized little round buttons and they're color-coded by function--iPod controls are gray, DVD controls are brown, alarm buttons are blue, and so forth. The overall layout is less than intuitive, but we were grateful that we could always find the volume up/down buttons in the upper-left corner. It should be noted that all of the front-panel jog functions are also accessible from the remote.
Features
If the i765 looks familiar, it's because it's basically just a refresh of the Cambridge SoundWorks Radio CD 745i with the iPod dock integrated into the topside (instead of a separate outboard dock) and a built-in DVD player (instead of just CD). The front panel's left set of buttons are reserved for radio presets--press one while listening to a station you want to store, you'll hear a "beep" tone, and it'll be saved to one of three "bands" (FM1, FM2, or AM). The right set of buttons offers a choice of source--Radio, iPod, Disc/Aux, as well as up/down radio tuning. There's also a seek function for jumping from station to station. The tuner supports Radio Data Service, so the readout offers call-letter and song information from stations that support the technology. The lower edge of the front panel hosts a headphone jack and an auxiliary input (both jacks are 3.5mm jacks). The back panel has an S-Video and audio output jack, and the i765 comes with an S-Video-to-composite cable.
Alarm setting options are flexible: Each of the two alarms can be set to wake to tone, AM/FM radio, CD, or iPod. You can preset the volume of each alarm, so it can be as loud or subtle as you want, regardless of what the volume level was when you turned the i765 off. Snooze times can be preset to intervals of 5 to 22 minutes.
To pull in harder-to-receive radio stations, you'll need to attach the included external AM (1/8-inch) and FM (RF screw-type) antennas to the i765's rear panel.
The integrated iPod dock can be used with any of the eight adapter sleeves included to fit most iPods. Cambridge claims the i765 supports video-out on the newest iPod models including the iPod Touch, iPod Classic, and iPod Nano--but not the iPhone. Our testing verified that: we had no trouble playing videos from the fat iPod Nano, but the iPhone could only play audio. You can navigate iPod menus with the remote or with the i765's front panel controls; the remote navigation works fine, but since there's no navigation options displayed on the TV screen, you're going to need to be close enough to see the iPod's screen anyway. With newer iPod models, the artist and song title is displayed on the i765's LCD display.
The i765's stereo speakers and woofer are each powered by their own amplifier. The speakers are magnetically shielded so the i765 can be placed near a CRT TV or any other sensitive device without affecting picture quality. Using the jog dial, the sound can be set to stereo, mono, or "wide,"--the latter increases stereo separation beyond the 14-inch width of the i765's cabinet.
Feature comparisons to the Polk Audio I-Sonic tabletop system ($600) and Denon S-32 ($500) will be of interest to potential i765 buyers. The Polk sports HD Radio is XM-ready and has a pair of rear-mounted, built-in speakers that produce a more spacious sound than the i765. The I-Sonic lacks an integrated iPod dock--compared with the follow-up I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 ($500), which includes the dock, but loses the disc player and satellite radio functionality. The Denon system, meanwhile, includes an iPod dock, AM/FM radio, and the capability to stream network audio, but lacks the CD player, XM-ready function, and HD Radio found on the Denon S-52--which costs a whopping $700 total.
Performance
The Cambridge SoundWorks i765's CD and iPod sound was richly balanced, sounding bigger than we had expected. We fiddled with the bass, treble, and loudness controls and came away convinced of its ability to tailor its sound to taste. The bass was punchy and nicely defined while vocals were clear, however the treble detail was merely adequate. The FM tuner sounded very good and successfully pulled in the most difficult to receive stations cleanly. The i765 worked fine for playing back audio and video from our third-generation iPod Nano, but had trouble with our much older circa-2003 iPod--the remote didn't work at all, and once docked the iPod's controls froze. In other words, anyone with a fourth-generation or late iPod should be fine.
While watching DVDs with the stereo function set to "wide," the crowd noises on the Blue Man Group's The Complex Rock Tour Live were projected well out to the sides of the radio. While we enjoyed the ambience, the actual band itself was confined within the cabinet's narrow dimensions. The Blue Men play percussion instruments, which sounded decent, though they lack the dynamic punch we get from most $500 home-theater-in-a-box systems. By home theater standards, the bass wasn't all that deep or powerful, but overall definition was pretty good, and the i765 can play fairly loud without undue harshness.
Straight dramatic DVDs like Factory Girl, set in New York City in 1965, sounded fine. Dialogue came across clear and natural, as did the '60s rock music soundtrack. The i765 wasn't intended to replace a home theater sound system and it won't. But when judged as a compact music/entertainment center in perhaps a tiny bedroom or office, it'll be a competent performer.
User reviews
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No Video for ipod touch 2nd gen
by KYgrl on January 21, 2009
Pros: This is a great little unit in terms of sound quality, radio, and dvd usage. It plays my tunes from my iPod easily. It does not take up much space.
Cons: I have a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, as I thought I was going to be able to run video from my ipod touch 2G to the tv. The Pic on the web site even has picture of an iTouch. Their tech support didn't even know it would not work until we called.
Summary: Great for an all around music player/radio/dvd sound system. If you are an iTouch 2G user, don't expect to run video from your ipod through this system.
Summary: Great for an all around music player/radio/dvd sound system. If you are an iTouch 2G user, don't expect to run video from your ipod through this system.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great buy, good service, solid sound, no regrets.
by soundboard on December 29, 2008
Pros: Good service, prompt free delivery, ease of use and quality sound/functions.
Cons: AM reception on my favorite talk radio station is not that great. But moving the antennae helps.
Summary: I went online fully expecting to buy a Bose, until I read the reviews and realized there were better/cheaper products out there. Online surfing led to me the i765. ...
Summary: I went online fully expecting to buy a Bose, until I read the reviews and realized there were better/cheaper products out there. Online surfing led to me the i765. The reviews were mostly positive and the price was much better than the Bose. A few days before Xmas I called the 1-800 number and ordered mine for $249 plus tax. Free 2 day shipping and delivery before Xmas was promised. I received it late Xmas eve. My wife is technically challenged and has a real problem with my buying electronics she can't operate. I promised her this would be different. I made it a point to unpack the box and set it up with her. Within 10 minutes we were tuning in our local FM stations and playing CDs. Later in the evening we popped in our iPod. Everything works great, it's played every CD (even an old, old Boz Skaggs) I've given it and the sound is pretty damn nice. It fills our large kitchen/living room area and the remote works from almost anywhere. I'm not sure when the price of clock radios jumped from $10 to $250, but this is certainly not my Mama's nightstand GE clock/radio. I'm very, very pleased with this product and although I have its original box in the garage just in case, I seriously doubt I'll be shipping it back. It's performed flawlessly, it's got plenty of FM pre-set buttons, the remote is a good size, the buttons are all easy to read and understand, the sound is nice and it looks good on our kitchen countertop. i briefly tried tuning in my favorite AM talk radio station and didn't get good reception, but as I played a bit with the loop antennae, it seemed to get better. I'm sure I can tune it in better with a little more effort. The FM stations come in solid. Overall, no complaints. I"m glad I found this machine and I'd gladly tell anybody that if you're looking for a Bose but don't want to pay that steep price, the i765 is a great way to go.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Read Before Buying
by indyrex1 on March 6, 2009
Pros: The unit surely is compact and multi-purpose, but is not a standout in any of the categories of sound, flexibility or picture transfer from an iPod. iPod and CD sound are good in small rooms, but the sound is rather compact.
Cons: It broke after 20 hr use and Cambridge argued repeatedly about fulfilling the warranty. Beyond that, the soundstage of the unit is small, in rooms bigger than 15x15 it won't give you what you want. The remote worked sometimes, and sometimes didn't
Summary: All in all this unit is little more than OK for the purchase price. Solid build quality, decent sound in small rooms and multi-format flexibility (CD, DVD, iPod) are in ...
Summary: All in all this unit is little more than OK for the purchase price. Solid build quality, decent sound in small rooms and multi-format flexibility (CD, DVD, iPod) are in the the plus column. Smallish sound in most rooms, an unreliable remote (worked sometimes and not others) and a unit that broke after 20 hours are big minuses for this unit. The worst part though (as mentioned in other CNet reviews of Cambridge equipment - this is not unique to me) is their customer service. I bought this unit to take out of the US (which Cambridge knew and encouraged) and when it broke after 20 hours use, and I contacted them THEY LEFT ME HANGING! They would not ship a replacement unit, would not ship the power unit (which I suspect is the problem) and as a result I have a nice i765 sitting on a shelf collecting dust with only 20 hours of use. Their customer service didn't return email for weeks at a time, was argumentative, and refused to support their warranty. Ultimately when I asked to simply end the nightmare and return the unit for a refund, they refused that as well. Folks, the unit is OK (and yours may not quit on you) but if you have ANY customer service issues, be completely warned about the reliability (it stopped after 20 hrs. use) and their absolute lack of customer support. I have not owned other similar multi-function units from Polk or Bose, but I guarantee I will never make another purchase from Cambridge. Ever.
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not without flaws, but overall a solid effort
by KeithA39 on December 26, 2008
Pros: 1. Built in IPod dock.
2. Good sound quality
3. VersatilityCons: 1. Horrible front panel controls
2. Radio performance
3. SizeSummary: First off, I'm not using this as a DVD player, but mainly for the radio and the IPod dock, as well as the occasional CD.
As far as sound ...Summary: First off, I'm not using this as a DVD player, but mainly for the radio and the IPod dock, as well as the occasional CD.
Whoops. Sorry, there is only one sub on the unit.
As far as sound quality, the unit is good, not great. Actually, I prefer the Boston Acoustics radio for sound quality, but the one I owned didn't come with either CD player or IPod dock. I do like it more than what's sold by Bose, at considerably lower cost. It does have plenty of power to fill a room with sound, but the sound doesn't seem to open up and is a tad thin. Still, compare it to any typical clock radio and it would put it to shame. It has two speakers and two built-in powered subs.
The radio reception has been a disappointment. I listen to talk radio a lot and my Boston Acoustics would pull in relatively distant stations well. Not so with this. For instance, my old radio had little problem with decent reception of one Bay area station, which I imagine is 60-80 miles away. I find trying to do so on the Cambridge pretty much unlistenable. Mostly a lot of static. I've ordered a replacement AM antenna to resolve this issue. As far as FM, it does pretty much the same as the Boston Acoustics.
Be prepared for the size of the unit. It really isn't meant to be a typical clock radio with IPod, CD, DVD, abilities incorporated. With its speakers, it stands 5" tall, by 14" width by 11" depth. Make sure you have room for it.
The front panel controls are NOT user friendly. Aside from the volume knob, there is an assortment of 22 tiny buttons. Most are for selecting the input and the radio presets, but I like to listen as I go to sleep at night and virtually am memorizing the positions of the buttons by touch.
Even though I've focused on some negative limitations of the unit, overall I give it a four for the more than acceptable sound quality, its price when compared to comparable products (bought direct from Cambridge for $249 with free shipping), and its versatility, especially the IPod dock which functions very nicely.
Updated on Dec 26, 20081 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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QUALITY SOUND
by croemer on March 12, 2008
Pros: big sound..easy set-up
Cons: one second delay when one turns radio on or off. but used to it now
Summary: after much research decided on the c. soundwork i765. yes it is expensive...but so are any good quality stereo systems. has beautful room filling sound. have set-up in my ...
Summary: after much research decided on the c. soundwork i765. yes it is expensive...but so are any good quality stereo systems. has beautful room filling sound. have set-up in my den; which is a big open room to kitchen and two dining rooms. the sound will go from from one end of my home to the other. tried remote from 40 feet acroos my home and it would change channels and volume. pretty amazing. has 2 alarm clocks if needed for more than one individual. also display panel with time, station one is listening to(or c/d)even displays song that is playing at current time and auto-dims lite front to what the lighting in room requires. chose over bose because comes with remote and buttons on front panel, so if you lose remote or remote battery isnt working you can still control radio. can also hook-up to t.v. for better sound. have not tried i-pod... cant wait. VERY EASY HOOK-UP. took me all of maybe 5 min. and comes with am/fm antenna for those channels that are hard to pick-up. THE BUILT IN SUBWOLFERS CAN BLOW YOUR WINDOWS OUT!!! LOVE MINE!!!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Nice unit but service is terrible
by almost101 on January 30, 2009
Pros: The sounds quality is great. heavy on the bass but overall the system is pretty good quality which you would expect for the money paid for it.
Cons: Bass is a little heavy. There is a slow delay when turning on/off the unit that you get use to. Service is terrible. DVD player did not work.
Summary: I had a problem with my DVD player which took some time to identify. I kept thinking the DVD's themselves were bad quality but it turned out to be ...
Summary: I had a problem with my DVD player which took some time to identify. I kept thinking the DVD's themselves were bad quality but it turned out to be the unit. So I sent in back in to Cambridge (under warranty) where they have had the unit for over 2 weeks. If you call they have no update or status on the repair or even that they recieved it. It seems they take 4 weeks to look at the systems. I would think for the money I paid for this thing they could at least pick up the mailing tab to send it in and could fix it faster than 4 weeks. I value service on products and because I think their service is lacking greatly I can't give them high marks.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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be prepared to pay return postage
by imarealuser on April 24, 2009
Pros: The concept is nice
Cons: ipod connection doesn't work, so I have to pay the return postage to get it fixed even though the unit is under warranty.
Summary: They don't care that they get poor ratings here. Says they've been doing business this way for 25 years and that they're still in business. Maybe when ...
Summary: They don't care that they get poor ratings here. Says they've been doing business this way for 25 years and that they're still in business. Maybe when their products weren't made in China, there weren't so many malfunctions of their products.
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Great Unit, But Poor DVD
by lynnrockets on April 14, 2009
Pros: I liked almost everything about this product except the dvd player. Installation was simple. Sound was great for a 15x15 bedroom. Operation was relatively simple after repetitive use.
Cons: DVD player failed after about 10 hours of use.
Summary: The dvd player malfunctioned after about 10 hours of use. The manufacturer was receptive to my problem after I mentioned that I had seen a few reviews which highlighted the ...
Summary: The dvd player malfunctioned after about 10 hours of use. The manufacturer was receptive to my problem after I mentioned that I had seen a few reviews which highlighted the dvd problem. I was told to return the product (manufacturer paid for shipping) and a new one would be shipped to me. There was no talk of repairing my unit. I returned the unit but never received a replacement. Instead, I noticed that my credit card was refunded the purchase price. No explanation for this change of action was provided to me. I now have no unit.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Creative
- Part number: C1765NBX
- Description: Ideal for people who demand high-end sound quality, the SoundWorks i765 is an iPod solution that also offers complete audio/video entertainment, with a built-in DVD player, CD player, radio, alarm clock and more. Working with all iPod models, including iPod Classic, Nano and Touch, this versatile, unbelievable sounding system can easily serve as the main entertainment system in the home, or as a second system for the bedroom, study, kitchen - anywhere you want entertainment. Listen to tunes in true stereo sound, connect the SoundWorks i765 to a TV for a remarkable home theater experience, enjoy video programs stored on an iPod or play favorite DVDs. The sound quality is unparalleled, guaranteed. The superior sound quality of the SoundWorks i765 is sure to be an unanticipated surprise. Featuring Cambridge SoundWorks signature design - two high-performance drivers combined with a built-in powered subwoofer for deep bass response at all output levels - this is a powerhouse system capable of filling any size room with rich, natural sound. Its performance belies its size and it truly can be used as your primary home entertainment solution. Outfitted with terrific bonus features, the SoundWorks i765 offers so much more than a traditional docking solution. The system's versatility continues with its DVD functionality. Connect the i765 to a TV using its S-video or composite input and you have a remarkable home theater experience. Enjoy video programs stored on an iPod or play favorite DVDs. The versatile system also plays audio CDs and MP3/WMA on writable CDs and DVDs. It is outfitted with a superb tuner to enjoy favorite AM/FM radio stations. Plus, dual alarms make for one terrific clock radio - with wake to a choice of iPod, audio disc or favorite station.
General
- Product type Speakers
- Color Black
- Depth 9.8 in
- Height 5.2 in
- Width 14 in
- Weight 11.9 lbs
- Carrying case None -
- Included accessories AM antenna, FM antenna
Audio Features
- Digital storage None
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Timer Wake, Sleep, Snooze
- Built-in clock Digital clock
- Alarm qty 2
- Alarm wake-up modes Beep, Radio
- Additional features Loudness, Mute button, Mono/stereo switch, Bass & treble control
Built-in Display
- Audio system built-in display LCD
- Backlight display Yes
Cassette System
- Cassette system type None
Speaker System
- Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker Built-in, 1 x Subwoofer Built-in
Radio
- Tuner type Digital Radio tuner
- AM station preset qty 16
- FM station preset qty 8
- Tuner bands AM/FM
- Antenna form factor Loop AM / wire FM
- Tuning display LCD display
MD System
- MD system type None
Remote Control
- Remote control Remote control - Infrared
Connectivity
- Connector type 1 x Headphones Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
- Slot(s) provided None
Battery / Power
- Power device type Power supply
Manufacturer info
- Creative
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Creative products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://us.creative.com
- Address:
1901 McCarthy Blvd. Milpitas, CA 95035, Milpitas, CA 95035 - Phone: 800-998-1000
