Electronics & Computers Deals here!iHome iH9 (black)
Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc. Part number: iH9BR
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- With the iH9, iHome Audio continues to improve its popular iPod clock radio while keeping it relatively affordable.
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| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | See Site | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
 | | In stock | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
iHome iH9 (black) price range: $70.88 - $249.99
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 12/10/2007
- Updated on:04/15/2008
- Released on: 12/01/2007
The good: Clock radio with built-in iPod dock that allows you to wake to iPod songs or the radio; streamlined design and improved sound versus previous models; line-in/line-out; high contrast LCD display; flexible alarm, sleep, and snooze modes; included remote lets you navigate iPod menu system from afar.
The bad: Bass is still thin; top-mounted iPod could be accidentally swiped while you're reaching for the snooze bar.
The bottom line: With the iH9, iHome Audio continues to improve its popular iPod clock radio while keeping it relatively affordable.
One of the first iPod-ready clock radios to hit the market was the iHome iH5. The no-nonsense design and affordable price tag helped that model make a big splash in the then-nascent market for iPod docks. The company (a brand of SDI Technologies, which also markets similar products under the Timex and Soundesign labels) continued to tweak the design in subsequent years, releasing the all-but-identical iH7 and iH8 models. With the iHome iH9, however, iHome is finally delivering a new look and feel to its iPod clock radio. The new model is available in black (the iH9BR) or white (iH9WR) and costs $100. (The older models remain on the market, and can be found for as little as $80.)
The biggest change you'll notice in the iH9 is that instead of sticking with the black-on-light-blue displays of previous models, SDI has equipped this model with a high-contrast white-on-black LCD readout, which we found slightly easier to read. The rest of the iH9 design retains the core elements of the original iH5--but with just enough of a refresh to make it look more 21st century and less 1960s retrofuturistic.
The buttons on the top of the unit have been streamlined, and--while it's still a small "credit card" model--the included remote has enough buttons to actually be useful. It's worth noting that the iH9's plastic finish is shiny and reflective rather than having a brushed finish like that of the iH8. Overall, the iH9 appears a tad cleaner-looking and sleeker than earlier models, though it's hard to pinpoint why--perhaps its the symmetry of all the circular buttons on top of the unit that complement the iPod's own scroll wheel on its face.
The product ships with "sleeves," or dock adapters, that make all dockable iPods fit snugly and securely in the cradle. When your iPod is in the dock, and the iH9 is plugged in, your iPod will draw power from the clock radio and recharge. You choose songs, playlists, or podcasts with the iPod's scroll wheel, as usual, but hear the audio through the iH9's speakers.
Apple stubbornly continues to omit a radio from the iPod, but the iHome offers AM and FM bands at the touch of a button. We also appreciate the line-in connection on the back of the unit, which allows you to connect other audio devices, including iPod models that aren't dockable. (A 3.5-millimeter patch cord is even included.). A line-out connection also is available for hooking up larger audio systems.
We found setting the dual alarms easy enough (you can choose to wake up to your iPod, the radio, or a buzzer), and--as mentioned above--the display is amply sized and even easier to read than past models. Nice touches include backlight buttons on the radio, the ability to dim the LCD display (there are eight levels of brightness, including "off"), and a well-placed snooze bar.
You can now choose to set an alarm to go off only on weekdays, weekends, or every day, and even wake to a custom playlist. If you're someone who doesn't like the idea of a viciously loud alarm jolting you awake, the iH9 has what SDI calls a "Gradual Wake and Gradual Sleep increase/decrease Alarm/Sleep volume," which offers the potential for a gentler beginning and end to your day. This gradual volume increase also applies to when you turn on the radio--the music starts out faint then gradually builds to the volume you have the iH9 set to. A pair of AA batteries keeps the alarm and radio presets intact during power outages.
Other alarm clock niceties: the sleep setting offers a wide range of times (120, 90, 60, 30, or 15 minutes), and, while active, has a volume control that's independent of the main volume. That means that you can drift off to sleep, listening to the radio (or iPod-based music, podcast, whatever) at a very modest volume, but still have the alarm be loud enough to wake you in the morning. Also, the snooze length can be set to any time between 1 and 29 minutes.
The iH9 offers 12 radio presets--6 each for AM and FM--but does so with only three buttons. Each of the preset keys applies to two presets, depending which band you're listening to (you have to hit the button twice to toggle between the two presets assigned to each button). On the remote, however, there's only a single "presets" button that you simply hit repeatedly to toggle through the stations.
To change stations manually, you have to turn one of the faux iPod scroll wheels on top of the unit--the other is for adjusting the volume--and make sure that you don't go past the station you want (you can also use "scan" buttons on the remote).
In earlier reviews, we complained that the dials were a little slippery because of their shiny finish. The good news is that the designers have given the dials a rougher, grippier finish, making us think that someone may actually read our reviews and use them to improve their products. That said, some users may prefer actual knobs rather than the flat wheels.
As noted, you can use the remote to toggle through radio presets, autoscan for radio stations, skip forward and backward through your songs, adjust bass and treble levels (yes, there's an EQ), and hit the snooze/dimmer button remotely. New to this model is the ability to navigate menus on your iPod remotely, though you'll need to be standing or sitting a few feet away from the system to see those menus. Still, using the remote for navigation is preferable to using the scroll wheel when the device is docked, which can be a bit awkward.
Another small but important addition to the iH9: a "3D" mode in the equalizer settings. We've seen similar modes on other iPod audio systems, and they're designed through a bit of processing magic to expand the sound stage (when you have two speakers spaced only a few inches apart, you get very little in the way of stereo separation). We're happy to report that the 3D mode on the iH9 has a significant impact on sound quality, and we doubt that you'll ever turn it off, once you engage it.
With the 3D mode active, the iH9 sounds better than previous iHome clock radio models in the series that we've tested. That doesn't mean that the iH9 is on a par with more expensive iPod clock radio systems, such as the Tivoli Audio iYiYi and the JBL On Time, but the gap has narrowed. The system still sounds best when you're sitting or lying about 4 or 5 feet away from it, but it can fill a small room or office with sound.
Not surprisingly, the iH9 shows its audio chops on light-listening favorites such as Mike Bublé's sentimental ballad "Home," but it didn't embarrass itself when we fed it something that rocked a little more: the Goo Goo Dolls' "Better Days" and Prince's bass-heavy 3121 album didn't hurt the little system--or our ears--as bad as we thought it might. While the iH9 doesn't deliver a ton of bass, SDI's managed to squeeze a bit more out of this one than previous models. You'll still run into problems at higher volumes, but all in all, the sound compares favorably to other iPod speaker system in this modest price range.
What's missing from the iHome iH9? Not much, considering the price. A sensor that could automatically adjust the LCD brightness to the room's ambient light would be nice. And the top-mounted iPod could be a recipe for damage when sleepyheaded users are fumbling for the snooze bar in the morning. Logitech's forthcoming Pure-Fi Dream, for instance, has a lower iPod dock and even offers light and alarm controls via a nearby wave of the hand--but it costs more than twice as much as the iH9.
Alternately, while the Logitech Pure-Fi Elite offers notably better sound for just $20 more than the iHome, it won't be much help in getting you up in the morning--it only has a clock, no alarm.
In the final analysis, iHome continues to improve its popular iPod clock radio while keeping the price around $100. The new display, the design tweaks, and the ability to navigate your iPod menu system via the remote are notable upgrades. While some buyers may be turned off by the iH9's somewhat pedestrian looks, if you don't mind them--or even dig them--the iH9 is good buy at this price.
User reviews
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Sound s great and alrm is simple to use
by moisesl on February 15, 2008
Pros: The sound quality is great. Nice design and easy to use
Cons: The wheels to control the sound and tunning are kind of cheesy.
Summary: It's a great buy. the sound quality is what really sold me. I also think it's very easy to use, even the 2 alarms were easy to set, ...
Summary: It's a great buy. the sound quality is what really sold me. I also think it's very easy to use, even the 2 alarms were easy to set, and I can also set the alarms Monday-Friday instead of all 7 days of the week.
Overall, I think I got my money's worth.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Could be the Best Alarm Clock for iPod
by smoothbassman on March 16, 2008
Pros: Works perfectly with iTouch - Line out for Bigger Speakers
Cons: Display is crazy bright, must use the dimmer
Summary: I have been looking around for a alarm clock that doubled as an iPod speaker dock. And I just found this one a few weeks ago.
This thing works great ...Summary: I have been looking around for a alarm clock that doubled as an iPod speaker dock. And I just found this one a few weeks ago.
This thing works great with the iTouch 32G that I have. It controls every function on the Touch with the remote and lets me navigate playlists, and songs with ease from across the room. I love the dual alarms that can be set for weekdays, weekends, or every day. I like how the alarm gradually gets louder as it comes on, as to not to startle you out of bed in the morning, and the snooze even fades out as well.
I was very surprised by the sound quality of this unit and the 3d mode is pretty cool adding some additional depth to your sound. The highs are crisp and the bass is boomy due to the ports in the back. For the 2.5" drivers that are in this thing I was floored by the bass response. Its not going to rattle the room but its very well done for an alarm clock and emjoyable at a medium volume level.
Radio reception is great on my unit. One cool feature is the line out. This is there so you can tie it into a larger sound system if you want, or some additonal powered speakers, for more sound.
My only bad thing about this unit is that there is a slight buzzing sound in the music at low volumes when the backlight is dimmed. if you turn the volume or dimmer up it goes away. Also the line out jack has a set output level and is not variable with the clocks volume.
Overall this alarm is so nice that I bought another one for my wife since she was using mine so fequently to listen to her tunes in the bedroom. An excellent buy!3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good Value For The Price
by ladder8 on January 10, 2008
Pros: Remote, Value, Size, Sound, Operation
Cons: No cons yet with this product
Summary: For the price tag of under $100 dollars it is a great value. The sound is good, not Bose quality, but very good at 1/3 the price. Comes with ...
Summary: For the price tag of under $100 dollars it is a great value. The sound is good, not Bose quality, but very good at 1/3 the price. Comes with functions and a remote that are easy to use right out of the box. Equalizer makes good adjustments to the sound and has good base for its size. Lighted display has a dimmer for night time use. Overall very happy with price, easy of use and quality of product. I'd buy it again knowing what I know now after having it for awhile.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Lasted one day
by cmancnet on October 13, 2009
Pros: Sound, while it lasted
Charged my iPod
Nice read-outCons: Quit after one day
Summary: Terrible quality
Summary: Terrible quality
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A good concept poorly implemented.
by E. Kohls on January 6, 2009
Pros: 1) Sound quality is very good when playing content from iPod, including in the 3D mode.
2) Remote control worked easily with 2nd gen. iPod nano.Cons: 1) FM tuner is no good - lacks discrimination necessary to operate in a signal-rich urban environment.
2) Lacks a complete set of iPod inserts (e.g. 2nd Gen. Nano), requiring a special order from the website!
3) Audible hum with volume turned down!1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very Disappointed
by frloude on July 24, 2008
Pros: Works OK for IPOD
Cons: FM tuner is worthless
Summary: I like the dual alarms and all the alarm options. Works fine with my IPOD. But the FM tuner is absolutely worthless and not useable. I saw this was a ...
Summary: I like the dual alarms and all the alarm options. Works fine with my IPOD. But the FM tuner is absolutely worthless and not useable. I saw this was a complaint about the earlier model. Can't believe the designers didn't make this simple fix on the new model.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Way too fragile speakers.
by Jnsvda on December 4, 2009
Pros: Easy to use
Cons: My speakers were blown, they say.
Very weird.Summary: If you like good sound and quality, simply don't buy this.
Summary: If you like good sound and quality, simply don't buy this.
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Best on vary good
by saif159 on July 15, 2009
Pros: good and it is
Cons: good vary good
Summary: good
Summary: good
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Great Product - Good Value
by bobstrac on January 12, 2009
Pros: Good sound, great value, easy to use.
Cons: No major cons, sound could be better, but worth the money by far.
Summary: I purchased mine at a big box retailer for $79. I chose the silver model and I think it looks great. I thought the black model on display looked 'cheaper'....
Summary: I purchased mine at a big box retailer for $79. I chose the silver model and I think it looks great. I thought the black model on display looked 'cheaper'.
I have an iPhone 3G and was concerned that the phone could not receive calls when connected, but they have added a label to the packaging that says "No more missed calls! Airplane mode not required". I tested it out when I got home and it works great. Ringtone music plays throught the speakers if you get a call while listening to music.
The sound is good, and while there are units with better sound, most cost more than twice as much. The alarm works well, I like being able to 'wake from playlist'.
You do have to unlock and launch iTunes on the iPhone before you connect to be able to use the remote, but it's not a big deal. I really like the little remote and the large illuminated clock display with various dimming options. I did a lot of research before I purchased, and overall for $80 I'm really happy with the unit. -
Nice array of options
by brionc29 on January 7, 2009
Pros: Sound quality is good; adjustable snooze settings; multiple dimmer settings for clock display; works well with my new Ipod Classic 6th generation, remote can control Ipod; ability to wake to custom Ipod PLAYLIST.
Cons: Poor FM reception; no 12/24 hr option for clock time display (available on UK model); not very stylish; wheels are awkward to use.
Summary: I'm impressed with the options available on this model and the sound quality with Ipod. The equalizer and "3D" sound is cool, despite fact that very little description is ...
Summary: I'm impressed with the options available on this model and the sound quality with Ipod. The equalizer and "3D" sound is cool, despite fact that very little description is given about this with the packing materials. I found the wheels mildly annoying in terms of trying to set the alarm time, you have to spin them a lot and despite reported improvements in grip, I had to make sure my fingers weren't too slippery when using it. The FM reception is not so great (I live in Manhattan near reception towers and still had a lot of background noise). I wish this clock was a little more stylish, but am really happy with the look of the clock display and the ability to lower the dimmer- an auto dimmer option would be a great addition. I really wish American clocks would offer a 24 hour display option, not a difficult feature to add and it's available on this maker's European model anyway.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc.
- Part number: iH9BR
- Description: Meet the iH9, an updated and improved successor to award-winning iH8 clock radio for iPod. The iH9 contains several features that customers have requested, including a remote that controls the unit and iPod menu functions, AM/FM presets, EQ controls for bass, treble, balance, even 3D sound for an enhanced audio experience. SDI Technologies has also updated the design to make the cabinet even sleeker and more user-friendly, and also enhanced the alarm settings to complement your lifestyle so you can wake to your own custom iPod playlist at different times on different days with 7-5-2 feature and programmable snooze settings. Of course, you'll still enjoy phenomenal sound around the clock with Reson8 stereo speaker chambers. The iH9 treat yourself and your music right.
General
- Product type Clock radio
- Color Black
- Carrying case None -
Audio Features
- Digital storage None
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Timer Sleep, Snooze
- Built-in clock Digital clock
- Alarm qty 2
- Alarm wake-up modes Radio, Buzzer, MP3 playback
- Additional features Balance control, Backlight buttons, Bass & treble control
Built-in Display
- Audio system built-in display LCD
CD System
- CD system type None
Cassette System
- Cassette system type None
Radio
- Tuner type Digital Radio tuner
- Tuner bands AM/FM
- Tuning display LCD display
MD System
- MD system type None
Remote Control
- Remote control Remote control - Infrared
Connectivity
- Connector type 1 x Audio line-out, 1 x Audio line-in, 1 x AM antenna
Product series
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Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc.
Specs: Clock radio, AM/FM, Stereo, White, 90 days warranty, LCD
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Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc.
Specs: Clock radio, AM/FM, Stereo, Black, 90 days warranty, LCD
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Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc.
Specs: Clock radio, AM/FM, Stereo, Silver, 90 days warranty, LCD
Manufacturer info
- SDI Technologies Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse SDI Technologies Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sdidirect.com
- Address:
1299 Main St., Rahway, NJ - Phone: 732-574-9000
- Fax: 732-574-3797
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