iHome ZN9 Clock Radio for Zune
Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc. Part number: ZN9B
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The iHome ZN9 deserves its place on the nightstand of any Zune owner.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock Try Free Amazon Prime for one Month | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/30/2009 |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | | In stock | as of 11/30/2009 | |
| Advanced Lamps | Not yet rated | In stock | as of 11/30/2009 |
CNET editors' review
iHome ZN9 Clock Radio for Zune price range: $59.99 - $95.00
- Reviewed by: Donald Bell
- Reviewed on: 06/27/2008
The good: The iHome ZN9 alarm clock offers bedside-worthy sound quality, Zune MP3 player compatibility, AM/FM radio, battery backup, dual alarms, an attractive design, and sophisticated features.
The bad: The iHome ZN9's wide design may take up your whole nightstand, its display is difficult to read from bed, and the remote control costs extra.
The bottom line: The iHome ZN9 deserves its place on the nightstand of any Zune owner.
The iHome ZN9 ($99) is a welcome addition to the short list of Zune MP3 player accessories. With dual alarms, battery backup, AM/FM radio, and a time zone indicator, it's also simply one of the best clock radios we've come across at this price.
Design
The iHome ZN9 is created for the Zune, but its design borrows heavily from the Microsoft Xbox 360 game console. Looking like an artfully squashed shoebox, the iHome ZN9 wins no points for alarm clock design innovation; however, the overall construction quality of the product feels very good.
The front of the iHome ZN9 offers stereo 2-inch speakers covered in a metal grille, as well as a 4-inch illuminated LCD. The iHome ZN9's display has adjustable brightness settings that present the date and time in large, legible digits. Our only complaint about the iHome ZN9's LCD is that its completely perpendicular orientation can be difficult to read from bed, compared with slightly slanted displays.
The top of the iHome ZN9 is where you'll find all its most important features. A Zune dock sits at the very middle of the iHome ZN9, which accommodates all models of first- and second-generation media players. Eight buttons and a snooze bar are placed in front of the iHome ZN9's Zune dock, offering features such as AM/FM radio presets, EQ, sleep timer, radio activation, and two independent alarms. To the left of these buttons is a large volume wheel with a power button at its center, and to the right you'll find an identical-looking jog wheel for setting values on the clock and a play/pause button that controls your docked Zune.
Unlike many speaker dock alarm clocks we've reviewed, the iHome ZN9 keeps its clock set controls concealed on the back of the unit. Luckily, with the iHome ZN9's internal AA-battery backup, time zone indicator, and daylight saving time switch, you'll only need to set the time once. The back of the ZN9 also includes two small bass ports, AM and FM antenna wires, DC power input, and 3.5mm line output and input.
Features
The iHome ZN9 takes its alarm clock responsibilities seriously with dual alarms that can be specifically set to a weekday, seven-day, or weekend schedule. Each of the ZN9's alarms can be set to wake you with either the built-in AM/FM radio, buzzer, or music from your docked Zune MP3 player. Should you forget to dock your Zune in the ZN9's cradle before bedtime, the alarm clock will default to a buzzer alarm.
We're happy to see the rarely supported AM radio band included on the iHome ZN9, although you may want to hide the unsightly AM antenna behind your headboard. Three buttons on the top of the ZN9 control up to six AM or FM station presets. If you can't stomach your local stations and your Zune music library has grown stale, the ZN9 allows you to route alternative audio sources through its line-input jack.
A Sleep feature on the iHome ZN9 offers a non-narcotic way to drift off to slumberland, scheduling a gradual decrease in volume to occur between 15 to 120 minutes. Your morning alarm also takes a gentle approach to volume, slowly stepping up intensity over the course of 15 seconds.
The iHome ZN9 does not come with a remote control, although you can buy one for an extra $20. Used as an alarm clock, we didn't feel slighted by the lack of a remote. If you plan to use the iHome ZN9 as a Zune speaker system above and beyond waking up in the morning, the extra money may be a worthwhile investment to control your Zune from across the room.
Performance
First and foremost, the iHome ZN9 is an alarm clock. If you're looking for a Zune boom box with standout sound, the Altec Lansing M604 is a better option. That said, the iHome ZN9 packs more than enough punch to get you out of bed. Adjustable EQ controls for bass and treble bands offer five degrees of cut and boost, while an switchable 3D stereo specialization effect can widen the ZN9's sonic footprint. People who need a serious sonic assault to rouse them from sleep have the option of routing the iHome ZN9's line output to a home stereo or a set of powered speakers.
User reviews
-
-
Impressed, a must for zune.
by captinhid on July 6, 2008
Pros: Easy to use, very clear and fairly loud. Large display and very slick looking.
Cons: Not portable, no remote.
Summary: I just pick this up from Circuit City, as it came out today 7/6, fortunately for me because i had just bought the Altec Langsing im414 for zune yesterday. ...
Summary: I just pick this up from Circuit City, as it came out today 7/6, fortunately for me because i had just bought the Altec Langsing im414 for zune yesterday. And if it hadnt been for ZN9B coming out i would have kept it. But like i said luckly for me, i got to put them both head to head. and the im414 lost in over all quality.
Appearance: they both take up very little space, and the im414 has a cool look with the design. But the ZN9 has a better overall appearance because the plastic looks better quality. The im414 looks dull sitting next to the ZN9, but good by it self. The LCD screen is large and time is displayed all the time on the ZN9 since its a alarm. It also display the functions better on the screen. It will say ZUNE, FM, INput etc. The im414 only has dot that display next to the function.
Sound: Ok, neither of these are going to rock your house. I have 1000 and 660 watt surrounds that will do this. I bought this for the bathroom to hear music when either me or my wife shower and get dressed. But as i am test both, they both fill a bedroom with a comfortable close to loud sound. But the ZN9B is much better quality. Since i have 2 Zunes, played the same music at the same time, and the ZN9 sounded way better in quality and volume. The im414 distorts at its highest setting and the ZN9 doesn't. When hearing a acoustic song, ZN9 sounded as we where in the room with the artist, clear and full sound. The im414 sounds good as well but not high quality as the ZN9.
Functionality: As for easy of use ZN9 all the way. I read on reviews and alot of people have problems with im414 zune functions. You have to turn it off the zune then plug it in almost every time you want to use. Which is kinda of a hassle to do. With the ZN9 its basically its plug and play. Just set on base and press play. If you set it on base when its on and playing all you have to do is press the power button and then play. With the im414, its more complicated and hit and miss, such that i had a aux input wire ready just incase to use the output instead of the base.
Only things lacking ZN9, is remote and battery portability. The im414 use 3AA batteries and sounds just it loud as on AC power. Its says 24 hour of use on set of battery, but even if it lasts less, thats pretty good for the batteries and the sound it puts out. But cant hold this against ZN9 since its a alarm clock. Wanted to keep both, but I know one would mostly never be used. And only reason was because im414 battery portability. But ZN9 overall better quality and value. A must buy.3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Very good Zune accessory
by jdgootee on February 18, 2009
Pros: Great sound, attractive, easy to use, gradual volume increase during alarm
Cons: Lack of control for the Zune, remote not included, alarm tends to change from Zune playback to buzzer rather than playing music until alarm is turned off
Summary: This unit has very good sound quality and is really a must-have for Zune owners wanting to utilize their player for more than carry-along. I was surprised at the alarm ...
Summary: This unit has very good sound quality and is really a must-have for Zune owners wanting to utilize their player for more than carry-along. I was surprised at the alarm issue of the unit defaulting to the buzzer mid-song. I even returned the unit and got a new one because I thought I had a defective unit. I found that the problem is very repeatable - the same music selections play exactly the same way time after time. Once you find a set of songs that play long enough for you to wake up and turn the alarm off, you can count on a consistent performance.
I would have thought that for $99 one would get full functionality without having to use the Zune controls, but that is not the case with this unit. You get basic play/pause/volume from the ZN9. You have to use the Zune controls to set up the player. Even with the remote, only a few additional controls are provided, and that costs an additional $20.
Even with the short-comings, this is one nice accessory for anyone with a Zune. You will get to have a place to charge your Zune while expanding the use you get from your Zune. -
Handy, but sound quality is average
by michaelsidneylevy on January 6, 2009
Pros: Great alarm clock, easy to set-up
Cons: Sound is average
Summary: Ok for small budgets
Summary: Ok for small budgets
-
Very disappointed, arrived DOA
by metalgrannie on December 31, 2008
Pros: Don't know. It would not turn on, so I have no idea what it could or could no do.
Cons: Don't know. It would not turn on, so I have no idea what it could or could no do.
Summary: Extremely disappointed. It's not like there's a plethora of speaker docks for Zunes out there. The alternative would have been the Altec Lansing InMotion 414, except that the ...
Summary: Extremely disappointed. It's not like there's a plethora of speaker docks for Zunes out there. The alternative would have been the Altec Lansing InMotion 414, except that the specs didn't mention the Zune 120GB, and when I called Altec Lansing, was told it would not accept the Zune 120GB. So, the good news is that iHome will take it back and credit my card (I long ago learned if you get a dud the first time, don't buy the same brand). I have to figure out a way, after the inconvenience of driving to UPS to ship it off (apparently they don't have the capability to email you a shipping label, to include the receipt for the shipping cost so that I can get reimbursed. I guess I will have to leave the box open until I pay for it at UPS so I can send the receipt with it. Which I wonder how they'll do, because you can't credit a credit card back for more money that you charged on it. So if it's $99, they can only credit $99 back to my card. Maybe they'll send me a check.
There's a couple more speaker docks out there that will accept MP3 players, but not Zune-dedicated, and they cost, what, $249??? That's as much as the Zune cost!
I hate iPods and iPodmania. I had a hard time even finding a case for my Zune 120GB - had to settle for a plain black leather case for an 80GB, and the fit isn't quite right. I love my Zune, but wish there were working accessories out there. -
Great clock radio - Lacking in essential Zune controls
by CJMLB90814 on December 22, 2008
Pros: Alarms & sleep functions have a gradual boost/fade respectivey
Backup batteries hold the time in power outages
Display brightness is customizable from bold to invisibleCons: Without handling the cradled zune directly (which is exactly what you should not have to do, but have no choice since the connector firmly holds only the bottom of the Zune), the only native Zune functions that can be controled are volume and on/off.
Summary: Great dual alarm clock radio with decent sound (a few hairs above what you'd expect for a clock-radio) good build quality and nice feature set.
The integration of this ...Summary: Great dual alarm clock radio with decent sound (a few hairs above what you'd expect for a clock-radio) good build quality and nice feature set.
The integration of this clock radio with the Zune feels like an afterthought. Having a separate charging base is great, but having to directly manipulate the Zune, risking pushing it out of the cradle, and, more frequently pressing the d-pad in an unintended direction, limits the usefulness of this without the (separately orderable) remote. I don't want the remote that might solve this....I want some more basic functions, reachable on the top of the radio, to fast forward/rewind, and to select a different song/artist from the Zune's collection. Asking too much for $99?
Specifications
- Manufacturer: SDI Technologies Inc.
- Part number: ZN9B
- Description: Meet the ZN9, the world's first clock radio for Zune. The ZN9 features several innovative solutions, including wake and sleep to your Zune music or AM/FM radio presets, a 7-5-2 feature for separate weekday and weekend alarm times, and an extra large, backlit LCD display with dimmer. With Reson8 speaker chambers, you'll be able to enjoy stereo sound around the clock. The ZN9... treat yourself and your Zune right.
General
- Product type Clock radio
Audio Features
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Timer Sleep, Snooze
- Built-in clock Alarm, Timer, Digital clock
- Alarm qty 2
- Alarm wake-up modes Radio, Buzzer, MP3 playback
- Additional features Battery backup, Bass & treble control
Built-in Display
- Audio system built-in display LCD
Speaker System
- Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker Built-in
Radio
- Tuner type Digital Radio tuner
- Station preset qty 12
- AM station preset qty 6
- FM station preset qty 6
- Tuner bands AM/FM
- Tuning display LCD display
Connectivity
- Connector type 1 x Audio line-out, 1 x Audio line-in
Battery / Power
- Power device type Power adapter
Manufacturer info
- SDI Technologies Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse SDI Technologies Inc. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.sdidirect.com
- Address:
1299 Main St., Rahway, NJ - Phone: 732-574-9000
- Fax: 732-574-3797
