Customer Reviews

Cambridge SoundWorks PlayDock XM - Speaker system

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking for a great sounding powered speaker for your Roady, and don't plan to move it around very often, this could be just what you're looking for. The sound quality is very good, even at low volume levels. The sound is clear, with good range.

Battery life is about 8 to 10 hours, depending on volume level. The Playdock powers itself off automatically to extend battery life after the Roady has been off for five minutes. Unfortunately, there is no battery gauge.

But the PlayDock weighs enough that most of us won't be moving it around very often. Most people will probably leave it plugged in most of the time. If you're looking for a portable unit, keep in mind that the PlayDock weighs about as much as a bowling ball (I haven't weighed it, but I'd estimate around 15 pounds).

The controls are simple. The only controls are a power button, volume, mute and a "wide" button. Although the sound is well balanced, I was surprised to find no bass/treble controls. And a battery gauge of some kind would be nice.

Pro's:

Very good sound quality

Battery Life

Simplicity

Con's

Heavy!

No battery gauge

If you're willing to sacrafice weight for sound quality, I recommend the PlayDock.

The sound of this boombox is great. My main reason for buying this unit was to hook it up to my 40G iPOD. Its fits the rubber docking cradle perfectly. The sound is amazing especially when using the "wide" mode. The 10 hour battery is also another reason to buy this unit (no AC cord needed when internal battery pack is charged). BOSE's Soundock and Wave radio do not sound this good especially at this price. Even though highs/midrange is supplied by left/right "squawker's", they are still pretty decent. The 5.25" centre positioned woofer supplies more than adequate bass.

If you look at the Cambridge Soundworks Newton Surrounds, you will notice many similarities between it and the PowerDock XM.

This product proudly carrys on the Henry Kloss legend!!

This little unit has great sound with impressive bass. Great way to enjoy your XM radio in doors or on your deck/patio. Best Buy just got them in and I was able to get them to mark them down to 159.99. Unit weighs approx. 10 lbs. but easily movable with built in handle.

I have been using the unit now for 2 weeks and have concluded this is a keeper. On Thanksgiving unplugged the AC adapter and brought it down to the main floor. XM Radio was broadcasting holiday music and our guests were impressed with the clear digital sound. I was also impressed that I did not have to labor or fiddle with placement of the antenna. It was set in a fiarly open room, not near a window and the reception was great. Had the unit on for about 5 hours. Since then I have been playing it 1 -2 hours per day and still has not needed a recharge so this confirms the portability in my mind. Can't wait till next spring and bring it out on our deck for parties. For those who are getting increasingly frustrated over the quality of music played on commercial radio, satellite radio is the answer. I'm hearing songs and music from the past that I have not heard in decades and it is some great stuff. So here's a plug for XM and am sure Sirius is equally as good.

Very good unit with fantastic sound. This unit is heavy, but rightfully so. Not only are you lugging an amplifier around, you also have a heavy batery in this unit. The battery life is very good. I charged it up and used the radio for several days on and off before it drained. I do think this should come with some kind of remote that will change channels and adjust the volume. The xm remote is fine for channel changing, but you have to keep the radio close enough to you to adjust volume, or mute.

One thing that I consider a quirk in this unit is that when you turn the power on using battery power only, you must also hit the play/mute button or it won't turn the radio on. The first time I tried to use this unit without the AC power, I thought it was broken. It was by chance that I hit the second button that made this unit work. :-)

Overall, I like and recommend this unit.

I purchased this based on the positive reviews shown here. I'm not disappointed. The setup was a quick 5 minutes and everything was up and running. The sound quality DOES indeed equal my Bose wave/acoustic systems. Just remember you need to have a specific XM radio to put into it. The unit is a bit heavy so I don't think I'll be going anywhere portable with it. As Dave Chapelle say's -- I wish I had more hands so I could give it FOUR THUMBS UP...

I purchased the Cambridge Soundworks PlayDock XM about a week ago. I bought it to play primarily in my office, and possibily take it with me on beach outings, etc.

The unit itself has nice product design. The three leg design is less stable than four but not an issue for me. The sound is great. You can tell the PlayDock is amplified because it feels like the thing weighs 25lbs!

I believe both weight and quality of sound are the two primary characteristics that make the PlayDock not very realistic as a portable unit.

As a test last week I charged the PlayDock for about 4-5 hours so I could bring it with me on my way home from work which is about a 35 minute drive. The PlayDock sounded great in the car (with the car anntenna attached via magnet to the roof of my truck). But after about 30 minutes the battery died and no more portable XM Radio.

It is difficult to justify lugging around such a heavy portable radio receiver if you are not going to get hours of enjoyment from the unit. I would suggest if you are looking for a truly portable XM unit compatible with your Delphi Roady2, keep waiting...

But if you don't mind keeping the PlayDock in one place (near an AC outlet). It is a very good unit.