Customer Reviews

Marpac Sweet Dreams Sleep Mate 980

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I purchased this recently and am very pleased with the soothing, swishing, fan sound of this machine. I keep it at its highest level (which isn't really that loud or impressive until you actually go to sleep and discover it is perfect). Since my bedroom is directly above the family-room it nicely drowns out the sound. Another plus is that it isn't so loud that you aren't able to hear doors opening or closing which I consider a big plus. Personally, I think it is the perfect white noise machine, well made and worth the extra money to be rid of the clicks and clacks of the cheaper brands.

I have not been able to sleep through the night in 6 years! My partner snores and I assure you, he is not a light snorer! Without going into details of the noises that have kept me up and in tears, I found this product! It works, it really works.

We don't need separate bedrooms now and even though I still wear my earplugs, without the Marpac Sleep Mate I still could hear him clearly. Now the sounds have disappeared.

So if your spouse chooses not to seek help for snoring, insisting nothing will work I can assure you this wonderful product works for us.

My wife purchased one of these white noise generators for a vacation we were going on over a year ago. It is small and very lightweight with an eight foot long cord, which is nice and long. Its small size means that it fits easily into any luggage and takes up very little room on a night stand. The noise it makes is pleasantly "white," which means that it doesn't disturb you while reading in bed and yet it provides enough cover for the little noises that can sound so loud at night. The volume produced can be modulated by turning the top, making it louder or softer.

Overall, we are very pleased with our purchase of this item. We have experienced nothing but trouble free service from it, and we have even purchased a second one for the baby's room. We love this item and give it our highest recommendations!

I bought this white noise machine a few years ago when I lived in a noisy apartment building near a freeway. It really makes a soothing background noise that masks all other outside noises. I have used it every night for about three years and love it.

After working graveyard shift for 7+ years I've become somewhat of an expert on sleep (or lack of it). Tin foil on the windows, towel under the door, and a fan to keep me company. The fan had to go after many sinus infections and dry, scratchy throats. Next was the Homedic line of noise machines. The first barely lasted a year, the second I made do with for a year & a half before re-gifting to family member this Christmas. The sound loop repeats after a few seconds and the quality deteriorates after a few months. For serious, uninterrupted sleep there is no equal to the MARPAC sleep mate. Even on low it blocks out all ambient noise (cars,people,phones,slamming doors,dogs...), I mean EVERYTHING!! I only wish I had spent the money and invested in this sooner. Merry Christmas, and thank you!!

I have used one of these devices for 20 years in the hallway outside of my therapy office. It helps those walking past from hearing any measure of conversation that's occuring inside the office. I just ordered another one for my other office.

Do noises interrupt your sleep or make it difficult for you to concentrate? Fret no more! The Marpac SleepMate or Sound Screen is your answer. These quality sound conditioners create a seamless, smooth sound of rushing air. This "white noise" sound effectively masks unwanted noises, making it easier to concentrate, relax and/or sleep. They are quality made in the USA.

The SleepMate and Sound Screen are offered in both Single speed (model 580) and Dual speed (model 980). The tone and volume of the sound are controlled by simply rotating the "cap" (top) and "collar" (side) of the housing. I recommend the Dual speed because it offers even more control of the volume.

Here's how it works: The cap and collar have small openings in them. By rotating the cap and/or collar, you allow more or less sound to exit these openings which affects the unit's tone and volume. The 980 has high and low settings (dual speeds) offering a greater range of tone and volume than the single speed setting of the 580. At the bottom rim of the unit, there are tiny openings that allow air to enter.

Please note that the openings at the bottom rim must never be covered or the unit will overheat, malfunction and ultimately, fail.

SLEEPMATE or SOUND SCREEN
Don't be confused as to which one of these to buy. They are virtually identical except for their names. The Marpac Corporation realized the name, "SleepMate" would not be well received by their secondary market: companies who are essentially looking to increase productivity in the office.

To Marpac's thinking, no company wants their employees to use a product, while at work, with the word, "sleep" in it. Enter the name, "Sound Screen".

LESS IS MORE
Unlike most other sound conditioners whose sounds are processed, simulated, replicated, digitally enhanced, and then looped, the SleepMate/Sound Screen uses the simple, natural sound of real whooshing air. The 980 and 580 produce white noise mechanically (like a fan) - all other models produce white noise digitally.

APPLICATIONS
To name just a few, the SleepMate/Sound Screen successfully masks out

* Street noise
* Television and stereo
* Barking dogs
* Snoring spouse
* Appliance noise
* Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing in the ears)
* Noisy neighbors
* Air traffic
* Conversation

PERSONAL TESTIMONIAL
I own two SleepMate 980s. One is "permanently" plugged in on my nightstand and the other is for staying overnight elsewhere. It is a lifesaver! Now, I need not worry about unwanted noises awakening me. The gentle, whooshing sound of air melts into the night blocking all unwanted noises.

Unless my SleepMate is on, sounds like barking dogs, street noises, lawnmowers, slamming doors, and other sounds that go bump in the night and early morning can and probably would awaken me.

The closer you place the SleepMate/Sound Screen to your ears, the louder the white noise is. On rare occasions, while travelling, the external noises were so loud and so frequent that I had to place the unit literally on my pillow. Needless to say, I slept peacefully.


DURABILITY
The SleepMate/Sound Screen has proven to be a durable and effective design. Tests have shown units that are used on average 8 hours per night, last at least 15 years or more.


ABOUT MARPAC
Marpac Corporation was founded in 1962 as Buck Manufacturing Company in Elkhart, Indiana. The company was formed to produce the original "Sound-O- Sleep" sound conditioner which was invented by Jim Buckwalter for his personal use.

The "Sound-O-Sleep" quickly became popular among his friends and acquaintances, and was to become the first successful sound conditioner for consumer use in the world.

In 1968, operations were moved to the present location in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1997, Marpac became an employee owned company.

PRICE
Marpac lists the Single speed Model 580 for $46.95 and the Dual speed Model 980 for $56.95. At the time this is written, Health Devices. Net (www.healthdevices.net) is offering the Model 580 for $44.00 and the Model 980 for $47.50.

SPECS
* SIZE: 5 3/4" base diameter: 3 1/4" high
* WEIGHT: Model 580: 1.5 lbs.; Model 980: 1.6 lbs.
* MATERIAL: ABS Plastic
* COLOR: Fog White
* ELECTRICAL: Normal Household Current
* POWER CORD: 8 feet long
* STANDARDS: UL Listed-U.S. & Canada

I can't tell you how much this product has done for our family. We sleep so well without being disturbed by car noise or other noises outside. We used to use a fan on high in the room but was waking up in the morning with a sore throat because of the draught in the room. The Sleep Mate sounds like a cross between a fan and the ocean. It also has two settings, low and high. I would highly recommed this to anyone. I will tell all my friends and family!!

The apartment building I live in is very poorly insulated for sound. Desperate, I ordered this to try to drown out a thoughtless, loud upstairs neighbor. I was so surprised that I received the machine within two days of placing my order. It is very compact. It isn't enough to drown out noise completely, but it works deceptively well in blending and muffling any noises to a point where your sleep is not disturbed. I have been sleeping so deeply since I got this machine! I hadn't realized how poorly I had been sleeping before. It's like having the comforting sound of a loud fan on all night without waking up freezing or having higher heating bills in the winter. I am beyond thrilled!

If you're looking for a white noise machine you can't go wrong with this one. Made a world of difference, overnight. Not bad for travelling either.

Only suggestion I would have to the manufacturer: Easier to manipulate volume/on-off button. Think big. Try doing it with an infant in your arms while it's on the floor. Can still be done, just have skilled toes :)