Customer Reviews

Philips AJ396517 Stereo CD Clock Radio

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I thought that I had found the perfect clock radio: handsome, dual alarm that is easy to set both forwards and backwards, good sound with CD... My only complaint is the readability of the display. Despite boasting a super big blue backlight for easy reading, I find the LCD display often difficult to read. To be perfect, Philips should have stuck with a good old fashioned LED. Despite this shortcoming, the AJ396517 is arguably the best CD clock radio out there.

I purchased this clock radio about 3 months ago. Before I did, I read the reviews on this site, which were helpful. So, I wanted to return the favor.

The radio is stylish, and sized just right. The sound quality is very good. The ease of use was a breeze, thanks to easy to read directions.

The only detraction is the bright blue light. Even when dimmed to a lower setting, it is still quite bright.
Personally, I'm a sound sleeper, and once I close my eyes, the bright light is not a problem, so I decided to buy it anyway. I have no regrets, and I'm happy I knew about this ahead of time. But, others may be more sensitive to light, so they should be forewarned.
I have no idea as to what Philip's designers could possibly be thinking when they decided to make such a bright blue light. You would think they would realize that people use this thing in their bedroom, which is supposed to be dark, when trying to go to sleep??.

I would rate this 5 stars if not for the bright light. My suggestion would be to go ahead and buy it, and sample it. If the light is to much of a bother, then just return it.

I like everything about this clock radio but the highly-touted blue display. The display begins to fade out at eye level, then completly disappears when viewed lower than eye level. Also, the blue display lights the entire room at night even on the lowest setting. All these problems could be solved with a simple LED display.

I bought this CD Clock Radio because I was really impressed with the abundance of features. Unfortunately, the blue display was EXTREMELY bright, even on the dimmest setting. I couldn't get to sleep at night because it lit up the entire room. I returned it.

I agree with the people who say that the clock display is too bright and you can't read it from pillow level.Like most people, I sleep with my eyes closed, so I don't mind the light much.It gives my room a cool look.The readability of the numbers is a minor problem for me;I just lift my head a few inches and I can see them.It's not that hard to lift your head, ya know.The tuner and radio are great,as is the 24-hr. alarm reset.
P.S.-To the person who couldnt find the headphone jack:It's on the left side,halfway up. Philips makes a couple of variations of this clock, I believe, each with different "characteristics."

OVERVIEW - 5 star rating because of the variety of features despite the very bright light.

PROS - Gentle wake (alarm starts soft & gradually gets louder); digital tuning with presets; face is lit all the time (vs. others where you have to push a button to get it to light); has 2 alarms which can be set to skip the weekends; can wake to a specific CD track, tuner or alarm; one button will reset the alarm; sleep function; small footprint; good reception.

CONS - The light is very bright; the time is difficult to read; the buttons are not easy to find/feel at night; no remote.

PERFORMANCE - Everything has worked perfectly on the model I have (it's been over 6 months now).

RECOMMENDATION - If you are looking for all of these functions (I have yet to find them in another model), I highly recommend this clock radio. I solved the too bright light problem by putting a tissue box in front of the face and use another small old clock radio so I can see what time it is in the middle of the night. It sounds crazy, but I am so thrilled to have finally found a clock radio with all the functions that I want that the light is no problem for me.

Yes, the display is problematic (but OK for me), but I bought this largely because it was the only radio that could get the FM stations I wanted to listen to (NPR and college stations at the end of the dial). Stations come from Philadelphia here (50 miles away from me), and this product was the only one to clearly get the stations in the store. If you get it for this reason, I did not extend the antenna -- just left it rolled up and the reception was awesome.

The features are great and it is lovely to have much of my nightable back.

I agree with most other reviewers that the radio reception is excellent, the sound is very good, and the gentle awake feature is a major plus. I also agree that the display is difficult to read at any angle below the clock face, like if it was on a dresser above bed height.
The Philips documentation, and their web site, state this unit does not have a headphone jack. The Amazom listing says it does. It Does! It's on the left, and is mistakenly called an AC adapter outlet in the user's manual. The only difference from the less expensive AJ3950 is the digitl tuner with presets. If this isn't important to you, look at the 3950. Overall, I am well pleased with the product, and have learned to live with the display's limited viewing angle.

As an alarm clock/clock radio, the unit leaves a little to be desired. The other reviewers are spot-on regarding the brightness of the displau, the fact that it washes out at eye-level, etc.

However, if you're looking for a stereo for an area where space is a premium (Kitchen, nursery, etc.) this is a good little unit. (The clock is fine as a room clock... Oddly it's at it's worst in the position you'd expect to use it as an alarm clock: eye-level!)

The sound is adequate, as good as can be expected from a unit this size. The digital tuning on the radio is a nice feature.

Would definitely buy again as a super-compact stereo -- Would probably avoid it as an alarm clock.

All in all, I really wanted to like this unit, but unless you are prepared to have your bedroom illuminated by that darn back-lit LCD at night, this just isn't a keeper. The features are nice, but the LCD screens brightness and legibility factors (or lack thereof) unless you are looking at it straight-on, made me return it.