Customer Reviews

Sony ICF-CD853V AM/FM/TV/Weather Clock Radio/CD Player

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Very nice clock. Although sound is a little thin (but what do you expect from a clock radio), it's very clean and detailed. CD transport works very well, plays all my CD-Rs and RWs without a hitch. Pros: Big display (easy to read), digital tuner, nice button layout, very easy to set the alarms, brightness control (although manual.) Cons: cannot set alarms separately for weekdays/weekends, no gentle wake, very brights not-dimmable LEDs that shine brigther that the LCD screen itself, need a longer FM antenna for better reception.

I'm returning it to get the next model in line (ICF-CD863V), which has automatic dimmer control, gentle wake, and slightly better sound.

I've owned the "Liv" version of this alarm clock, same model just different color, for about 6 months now. I initially liked the digital tuner, CD-RW play ability, 3 alarms, and 3 Tuner function. Also I liked the compactness of it and it's small "footprint".
I'm afraid I must rate it unacceptable however, I'll explain why. First I have a problem with seeing the time on the LCD, being backlit makes it hard to read the numbers- even being placed directly across from my bed, it's also difficult to see at certain angles too (it completely disappears) I believe if just the numbers themselves (not the whole screen) were lit then this would be a solution. Secondly, I think the "buzzer" is way too polite or cute and could easily see someone sleeping thru it. It's not volume adjustable either. Lastly, and probably most important, this thing has only a 1 min internal back-up if the power fails. That is a critical design flaw in my opinion. In other words, if the power happens to go out for anytime longer than just 1 minute while you're sleeping count on oversleeping, being late, and seeing a flashing "12:00" to greet you when you wake. Like I said, this is simply unacceptable. I really don't understand why sony didn't just incorporate a 9V back-up like other alarm clocks use. In closing, I wish I never bought it, but oh well, I've learned my lesson. Please steer clear of sony alarm clocks until they improve these sort of design flaws.

I read all the reviews and figured this had the least things I hated (I was pretty discouraged at what was out there, especially since my #1 requirement is a digital tuner, this being the only one Sony makes; I can't stand playing with a dial trying to lock in). I didn't mind so much that I would probably have to prop up the back or leave it on the floor to see the time (you really have to look straight (or down) at it, so with your head on pillow, you have to get up) or that there was no battery back up, but decided its going back when I overslept cause I didn't hear the alarm for 45min. It's soft and puts u in a trance. I tried the radio the next day and I swear it never went off(I used a backup).
I think I'll take my chances with a RCA or Timex and be happy with just a radio when the CDplayer breaks. I guess I've been spoiled by my old one, where I could flick a switch and the alarm would come back on same time, and the volume would get louder in case you had it down the night before.

Sony really should stop making alarm clocks. This is the third SONY alarm clock I have purchased, and I have really not been happy with them. I don't know why I keep buying them! I bought this one as a gift for a friend, and feel guilty about it. The volume control is analog, and it is difficult to locate on the side. The controls are in general difficult to use. As far as I can tell, there is no battery backup. When the power goes out...you have to reset the clock...and set the radio stations from scratch!

The TIMEX T309T is a much better option. The pop-out CD mechanism is a little weird, but overall it is WAY better than the Sony version. You can pretty much access the controls in the dark, and there are two digital volumes (sleep, and alarm/regular). Plus, it has battery backup!

The features advertised for this CD clock radio made it seem like a solution to my disappointment with similar models in the genre. It has a digital tuner, large display, plays CD/R/RW, and the Sony Mega Bass system. Well... it has a digital tuner indeed with very poor sensitivity on FM (even with endless tries with the little antenna), no reception on weather and that you have to repeatedly press the "band" button to find your presets. The display is nice if you can read it; you must be directly in front of and slightly above, or it disappears. The CD functions are very good, but the sound is rather muddy, made worse by the Mega Bass and postioning of the speakers. The styling is odd, and while it may have a small footprint, it takes up a lot of room as it swells up to the concave CD lid. The labels on the buttons are unreadable thanks to a "mirrored" background behind the plastic front. The alarms are pretty useless; the buzzer is very soft, and one can't go to sleep with soft music without the radio/CD going off in the morning at the same soft level. Far too many design defects are incorporated in this model to use it for any purpose!

I saw a couple of bad reviews about this product and wanted to add my opinion. I use this to listen to low volume music to fall asleep to. The CD player makes a little noise but is acceptable (I don't know how it would compare to other models). The sound it produces for a clock radio is quite nice (what do you want from a clock radio that costs about 70 bucks?). It plays everything I've put in it. There are options galore that I think are really cool. Have you ever turned off your alarm, then decided you'd like to sleep a little longer but have to get up because you already shut the thing off? No problem, just hit the Nap button and get some extra time. Several people mention that it's hard to read if it's not the right angle. I have never noticed any difficulty reading it other than if it's bright in the room it is hard to read from a distance (my wife still has a red LED clock so I can catch the time from her's when I can't read the Sony). I would recommend this to anyone that wants a CD clock radio with some extra bells and whistles.

I'm very happy with this little clock. After my old Sony clock radio started breaking which looked like a shoebox, I decided to opt for a bit more stylish one. After a couple weeks of searching, I came across this one and it had the best features for the price, was a more compact version, and generally looked nicer. After opening the box and plugging it in, I found it is a very nice alarm clock.

Pros: nice big display, adjustable brightness, the alarm is nice - I like that it starts out slow and gets annoying (sure to wake me up), TV, weather, digital tuner, smaller than my old one, nice design, easy to use, I also like that it plays CD-RWs.

Cons: just like my old one it has that stupid "mouse tail" of a FM antenna which is really dumb because you can't really adjust it with out literally holding it, at some angles the display is a bit hard to read - its best it you are standing up looking DOWN at it, the alarm may be a bit to "cute" and not loud enough for some people, sound on the CD player could be better - its kind of thin, but what do you expect - its not a Bose (I recommend turning on the base boost - it evens out the sound), I also wish it was a little smaller. However, I'd definitely recommend it!

I have attempted to recreate some of the issues other reviewers have found with the Sony ICF-CD853V CD/Radio/... Alarm clock and -except for the lack of a backup battery, which could really be an issue in areas where there are power outages- so far, I can't imagine how you could run into some of them. I am very happy with the clock so far.

We were just fine with our battery alarm clock to wake up and our wall clock to see the time "in big" when we were up, until our baby came. He would need to wake up every three hours, and we needed to time the breastfeeding nursing on each side, etc. When you HAVE to be up at three in the morning, your eyesight needs a little propping, so an LCD clock makes the best sense. Also we wanted a clock that could wake us all up with music of our choice (a CD), since the baby seems to love music. After shooping around for options, though this solution is not the least expensive we found it to be a nice balance between functionality and design. So far, all I have are good things to say about it.

I am very happy with this clock. It has some great features, including the all weather radio station. My hubby works construction and listens to it every morning to find out what the day will be like. You can set the face to dim, dimmer, or dark. It lets you wake up to CD (you can set the track), radio, or beeper. I like the beeper cuz it starts out slow and then gets annoying (which I appreciate because it gets ya up). I love the color, shape, and size. I haven't had a problem with it not remembering things when the power goes out. My only complaints would be the sound isn't the best in the world but it's good, and I wish it came with a remote so when your cozy in bed you can change the CD track or radio (we have it sitting across our room). Anyhoo I am very happy with it and give it four stars. Sony did a great job and will continue to please in the future Im sure. I also plan to snag one of these for my nursary. What a great product. Thanks!

This product is excellent. It will no longer work with the TV stations because of TV going digital. However, the weather stations are excellent. Easy to use once you have directions which I got from the internet. This product is no longer in production and that was a big mistake on the part of SONY as it does so much. There are three options for waking up with the option for setting three different times. It's easy to turn off the alarm or reset it. But what is really nice is the nap function which does not affect any alarm settings.
It's nice to be able to come in from shoveling snow and take a 10 to 90 minute nap to warm up and regenerate. Have not tried the CD player yet, but I am sure it works. Am waiting for all these options to be put into ONE clock/radio -- sleep, nap, alarms for each day of week, CD player, weather station. My phone even allows one to set a different alarm time for every day of the week or any number of days, any combination; when will radios offer this option? One con: no backup battery which makes it hard to listen to the weather station in the case of bad weather!