Customer Reviews

Sony ICFCS10iP Speaker Dock with Alarm Clock and Radio for iPod/iPhone (Black)

5 star:		(151)
4 star:		(65)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

I wanted to replace my clock radio for one that charges my iPod Touch & has decent sound. After sampling several models at the Apple Store & researching online, I picked this one. As a note, there is a previous model of this unit & there are some major differences. Since both are still available as of 1/14/10, you might want to decide which one works better for you. The differences are:
-The old one was shorter, designed for regular ipods. The Touch & the iPhone stuck out higher then the radio, which meant when reaching for the snooze or other buttons, you may hit the iphone/touch and knock it off.
-The old one has a smaller clock display.
-The old one had a BETTER ipod dock. It actually had a rest behind where the ipod stands, which could be adjusted from the back to go in or out. This to me was an amazing & rather unique solution.

The one I bought, the new one described in this item listing, has a bigger clock display & is taller so the touch and iphone no longer stick out on top. However, the dock no longer has the adjustable backrest like the older model. Instead, it comes with 2 plates, one for the iphone, one for the Touch. If you have another ipod, you'll have to bring your own dock plate.

The main problem with this dock plate solution is that my Touch doesn't fit with the protective case on (I use an Agent 18). Since taking the Touch out of the case everyday is not something I wish to do, I have to use this without any dock plates. The problem with that is the only support the Touch has is the dock port. This is obviously not a good thing in the long term. It makes using the Touch while it is docked a 2 hand operation; one to stabilize the Touch & keep it from pushing back & the other hand to make the adjustments. This is doubly frustrating since they had a much better docking solution in the older model.

I plan on glueing a piece of foam or other material on the radio behind where the Touch would be to support it.

Even with this caveat, I would still recommend this Sony. The price to benefit ratio, to me at least, is great. The sound quality and clock radio functions are excellent, especially when you factor in the price you paid.

Things I like:
-Excellent sound
-Lots of options for the clock radio; 2 alarms, different days of the week, can wake up to ipod, buzzer, or clock.
-Sleep function also works with listening to iPod
-Comes with external AM & FM antennas. Picks up stations I listen to without a problem.
-Electronic tuning for radio stations with presets
-Plays Pandora & other sound apps through the system also
-Buzzer for alarm works great. Starts off slow and low volume. Then increases in intensity after every hit of the Snooze bar.
-Clock auto sets & remembers time if unplugged. Only have to set time zone when you first set it up.
-Remote works with iPod and has decent range.

Things I don't like:
-Docking solution is a regression compared to the older model

Overall, I recommend this unit. If you don't use a case with your iPhone or Touch, than it would get 5 stars, IMO.

Like the previous reviewer, I also went to a brick and mortar store to buy the previous model, which was on the display, but the inventory was for this unit, billed as a slightly newer replacement unit by Sony. This unit fixes two complaints from the previoous model: 1) the Iphone no longer sits above the snooze button; 2) the clock is far less cluttered and the display is larger and easier to see.

What really amazed me when I took it home and set it up was the sound quality. I currently have the Ihome IP9 and IP99. One of my IP9 units failed after about 10 months, so I bought this Sony unit to replace it. This unit is so much better in sound quality than the Ihome! I can't believe how great the sound is from such a small and inexpensive device. In addition, my Iphone fits snugly into this unit without any adapters, and I do not have to remove my protective case to properly dock it. I think Sony fixed the majority of complaints quite successfully with this new unit, and I am very pleased to have purchased it. I strongly recommend it over the Ihome units.

I have been going through a few alarm clock/music systems in recent years, because I couldn't find one I really loved. I wanted something with good sound quality, dual alarms, good radio reception, and MP3 compatibility -- in a reasonably small package. I wanted to be able to fall asleep and/or wake up to the playlist of my choice, but I also want to be able to listen to my favorite radio programs. And I wanted it to sound good. I have finally found it. This clock/radio/iPhone player has great sound with a bass booster and "mega-expand" feature that makes the full spectrum of sound seem "bigger." I can't get over how much I like the quality of the music that comes out of this little box.

The alarm settings allow you to choose whether the alarm goes off all days, weekdays only, weekends only -- I don't have to remember to set the alarm Sunday night or turn it off Friday night. The radio works very well, even on public radio stations that tend to have weaker signals.

The whole setup was pretty simple -- very user-friendly. I only had to consult the directions on a couple of points. The buttons are labeled well so you can figure most of it out. The clock is set at the factory, and there's a lithium battery installed, so the clock is set as soon as you plug the radio in. (It is set to eastern time as the default, so you may have to adjust it.) And of course, battery backup means you don't have to reset everything after a power outage.

A number of iPod docking stations will *play* iPhone music but won't *charge* your iPhone. This one does both, which is great. My iPhone is fully charged every morning -- one less thing for me to remember. One caveat -- if you forget to put your iPod or iPhone in the dock, and you have selected your MP3 player as your alarm, there is no backup. The radio doesn't kick in if you forgot to plug in your iPod.

The system is relatively compact and fits easily on my nightstand without taking up the entire surface. The controls are pretty simple to use. I didn't have any trouble turning the alarm music off the first time I used this system. This replaces another Sony Dream Machine that had unbelievably complex controls/buttons. I'm much happier with this one. Definitely a keeper!

I bought this sony ipod speaker/alarm clock because I recently purchased an Iphone 3GS and wanted something for the bedroom with GSM shielding that would charge my phone as I listened. The form and price of this Sony unit are quite reasonable and everything is easy to use. It interfaces perfectly with the Iphone and there is no buzzing sound at all. The remote is easy to use and has all the expected functionality. Alarm function was intuitive and easy to use. I really like the way this dock holds my Iphone, it is more secure than most docks I have owned or used and I can leave my case on and still get a secure fit.

I returned this unit within a week because I was unhappy with the sound. I'm not an audiophile but I have several fairly good products I use with my Ipod and Iphone; Bose Sounddock, JBL On Stage, Logitech audiostsation express, Shure E2C, and Ultimate Ears Superfi 5. The Sony does not come close in sound to any of these and it is similarly priced to the JBL and Logitech. The Sony plays loud and clear enough, but cymbals were no where near clear and the bass sounded terrible. Drums sounded like someone was hitting a plastic bucket with a 2x4. I tend to think it is because the speakers are not ported. I wasn't expecting perfect sound, but the player it was replacing (due to incompatibility with the Iphone)was a JBL On Stage (small speaker port if you look carefully) that sounded much better and was similarly priced (the new On Stage with GSM shielding is significantly more expensive). Another small problem I have is that the speaker grill seems to be made of plastic and can easily be bent to hit the speaker.

For less money I went with the Ihome IP99 which has significantly better sound (speakers are ported) and more or less all the same features. One improvement is the ability to dim the clock all the way to off so you can have total darkness at night.

First off; if you are reading this, you have been looking at the overpriced product site. Amazon is selling the exact same model for $20 less at the time I'm writing this; do a search. Now, for my review.

I was looking for a new iPhone Dock/Alarm Clock for my bedside. I previously had an iHome unit that worked great; however, one night I reached over and pushed my iPhone back while it was in the cradle, bending the contacts to where it would only work intermittently. My requirements were;

-Reasonably small footprint
-Ability to dock my iPhone while in its case
-Ability to play iTunes as well as Pandora
-Support my iPhone more firmly than the iHome

I found this one at a well known members club, and dropped my iPhone in it to try it out. It fit, it sounded good, so I picked it up for about $70. Once I got it home, I checked it out more, and I'm pretty impressed with the quality of it for the price. It sounds great for the bedroom; it's no Bose, but for less than 1/3 the price, I don't expect it to. It would work great in a kitchen or small living room too.

The iPhone fits nicely in it without it's case using the adapter, or in the case with no adapter. I don't like the fact that it's not supported by anything while it sits there, but I suspect that most docks that would support my iPhone would require me to take it out of the case. I understand that earlier models had an adjustable support for your iPod/iPhone; the lack of including it on later models is downright stupid. I cut a square of black foam and attached it to the unit behind the iPhone. Perfect solution; you can't see it at all when the phone is in the cradle, and it gives me great support while I'm using the iPhone touchscreen.

The small remote works well. It has basic control of the current playlist in iTunes (Next Track, Pause/Play), as well as the usual functions like Volume, Input, Tune, Snooze, ect. It won't control your Pandora at all. For less than $100, I don't expect more control from the remote; plus, the unit isn't intended to function as a full stereo. It has a cheap feel to it; the buttons are the type that are raised blisters on smooth plastic. My experience with these are that the blisters over the well used buttons tend to break after repeated use. Independent rubber covers over the buttons would have made a world of difference. I also would have liked to see something like a storage clip on the back of the unit to store the remote; it's small enough to be easily lost.

Pros:
-Elegant looks
-Small footprint
-Great sound
-Works with iPhone in case

Cons:
-Remote has a cheaper feel to it than I think it should
-Lack of built in iPod/iPhone back support

I docked it a star for the cons listed above, mainly the lack of support; there is no reason that it should not have been included. I dock for what the intended function is versus the price, not for what I might wish something would be.

Conclusion; great sounding unit, works great with the iPhone, cheap and easy modification to provide excellent support for it. Just what I was looking for.

I am very happy with this system...first I have been a long time fan of Sony and since this model was astetically appealing to me I took a chance and ordered it. It arrived today and right out of the box it was very simple to set up. One thing that surprised me was to dock my iPhone I was concerned I would have to remove my bulky case. Wrong...the big cushy rubber case and all fits nicely in the docking station. This means I can just grab it and go!

The sound is pretty darn good. Sure, my stereo system is better but would you expect it to be THAT good?? I LOVE that I can now listem to Pandora, NPR, Podcasts and more with such a great sound. Plus it charges while it's playing...what more could you want?

The clock has three settings for brightness...one of them is off so don't be concerned about it being too bright at night. Enjoy!

I had previously purchased an inexpensive memorex dock to charge my ipod touch. I found it awkward to dock the ipod and flimsy. I returned it and purchased this model.

The primary thing I like about this dock is that it is easy to place the ipod on the dock - no struggles to make sure it's docked properly. Once docked, the sound is good. The remote offers easy, straight-forward controls. Buttons on the dock are clearly labeled and easy to use.

I like the dual alarm and the options the alarm offers. The ability to set an alarm M-F, M-Sun, or Sat-Sun is handy, and it's a function that I didn't have before. Additionally, the Sony allows you to chose the volume the device will come on when the alarm is set. That's a nice function.

The footprint of the machine is reasonable. I like it better than I iHome dock I also have. The brightest setting on the clock is not too bad, and the unit offers two others settings (dim and completely off).

The unit also ships with an FM antenna wire and an AM loop. I have not used either, but have been pleased with the quality of the radio thus far.

Can't say enough positive things about the unit. Strongly recommend if you are considering purchasing.

This item has some nice features, but has one "glaring" weakness that may be a deal killer for some people.
First of all, I really like the sound it puts out. Some people don't like the "Mega Expand", but I like it. Sounds fuller when it's on. The "Mega Bass" is nice, but not very strong.

The alarms are easy to set and use. Again, some people have complained that the buzzer alarm (or chirping sound) is too soft and they fear that it won't wake them up. I found that it wakes me up every time, right away, and I even sleep with a big box fan roaring away next to my bed (for white noise), so for most people, I don't think this will be a problem.

The unit charges, plays, and controls my ipod (1st generation iopd touch) just fine, and the remote is easy to use also.

Both AM and FM radio functions work very well. I live in the boondocks, far from any big city, and I can pull in many stations.

The manual says there are three brightness levels for the LCD clock face: high, medium, and low. This isn't true, as your actual levels are: high, medium, and OFF (as in completely off). This leads to the one, big glaring weakness that this unit has. The medium clock face setting is WAY too bright to be used as a bedside alarm clock. It lights up the room. While some people can sleep with it, many people can't. If you turn off the display, it defeats the whole purpose of having a bedside alarm clock that you can glance at in the middle of the night to see what time it is. I wish manufacturers would get it through their heads that their LCD displays are way too bright for a lot of people, but so many of them still don't get it. Too bad. If Sony would only fix this problem, this Dream Machine would be a winner.

My IPOD Touch 4G fits snugly into this unit without any adapters, and I do not have to remove my protective case to properly dock it.

As others have stated previous models had an adjustable support function for the docked IPOD. This model removed that support. I don't really think my IPOD needs any additional support,seems pretty sturdy and set,but just to be sure I cut a small piece of foam and tuck it in behind the unit when docked. Works great, can't see it, toss it in the basket on my nightstand in the morning.

I love the clock display size, the dual alarms, the 2,5 & 7 day alarms settings and the brightness adjustments. I have a clock on my DVD player across the room, so that serves for the night time wake up and want to see what time it is. I set the brightness on this clock radio to off at night.

I usually listen to a Rain App at night and the sound is awesome, I can hear the thunder and lighting perfectly. The ultimate white noise for me.

I've owned the previous two versions of this Sony iPod/iPhone clock radio, and I still say it is the best you can buy. I just keep buying them for more rooms / friends and everyone seems to agree.

What is confusing, and Sony hasn't helped themselves here, is that there are different versions of this clock radio, all with the same part number. I bought two at a local store only to discover that one supported up to the iPhone 3GS, and the other the iPhone 4. As far as I can tell, the only difference is that the iPhone 4 version includes a black universal adapter specifically for the iPhone 4. The only way you can tell from the box is to look at the side, and notice the icons for the various iPods/iPhones. Ridiculous.

If you can manage to get the right version, you'll be happy. Sound quality is very good for a clock radio - with crisp highs and even midtones. You may want to play around with your iPod equalizer settings to see what sounds best. (To my ears, "Jazz" EQ setting works well with these small speakers.) In this version, Sony finally seems to have gotten their "Mega XPand" and "MegaBass" modes right to improve stereo separation as well as bass response. But don't expect miracles - this is still a fairly compact cabinet, and there's only so much bass you will get without distortion. And, unlike most iPod clock radios, the radio reception is outstanding - with an external AM antenna provided. The unit has dual alarms, which can be set to iPod (you can even select a wakeup volume), Radio, or Buzzer.

As with their earlier iPod/iPhone clock radios, this is an upright design, with most of the unit behind the iPod, in a slanted design with controls at the top. Unlike other iPod clock radios, the Sony does not attempt to duplicate the iPod menus on its display. Instead, the Sony includes a remote control that lets you completely control the iPod/iPhone menus as if you were manipulating the scroll wheel. Quite impressive.

What has changed in its latest iteration, is that there is no longer a support behind your iPod/iPhone, so it is more important that you use the correct Universal adapter for your specific model. Sony includes three different adapters for the iPod Touch, iPhone 3/3GS, and iPhone 4 (if you get the latest version). If you have an iPod Nano or other models, you'll have to use the Apple dock adapter, which they only sell in white. It's a shame, because earlier versions of this clock radio had an adjustable support that made the dock rock-solid. Now, even with the right dock adapter, you still may want to hold the back of the device if you're using its screen/controls.

Also a welcome change in this version, the blue-backlit clock is much larger, and finally (for me) readable at night without my glasses. Sony has also simplified the setting of the alarms, with dedicated buttons next to the dock for each alarm.

On the downside, the battery backup for the buzzer alarm and clock is a small expensive lithium battery (although after nearly a year of use, this battery was still working on my old model). And, if your relying on just the buzzer to wake you up it's not very loud. You also have to be careful when changing the alarms to make sure that you don't accidentally turn the alarm off. But all of these are minor issues that don't detract from the unit overall.

All in all, in my experience, this is the best iPod clock radio you can buy.