Customer Reviews

Teac HD-1 Clock Radio with iPod cradle and AM/FM HD Radio Receiver (Black)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

I've had this radio for about a month. I purchased it as a replacement for my 25 year-old alarm clock radio, and also to see what HD radio was like. Overall, the workmanship of the radio is fine, and the sound quality is decent, given the size and price. The radio has quite a few features packed in for the money, and from that standpoint, it is a good buy. FM reception is good. AM reception is average.

As I primarily use this as an alarm-clock radio, my review comes from using the radio for that purpose. I don't use the iPod docking function, or use the radio for casual listening. As such, the radio has some short-comings as an alarm-clock radio, and that's why I only gave it three stars. If used the radio primarily for something else, like casual daytime listening or an iPod dock, I could easily see rating it higher. The issues with the alarm clock function are as follows:

1) The display is way too bright for an alarm-clock radio, even on the dimmest setting. Particularly if the radio is sitting on a nightstand next to the bed. There are are three brigthness settings, but very little difference between them. Due to the brightness of the backlight, it is very difficult to glance over and see the time when it is dark if you've been sleeping and have just waken up. Backlit LCD is not the best display technology for an alarm-clock application.

2) When the alarm starts the radio, the time is no longer displayed. You can push a button to display the time, but it reverts back to the radio information. Not exactly convenient if you are laying in bed and need to see what time it is. During the alarm-clock function, a time display is more important than the radio station frequency or other HD information. The radio display function should have a display modes with a large time display that can be permanently selected. Perhaps along the bottom where the HD radio information scrolls by. The Sony radios have this feature.

3) When the radio is used as an alarm, the radio turns off 1 hour after it first goes off. For me, 1 hour is a little short, especially if I hit snooze a couple of times. My old radio used a two hour time period. Ideally, this setting could be adjustable.

4) The snooze is 6 minutes. That's a little short for me. Again, it would be nice if this setting was adjustable.

The last three issues could be fixed with some software changes. The first item would require a hardware change. Maybe I can find some tinted plastic film that could be fitted over the display to tone it down a bit.

I have had the radio two days so it's a little early to write on the the overall quality but I can tell you a few things I have discovered. First and foremost, the FM/HD is a real treat. I live in an area where picking up radio stations is difficult at best. With the FM antenna that came with the unit, that problem is gone! Stations that broadcast HD usually have several different formats to choose from. For instance, 94.9 has three different choices; HD1 is music, HD2 is a different style of music and HD3 is talk. The sound from HD stations (which is a digital/analog hybrid) is really good especially for a clock radio and the regular FM (non-HD) and FM stereo are good also. A bit more about the FM antenna - it is 5+ feet long. I pinned it vertically on the wall behind a door so it isn't too obtrusive - others may be a bit challenged to find a good place for it.

As far as the AM band is concerned - so far I am not impressed. The unit comes with (yet) another antenna for AM. It is a 5 1/4 inch hard loop. I haven't messed around with it much but so far I have only been able to pick up a couple of stations and those have static. AM can also brodcast HD and there are two that do in my area but I cannot pick them up. My old $20 clock radio does better on AM. I did discover two FM stations (there may be more) that use one of their HD channels (HD2, HD3)to simulcast AM stations.

The iPod dock seems to work pretty well. The quality of the sound is pretty good - not concert quality, but hey - it's a clock radio! It does have a line-out connection if you want to hook up an amp. It comes with four dock adapters - none of them fit my iPod (Nano 3G) but one came with iPod so no big deal. There is also a connection on the back to feed your iPod video (if yours supports video) to a TV through a composite connection. It also allows for tagging. If you hear a song on the radio you like, just hit the 'tag' button and it is supposed to send that song info to your iPod the next time you dock it. When you sync with iTunes, it goes out and gets that song and gives you an option to buy it. I haven't tried it yet.

The remote works well and is really well built. For such a small remote, it really has some heft to it.

There is also an Aux connection for a CD player or Walkman or other device.

I should note that the display on the HD-1 is bright. Although there are 3 levels, even the lowest one lights up my whole room - more then the night light I had before.

The manual that came with the unit is pretty complete, but the grammar and spelling are a joke. I don't know why the Asian manufacturer's won't send their manuals over here (to the U.S.) for proofing before they publish them! One refreshing note - the whole thing was English, no Spanish, German, or French versions to deal with.

Overall, I am happy with the unit so far - especially the FM/HD. If you don't care about AM, I would recommend it. (updated 2/23/09)

I just bought the TEAC HD-1 at Costco today, for considerably less that on Amazon (sorry!), and am very impressed with the quality and sound. It feel hefty and well-built. The audio is good for a unit this size, with the dual ported speakers and six watts of power. The HD radio feature, with the information scrolling and tab feature is very handy. My iPod Classic and the Ipod 2G Touch are both very happy with their new home. The included remote controls most of the iPod functions, too. For the price, this unit is a good value.

As another reviewer noted, the clock itself can display the wrong information, and that happens quite often. However, it is not merely a display problem, as it causes the 2 alarms to fail to activate at their proper time. As a result, this makes the Teac unreliable as a morning wake up alarm. The dimmer also resets anytime my iphone 3g is docked, requiring you to redim the clock every time you dock (a problem when used as a bedside clock). (This too refers to an HD1 purchased at a certain warehouse store, not at Amazon). Video out works correctly though it uses a 1/8 submini jack just for the video output, and a seperate one for audio. The remote feels very substantial, which is a nice touch, more so than any remote I've owned in 20 years. This would make a great tuner for the Living room, but since it's sold as a clock radio, the issues with the clock are pretty serious.

In September, 2008, I replaced a 20-year-old Panasonic clock radio with the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo: Boston Acoustics HDUOMDNT Horizon Duo Speaker System (Midnight). It has great reception and very good sound. It met all my requirements - perhaps the only clock radio available at that time to do so, but has a problematic display.

Today I updated my notes on clock radios, to add the Teac HD-1. I picked one up at Costco today, thinking to move the Duo elsewhere, but am taking the HD-1 back. It appears to meet all my requirements, but the sound is definitely inferior to that of the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo. It sounds tinny, perhaps even shrill, even with the equalizer set to "Bass". I think my ears are particularly sensitive to shrill, so your mileage may vary - in fact you may be pleased with the sound. The Duo is about an inch taller with larger speakers, which accounts for the reduced bass capability in the HD-1.

Others found the HD-1 display too bright. My plan was to cycle the display off at night, but have the old Panasonic across the room, just for the time. The snooze display control is a good feature. Really good displays must be too expensive for this price point.

Here are the notes of my survey of clock radios (mostly from reviews), with actual prices replaced by general $$$$:

Clock Radio Requirements:
-- Dual alarms with battery backup
-- Wake to all features
-- Snooze button
-- Power efficient (does not get hot), no fan
-- Remote-free operation possible
-- Digital tuning with 3+AM/3+FM presets
-- Good reception
-- Good sound

STEREO:
-- Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo $$ (Duo I $$ with iPod dock) touch sensitive outer rim for snooze. Display light does not auto-adjust as claimed, is too bright, and cannot be turned off. Dual alarms, 3.5" speakers, 24-hr capacitor instead of battery, remote, buttons for presets, 5.5x12.88x8, initial odor, cannot turn off FM Stereo, 6W and stays warm in standby.
-- Sangean PR5 (portable) $ telescoping antenna, weather band, battery/AC, great reception, 2.5" speakers
-- TEAC HD-1 $$ HD radio. 3-level backlit LCD display (all too bright for night), and off - cycle through with snooze button. Two AAA batteries for clock backup. 6W.

MONO:
-- Boston Acoustics Solo $ (supersedes Receptor), 3.5" speaker, dual alarms, auto-adjust display, rotate vertical, 24-hr capacitor instead of battery, dial only for presets, 6.2x8.2x5.2, initial odor
-- Sangean Sonido (portable) $ telescoping antenna, weather band, battery/AC, very good reception, 3" speaker

Non-Contenders (Stereo):
-- Bose $$$$$ great sound, but antenna in cord and requires remote.
-- Sony XDR-S3HD $$ has fan, no snooze, menus for alarm on/off
-- Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD Radio with Dock for iPod/iPhone $$, no snooze
-- Sangean WR3 $$$$ AM/FM/CD/SD/MP3, no battery backup, requires remote
-- Cambridge Soundworks I765 or CD 745i runs hot, bad alarm setting
-- Sony Dream Machine ICF-CD843V CD Clock Radio no battery backup
-- Radiosophy HD100 $$ HD, tiny sound, single alarm, no battery mentioned
-- iHome IH9 $ dual alarms with 7-5-2 settings, separate sleep volume, FM sound suspect, programmable snooze 1-60 min, large 72W power brick 30% efficient (wastes up to $86/year). [returned w/o testing]
-- Polk Isonic [original], has CD/DVD, dual alarms, but runs hot
-- Polk Isonic ES 2 $$$$$, AM/FM/HD, 4 speakers, single alarm, no mention of battery, no CD, iPod dock behind door, iPod sound may be iffy, great radio sound, fixed overheating and other problems of Isonic 1, 14.2x9.5x4.9.
-- Cambridge Soundworks 820HD $$$, cannot wake to HD, no mention of battery

Non-Contenders (Mono):
-- Sony ICF-M1000, $ no battery mentioned
-- Tivoli Henry Kloss Model 1 $$$ analog tuning [Model 3 $$$$$ has alarm]
-- Sangean WR-2 $$, 3" speaker, single alarm, no battery mentioned
-- Visteon HDT200 $$$ HD, dual alarms, snooze, no mention of battery, bright LED ring cannot be dimmed
-- Aluratek AIRMM01 Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi $$, no AM

Although the quality of HD audio is quite good, it does not make up for the utter lack of functionality.

1. The lcd is way too bright (even at its lowest setting)
2. Why on gods earth would the time not be displayed when the radio is playing? This is inexcusable.
3. The brightness of the lcd does not stay constant. If you have it at a certain brightness and turn the unit off, the next time you turn it on it goes to a default brightness setting.
4. In the manual, it brags about how there is a separate volume setting for "sleep" mode, but the problem is that it never remembers it and you have to set it every time you use the sleep function which makes it completely useless.
5. The remote feels good in the hand but the buttons are way too stiff.
6. You can only scroll up on your radio presets. So, if you have all 20 preset stations in memory, the remote only allows you to scroll thru the stations in sequential order and there is no way to scroll down. To scroll down you will have to cycle thru your presets and get back to the station you want to hear

I can't return this fast enough.

The TEAC HD1 is a very good buy featuring a good HD radio that locks HD station better then any other unit I have used. The sound quality is good, as are the features. The big negative is a serious defect in getting the clock to show the correct time after the display shows the radio station and the unit cycles back to the clock reading . The problem is that the display shows a totally incorrect time (such as 30:11 and such) ;this happened on two unit samples and is now frustrating. I am assuming that COSTCO has in their stock a group of defective units from an early run. The other negative is the lack of descrete preset buttons-- one must cycle through all to get to a specific setting.

First, The Bad: I originally purchased a unit from Costco, and it worked admirably for a few months. It then began to loose track of time. It seems that there is a bug in the software that runs the clock that causes it to display nonsense times. I took the unit back, and the replacement unit started showing 47:52 pm within an hour. I have returned it and am looking for a new Radio.

The Good: As a radio, the unit is a great performer. It has rich sound and great quality when connected to an HD Radio station or an iPod. The remote is functional, and allows you to change iPod track. It also alows for video out from the iPod, which works as it should.

Bottom Line: As a clock, this machine fails miserably. As a radio, it performs admirably. If you do not need to use the alarm clock or time function, I would recommend it. However, I must caution you to stay away from it as an bedside radio.

Nice radio, the battery backup for the clock a distinct plus for those who experience power outages.

I was disappointed about the level of thought in design of the user interface.

The display is way too bright for me at night, even at the dimmest setting when I have dark-adapted sight I need to squint. It does make a more than adequate night light however.

While the unit has two alarms, one must use the same audio source for both. One can't choose different radio stations for each alarm. In addition, an alarm setting will be the most recent audio source, no way to select which audio will come on with alarm.

My biggest disappointment was the fact that when the radio comes on with alarm the clock display does not return. Had I not returned this radio I would have needed a separate clock in the room so I could learn the time when the radio was playing. I don't have enough room on my bedside table for a clock radio and a clock.

Teac is not alone in design of consumer electronics where corners were cut in not thinking through the user interface.

TEAC should be embarrassed. I seldom bother to write a negative review, but this thing begs for it. It must be a prototype rushed into production. Specifically: 1) Very mediocre FM and DREADFUL AM reception; 2) Inaccurate clock (the clock told me the time was "39:24" and was very difficult to correct); 3) Preset functions are counter-intuitive; 4) When frustration sends you back to the instruction book for answers, it's so skimpy as to be worthless; 5) The iPod connection is so touchy that it wouldn't play at all from one of my two iPods. That's when I put it back in the box to return.

I loved the idea of this unit, but the execution is a nightmare. Wait for an improved version or buy another brand.