Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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91 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost perfect, August 14, 2007
My now-ancient Philips CD clock radio let me down, so I decided it was time to upgrade with more-modern technology. I still wanted to wake to CD sound rather than a radio station or normal alarm sounds, and after a short search, I found this Sony. It has some features that I really appreciate, which make this clock intuitive and useful. Specifically ...
1) There is a perpetual clock built in, so that after a power failure the clock has the correct time. My old clock had a 9V battery to keep the clock circuit energized, but it always ran fast (really fast) and needed to be reset after the power returned. This one works really well.
2) The CD track selection works every time. My older clock seemed to have a "mind of its own" when I set the wake-up track. I resigned to just letting it go on track 1, which would reliably repeat; just pick a CD with an acceptable first track. This Sony clock wakes me on whatever track I set it to every time.
3) The second alarm is a nice feature. I can easily set it to one of two different wake-up times with the press of a button (really it is two buttons). The out-going Philips clock had a more-arcane method of setting a second wake-up time. I don't think that I ever mastered it.
4) The sound quality is more than adequate. What I would expect out of the tiny 2-in speakers seems to be surpassed. Perhaps it is my imagination.
5) The generously sized snooze bar is easy to find in the morning. Although my Philips clock had a proximity sensor to detect my approaching hand, it seemed to have a very narrow field of regard, and I often had to wave my hand numerous times to get the alarm to stop. This Sony clock has the snooze bar located just above the table surface, so a groggy sliding hand can find it easily.
6) The addition of two alarm times on the main display help in seeing that the alarm is set and to what time. No button pushes are required to read the alarm time.
7) Oh yeah ... it is a pretty cool-looking clock with an easily loaded CD.
Now for the not-so-good part...
This clock uses blue LCD backlighting, which is very bright in a dark room, even at its lowest setting. It is so bright that I had to cover over the display to prevent it from lighting up my room. I found that cutting out a 2.5 x 5 piece of card stock makes a suitable display cover that prevents the night-time light pollution, but you also lose the time on the display. It works out OK in my bedroom, because we have a second perpetual-time clock with a less-obtrusive red LED display.
Overall, I would still give this clock a high mark, and I am happy using it. I would expect that someone with more light seeping in at night might not have the same objection to the display brightness that I have. Selectable display colors, where red is a choice, might be a solution for me.
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61 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what I wanted!, May 28, 2007
When the CD player failed on my old Timex (Piece of junk) unit I began the search for a new one with the features I wanted. This item fit the bill 99%.
It features great sound with the little conveniences I wanted.
I wanted a unit that played my homemade CDs- check.
I wanted duel alarms- check.
The light from it can't be too bright- check.
A sleep feature is necessary- check.
A nap alarm would be nice- check.
Nature sounds as well- Nope. That is the one thing I didn't get.
I have had the unit for over a week now, the alarm requires a bit of getting use to with the insistent beep-beep that gets louder and louder, but it will do. I go to sleep to music on the 90 minute sleep setting and not having to change the alarms for a nap is nice. I love the way you touch the snooze bar and the light dims and then with a second touch, goes off. If it lasts well I will be overjoyed with the choice.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Alarm Clock money can buy!, November 13, 2007
This Sony Dream Machine CD/Alarm Clock is by far the best available anywhere at any price. I replaced my aging Sony Dream Machine (10 years old) with this one. Not at all disappointed. It's very easy to program, sounds good for 2 small stereo speakers in an alarm clock! The ice blue luminecence of the alarm clock is awesome. You can set it to Bright, Dim or Off. The LCD display is very clear, large and easy to read in all lighting. Very easy to turn off either of the dual alarms, when you don't have to get up in the morning! Awaken to alarm (which starts out soft and gets louder) or your favorite radio station (excellant FM reception by the way, not too many alarm clocks can say that!) or wake up to your favorite CD track! All very well thought out and easy to program. This alarm clock is idiot proof. Take this Sony out of the box, plug it in and the correct time is automaticly displayed. Eastern Standard time is the default. Those in other time zones just have to push a small button on the side (hidden from main buttons so you won't push it by accident) keep pushing button until your correct time zone PST, MST, etc. comes up on the display and you're done. The correct time! Note, you can also easily set it manually if you prefer. The lithium battery back-up should last 10 years. Another plus, not having to worry if the power goes out. Sony pretty much thought of everything on this CD/Alarm Clock. I've had mine for 3 months now. And I can't really think of anything I would change on it or anything extra I would add to it. Simply put, as perfect as you can get. Just like most anything Sony makes. Looking forward to using this for 10 years! By the way my nephew is using my old Sony Dream Machine, it's still working perfectly! You have to buy this Sony Dream Machine, yeah it's pricey but remember these days YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR!
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