Customer Reviews

iLive Portable Music System with CD Player and Dock for iPod (Black)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I think this is quite a bit over-priced for the quality. Almost all the radio stations come in with a lot of static, whether the volume is on low or high. At first I thought I could live with this, because I really bought it for the iPod and CD playing capabilities. Those actually work fine and the sound comes in quite clearly - much better than the radio stations. The iPod can be controlled with both the Boom Box controls and the remote, which I really like. What is a deal-breaker for me though is that I wanted to use this to listen to books on CD, with the ability to unplug it from one room and plug it back into another room as I move about the house. I thought that if I had batteries in it, it would keep playing when I unplugged it. That is not the case. As soon as I plug it back into an electrical outlet, it shuts off and I have to start from scratch locating my spot on the disk. If I were just listening to music tracks this wouldn't be a big deal, but with books the tracks are very long, and trying to fast forward to the spot I was at is too tedious. There isn't a counter to help me know where I was either. I haven't run into any problems yet with using the iPod and it seems to be great for that.

Some funny design flaws that may or may not bother people have to do with the carrying handle. When the handle is down, it blocks the radio antenna. In order to pull out the antenna, you have to first lift up the carrying handle, and then you have to tilt the antenna to the back in order put the handle back down, or you have to leave the handle up. But when the handle is up, it blocks the CD player from being able to open. In order to open the CD player cover to insert or remove a CD, you have to make sure the carrying handle is down. This is something one can live with, but it may annoy some people.

Not at all happy with my purchase. The coolness and convenience factor of the ipod dock sold me, too bad it doesn't work as good as it looks. When you place an ipod in the dock and play audio, the sound is full of static. You can hear the audio, but the static is noticeable and annoying. Almost sounds as if its transmitting via FM signal like those car FM adaptors. I tried multiple ipods, so its definitely the boombox not an ipod issue. The cd player works, which is good since I wont use the ipod function anymore. Sound is about average, nothing special. What I have now is an average radio/cd player that I can use to recharge an ipod.

Lot's of hiss and static and all volume levels no matter the source. iPod, CD, or Radio; Loud or Soft- there is VERY noticeable hiss. At low volume levels it is terrible, at high volume levels the music drowns out the hiss until the song ends and then Sssssssssssssssssssssssss... I also noticed the radio stations bleed into each other more than any device I've ever used.

It had a lot of promise with some good features and simple use, but it has since been returned.

I purchased this player as a gift for my choir leader. Rather than having to coninually change CD's, he now can pop in his I-Phone and play any one of the 500 Plus songs he has downloaded. For the price, the quality, sound, portability and ease of use surpassed my expectations. Would recommend this player to anyone who asks. Seller provided outstanding 5 Star Service. Received player one day after I ordered it.

This product does everything its suppose to. Its small and portable and has a convenient carry handle. The ac adapter comes in handy for longer uses. It looks great and the sound is even better. Nice and easy to use for you, your grandpa, or your younger child.

This is a neat stereo and a nice design EXCEPT for the fact that the ipod port broke after about a week. One day it just would not go back in, so I did the only thing I could to get it back in - I pushed it and it broke. Now the port is permanently in the ¨out¨ position. I can still use it and it works, but I can't hide the ipod port when I'm not using it.

I use it as a bathroom radio, so I'm not too concerned about how much base it has. The speakers are small, I was surprised to read in other reviews that some people wanted to hear a lot of base coming from the stereo. To be realistic you can't get the booming base with speakers this small, but the sound quality is still good.

This unit is easy to use, but the cd player kind of sucks. It is difficult to close, keep closed, and the cd makes that weird clicking sound, as if it is not in there straight. Everything else is good.

I love this item, I take it with me all da time. When ever I'm at a get tot together. I pull out my idod and dock. And get the party started.

I bought this unit mostly because I read a review that said that the stereo quality of the speakers was superior to any of the Sony boom boxes and because they sell it at crutchfield and they usually don't sell junk.
Unfortunately I ignored the one review commenting on how there was a loud sound of static whenever the Ipod was docked. It's true! instead of listening to the clear sound of your digital music it sounds like you are listening to a poorly tuned radio station, especially if you are listening to classical music or more mellow music. At first I ignored it because at full volume you won't notice it as much, but if you are listening to an audio book or a podcast in your room forget it, the sound is really annoying. Then I noticed it was doing it when I played Cds as well.So I'm sending it back, it's too bad because it's a good looking unit and my kids learned to use it pretty quickly.

Great for the price.
It does serve as a dock to charge iPod when it is plugged into the wall. However, it did not "seem" to charge when on just battery power, which I guess makes sense.
I did have an issue with the ac cord where it did not fit just right when I first got it, but have not had the problem again since.
Also the remote it comes with is rinky-dink and will probably be of has little use to you as it was to me.
Also the CD door is kinda flimsy, but works.
Those things aside, I have enjoyed it very much.
The sound it puts out is decent for the size speakers and price. No awards for clarity of sound here though.
I do like having the presets for the different kinds of music. They do make a difference.
AM/FM Radio works as well as most.
Works really well with my FM Transmitter for my iPod.
Headphone jack works. No clock even though it is shown in the pic.
Its light weight and smaller size compared to some of the higher priced stereos that do the same thing makes carrying it around at camp a breeze.
Like it and recommend it.