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Product: iPod compatible clock radio

Developer: iHome

Minimum Requirements: Any dockable iPod (3G or 4G iPod, iPod mini or iPod Photo) or 5G iPod and iPod nano with special inserts sold separately

Retail Price: $119.95 (with remote)

Availability: Out now

I used to hook my iPod to my home entertainment system, but gradually fell out of the habit. For one, the A/V system is across the room, which makes accessing the iPod difficult (and requires a wireless remote). For another, my receiver's usually set to TV mode, and switching it for iPod required an extra step and multiple remote controls. And then, of course, there's the fact that since my networked Tivo can access all my iTunes' music anyway, connecting the iPod wasn't strictly necessary.

What I wanted were simple external speakers for my iPod, and I found them in the iHome iH5 iPod Clock Radio. Sure, I could have gone with standalone speakers—anything from the $19.95 variety that sound like music in a closet to a $400 Bose setup—but I liked what I saw in the iH5.

The iH5 has a compact shape, is attractive and compliments the iPod's design. There's an iPod docking connector on top, and when an iPod is docked, the iH5 will charge the iPod as well as let you listen to the music. It's now my favorite way to keep my iPods charged.

The iH5 includes small plastic adapters for each different iPod model. These plastic pieces are designed for the different widths and thicknesses of each iPod and help you align the iPod onto the dock connector. My kit didn't come with an adapter for the brand new iPod nano, but I found I was able to connect the nano just fine. Without the adapter, however, you must be extremely careful to not press against the iPod as you could break the dock or the iPod since there's no adapter to hold the iPod in position. iHome has since added a nano adapter; these can be purchased from their website for $5.99.

The iH5 unit I bought at Costco was a special bundle that included a wireless remote control; for kits that don't include one, you can purchase the remote direct from iHome's website for $19.99. The remote is near essential; it is credit card sized and lets you control the iPod's playback functions (fast forward, reverse, and pause), iH5's volume, switching between the built-in AM/FM radio and iPod, and the snooze button. It's much more convenient using the remote than the controls on top of the unit (which has no FF/Rev buttons—you need to use the iPod's buttons for those functions).

Unfortunately, the remote doesn't control the iPod's scroll wheel, so you can't use the remote to select playlists or choose songs—you have to use the iPod for that. This is no different from other wireless remotes for iPods (I had the same hassle with my stereo system hookup) which only let you skip and rewind songs.

The sound of the iH5 is quite decent. There's not a huge amount of bass, which is to be expected with a small tabletop unit, but the volume level's impressive. I found it compared well with more expensive iPod speakers, though it was not as good as the top-of-the line Bose speakers I tested at an Apple Store. I'm certainly not an audiophile, and speaker sound is definitely subjective, so I'd recommend you check out a demo model at a store if you're concerned. For my needs, it's more than adequate.

I didn't purchase the iH5 for its alarm clock functions, but these are excellent. The iH5 can wake you up to iPod music, buzzer or radio. Music (radio or iPod) comes on gradually, so you aren't startled awake by loud sound. Setting the alarm couldn't be easier: just click the "Alarm Set" button and rotate a scroll wheel (similar to the iPod's, but not as nice) to set the time. A simple "Wake To" button lets you choose buzzer, radio or iPod as the alarm source. (If you have iPod selected but there's not one docked at alarm time, the buzzer sounds instead.)

The iH5 has battery backup so you don't have to worry about oversleeping if the power cuts off during the night (or hassling with resetting the time). There's a handy Daylight Savings Time button on the back for instant DST adjustments. There's also a sleep function, which you can set from 15 to 120 minutes.

The front clock display is large and readable and features three levels of brightness (if you use it as a bedside clock you may not want it brightly lit at night). It shows the date when "off" and the volume level or radio station number when playing.

There's a Line In jack on the back, so if you have a non-dockable iPod (like a shuffle or old model) or CD player you can easily connect it to the iH5. However, with such a connection you can't control songs (i.e. skip a bad song) via the remote.

Bottom Line

I'm extremely pleased with the iH5. Compared to other iPod speakers, it's a terrific price, and you get a lot more functionality: an iPod charger, a radio, and an alarm clock. It's easy to use and well-built, and the sound quality is excellent. I would recommend getting it with the handy remote control, however. That really ought to be standard equipment.