Aluratek AIRMM01F Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi (Black) by Aluratek
|
List Price: Our Price: $82.99 You Save: $67.00 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $75.00 (click here) Category: Receiver or Amplifier See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Aluratek AIRMM01F Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi (Black)
Digital camera Review: Aluratek Clock Radio vs. Squeezebox Radio
Summary: 4 Stars
Comparison of Squeezebox Radio and Aluratek Internet Alarm Clock
Ease of Installation
Both units are easy to install, IF you have experience with networks. If you have to call the Geek Squad to install a new computer on your network, these both may be a challenge for you and you probably should seek assistance. Note the power button for the Aluratek is on the BACK.
Entry of 128 bit WEP keys on my secure wireless LAN was easy and intuitive, and yes, you can see the entire key as you enter it. Squeezebox' is entered combination-lock style and Aluratek's is entered cell phone style. The units remember this key if they are unplugged. Once the key is entered, the units will then both add themselves to your LAN. Wired LANs can skip this step.
Each unit works in conjunction with an online web site to add internet radio stations. Once you enter your user name and password into the unit, the web site will then immediately add all favorites on the site into your radio. Note: when you enter the MAC address into V-tuner to set up your account for the Aluratek, you have to use the numbers above the keyboard. Numbers on the number pad to the right may look the same but will NOT work.
Each unit can play internet radio, play your own music collection, and in addition, the Aluratek has a built in FM tuner and can play music from a "thumb drive."
Aluratek has a remote control as standard, and a remote is an option on the Squeezebox.
Differences
Audio quality is better by far on the Squeezebox. The internal speaker sounds pretty good for a small radio. The speaker on the Aluratek is just what you would expect from a 4 inch clock radio speaker: OK but not great. At higher volumes it is pretty bad. Connecting external speakers to either makes either sound excellent and overcomes this difference.
The Aluratek has a built in FM tuner, in addition to being able to tune local radio stations that have a streaming service on the net. This tuner is not very good even set to higher sensitivity: it had trouble picking up a local station that comes in clearly on other tuners, and even then it was scratchy and only in MONO.
The Squeezebox is able to work with Squeezebox Server running on my NAS and therefore a constantly running PC is not required. The Aluratek requires a PC running Windows Media Player, or similar streaming source in order to play music from your local PC collection.
Fit and finish and general tactile feel of the Squeezebox Radio is better. The Squeezebox also can accommodate an optional battery pack making it truly portable.
The Squeezebox has 6 preset pushbuttons. I got this unit for my non-technically inclined and visually impaired mother. But with only power, volume, and 6 station preset buttons she can easily operate it. The Aluratek however has nested menus which are more confusing.
The clock display on the Aluratek is bigger and more easily read without your glasses. The clock display on the Squeezebox is smaller, only runs when the power is off, and gets miniscule when the radio power is turned on. The clock stays on when the Aluratek is powered up. The display is REALLY bright. It will light up a whole room at night. Only the duration of the backlight is adjustable, not the intensity. A piece of plastic window tint fixed this; get the "static cling" kind.
The Aluratek is designed to be a clock radio. The buttons on the top are bigger and easier to locate in the dark or when you are sleepy. The buttons on the Squeezebox are on the front and smaller (and more numerous).
The Squeezebox updated itself immediately upon connection (took an hour!) but the Aluratek update is completely manual. I tried to do this but was unsuccessful; maybe this was because it already had the latest firmware. Some way to know the version on the website would be nice, then you could compare that to what is onboard the radio.
The Aluratek comes with extensive documentation in English and French: quick start guide, manual and a CD, but the Squeezebox comes with only a brief quick start guide.
Overall impression
I give the Aluratek 4 stars, taking off points for the poor FM radio, non-adjustable backlight and mediocre sound quality on the internal speaker. The Squeezebox Radio gets 5 stars...see my other review of the Squeezebox Classic and Whole House Music Systems.
Digital camera Review: Aluratek Exceeds Expectations
Summary: 4 Stars
Purchased Aluratek AIRMM01 Internet Radio Alarm Clock - Very happy I did. Has a few "bumps" in terms of operating system, but once the "undocumented features" are understood, would not give the product up. Offers thousands of stations but I use only Smooth Jazz and New Age from sky.fm. Took minutes to link to home wi-fi. Also purchased $35 logitech speaker set which gives great sound. To get max benefit of Aluratek radio, you really need the added speakers. Purchased to use USB drive for my music collection, but the available radio stations make USB/MP3 feature unimportant. Be sure - as others have said - to update to current operating system. Plan to buy as gift for others. Wished I knew how to pronounce Aluratek. This is a sat radio killer.Digital camera Review: Aluratek Internet Radio
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the radio when the local Air America station went off the air and I wanted to be able to get it from another streaming source. I got the radio set up without much trouble - if your wireless router is password protected you do need to know the password. Once set Radio is easy to use and has good sound for a small radio.Digital camera Review: Aluratek Internet Radio
Summary: 4 Stars
For the money, this is a pretty good radio. I like to listen to music while falling asleep at night. This radio fills the bill. Works great through the wi-fi. But there are several drawbacks---to be really portable, it should be able to run on batteries also. Also, mine does not have much volume. There are RCA jacks on the back(for stereo external speakers) but you will have to have a way to amplify the signal before it goes into your external speakers. Otherwise, you will still have low volume. With a few improvements, this would be a great little radio.Digital camera Review: Aluratek Internet Radio Alarm Clock
Summary: 5 Stars
It's exactly what I wanted: now I can wake up to the music I want without commercial interruptions or inane chatter.
Easy to set up - good instruction manual - minimum of computer literacy needed.