Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Kitchen CD Clock Radio by Sony
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Our Price: $159.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Speakers See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Kitchen CD Clock Radio
Digital camera Review: A great unit! (... once you get one that works. Third time's a charm!)
Summary: 3 Stars
The unit sounds great. Everything about it is good for the price. The only problem is, I had to return the unit twice and it wasn't until they sent me the third one that I got one with a functional CD player. As others have mentioned in these reviews, the CD player just makes a few faint clicking noises and then does nothing. The second one was worse than the first in that, upon opening the CD tray the very first time, a screw fell out from I don't know where, and the player didn't work once again. After going through the repackaging and mailing process the second time, I finally received a unit in which everything works. When everything works, the sound is pretty exceptional for this kind of unit in this price range. (Just leave the "megabass" on all the time.) I just can't say that my confidence is all that high regarding how long the CD player is going to remain functional based on it's previous history. I just installed the third one tonight. Made it through one whole CD so far, and crossing my fingers!Digital camera Review: A little disappointed
Summary: 3 Stars
We just bought this to replace our other Sony under-counter cd player/radio. We had put a boom-box type radio on the counter for our iPods, and it was crazy to have two right next to each other so in a fit of cleaning I went online and searched "under counter mp3 player". Most of the search returns were off-brands, and I really like to stick to big name brands for electronics so when I saw that Sony had one, I jumped at it, especially because I felt like the price was very reasonable.
I don't have the issue that everyone is complaining about, with regards to the antenna in the cord. It was that way with our previous Sony as well. We live in a very rural area, but I am able to get all the available stations that I would normally get, so I have no complaints about that. I feel like it does it's job well, but my complaints are mostly my disappointment at "convenience" issues that I feel Sony skimped on.
The radio is mounted close to our under-counter toaster oven, maybe 4 inches apart. When I looked at the pictures people had posted on Amazon of their own installations, one of them depicts the mp3 cradle on the left side of the radio. I don't understand that. My radio has a very short auxiliary cord, and it is hard-wired into the inside of the radio (as opposed to being a two-ended plug like the kind you'd buy to connect your ipod to your car stereo). It was very short, I would say maybe 8"? So I can only have my iPod on the right side of the radio - the cord is absolutely too short to flip over to the other side of the radio. What I found out today is that the radio does NOT control the iPod, so if you want to skip tracks, you can't just hit the track button on the stereo, you actually have to use the iPod, and since it has to be on the toaster oven side of the install, it's kind of a tight fit for me to get my hand back there. It's not a HUGE deal, but I imagine I'm not the only person who installed it on the end of their cabinet. In my case, I installed it on a left end. If you plan on installing this on the right end of your cabinets, I would imagine that this would be a significant issue. It's not like you can just go buy a longer cord to switch the cradle to the other side, since it's wired directly into the radio on the other end. So that's why i don't understand the picture on Amazon showing the cradle on the left. Sure, you can put the *cradle* on the left, but that's it, you can't actually use it there.
My other complaint is that it is VERY loud. It seems that each volume number has three settings within it - you can turn it down to 3, and then you turn it down one more, and a little bar goes down, and again, and again, and THEN you get to 2. I had it on 2 and I could hear it in the next room, comfortably loud. That can be good or bad depending on the person. Myself, I listen to my iPod when I'm up late at night baking or cleaning when everyone else is asleep, so it's kind of a pain in the behind.
I don't hate it. It does it's job, it's very beautifully slim, and it is better than having two radios on my counter. But I am honestly surprised at the lack of convenience features since I expected more from Sony. I would probably have researched a little bit more/better before I decided on buying this particular radio. I wanted to post a review especially for people who were planning on mounting it flush against something on the right. I also really wish it controlled the iPod directly instead of my having to use the iPod controls.
Digital camera Review: A little pricey but worth it
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought for my mother. My wife and I have Trutech under cabinet that was cheaper but you can tell...somewhat tinny sound, only decent reception, etc. Spent a bit more for this one as a gift and my mom loves it. Only had for a week but she says the sound is very good. She has used ours and she said this was worth the extra $.Digital camera Review: A nice product
Summary: 4 Stars
The sound quality isn't perfect, but it isn't a stereo system, so I guess I'll get over it. I like the timer feature, which is great for when I'm running multiple things on or in the stove--I can keep track of everything. And the 10-channel programming feature for FM stations, 5 for AM is very convenient. I really do like this product and recommend it as a kitchen radio. I also like that it plays CDs. It is very thin, so you don't see this huge bulky thing hanging from your cabinet.Digital camera Review: A top notch under cabinet radio/CD system
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife said she wanted an under cabinet radio in the kitchen, so I bought this system. It's really nice and I'm really impressed with it. Also the kitchen timer is a nice touch. I've played CDs, radio, and iPod and everything sounds crystal clear. It takes a little work to install it - have to drill small holes in the bottom of your cabinet - but it's worth it. I highly recommend this, a high quality Sony product.