Recommended Radio Alarm Clock

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Tinshed

278 posts

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#114341 16-Feb-2013 16:30

We need a new radio alarm clock and was wondering if anyone has particular recommendations based on the criteria below:

- Digital display must be red, and preferably have a dimmer. (It is a pet peeve of mine that hotels seem to insist on alarms with green, or worse, blue,digital displays that give out enough light to to read by!)
- Preset stations preferred
- Sound quality higher than the cheapest available
- Looks nice - yes, I know that is subjective but I'd prefer something looks discreet and stylish.

I did think about the Tivoli radio alarms, but I do prefer the digital display so I can tell exactly what time it is when I lie awake at 3:23am.....

Any thoughts?

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

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#763470 16-Feb-2013 16:53

Bose wave radio?
Expensive but great sound.
You can set the dim level to your own preference. Soft green.
Remote control.
2 alarms.
Seems they have RDS on them now as well.

$649 according to their website - if tivoli is on the list maybe these are worth looking at.
Did I mention they have a pretty solid sound?

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scuwp

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#763472 16-Feb-2013 16:56

Do you have an iPhone? There are plenty of nice speaker/docks and you could use one of the many alarm/clock apps.

You don't give your price range. At the cheap end we ended up with one of these http://www.sony.co.nz/product/icf-ds15ip however the blue display as you say was frightening despite having a dimmer function. Ended up getting some 90% tint from the car tint place and put that over it.

Sounds nice enough.

I spent a couple of weeks looking and don't recall anything having a red display, however my budget was definitely under $150

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gregmcc

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#763474 16-Feb-2013 16:59

Choosing an alarm clock can be a time consuming exercise

I had quite a nice one I brought from Americia, done just about everything, but sadly it suffered a malfunction and been repeatly been woken thru the night by an alarm clock for no reason caused it dies from a gravity induced injury.....

Anyway I ended up settling for a

Sony ICF-CL75IP

Although it is no longer a current model it does work quite well.

I have seen recently some alarm clock radios that are desgined to dock your Android phone

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#763476 16-Feb-2013 17:05

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I don't have an iPhone, but do have an Android. However I'd prefer to have a permanent, dedicated clock.

Budget, yes, well. I am thinking that, judging by our previous clock, we could have this one for another 10-15 years, so I don't mind spend a bit to get it right. $649 for a Bose sounds a too much and would need much negotiation with she who must be obeyed... so is out of price range I'm afraid.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

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Smpl Mnmlst
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#763514 16-Feb-2013 18:43

I'm sort of in the market for one too - the existing Sony gets a lot of interference in some parts of the FM band.

I really like the idea of a Tivoli but I reckon the analogue tuning/no presets would not be good if you want to easily change stations in the dark, which I do.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

tchart

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#763565 16-Feb-2013 20:13

We have a great AVLabs alarm clock with an ipod dock. Got it off mighty ape a few years back. Don't know if they still have them. First came across one in a hotel and was impressed with the sound. Alarm can be ipod, radio or nature noises. Display is very light blue but has very good dimmer settings.

Also best part (probably applies to any ipod dock) is that i got a ipod to mini usb adaptor off ebay. So i charge my android phone every night.

I think it was in the $50-60 dollar range.

tchart

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#763571 16-Feb-2013 20:22

Our model is no longer for sale, mighty ape don't seem to stock them. Ascent have this one, similar specs and features.

www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=394544

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tchart

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#763580 16-Feb-2013 20:34

Heres our model on trademe, ours is black though.

https://touch.trademe.co.nz/listing/view/561527994

Really recommend it :-)

ilovemusic

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#764155 18-Feb-2013 13:48

after looking around it's hard to find that perfect alarm clock radio.

had a look at;

tivo model three - good radio but crap analogue clock with really crap alarm - only works on a 12hr cycle - so set it for 7 and it will go off twice a day ! dumb !!!!

geneva xs - i really liked this one - has all the features except for radio presets and it looks cool but it's fiddly to use

searching the 'net i found what may be the perfect alarm clock radio - the phillips aj3551/12

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=AJ3551/12&scy=dk&slg=en

but so far have not found an nz seller

this model is available in nz, digital radio - presets, but i've yet to find any stockists

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?slg=en&scy=nz&ctn=AJ3123/79

hairy1

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#764161 18-Feb-2013 14:01

Have you checked out the Sony Projector Alarm clock?

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/icf-c717pj

We have one. Nice sounds to go to sleep with but don't use that function. Clock has a dimmer function but is too bright. The projector is great and projects nicely onto the roof where everyone in bed can see it. We got it using 500 flybuys and it is Noel Leeming for $100.

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

Tinshed

278 posts

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#764192 18-Feb-2013 14:45

ilovemusic: after looking around it's hard to find that perfect alarm clock radio.

had a look at;

tivo model three - good radio but crap analogue clock with really crap alarm - only works on a 12hr cycle - so set it for 7 and it will go off twice a day ! dumb !!!!

geneva xs - i really liked this one - has all the features except for radio presets and it looks cool but it's fiddly to use

searching the 'net i found what may be the perfect alarm clock radio - the phillips aj3551/12

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=AJ3551/12&scy=dk&slg=en

but so far have not found an nz seller

this model is available in nz, digital radio - presets, but i've yet to find any stockists

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?slg=en&scy=nz&ctn=AJ3123/79

Some good suggestions there - thank you! Also, glad to know others also struggle to get the 'perfect' alarm clock radio. Clearly a gap in the market for someone.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#764195 18-Feb-2013 14:46

hairy1: Have you checked out the Sony Projector Alarm clock?

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/icf-c717pj

We have one. Nice sounds to go to sleep with but don't use that function. Clock has a dimmer function but is too bright. The projector is great and projects nicely onto the roof where everyone in bed can see it. We got it using 500 flybuys and it is Noel Leeming for $100.

Cheers, Matt.

Matt - Hadn't thought of that option! Looks interesting. Thank you.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

hairy1

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#764198 18-Feb-2013 14:52

I have the display completely dimmed at night as the display is too bright even on the dimmest setting and use the projector.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

ilovemusic

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#765301 18-Feb-2013 17:14

Rang up Philips and was told the AJ3551/12 is not sold in NZ but the AH3123/79 is and it's only $30 !

Looks to be better value than a $600 Tivoli or the $349 Geneva.

Trouble is finding a retailer who has one in stock.

tchart

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#772280 1-Mar-2013 14:11

What did you end up getting?

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