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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
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Product summary
The good: The SDI iHome iH52 is an attractively styled iPod stereo system with detached satellite speakers and a subwoofer, which offers better stereo separation and deeper bass--and decent overall sound. The iH52 also has important extras such as a built-in AM/FM radio, video outputs for displaying iPod video and still images on your TV, a sync cable port, and a line input for other audio devices. You can also have iPod song information appear on the iH52's LCD.
The bad: The system offers only limited control of your iPod via the remote, and there's no alarm to go along with the radio. We also thought the garish iHome logo on the subwoofer could be smaller.
The bottom line: If you don't mind hooking up wires and separate speakers, the SDI iHome iH52 is one of the better deals in the iPod-speaker arena.
Specifications: Sound output mode: Stereo; Amplifier total output power: 32 Watt; Remote control type: Remote control (Radio); See full specs
Price range: $189.95
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 10/13/2006
- Updated on:05/17/2007
- Released on: 10/15/2006
Give SDI credit: the company has managed to hire some fairly decent designers. The only cosmetic choices we really don't like are the shiny plastic on the front of the subwoofer, which cheapens its look, and the size of the iHome logo that's plastered on the front of the sub, again, cheapening its appearance. The sub isn't ugly, but chances are you're going to end up wanting to hide it, whether you opt for the white or black versions. Luckily, that's not all that hard to do because it's pretty small. However, the cable that connects the sub to the compact dock/control unit is only about four feet long, so your placement choices are constricted. The included speaker wire for the connecting the satellites isn't of the thick, high-grade variety, but it should serve most people just fine, and because it plugs into standard spring clips, not proprietary connectors, you can upgrade it if you want.
The system's amplifier is housed in the subwoofer, which leaves the two satellite speakers and the dock/head unit free to sport small, sleek enclosures; it's just too bad that SDI didn't match the front of the sub to that of the satellites' finish. We also like how you can adjust the speaker stands to orient the speakers vertically or horizontally. Like other iPod systems, this one comes with several inserts to make sure your specific iPod model fits snugly in the dock.
We're also happy to report that the iPod Shuffle isn't excluded from the party--there's a USB port on top of the iH52 that accepts the it (including, presumably, the newer second-generation Shuffle as well). However--and unfortunately--you can't attach any old USB thumbdrive filled with MP3s; the system recognizes only the Shuffle. It's also worth pointing out that the iH52 will not control your Shuffle. To play songs, you have to use the buttons on the Shuffle.
You can choose from three different modes of operation: FM, AM, iPod, and Aux (line-in). The system offers six preset stations each for FM and AM. There's also a clock, but for some reason no alarm is included. That's disappointing, particularly coming from the company that essentially invented the iPod clock radio.
Continue reading- See more CNET content tagged:
- SDI iHome,
- subwoofer,
- Apple iPod,
- satellite,
- speakers
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SDI iHome iH52 (black):
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