In the sea of iPod docks that have flooded the market, iHome’s family of products stands out among the competition. The iH4B is an iHome alarm clock that doubles as an iPod dock to give the user both practical and musical enjoyment. Considering the plethora of alarm clocks and iPod docks in this world, how does iHome’siH4B measure up?
The Good
The Sound
The sound of the iHome iH4B was surprising, to be honest. iPod docks produced by Bose carry the incredible sound that the company is known for. Having heard the sound quality of these docks, my expectations for the sound of the iH4B were low. I was pleasantly surprised by the crisp sound coming from the small speaker, as well as the bass (which may be turned on and off on the back of the unit). The volume is also a plus; this small thing packs a huge punch in the volume department.
iPod Connection
The iH4B features multiple connectors to ensure that every iPod available can fit in their dock. While this is the norm of the industry, the ease of swapping out these pieces is key. While I personally own twoiPods (both the large version), others own a larger iPod as well as a smaller iPod of the family. The dock of the iHome itself is stable. While the iPod does give a large amount when you push it to change the songs (read later about the extra remote), the connection is never lost. The connection is constant and strong.
The Alarm Clock
The alarm clock featured on the iHome iH4B is one of the better alarm clocks that I’ve come across. The buttons, found on one of the the three triangular sides of the product itself, are easy to understand. A large button at the base of the front side of the alarm clock is the snooze button. I’m a personal fan of this type of snooze button, as it is not easy to “swing and whack” at. Hopefully this will prevent those who wake up late due to hitting the snooze button; this button requires some hand eye coordination to reach.
The Lights
One fun feature of the iHome iH4B is the column lights found on both sides of the unit. They emit a light neon blue glow that can be dimmed by using the snooze button. The three stages of light are a nice touch. The company refers to these as “mood lights”. I find that it’s one of the best night lights I’ve found. While the light is bright enough to light up part of the room, it is dim enough to not disturb sleep.
The Not So Good
To be honest, no dock will quite live up to the Bose dock. The sound created by that company in all of its speakers is impressive and incredible. Not everyone is willing to drop the big bucks for that dock, however. While theiH 4B is not the equivalent of the Bose dock, it certainly is a great alternative for those looking to spend less. The sound is still crisp and nice.
The only other feature of the iH4B that bugged me somewhat was the lack of battery power. While a back up battery does provide power to the clock and alarm should the unit be unplugged or lose power, I wish extra battery space was allowed to use the iPod function without the plug-in.
If you are looking for a remote with this product, you must purchase it separately. I was a little disappointed by the fact that the $50 unit has a remote that costs $15, and must be purchased separately. This is not an exorbitant cost, however, and is easily accessible for those who wish to have a remote with their unit.
The iHome iH4B is an impressive iPod dock, with an alarm clock. The unit is sleek and pleasant in design, but also offers functionality. For those looking for an iPod dock without a heavy cost, this is certainly a great alternative. I would easily recommend this product for those who wish to have an inexpensive iPod dock.
