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iLuv iMM173 Hi-Fi Dual Alarm Clock for iPhone and iPod

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What's hot: Very easy to use. Syncs time with the iPhone. Can charge two devices at the same time.

What's not: Sound not as good as high end iPhone speaker systems.

Reviewed January 2010 by Tong Zhang, Senior Editor

For those who are looking to get a new alarm clock and have an iPhone and/or iPod, the iLuv iMM173 provides all the essential functions at a mid-range price. The iMM173 has dual speakers, an FM radio and two charging and docking slots for iPhone and iPod. Combined with the included remote control, the iMM173 is very easy to set up and control.

Design

The iLuv iMM173 has a typical clock radio design. Measuring 11.2 x 3.4 x 7.2 inches, the system takes up a corner of a decent sized nightstand. The front LCD is large and displays the time in a large font. You can change the brightness of the LCD using the large Snooze/Dimmer button just above the LCD. Two speakers flank the LCD screen and all the control buttons live on top of the iMM173 along with two docking slots. This is a great alarm clock for users who own both an iPod and an iPhone, or a couple each with an iPod, as you can charge them both overnight with the iLuv iMM173. Please note: while both slots can charge the iPod only the right slot can charge the iPhone.

Features

Hate setting the date and time on a new clock radio? The iLuv iMM173 has a neat design: if you have an iPhone that already gets the current time from the cell tower, you can just slide the iPhone into the charging slot and the iLuv iMM173 will sync the time and date with the iPhone. You can also set the date and time manually. The iLuv iMM173 allows you to set two alarms and select any audio option to sound the alarm including the built-in buzzer, the FM radio and either the iPod or iPhone. The iLuv also has a sleep timer mode where your iPod or iPhone plays music and turns off automatically after the time you set in the Sleep Mode menu (the clock radio stops playing as does the iPhone). Those who enjoy going to sleep and waking up to their favorite music or radio station should find it easy to set them up with the iLuv.

The FM radio works well compared to several other alarm clocks made for iPod. The iLuv has a thin, long wired antenna and in our large metro area it got a ton of stations with great clarity. The iMM173 offers 8 preset stations and you can use the number buttons on top of the alarm clock or the remote to quickly access these stations. The remote control accesses all the functions the iLuv offers including changing volume, accessing the dimmer/snooze switch, selecting either iPod/iPhone for music playback, fast forwarding tracks, scanning FM radio stations and much more.

If you are using the iLuv iMM173 with an iPhone, you can use the iLuv as your conference speakerphone. When a call comes in on the iPhone while it’s docked in the iMM173, the ringtone will play through the speakers on the alarm clock. You can either pick up the phone to answer it in private, or hit the Speaker Phone icon to use the alarm clock’s speakers for your calls.

Audio Quality

The iLuv iMM173 has good audio quality by alarm clock standards. It doesn’t have the full and powerful audio found on higher end iPod speakers, but the audio on the iMM173 has good clarity, loud volume and offers adjustable EQ (treble and bass) settings. For an alarm clock, the iMM173 has plenty of power from its dual front speakers and bass boost from the rear. FM radio stations sound very clear and music through an iPhone 3GS sounded clear and loud, though not super high fidelity. The audio isn’t harsh and it can also sound soft when playing soothing music in Sleep Mode with volume turned down.

Compatibility

The iLuv iMM173 is compatible with most iPod and iPhone models including:

iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod nano 5th generation, iPod nano 4th generation, iPod touch, iPod nano 3rd generation, iPod classic, iPod nano 2nd generation, iPod with video, iPod nano 1st generation, iPod 4th generation and iPod mini.

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In the Box

The iLuv iMM173 alarm clock, a remote control with battery included, slot adapters for various iPods, an AC adapter and printed manual and guide.

Conclusion

The iLuv iMM173 is a very capable clock radio designed to work with the iPhone and iPod. We like the ease of use features such as syncing time with the iPhone, the handy remote control, and two slots for both an iPod and iPhone. The audio is clear and volume loud. It’s easy to set alarms and the iLuv can wake you up with the FM radio and iPod or iPhone music in addition to the buzzer. The Sleep Mode is a plus for those who like to fall asleep listening to music. And for the iPhone users, the alarm clock can even function as a speakerphone. The audio is good enough for a clock radio, even if it can’t compete with high end speaker systems.

Price: $149.99

Web site: www.i-luv.com

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