GadgetReview

I knew it was coming – well, actually I hoped it was coming, but here it is: HD radio for the iPod Touch and iPhone.  (Last week I wrote about the official release of the XM Skydock for the iPhone and although I think it’s a solid product for anyone willing to pay a monthly subscription fee I couldn’t help but note that I’d prefer an HD Radio version.)

In order to gain access to the 2,000+ HD stations currently being broadcast into your skull, you’ll need to pick up iBiquity’s Gigaware Navigation Control HD Radio Receiver accessory for the iPod Touch and iPhone.  The inline radio receiver, which plugs into the 30pin serial connector, works in conjunction with their free app and allows you to ‘favorite’ stations as well as connect with friends over Facebook, Twitter and email.

Radioshack, who has an exclusive on the product, is selling it for $79.99.  Sure, the price is a bit steep, but compare that against XM’s offering and you’ve got a steal of a deal.

…Continue reading: HD Radio Arrives On The iPhone, Requires Gigaware Navigation Control HD Radio Receiver

I’m surprised how many people still don’t know what HD Radio is.  The best way I can describe it is that every major radio station that you know has an HD version and is simultaneously broadcast with its analog version.  Simple right?  Admittedly I had gone years without ever hearing HD Radio so when I received the Polk Audio I-Sonic I was totally blown away by how awesome it sounded.

Having had a Sirius Satellite Radio (it was stolen), I thought that the programming was cool but the audio fidelity was horrible.  Not with HD Radio.  Sound is what HD Radio is all about and the Polk Audio I-Sonic excels at it.  Straight out of the box the I-Sonic delivers stellar audio reproduction values at no expense and I can easily say that I am now a huge fan of Polk Audio products and HD Radio.

In addition to being an HD Radio Receiver, the Polk Audio I-Sonic is also an iPod dock capable of iTunes tagging.  When you hear a song you like, just press the tag button on the I-Sonic and the information is stored and transferred to your connected iPod.  The next time you sync with your computer you can seamlessly buy all your tagged songs from iTunes.  For those of you who buy music this is a great way to check out some new tunes.

The I-Sonic has a myriad of other features as well.  There is a full alarm clock mode, station presets, HD station seek mode, plus the ability to plug it into a TV so you can watch videos or movies from your iPod thus making it a more suitable device to have stationed in your living room.

Aesthetically it kind of reminds me of that BOSE (Buy Other Sound Equipment) speaker system. You know, the one with the infomercial.  It actually has a very unique shape and doesn’t really have a level surface area so you can’t put beers on it.  Polk Audio uses a 4 speaker array with patented PowerPort technology that allows the I-Sonic to deliver room filling sound no matter where you are standing.  I totally agree.  The I-Sonic sounded great regardless of my position to the speakers and even when I was out of the room.

It has a display that is large and blue, and easy to read from across the room.  I also like the fact that HD Radio displays the artist and the track so even if you aren’t tagging music you know who you’re listening to with a glance of the display.

I dabbled through several genres of of music before finding my sweet spot at classic rock.  With no tweaking at all the I-Sonic sounded lavishly lush.  In fact, I had never heard classic rock sound so good.  Most memorable was how round and balanced the bass sounded.  It measured a perfect connection with treble and mid range frequencies to create a classic rock “symphony of emotion.”  In all honesty, words can be very descriptive, but they don’t come near to describing how immaculate this HD radio sounds.  Even using an iPod through it was up there with my current favorite dock the iPig, and though the iPig still jammed a little louder, the quality of the I-Sonic should not be taken lightly.

Tagging worked very smoothly and showed up just under the iTunes store bar in my computer’s iTunes.  Just one click will bring up the collection of songs you have tagged with the option to buy them.  Very easy.

The TV out capability worked flawlessly and really added versatility and depth to the I-Sonic.  All you have to do is make the proper cable arrangements and adjust the settings on your iPod and you are good to go.  The remote control works well with the TV out as well as all the other modes.  My only complaints about the controller are that it’s difficult to tell which end is which and that it could be bigger.

I’m really racking my brain for more to say about this HD Radio system.  It sounds killer, it’s easy to use, has a bunch of modes that are all well designed and implemented, and if you buy music the iTunes tagging feature will surely broaden your music horizons.  I had no issues with the firmware and all of my iPods and iPhones worked like a charm.  The price might be sticking point for some ($400), but I have rarely seen a dock that has so much quality to offer!  This is the type of system that a whole family or household can enjoy and I am just really flat out impressed with this product.

Pros:

• Sound so awesome you won’t believe it’s radio
• Versatile and easy to use
• Compact design

Cons:

• No matter what I say people will think it’s expensive
• Remote control could be shaped so you know which way is the front

Buy it here for $400!

Buy.com has a new low price on the Web for the JVC KT-HDP1 Transportable HD Radio Tuner.  This tuner can tune HD, FM and AM and includes a built-in FM modulator.  They’ve got it for …Continue reading: JVC KT-HDP1 Transportable HD Radio Tuner – $45 Shipped

Amazon boasts a great price for the Jensen HD5112 HD Radio/CD/MP3/WMA/USB/SD Card/iPod Receiver.  It’s $149.99 – $102.09 instant savings + free shipping = $47.90 shipped! It includes HD radio, removable faceplate and 4x 13 watts of power.  …Continue reading: Jensen HD5112 HD Radio/CD/MP3/WMA/USB/SD Card/iPod Receiver – $48 Shipped

Onkyo pushed out two new products today that should receive an underwhelming response: the UP-A1 dock and charger for the iPod and the UP-HT1 HD Radio tuner.  The UP-HT1 HD Radio tuner hooks up to an Onkyo receiver and provides it, and you guessed it, HD radio.  The UP-A1 dock allows users to dock and charge their iPod while listening to it through their Onkyo compatible receiver.  The dock also enables the iPod to be controlled via the receiver’s included remote.

The  UP-A1 dock will be available this May for $109, while the UP-HT1 will be available in July for $159.

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iLuv doesn’t look to be impacted by the economic downturn. Today they unveiled yet another new product for ‘09, and I gotta say, I like what I’m seeing. At a glance, the iLuv iHD171 appears to be your garden variety bedside alarm clock with iPod dock. But wait there’s more! It’s an HD radio, and on top of that, you can tag HD songs which will be stored in your iPod or iPhone (yes, it’s iPhone compatible), which probably means you can download them from iTunes (I prefer Amazon’s MP3 store) for later listening. The iHD171 also includes a wireless remote, video outputs and syncs its time to your iPhone.

Expect the iLuv iHD171 January 2009 for $200.

Smack me silly, b/c Newegg has all the deal today and this time they’ve got the sweet deal online for the Sangean HDT-1X HD/AM/FM Radio Component Tuner. It’s $200 – $50 coupon (EMCBACBAF) + free shipping = $150 shipped!

Don’t forget Newegg’s $50 coupon: EMCBACBAF (expires: 10/27)

Features:

• Graphic LCD display for easy navigation and control
• Remote, force analog mode, 40 preset stations

Buy it: Sangean HDT-1X HD/AM/FM Radio Component Tuner – $150

Crutchfield has a sweet price on the Dual XHD6420 HD Radio Car Receiver. It’s $99 – $20 coupon (3A825) – $50 mail-in-rebate + $7 S&H = $37 Shipped!

Note, you’ll need to get your cart to $100, so add anything cheap, to use this coupon: 3A825

Rebate info here

Features:

• CD and HD radio receiver with 17 x 4 watts built-in
• Detachable face, 5 preset EQ and front AUX input

Buy it: Dual XHD6420 HD Radio Car Receiver – $37

Circuit City has a sick deal on the Sony XDRS3HD HD Radio. It’s $103 – $50 mail-in-rebate + Free Shipping = $53 Shipped!

Rebate info here

Features:

• All in one HD radio plus alarm clock
• Backlit LCD display, wood based cabinet and data service displaying artist info, etc

Buy it: Sony XDRS3HD HD Radio – $53

6ave’s has a great deal (the lowest I’ve seen to date) on the Dual XHD-6425 HD Radio MP3/Receiver. It’s $98 – 5% coupon (AFL5) – $50 mail-in-rebate + Free Shipping = $43 Shipped!

Rebate info here

Features:

• Built-in HD radio tuner + MP3 and CD player
• Front 3.5mm input and USB output
• Blueooth for handsfree calls

Buy it: Dual XHD-6425 HD Radio MP3/Receiver – $43