iHome iH5 bundle was purchased from BJs for about $90. The bundle consisted of the white iHome iH5, remote, and RhinoSkin Aluminum iPod case.
A LITTLE OPENING RANT
Choosing an iPod accessory is not easy. For any idea, there seems to be a multitude of applications, some good, others not so much. Indeed, the incredible success of the iPod seems to be the catalyst to this vibrant ecosystem of iPod accessories. Although, one could argue the overwhelming selection of iPod compatible gadgets has helped continue the iPod’s market dominance.
I choose to believe Apple was the first to build a better mousetrap when it came to the portable digital audio player market. Apple’s success stems from their ability to strip down a product to its core essence and then build upon that solid foundation. With the software, iTunes, and hardware, iPod, already in place, Apple only had to link together those two elements with an easy to use online music service, the iTunes Music Store (ITMS). While both Matt and I have chosen not to continue service with the ITMS, I think it is safe to say, the iPod remains a compelling product.
ACCESSORIZING
All extraneous editorializing aside, choosing an iPod accessory is a somewhat daunting task. I’ve had my 4G 20GB model for a year and a half and I have only purchased two accessories, a Showcase 4G and the iHome iH5. Well, three, if you consider the included RhinoSkin Aluminum iPod case bundled with the iH5 purchase. I’ve been satisfied with both, er, all three items.
Choosing the iH5 boiled down to a select few considerations. Certainly, I wanted some way to charge my iPod without needing to fiddle with the FireWire Cable and power adapter. Yet, my chief desire was a device which allowed me to listen to the iPod through its dock port. The head phone jack can be used for audio out, but sound quality is increased when using an actual line out port. Also, having a solution with integrated speakers would be a plus. A little music to accompany slowly drifting to sleep, reading, or writing does not need the highest fidelity sound system. Something suitable for a small shelf, versus an audio rack or entertainment cabinet would be superb. The iH5 met all these needs and had a nice selection of extra functionality to boot.
iH5 DESIGN
The iH5 has been designed to meet several needs — alarm clock, FM/AM radio, and playback to or from other audio devices. Chiefly, the iH5 is designed to interface with the iPod, which will become immediately obvious to any who sets eyes upon the unit — a very prominent iPod dock is built into the top of the iH5. Two large dials, one labeled volume and one labeled set, are found to the left and right respectively of the iPod dock. Both have a satisfying rotating action, sort of reminiscent to the iPod scroll wheel. My only complaint with the set dial, it does not control any features of iPod playback or selection. Instead, it is used to set the time, date, alarm, and radio tuning.
Directly below the iPod dock lies three rows of buttons, the top two rows (if looking directly down on the iH5) contain four buttons each. The bottom row is a single button for snooze and adjusting the three brightness levels of the LCD (more on the LCD to come). I typically find the dimmest setting to be more than adequate for my needs. The buttons are a nice silver color, matching the front speaker grill, and each button has a legible orange backlight. From left to right, the middle row’s buttons are labeled, alm. on/off, alm. set, wake-to, and alm. reset. Again, from left to right, the top row reads iPod, radio, am/fm, and sleep. The rear panel has a connector for the power cable, line out port, time zone button, clock adj. button, DST switch, line in port, integrated FM antenna cable, and a connector for the AM antenna. Everything from tuning to FM or AM, docking the iPod, adjusting the volume, to setting the time, date, or alarm is but a push, turn, or toggle away.
The front of the unit contains a crisp backlit monochrome LCD. The time is prominently displayed towards the left side of the LCD. On the far left, three small letters, “dst”, are present when the iH5 is set to observe daylight savings time. The right side has an area delineated for use by pertinent secondary information. When powered off, the iHome uses this area to show, in number format, the current month and day. E.g. “5-18″ denotes the eighteenth of May. When tuned to the radio, the station number is presented in this same area, while the iPod is playing, the word “iPod” is displayed, and when an audio source is connected via the audio input jack, “AUX” is displayed. Above this secondary information area, an icon of a clock helpfully sits when the alarm is activated. When the iPod is set to the alarm, a little iPod icon is displayed to the right of the clock icon. If the radio is set to the alarm, the word “radio” appears and when set to buzzer, the word “buzzer” appears. Reading the LCD is quite simple, and with a quick glance, all current settings are clear. The backlight has a similar glow to my 4G iPod.
Two either side of the LCD are the integrated speakers. The two speakers are connected visually by a silver metal mesh screen covering both speakers and continuing across the bottom front panel. This design gives a nice accent to the stark iPod whiteness of most of the iH5. The unit itself is a predominantly iPod white affair, or black if you choose the later released black iH5, offset by the matching silver highlights found in the speaker mesh and top iPod control buttons. I find the basic shape and design elements to be suitably tasteful for fitting into any environment. I appreciate iHome’s merging of the Apple inspired consumer oriented design sensibilities (copious amounts of tastefully done white plastic) coupled with the front panel characteristics of a Power Mac G5 (cheese grater).
Well, maybe that description does not adequately relay an appropriately pleasing mental image. In fact, it could even make the iH5 sound like some monstrous hybrid creation from a B horror movie. Which is why we have pictures, or link to said visual aid. Accordingly enough, the black iHome iH5 would look nice coupled to a black iPod nano and maybe even one of those snazzy black MacBooks.
SET UP
Setting up an iH5 may not be quite iPod easy, but is close enough to not warrant a complaint. Two AA batteries, a set is included and installed prior to shipping, fit into an underside compartment. This nice little backup allows the iH5 to keep the alarm/time settings and functionality if a power outage were to occur, but not enough juice to power sound from the radio, iPod, or other audio source. The FM antenna is a connected wire which needs to be unraveled and strung away from the iH5 to insure good tuning. The AM tuner connects easily to the rear panel and is one of those base and rectangular contraptions. Again, proper placement is key to good reception. The power adapter is a decent size two prong “wall wart”, which had the unfortunate side effect of being defective. The original adapter emanated an annoyingly audible buzz. Luckily, the iHome email customer support was prompt and courteous with providing a replacement part. I have not had a reoccurrence of the buzzing issue with this new power adapter. I have to assume this occurrence was an isolated incident.
Proper docking of the iPod into the iH5 is accomplished by fitting the appropriate iPod inserts. All iPods with dock connectors should fit with assistance of one of the included inserts. The iPod shuffle still fits snugly upon the iH5, but only works through the line in port. Any iPod capable of docking with the iH5 will integrate nicely with the iH5’s built in controls or remote. The iH5 is still capable of adjusting it’s volume level, but not the iPod shuffle’s or other line in audio device’s volume setting. Neither will the additional integrated features work with these AUX devices — wake-to, power on/off, etc.
The bundle I purchased included a remote, normally a $20 addition. The remote is a slim, white, credit card sized device which allows the basic playback features to be accomplished from a distance. Play, pause, power, forward, backward, volume adjustment, radio, am/fm switch, and snooze/dim LCD. Due to the arrangement of my setup, the remote’s range was only tested up to about fifteen feet. The remote is a key addition to fully realizing the potential of the iH5. With it, I find the iH5 to be nearly feature complete. The only way to select previous, next, fast forward, and rewind music on the docked iPod (other than pressing the iPod’s controls), is to use the remote. The iH5 unit does not contain these controls on the base unit. If you find a bundle deal, everything is reasonably priced, otherwise consider the lack of a remote a $20 negative.
To this point, and alluded to earlier, neither the iH5 or remote is capable of navigating the iPod’s hierarchal menu system. While playing audio, using the iPod to navigate can be a little tricky depending on how the iH5 has been placed. It may be easier to stop the audio, remove the iPod, navigate to the desired function, and then replace the iPod for continued play. Another small operational compromise is only being able to preset two radio station, one FM and one AM. This shortcoming is understandable. How many clock radios are capable of more than one or two presets? Truth be told, preset is a slight misnomer. There are not any numbered buttons to select, but I only have two radio stations I listen to anyway. I’d rather listen to my iPod than commercial radio most of the time. I leave the FM side tuned into the news station and the AM side tuned into Sports talk radio (I’m so classy) and I simply toggle the FM/AM button back and forth.
A more pressing shortcoming is the lack of a way to toggle between an AUX device and a docked iPod. The only way to switch from the iPod to listening to the connected audio device is to remove the iPod. The user manual cautions to not have an iPod docked when connecting an AUX device. I’m not sure if this warning is to prevent possible damage to the iH5, or simply to prevent people from not understanding how to enable playback on an AUX device. Connecting to an external output device is just as simple as connecting an input. Either feature requires a 1/8″ audio cable (a short 1/8″ to 1/8″ cable is included). The output source must be a powered device, whether a small computer speaker set, a stereo receiver, or other destined output. Additionally, connecting to a standard receiver may require an 1/8″ to RCA adapter (not included). This cable is very inexpensive, easily under $10. If you simply want to connect a set of nonpowered headphones, the iPod audio out jack continues to function while docked. Simply connect your headphones to the iPod audio out jack and have fun deafening yourself to your favorite audio selection. I kid, I kid, but do remember to keep the volume at a suitable level.
One small oddity, the iH5 does not stop outputting audio from its own speakers when running a line out to another device. However, you can simply turn the volume off on the iH5 to prevent this unusual cacophony. The iH5’s sound level does not effect the external output device’s sound level. While a tad unusual, at least compared to my other audio devices, the iH5’s ability to have separate sound levels is a useful feature. When I’m reading, writing, or drifting off to sleep, it is nice to listen to the more subdued sound from the iH5. Yet, when I want to really dig into some music, I can keep the line out connected to my component shelf system.
The sound quality from the iH5’s internal speakers is certainly acceptable, nothing room shaking, nor is there superior separation of the audio, but again, those aims do not jive with the design philosophy of a compact all-in-one audio system. However, the iH5 offers a decent compromise as you could always interface via its line out port to a better sound system. Ever so handy to have at least one input and output.
A ROAR AWAKENED
The biggest issue with the iH5 impacts the possible usefulness of the alarm functionality. The alarm is supposed to gradually increase to a sound level of 20. A rather loud setting for an alarm, especially with the possibility of the iH5 resting near someone’s sleeping head. Unfortunately, there is nothing gradual about the process, even if the volume is set to 00, the alarms shoots up to 20 in about 10 seconds. Waking to the radio, buzzer, or iPod does not positively or negatively effect this volume issue. Luckily, newer revisions are said to have improved the alarm function to sound at a decent volume level with a more ear friendly increasing volume curve. However, the newer revision’s fix does not help owners of older models.
Luckily, there is a quick and easy fix. Assuming ownership of an iPod, set the iPod’s alarm and not the iH5’s alarm. My 4G iPod allows me to wake to a specific playlist or to a beep. I prefer to wake to a playlist, because the beep only goes off once. Adjust the sound level of the iH5 to an appropriate level and leave the iH5 switched on to the iPod. When the iPod’s alarm goes off, the iH5 will automatically start playing from the selected playlist.
CLOSING
Apple’s aforementioned ability to divine a device’s core function as a first step towards building a complete product, seems to me, a just point to reiterate for closing this review. A truly pleasurable user experience is not often realized within a product when core functionality has not been adequately defined. Simply adding features is not a substitute for a coherent design strategy. However, deftly layering features back onto the core, as the iPod has successfully done over time, is a recipe for success. Those initial design decisions certainly go a long way to assuring satisfaction, if not ultimately, some measure of commercial success.
I’m not sure if the iH5 exactly hits the same sweet spot as the iPod it is designed to complement. If one is to believe the core function of an alarm clock, whether featuring iPod integration or not, is to wake a sleeping person, this early version of the iH5 may just miss a mark of ultimate core competency. Yet, the entire package certainly is impressive. All the basic design decisions are there, except for that alarm volume bug. As previously described, there is an easy work around to this one niggling issue. Otherwise, I am quite happy with the white iH5.
CUT TO THE CHASE
My first impression of the iH5 has persevered. This unit is a solidly built, compact, and attractive unit with good ergonomic layout for its various controls. Consequently, the ease of use factor is high, and I rarely felt the need to consult the succinctly written user manual. Well, I did skim through a few times to familiarize myself with the basic functions. Thereafter, I did not need to grab the manual for fulfilling any normal use of the iH5. I found the sound quality to be acceptable from a compact all-in-one unit and the line out certainly helps alleviate any possible quibbles a more demanding user may have. I can recommend the iH5 for a number of iPod users, especially if later revisions have improved the few areas of concern I encountered.
