Apple IBCD3816DT Radio/CD Boombox

The model number given above is for the WHITE unit. But, Epinions.com shows a picture of the BLACK version. If you want the BLACK version, which I think looks better, than you have to buy the model IBCD3816DTBLK. The suffix, "BLK", inidicates the BLACK version.

The following review has been re-written. I felt my original review was a little vague and hastily written.

The unit is by far not the best sounding. However, it also is by far not the most expensive. This is especially true of boomboxes and sound systems which feature IPod docks and chargers.

I bought the unit and played several CDs which I burned. All the CDs I tried played well. That is to say, there was no skipping, reading errors and so on.

I did not like the sound. I returned mine the next day.

Since then, I went to another store and tried the unit on display, just to make sure mine wasn't defective.

My opinion is still mixed.

The price is by far the most attractive feature. Some stores are selling this unit at $129. However, Sears has it in black for $89. Several stores, including KMart, have had it on sale for as low as $79. This is for a brand new unit, not refurbished or used. To be able to buy a brand new IPod docking speaker system for that price is just plain good, no matter how you look at it.

This unit features all the basic features you'd expect to find on the more expensive brands, plus some additional features as well.

A very small very slim credit card sized remote allows you to control all functions, including IPod functions.

This unit also will charge your IPod, just like the more expensive units.

On top of that, this unit has a built-in CD player. It is not a conventional top-loading or drawer loading type. It is a slot loading type, similar to that found on most automobile in-dash CD players. As I mentioned above, mine worked just fine.

This unit also has an AM/FM stereo radio with a built-in telescoping antenna.

That is a heck of a lot of features for such a low priced unit.

I did not like the sound quality. Herein lies the dilemma. At $79, what kind of sound quality is out there for the consumer? By comparison, the original IHome IPod clock radio sells for around $99. It has much better sound, in my opinion, despite the fact that it just features 2 small speakers. But, it doesn't have a CD player.

Originally, I had stated that the unit vibrated badly and showed signs of distortions at louder levels.

So, I went to a store and tried a demo unit. I am sticking with my original opinion that the sound is not great. However, I compared it to other units of around the same price and found many of them were not too great either.

This ILive unit is fairly small as boomboxes go. Other boomboxes of similar size did not really sound any better. Sure, there are a couple of larger boomboxes out there such as the Sony CFDG505, but it lacks the IPod dock, charger and so on. Its remote will not operate an IPod. So it's not really comparing apples and apples.

By the way, I do not believe this unit is made by Apple, as stated in Epinions.com. I had thought this unit was made by GPX, but I'm not even sure of that. I have been told this unit is made by ILive, and is warranted by GPX. Take that information for what you will. I think that stating this item is made by Apple will deceive some. Apple is a very well respected company. Consumers will expect more of this product if they believe it is manufactured by Apple. GPX, on the other hand, is a low-budget manufacturer.

When I mentioned that the unit vibrated and showed signs of distortion, that was with full bass effect ON. This unit features a decent tone control selection for its price. There is a 4 selection preset EQ and a 3 position bass boost. With the preset EQ on ROCK and the bass boost on HIGH, the unit vibrated at louder levels when I played a bass heavy piece.

When I went back to the store, I tried the demo on the MEDIUM bass level and it played louder with much less distortion. It didn't sound half-bad.

I originally stated the 4 preset eq was poor and I still stick with that opinion. Switching from ROCK to JAZZ to CLASSICAL changes the sound quality only slightly. It's almost useless.

This unit features front firing speakers of roughly 3 1/2 inches each and side firing subwoofers of roughly 5 inches each.

I never took the unit apart, which I had now wished I did. I would have liked to have seen the quality of the subwoofers. That could be part of the problem.

I believe this system is a true 2.1 format, with a separate stereo amp powering the front speakers and a mono amp powering the subwoofers. Again, that's a lot of bang for the buck.

The display is lit up well. It is at a slight angle. I orginally stated the display was hard to read from a few feat away. But, in the store, I didn't have that problem.
The digits are fairly large. You won't have to squint your eyes to see this display.

This unit comes with a nylon handle which attaches to the main unit. It is not a conventional fold-down handle but a handle none-the-less. Because the unit is not large, it is easy enough to carry. It weighs around 10-lbs or so.

The remote is very small. Yet it is extremely functional.

Most IPods will fit in the docking station.

A set of cables allows connection of MP3 players and so on.

A video-out jack allows playing your video IPods on your TV while hearing the sound through this boombox system.

Aux-in jack allows connection of another unit to this system.

The output power is rated 50watts peak. What that really means, who knows? If it isn't rated in FTC terms, it doesn't really mean a whole lot. Just don't expect true 50 watts of power, or the same 50 watts you'd expect from a JVC KABOOM box. You'll be sadly disappointed. From my experience in audio equipment and boomboxes, I'd be surprised if this unit actually delivers more than a couple of watts per channel of usable power output.

I believe there is a headphone jack for private listening.

This is a low priced easy to carry unit. AltecLansing, Bose and others have better sounding units, but at usually 2-4 times as much money. And those other units may not have a radio feature and certainly not a CD player.

If you are a critical listener, then you'll have to settle for paying a lot more.

I hope that ILive lights a fire under those other guys and forces them to come out with more versatile units which can accommodate CDs and radio as well as IPods. In my opinion, the more versatile the unit, the more useful to the consumer. Ipods are popular, but CDs will stick around for a long time.

This ILive unit looks good enough to sit on your desk, but is cheap enough to give to your kids as a gift.