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iHome iDL45: Clock Radio with Lightning Dock for iPad and iPhone

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The new iHome iDL45 FM stereo alarm clock radio puts a Lightning dock connector on top of an alarm clock with FM radio that charges and plays music from a user’s iPad with Retina, iPad mini, iPhone 5, iPod Touch fifth gen or newer Apple iOS devices.

We’re finally starting to see Lightning docks and charging accessories, but the iHome iDL45 is one of the first full-featured docks.

Unfortunately, the iHome iDL45 sounds subpar.

ihome idl45 with iphone 5

iHome Audio put a ton of features into the iHome iDL45. Here’s a list of what’s included:

  • Lightning connector works with iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5th gen, iPad mini, 4th gen iPad with Retina Display
  • Dual charging with dock and USB port on back
  • Wake or sleep to music on iOS devices or FM radio
  • Reson8 speakers
  • Programmable snooze and sleep timer via iHome Set app
  • Gradually raises audio of alarms or sleep feature
  • Dual alarms
  • Time Sync between device and dock with push of a button
  • FM Radio with 6 presets stations
  • External FM antenna
  • Stereo auxiliary input on back
  • Adjustable EQ, bass, treble, balance and 3D sound
  • Battery back keeps time and settings saved if power goes out

ihome idl45 clock display

 

What We Like

The iHome iDL45 comes packed with features. Being able to charge two devices saved us space on the wall outlet and our nightstand. The stereo input on the back expands the speakers to allow non-iOS audio devices to use it, like Android phones.

The large display makes it easy to see the clock across the room. The snooze button also will dim the display to make it less annoying in a dark room.

The iHome iDL45 sets up easily. Set the time by inserting the iOS device and hit the clock button. This syncs the time from the device to the dock, keeping them in sync.

ihome idl45 controls top

We like the programmable snooze, sleep timer and the gradually increasing or decreasing volume of the alarm or sleep timer.

The dock controls iOS devices whether we plug them into the USB port or the dock on top. The user can quickly change between them to play music from either device. The on dock controls will play/pause/skip the audio.

ihome idl45 back

What We Don’t Like

The audio of the iHome iDL45 could sound better. It’s extremely loud but a bit tinny. We fixed it a little by changing the equalizer in the iHome Set app to raise the level of the base, but it still sounds average at best.

The dock comes with a massive wall wart power supply. We wish they’d fix this so that we could plug it in without blocking other outlets.

ihome idl45 with ipad mini

Recommendation

With crisper and cleaner sound, we wouldn’t heistate recommending the iHome iDL45 event at $100. However, we know that most people don’t use an alarm clock as their primary listening tool. It’s nice to wake up to music instead of a blaring screeching alarm. Because of the great convenience and lots of features in a fair price, we still don’t mind calling this one a buy.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Emily

    06/30/2013 at 10:04 pm

    Hello. I just bought this Ihome today. I am loving it so far, but there is one thing that is making me not love this ihome fully. I can’t plug in my Iphone 5 with the case on. I have a fairly slim speck case (nothing like an otterbox) and it will not connect. is this normal? is there any way to fix it?

  2. John

    08/28/2013 at 12:26 pm

    very lame that they don’t take cases into consideration when they build these things. It’s extremely annoying having to remove the case on both my iphone5 and ipad in order for them to dock properly. I’m still debating if I’m going to keep this product.
    The sound is “ok”, I’ve heard better sound from similar devices around the same price range.

  3. James

    02/05/2014 at 7:39 pm

    Plan on getting this soon. As far as cases goes A don’t buy an otterbox because the only series that is really maybe dock-able is reflex. B There are easy and relatively cheap solutions to case and docking issues. You can buy an extension for the lighting connector or you can DIY it and remove the rubber strip and sand down the edges of the lightning connector if need be.

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