Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony ICF-CD853V AM/FM/TV/Weather Clock Radio/CD Player

Very nice clock. Although sound is a little thin (but what do you expect from a clock radio), it's very clean and detailed. CD transport works very well, plays all my CD-Rs and RWs without a hitch. Pros: Big display (easy to read), digital tuner, nice button layout, very easy to set the alarms, brightness control (although manual.) Cons: cannot set alarms separately for weekdays/weekends, no gentle wake, very brights not-dimmable LEDs that shine brigther that the LCD screen itself, need a longer FM antenna for better reception.

I'm returning it to get the next model in line (ICF-CD863V), which has automatic dimmer control, gentle wake, and slightly better sound.

I've owned the "Liv" version of this alarm clock, same model just different color, for about 6 months now. I initially liked the digital tuner, CD-RW play ability, 3 alarms, and 3 Tuner function. Also I liked the compactness of it and it's small "footprint".
I'm afraid I must rate it unacceptable however, I'll explain why. First I have a problem with seeing the time on the LCD, being backlit makes it hard to read the numbers- even being placed directly across from my bed, it's also difficult to see at certain angles too (it completely disappears) I believe if just the numbers themselves (not the whole screen) were lit then this would be a solution. Secondly, I think the "buzzer" is way too polite or cute and could easily see someone sleeping thru it. It's not volume adjustable either. Lastly, and probably most important, this thing has only a 1 min internal back-up if the power fails. That is a critical design flaw in my opinion. In other words, if the power happens to go out for anytime longer than just 1 minute while you're sleeping count on oversleeping, being late, and seeing a flashing "12:00" to greet you when you wake. Like I said, this is simply unacceptable. I really don't understand why sony didn't just incorporate a 9V back-up like other alarm clocks use. In closing, I wish I never bought it, but oh well, I've learned my lesson. Please steer clear of sony alarm clocks until they improve these sort of design flaws.

I read all the reviews and figured this had the least things I hated (I was pretty discouraged at what was out there, especially since my #1 requirement is a digital tuner, this being the only one Sony makes; I can't stand playing with a dial trying to lock in). I didn't mind so much that I would probably have to prop up the back or leave it on the floor to see the time (you really have to look straight (or down) at it, so with your head on pillow, you have to get up) or that there was no battery back up, but decided its going back when I overslept cause I didn't hear the alarm for 45min. It's soft and puts u in a trance. I tried the radio the next day and I swear it never went off(I used a backup).
I think I'll take my chances with a RCA or Timex and be happy with just a radio when the CDplayer breaks. I guess I've been spoiled by my old one, where I could flick a switch and the alarm would come back on same time, and the volume would get louder in case you had it down the night before.

Sony really should stop making alarm clocks. This is the third SONY alarm clock I have purchased, and I have really not been happy with them. I don't know why I keep buying them! I bought this one as a gift for a friend, and feel guilty about it. The volume control is analog, and it is difficult to locate on the side. The controls are in general difficult to use. As far as I can tell, there is no battery backup. When the power goes out...you have to reset the clock...and set the radio stations from scratch!

The TIMEX T309T is a much better option. The pop-out CD mechanism is a little weird, but overall it is WAY better than the Sony version. You can pretty much access the controls in the dark, and there are two digital volumes (sleep, and alarm/regular). Plus, it has battery backup!

The features advertised for this CD clock radio made it seem like a solution to my disappointment with similar models in the genre. It has a digital tuner, large display, plays CD/R/RW, and the Sony Mega Bass system. Well... it has a digital tuner indeed with very poor sensitivity on FM (even with endless tries with the little antenna), no reception on weather and that you have to repeatedly press the "band" button to find your presets. The display is nice if you can read it; you must be directly in front of and slightly above, or it disappears. The CD functions are very good, but the sound is rather muddy, made worse by the Mega Bass and postioning of the speakers. The styling is odd, and while it may have a small footprint, it takes up a lot of room as it swells up to the concave CD lid. The labels on the buttons are unreadable thanks to a "mirrored" background behind the plastic front. The alarms are pretty useless; the buzzer is very soft, and one can't go to sleep with soft music without the radio/CD going off in the morning at the same soft level. Far too many design defects are incorporated in this model to use it for any purpose!