Home > Consumer Reviews > iLive Docking System and Boombox with Speakers for iPod and MP3 Players (Black)

Given the price this sells for, this is an OK value and buy, considering what it does. You can use this with your iPOD or other MP3 player (with an adapter cord which is not included) by using the headphone output jack with volume turned up. The only drawbacks are that the unit has no base/treble controls, and the cheap digital tuner is a manual flywheel type (not a pushbutton type), so the stations tend to 'drift' a bit after a while. In addition, the digital station number display is way off frequency, so for example, if you want to tune in '1100' AM, you need to tune it to '1110' or so. It also would have been nice if the unit had a 'sleep timer' to automatically turn the unit off as you sleep. The tuner display is also angled upwards, which renders it unviewable if you're lying down in bed and it's sitting on a night table. The sound is below average, with very deficient bass, and rolled-off treble. But, for the price, this is a simple and effective solution for what it does. Just don't have high expectations. MP3 files don't sound nearly as good as CD's and LP's do anyway (which previous generations grew up with), so this current generation is more accepting of mediocre sound to begin with, unfortunately.

For the price this is a great radio. iPod sounds great. Radio best when outdoors.

I've used it daily for the past few weeks and I feel it's an excellent buy for $50. The sound quality is good PERIOD, and stacks up to some of the more expensive docking stations on the market. I can leave the boombox downstairs and it's loud enough (with quality sound) to hear upstairs. The AM/FM tuner and clock are nice features. Sure, it would be nice to have a base/treble adjust, but anyone that particular about sound should read the label and invest in one of the high end docking stations. If you want a portable boombox with good quality sound, you can't go wrong with this unit.

I love the idea of plugging in my i-pod and being able to carry it around, listening to my music, without having to use headphones.
The one thing I do not like is using 8 C cell batteries which make the portablility pretty heavy.
Needs some work to make this portable listening device lighter to carry.

This docking stations does not charge your I-Pod.
The volume dial give sporadic sound levels and changes dramatically if you accidentally bump the device.
The blue backlight on the clock makes it virtually impossible to see the time.
The plus side well the radio works ok, but the volume issue presists.

I purchased this item from another source. I paid $20 and that was more than this is worth.