Sony ICF-CD2000 CD Clock Radio with FM/AM Radio and Backlit Display

Pop open the brushed-aluminum lid to reveal the CD transport and control panel (tucked into the base) as well as a backlit LCD screen, clock functions, and two miniature speakers (housed in the lid). A telescoping FM antenna of questionable value juts out the back.

Setting the clock, alarm time, wake-up mode, and preset stations is refreshingly simple, and we love the world/local modes, which instantly tells the time of any time zone you assign to it. Plus, there's a button that jumps the clock back and forth between daylight-savings time and standard time, eliminating the need to reset the clock every six months.

Sony's Mega-bass control adds a welcome fullness to the sound of the ICF-CD2000's speakers, which sound too thin without it. The supplied headphones are an improvement, but here the Mega Bass is overwhelming, so use caution when switching between speaker and headphone listening.

Four AA batteries (not included) drive the ICF-CD2000 for portable use, while the supplied lithium battery insures that the clock will stay set--and even buzz you awake--during power interruptions.

Although a bit pricey, Sony's ICF-CD2000 is one sweet little traveling companion. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Sleek and portable
• Easy to use
• Mega Bass fills out the sound

Cons:

• Noisy FM reception

The auto scan feature automatically searches all clearly available radio stations and pauses briefly on each. The five random station presets provide for convenient one-button electronic tuning. The backlit LCD display allows the display to be seen easily, even at night. You can wake to a radio, buzzer, or CD alarm. The forward/reverse time setting allows for faster, easier setting.

Built-in stereo speakers enhance the realistic listening effect with individual left- and right-channel speakers. The mega bass sound system produces rich, deep bass tones. The 10-second electronic shock protection retains up to 10 seconds of music in memory for smooth playback even if the player is bumped or jarred.

Product Description
Sony ICF-CD2000 travel CD Clock Radio with ultra-slim design is an attractive, easy-to-carry functional entertainment companion anywhere in the world. Wake to Radio, Buzzer or CD as you prefer, simply by selecting your preference when setting the alarm. AM/FM digital tuner provides the most accurate drift-free tuning of AM and FM radio stations. Built-in stereo speakers enhance the realistic listening effect with individual left- and right-channel speakers. 10-second Electronic Shock Protection (ESP) retains up to 10 seconds of music in memory for smooth, uninterrupted playback even if the player is bumped or jarred. World/local time system with easy DST adjustment lets you match up time zones over the globe, automatically converts to local time, and provides simple correction for Daylight Savings Time where appropriate. Mega Bass sound system produces rich, deep bass tones for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. Auto Scan automatically searches all clearly available radio stations and pauses briefly on each, to help make station selection easier when in unfamiliar locations. 5 Random Station Presets feature provides for convenient one-button electronic tuning of your choice of five favorite AM or FM radio stations. Backlit LCD allows the display to be seen easily even at night. Forward/reverse time setting with individual forward and reverse buttons for each alarm provides faster, easier setting. Stereo headphones are included for private listening anywhere. AC adaptor allows for either portable use with four "AA" batteries or with standard household current.

Does not play audio CD-Rs that even my 5 year old boombox plays effortlessly. With regular CDs the delay before the first song comes on is longer than most other CD players - upwards of 10 seconds. Occasionally fails to play even regular CDs on the first try. No sleep timer for CD.

Looks like Sony slapped a mediocre CD player on to an otherwise good clock radio. BTW the clock supports 'World Time' but only as an offset to 'Local Time' in multiples of whole hours - it should have supported offsets in multiples of half-hour.


Great if you need something small and/or portable   March 14, 2001
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

This is a good choice for an office radio because: a) the small size makes it easy lock in a drawer each night; b) it has an antenna that extends or retracts; c) it has digital tuning (and mega-bass); d) it can play very softly or pretty loudly; e) I can hit the stop button quickly.

Among the drawbacks are: a) the controls are not quick to find (for example: I always have to look for the CD play mode button) and not the easiest to understand; b) the high price - I think you pay for the Sony brand and the lightweight size.


sony icf-cd2000   October 28, 2000
canny cheung (Hong Kong)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

pro - compact; light weight; reasonably sound quality con - no universal a/c adaptor for travel; no carrying case; no cd sleep mode