Buying new Audio system - is it me?

Cornucopia

My old (Minidisc-based) bedroom hifi went phut a couple of weeks ago, so I have been looking for a new one.

I've found it very difficult to find what I want, and even to find out before purchase whether the system will even do what I want.

It's pretty simple (I think).

I definitely want:-

- MP3/USB playback
- self-powered (no mucking about with cables for portable equipment)
- a clock display when the unit is in standby (alarm & sleep timers)
- FM and/or DAB radio
- Aux in

Optionally: Bluetooth, CD. I would possibly consider MP3 CD playback instead of USB.

The difficulty starts with form factor. There are clock radios, which only have USB/MP3 as a niche product in niche brands. There are iPod docks (I don't have an iPod). There are Bluetooth speakers, but these tend to be Bluetooth only, and most don't have clocks. And there are Micro Hifi's, although I've had 2 of these from Argos so far, and neither has a permanent clock display in standby (I'm sensing eco-babble and/or the EU here, but I could be wrong).

Finding it very frustrating, not helped by the fact I know a bit about electronic & software engineering, and know that a manufacturer's decision to omit Aux-in or an option to permanently display the clock is little better than spite.

Any suggested products, anyone? Looking to spend £50-£100, ideally purchasing from Argos.

Cornucopia

Now thinking about getting this... bit pricey, but has loads of features.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2249728.htm#pdpFullProductInformation


In fact, this and its little brother seem to be the only items at Argos that definitely tick all the boxes. Even then, it's a shame that the USB port is for charging only, and not for data.

wealdroam

Cornucopia wrote: »

Now thinking about getting this... bit pricey, but has loads of features.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2249728.htm#pdpFullProductInformation


In fact, this and its little brother seem to be the only items at Argos that definitely tick all the boxes. Even then, it's a shame that the USB port is for charging only, and not for data.

Buy that for over £20 less from Amazon.

Cornucopia

Cheers for that. :beer:

Cornucopia

Okay - so I got that Roberts Radio from John Lewis (at the £20 less price). And... it had an infuriating resonance with the subwoofer inside the case, and the dimmer on the clock was not well-designed (the night setting being too dark to read in the daytime).

So, I took it back. Spent a few minutes with a member of staff choosing a replacement (a JL own brand radio) only to get that home and find that its clock had no alarm, sleep timer, etc.

So, I took that back. Spent 15 minutes with a member of staff before determining that despite a huge variety of equipment, there were no viable options below about £150.

I went back to Argos and got a basic Bluetooth speaker (£25), and downloaded a clock app for my phone. All works fine (and as a bonus courtesy of Argos poor descriptions, it has an unlisted USB playback feature). All I need now is a dock or a stand for the phone, and it will all be sorted....

Soooo much hassle, though.