Aluratek AIRMM01 Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi (Black)

Cheap Aluratek AIRMM01 Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi (Black) Review

Comparison of Squeezebox Radio and Aluratek Internet Alarm Clock

Ease of Installation

Both units are easy to install, IF you have experience with networks. If you have to call the Geek Squad to install a new computer on your network, these both may be a challenge for you and you probably should seek assistance. Note the power button for the Aluratek is on the BACK.

Entry of 128 bit WEP keys on my secure wireless LAN was easy and intuitive, and yes, you can see the entire key as you enter it. Squeezebox' is entered combination-lock style and Aluratek's is entered cell phone style. The units remember this key if they are unplugged. Once the key is entered, the units will then both add themselves to your LAN. Wired LANs can skip this step.

Each unit works in conjunction with an online web site to add internet radio stations. Once you enter your user name and password into the unit, the web site will then immediately add all favorites on the site into your radio. Note: when you enter the MAC address into V-tuner to set up your account for the Aluratek, you have to use the numbers above the keyboard. Numbers on the number pad to the right may look the same but will NOT work.

Each unit can play internet radio, play your own music collection, and in addition, the Aluratek has a built in FM tuner and can play music from a "thumb drive."

Aluratek has a remote control as standard, and a remote is an option on the Squeezebox.

Differences

Audio quality is better by far on the Squeezebox. The internal speaker sounds pretty good for a small radio. The speaker on the Aluratek is just what you would expect from a 4 inch clock radio speaker: OK but not great. At higher volumes it is pretty bad. Connecting external speakers to either makes either sound excellent and overcomes this difference.

The Aluratek has a built in FM tuner, in addition to being able to tune local radio stations that have a streaming service on the net. This tuner is not very good even set to higher sensitivity: it had trouble picking up a local station that comes in clearly on other tuners, and even then it was scratchy and only in MONO.

The Squeezebox is able to work with Squeezebox Server running on my NAS and therefore a constantly running PC is not required. The Aluratek requires a PC running Windows Media Player, or similar streaming source in order to play music from your local PC collection.

Fit and finish and general tactile feel of the Squeezebox Radio is better. The Squeezebox also can accommodate an optional battery pack making it truly portable.

The Squeezebox has 6 preset pushbuttons. I got this unit for my non-technically inclined and visually impaired mother. But with only power, volume, and 6 station preset buttons she can easily operate it. The Aluratek however has nested menus which are more confusing.

The clock display on the Aluratek is bigger and more easily read without your glasses. The clock display on the Squeezebox is smaller, only runs when the power is off, and gets miniscule when the radio power is turned on. The clock stays on when the Aluratek is powered up. The display is REALLY bright. It will light up a whole room at night. Only the duration of the backlight is adjustable, not the intensity. A piece of plastic window tint fixed this; get the "static cling" kind.

The Aluratek is designed to be a clock radio. The buttons on the top are bigger and easier to locate in the dark or when you are sleepy. The buttons on the Squeezebox are on the front and smaller (and more numerous).

The Squeezebox updated itself immediately upon connection (took an hour!) but the Aluratek update is completely manual. I tried to do this but was unsuccessful; maybe this was because it already had the latest firmware. Some way to know the version on the website would be nice, then you could compare that to what is onboard the radio.

The Aluratek comes with extensive documentation in English and French: quick start guide, manual and a CD, but the Squeezebox comes with only a brief quick start guide.

Overall impression

I give the Aluratek 4 stars, taking off points for the poor FM radio, non-adjustable backlight and mediocre sound quality on the internal speaker. The Squeezebox Radio gets 5 stars...see my other review of the Squeezebox Classic and Whole House Music Systems.

Aluratek AIRMM01 Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi (Black) Feature

• Aluratek¿s new Internet Radio Alarm Clock with Built in Wifi allows you to easily access more than 11,000 radio stations in over 150 countries
• Don¿t be limited to what you can tune in from your old AM/FM analog radio anymore

Aluratek AIRMM01 Internet Radio Alarm Clock with built-in WiFi (Black) Overview

Choose between more than 11,000 radio stations worldwide via built-in vTuner with no monthly cost Compatible with universal Plug-n-Play audio servers such as: Microsoft Media Player 11 (WMP11), Microsoft Media Connect, MusicMatch Jukebox Wireless access WIFI 802.11 b and g, Ethernet and USB 2.0 (host only) connectivity Access music fi les (MP3, WMA, WAV) stored on a USB 2.0 flash drive, MP3 player or Hard drive through the unit¿s USB port Alarm clock function with 2 programmable alarms wakes you up to internet radio, FM radio, digital music, or choice of several alarm tones



*** Product Information and Prices Stored: May 21, 2010 12:00:04