Sony ICF-M1000 "the radio" is, er, a radio

What can you say about a plain, rectangular, $150 table radio that gets FM and AM, has a mono speaker, LCD readout and line in jack? If you're Sony, you call it not just a radio, but "the radio," and claim that you've taken "the next step" in radio technology. Sorry, Sony, but the late Henry Kloss did that decades ago, and it looks like "the radio" is just following in his well-worn footsteps.

[TC @ Mar 17th 2006 9:56AM]

It does look a bit like a step, to be fair.

[Jason @ Mar 17th 2006 9:58AM]

This is pretty sad. Maybe Sony is going back to their core competency of 50 years ago.

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 17th 2006 9:59AM]

You have got to be kidding me.
Give this venture up now, Sony. Tivoli radios have this niche locked up!

Look folks, if you want a decent Tivoli knockoff that won't break the bank, look for the JWin JX-P202 table radio.
I got a couple at a Boscovs for 15 bucks each.
It works great, looks great and is inexpensive.

[Guse @ Mar 17th 2006 9:59AM]

Hey I've got two of those in my living room...but they don't have the little knobs or the clock...(scratches head)

[DM @ Mar 17th 2006 10:00AM]

...seriously, what the hell is wrong with Sony these days??

[PodMonkeys @ Mar 17th 2006 10:02AM]

Its hard to believe they made it with only Mono. Sometimes I wonder about Sony.

[V.I. @ Mar 17th 2006 10:05AM]

This retro ish is just not working for alot of companies. Just quit. Well maybe not, there are clowns out there that would pay $150 for some ish just cause it has SONY on it.

[Regula Oblique @ Mar 17th 2006 10:05AM]

Oh Shoot! old school sony is back, next well all be walking around with walk-mans that use mp3 cassettes.
Then after that maybe the return of the Big boom boxes.

[Jason @ Mar 17th 2006 10:06AM]

Am I missing something here? Why is this thing $150?

Sony: Where Mono is the new Stereo!

[js @ Mar 17th 2006 10:07AM]

At least it's better than the iPod HiFi.

[Craig @ Mar 17th 2006 10:11AM]

But you just know there are fools out there who believe anything with SONY slapped on it is worth buying.

[Dave @ Mar 17th 2006 10:15AM]

Sorry #8 but I haven't heard either one yet. What makes the Sony better? Crisper high's a punchier low end? Does Sony's mono speaker sound better than Apple's stereo speakers?

[Lee @ Mar 17th 2006 10:15AM]

#7 -- I think this is some sort of insignificant epidemic; I saw a tabletop radio - much like this Sony model - by Boston Acoustic at Best Buy the other day... the Boston was $152... and also had a single speaker & was very minimalistic. Apparently it's "The Recepter" model, and you can get an extra speaker for it... bringing the total to two speakers... why am I not excited... does not compute. Ooooh, and the Boston is "HD Radio."
My day is now over.

[cd @ Mar 17th 2006 10:15AM]

Henry Kloss redid this only a few years ago:

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=165&cat=262&page=1

I have one of these and it's easily the best radio I have, other than the component system in my living room.

There is a market for these things. But it looks like Sony is just playing catch-up (again.)

[Philofaxer @ Mar 17th 2006 10:22AM]

What I don't understand is all the people who are surprised that this is mono and not stereo. Lots of companies have been selling mono table radios over the last couple of years. I really don't know who is buying them, but someone is.

(Of course, for many listening purposes, there probably isn't much difference between a high quality mono speaker and a "stereo" system of the same size, given the minimal separation possible at typical listening distances...)

[matt @ Mar 17th 2006 10:27AM]

half the price as the apple boombox, but twice as many complainers!!!

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 17th 2006 10:27AM]

You pegged it, Philofaxer .

In some applications a simple monophonic table radio is quite ideal.

[David @ Mar 17th 2006 10:27AM]

I have a Model One and I'm quite happy with it-- and it was only $99. I'm waiting for an affordable HD tabletop, this Sony is neither.

[Lee @ Mar 17th 2006 10:32AM]

I grew up with a radio on our kitchen table - only one speaker there, and it worked like a champ. I suppose what baffles me about this is - in the case of the Boston that's like this Sony - Why the high cost? Is it because it's "retro?" If so, I'll go buy an actual retro table radio at the Salvation Army store and upgrade the speaker in it for less than $30.
Styling-wise, I do actually kinda dig the Sony... It's just a black rectangle with a few knobs... I'm okay with that.

[Lee @ Mar 17th 2006 10:34AM]

BTW, the Tivoli Model One's design is very nice... and it comes in a bunch of nice colors with actual wood. Very cool and understated.

[Ken @ Mar 17th 2006 10:35AM]

People still listen to radio?

[Chiablo @ Mar 17th 2006 10:37AM]

I'm just waiting for Ken Kutaragi to make an official statement regarding The Radio!

"Our goal for The Radio is for consumers to think to themselves, 'I will work more hours to buy one,' "
"We want people to feel that they want The Radio, irrespective of anything else."

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 17th 2006 10:37AM]

The stying reminds me of classic Marantz a little bit. Dial is a nice even blue.
http://www.audiobuys.net/thumbnails/pictures/dc17331.jpg

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 17th 2006 10:40AM]

To be honest, I use my radios to tune in my Sirius Starmate Replay's FM Modulator around the house/yard.

-It's the only thing they're really good for anymore. :(

[DC @ Mar 17th 2006 10:42AM]

I have four sound systems in my house. Two home theatre setups, a 2-channel bedroom system and a Tivoli Model 1 in the kitchen. The Tivoli gets more use than the other three combined. It's kind of pricey for what it is, but I just love using it and it sounds quite nice.

There is one problem with it. You can't explicity set it to Aux. As soon as you plug something into the aux, it overrides the AM/FM setting. This prevents you from leaving something plugged into it all the time.

[Lee @ Mar 17th 2006 10:44AM]

In response to the tablespoon of sarcasm -> "People still listen to radio?"

Indeed. Did you know you can even listen to it for free, without having to pay or having to slap a UFO-like antenna on your car roof just to listen to Howard Stern bloviate?

I'll take my radio for free, thanks... but in this case, likely not for the asking price of $150 for a table radio... no matter how well it might be built.

[gozer @ Mar 17th 2006 10:50AM]

DC-"
There is one problem with it. You can't explicity set it to Aux. As soon as you plug something into the aux, it overrides the AM/FM setting. This prevents you from leaving something plugged into it all the time."

do you have the slightly older model one without an aux position on the input selection knob? the newer ones allow you to choose fm>am>aux whereas the older ones were just fm>am

i have the model two and model subwoofer and have never enjoyed radio as much. they also sound great hooked up to my computer.

[Nuke @ Mar 17th 2006 10:51AM]

Well, to me , it looks like the prfect waiting room radio. Like the one they have in the dentist office. Thats the only place i can see it in...

[Dod @ Mar 17th 2006 10:54AM]

Holy boring product batman!

[7of7 @ Mar 17th 2006 10:56AM]

I think this is a great idea. It's ugly and looks almost as much like a microwave as the Apple HiFi, but people need to turn off their TVs and chill with a book and the radio. It's stunting our imagination to not have to think anymore. I remember when I was little sitting on the couch reading a book while listening to Garrison Keilor. I still get all sentimental about his show. There are also other great shows like Echoes and the various news shows. I guarentee if even 30% of US citizens spent more time listening to NPR the country would be more intelligent, more productive, and happier as a whole.

[Mike @ Mar 17th 2006 11:07AM]

From Sony's product description:
"Sporting an FM/AM digital tuner, monaural base reflex speaker, highly sensitive digital tuning control and tone control, "the radio" has both beauty and brains."

Apparently, Sony's copy writer can't even get the terminology correct. It's "bass reflex", not "base reflex".

[Lee @ Mar 17th 2006 11:07AM]

Dod, not to defend this Sony box or anything, but it IS just a radio... do you want it to do backflips to entertain you?

[etane @ Mar 17th 2006 11:17AM]

It's a radio and center channel speaker hybrid.

[Ken @ Mar 17th 2006 11:24AM]

Allow me to add a little more nutrition to my "tablespoon of sarcasm". I don't know how it is in the rest of the world, but in Connecticut there is no good radio anymore. The air waves are polluted with watered-down mix and top-40 garbage, with the bonus of 5-10 minute blocks of obnoxious commercials. I have more music selection in my right pocket than all of my state's stations combined. Also, it is impossible to find music on the air in the morning. It's just channel after channel of useless drivel. Free advertisements and moronic chatter? No thanks, I'll stick with my mp3 player.

The only stations that have any worth are those that are public radio.

[sunnyday @ Mar 17th 2006 11:47AM]

WOW! finally, a radio that is capable of FM & AM.... I better hurry-up pre-order before it became out-of-stock again.

[Lee @ Mar 17th 2006 11:48AM]

Well it'd definitely too bad radio stinks where you're at... Here in Texas, there's tons of good radio... Sure, there's commercials, but to me it's better than paying for something that should be free.

(Agreed, top 40 tday is all crap... jsut a bunch of bubblegum & "humps")

So, for those who actually have decent radio stations, a tabletop set like this Sony might be nice. I just wish it weren't so pricey.

[ZSX @ Mar 17th 2006 11:51AM]

I like the simple design, but it reminds me of the Muji radio - which also has a CD player for �99!

http://www.mujionline.co.uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?Sec=2&Sub=7&PID=6

[darkboy115 @ Mar 17th 2006 12:02PM]

I'm looking for a decent radio for work, but one with presets. Why is it so hard to have presets? Can't find a decent radio with presets for under $50.

[Mojo Yugen @ Mar 17th 2006 12:25PM]

I�m encouraged by this device.

Notice how Sony is finally embracing open standards with it:

AM & FM - Not Sony�s proprietary SM signal.
AC power � It even fits into a non-Sony wall outlet!
Arabic numbers � They have finally shelved the idea of forcing you to lean Sony�s proprietary digit system (S.D.S. - patent pending).
Air! � That�s right, you don�t have to fill your house with Sony brand air. This baby pumps out sound waves that are fully compatible with the normal air found in the majority of user�s households. (Of course Sony still recommends the use of SonyAir for optimal results.

Well done Sony. Well done.

[Jamie @ Mar 17th 2006 12:27PM]

Love the TV's and the video games.... as for everything else... meh. I'm tired of Sony always trying to force me to buy their stuff. Can't use a camera with a Flash Card, gotta buy THEIR memory stick. Now they're trying to screw us with the new DVD format while figting with everyone else. The results? Depending on who released the movie it'll be on different formats. Sony can burn in hell as far as I'm concerned. BTW, if you want to listen to a smoking radio then go this route: http://www.bostonacoustics.com/home_product.aspx?category_id=34&product_id=213

[Iris @ Mar 17th 2006 12:32PM]

It's called advertising dumbasses!

What?, you brilliant folks expect a Sony to say, "hey folks, its just a plain radio", in their press release and sell you something. Tivoli calls themselves the best radios on the market. A deli down my street calls their subs and coffee the "best in the world". Taco Bell sells you dog-food grade meat and tells you the "crunch wrap supreme" is revolutionary.

I know Engadet has gone down the shitter recently, but I'm amazed that they can't read through a ad without getting all worked up.

[jc @ Mar 17th 2006 12:54PM]

mono? monoooo? MONOOOOO?????
who's gonna dish out $150 for a mono radio!!!????

oh well.. maybe it's 'live' and has '4D' sound.

[Great Googly Moogly @ Mar 17th 2006 12:57PM]

Heh. The funny thing is that a lot of people on here would be all over this if it were white, made by Apple and cost $400.

[atomb @ Mar 17th 2006 1:18PM]

#44....exactly...and the arguements would be based around the fact that we don't NEED a second speaker and that's why Apple didn't include one on the unit.

I couldn't believe this post had 44 comments!

[JK @ Mar 17th 2006 1:19PM]

Dear Sirs,

There's plenty of market for mono radios this size and price. But they better look good (Tivoli) for that. This sony doesn't.

And Lee, you idiot, the Boston Acoustic radio is expensive BECAUSE it is HD radio. That's not just marketing BS. That's the marketing name for the new terrestrial digital broadcasting format just coming online in the large US markets. Educate yourself, fool.

http://www.hdradio.com

[Derwin @ Mar 17th 2006 1:38PM]

Is it just me or has Engadget gotten more and more pessimistic and sarcastic with each of their posts? Everything now is a snide "hey, nice try..." and "better luck next time..." comment.

[gman @ Mar 17th 2006 2:21PM]

I don't even think that bazooka clock radio fits on my night table. Looks real heavy too.

[Jim D @ Mar 17th 2006 2:53PM]

I like the design. It looks nice.
It probably sounds quite good enough.. I'd like to hear it before I make any judgements.

[jedda @ Mar 17th 2006 3:12PM]

Walkman HIFI?

[Trib @ Mar 17th 2006 8:00PM]

Mono = no thanks

what'd make this product good is if the speaker were a virtual surround speaker. Now that'd be nice :)