Polk Audio ships I-Sonic XM/HD Radio combo system

It's not quite an XM / Sirius combo unit, but Polk Audio's new I-Sonic system is nonetheless a first of its kind, combining XM and HD Radio capabilities along with a CD / DVD player for good measure. For those who still enjoy rocking it 20th century style, it'll also pick up plain old AM and FM radio stations. The unit itself measures a countertop-friendly 14.5 x 9.75 x 4.75 inches and packs two sets of auxiliary inputs that'll let you jack in just about any audio device you like (like, say, a Stiletto, perhaps?), as well as S-Video and composite video outputs in case you want to do more than just listen to DVDs. List price is a hefty $599 US, but Polk knows you're good for it.

[Via Talk Radio Nation]

[David @ Aug 22nd 2006 10:51AM]

Great, and only a year late: http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/134613.html

[sdsdv10 @ Aug 22nd 2006 5:24PM]

David,

If you would have taken at least 20-30 seconds to click the link (to Talk Radio Nation) you would have seen that this is a shipment pronouncement. I quote the article.

"Polk Audio announced today (today being 8/21/2006) that they have released the first shipments of the I-Sonic entertainment system - the first combination product to include an HD Radio tuner, a DVD/CD player and XM Satellite Radio receiver in a single compact unit."

So while Polk may have announced the player back in April of 2005, it took them more than 16 months to actually ship it. That would make it a current news item. As now you may actually buy it, if you are so inclined. For $600, I for one am not.

Research, read, think, post. In that order please.

[MitzEclipse @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:59AM]

I am looking to replace my Bose Wave Radio with something else. This Polk Audio I-Sonic looks great because it has a built in DVD player.

Couple questions:

1) I moved to london and don't currently have a DVD player. I'd like to use this as an all in one system since its' so compact and space is an issue. Will this DVD player play the DVDs in London?

2) What is the voltage of this as the voltage in London is 220v.

3) Are there any other type of high end systems like this Polk Audio and Bose Wave Radio I should be looking at to meet my needs?

4) Also, does anyone know where I can purchase one? I will be in NYC next week and I would love to pick one up, however, i called the dealers found here: http://www.polkaudio.com/dealerlocator/index.php and none of them even knew what it was! PolkAudio is shipping them online, but i am trying to avoid paying VAT on the shipment...

[Smivey @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:08PM]

They should have waited longer to release it. I just got mine and I'm going to return it. They claim that this machine fills the room with stereo sound. That might be so, but I thought it sounded very muddy and not as refined as my simple Proton clock radio. The tuner didn't seem to work very well either, constantly making faint clicking noises. And the interface was very confusing, using a series of unmarked "soft" buttons that change actions depending on which menu you're on. Bleh.

[Peter @ Aug 24th 2006 12:20PM]

I got mine two days ago and love it. I live in a fairly big two-bedroom apartment and the I-Sonic sounds great, the sound does wrap around you. It has deep bass and the highs sound incredible. However, if you expect the I-Sonic to shake the ceiling and walls this is not the product for you.
I can say that I have found only two drawbacks: first, even though the display is easy to navigate, you have to be standing in front of it because it is too small to see from a distance. Or go ahead and memorize all the menus, which we all do when we get familiar with a new toy. And second, the remote has to be pointed directly at the I-Sonic or it won’t respond.
HD Radio rocks!!! check your local available stations at www.hdradio.com

[MitzEclipse @ Aug 25th 2006 7:05PM]

Peter or Smiver - or anyone else - where did you buy this? Thanks

[Brian @ Aug 26th 2006 2:23PM]

I recieved mine a few days ago as well. Purchased it directly from the Polk site; Arrived in 3 business days. First I'll start by saying I have not heard the Bose or any of the other competitive models so from a comparitive standpoint, I don't have a clue how the i-Sonic stands up. What I will say is that to my ears, the unit sounds magnificent. I am not disappointed. Is it worth the money?, to me - I think so... however, sound quality is a subjective thing. Given the cost of this unit, I had big expectations - and was still pleasantly surprised. As Peter commented, you cannot really navigate the display from across the room however; the display is of generous size given the overall size of the unit. I have not noticed that I have to point the remote directly at the unit in order to get it to work. I do however; question the lifespan of the non-substantial membrane type remote. HD Radio is very impressive (sounds every bit as good as CDs) - There is only one HD Radio station it can recieve in my area and its the wrong genre for my tastes. After buying this little marval, I sure hope HD Radio catches on in more markets.

[MitzEclipse @ Aug 28th 2006 1:43AM]

Brian, can you tell me what the voltage is on the i-sonic? Is it 110-220v or just 110 for the US?

Thanks

[Brian @ Aug 30th 2006 7:47PM]

MitzEclipse,

The unit is 110vac - 60hz. It seems as though the reviews that are popping up are favorable so far.

One reviewer (http://msn-cnet.com.com/Polk_Audio_I_Sonic/4505-6721_7-31356489-2.html?tag=sub) indicated their unit shipped with a CD that contained a firmware revision that had something to do with the DVD functionality. As far as I can find (as of last night), the Polk website makes no mention of this.

[Peter @ Sep 8th 2006 3:35PM]

MitzEclipse:

I bought mine from Tweeter. You can go to www.tweeter.com and check where your nearest location is.

And to address your issue about 110-220v... When I was living in South America my mom had a sewing machine that was 110v. She used a power converter and it worked pretty good. These devices are not that expensive... you can check them out at http://www.dvdoverseas.com/voltage_converters.htm

Hope that helps,

Peter.

[gadgetaddict @ May 13th 2008 12:10AM]

There is a new version out now. The system 2, but does not have the DVD drive but does have the iPod dock (I prefer)

They will have a DVD add-on part later though, if you care.

http://hdtvscene.com/post/2008/05/Polk-Audio-I-Sonic-System-2-Review.aspx