Full Review

I got this clock radio for $80 from ABT (www.abtelectronics.com) I'm not sure of the cost after tax. First of all I used to use an old sony bookshelf system as my alarm clock, and it had 3 separate alarms (you could set them all independently). The CD player went bad so I had to get a new alarm clock.

I have been looking for a long time and had been unable to find an alarm clock with as much functionality as my old bookshelf system. Many alarm clocks advertise double or triple alarms. What this means as far as I can tell is that there is an alarm you can set that plays the radio, one that plays a CD, and one the buzzes. In other words you cannot, as far as I could tell, set two alarms for the same source (two alarm times that both play a CD). Enter the Sony ICFCD855V. This alarm clock has 2 completely separate alarms (one for you and one for her/him). Each of these alarms can be set to any source (buzzer, CD, or radio) independently of the other alarm. Outstanding! I don't think this was too much to ask.

The reason I bought this alarm clock is simply because it met my functionality requirements. I don't actually like this alarm clock. First of all I think it is ugly, though this doesn't really matter. The other problems I have with it are more serious to me. First the display does have a 3 position dimmer (high, med and low), but even the low setting is just a little to bright for for a dark room(I will have to cover it with something). In fairness I am extremely sensitive to light while trying to sleep, so this might not bother you at all. Also the buttons are confusing to use. Many of the buttons have multiple uses (depending on the source you are listening to and whether or not you are setting or turning off an alarm). It is hard to tell what the buttons are supposed to do.

All of these things considered I still bought the unit, so I do like it at least that much. If you, like me are looking for a good two person alarm clock this will more than suffice.