Polk Audio I-SONIC Entertainment System

[beatle_giancarlo]

:shh: What is your opinion about this product?

http://isonic.polkaudio.com/
From the Polk Audio Website:

I-Sonic is simply the best sounding and most advanced compact home entertainment system you can buy.

Polk Audio's I-Sonic™ is the first all digital format entertainment system featuring the latest digital technologies - HD Radio with multicasting, DVD player, XM Satellite Radio capability*, iPod & MP3 Player Dock inputs and a high performance audio system in a convenient compact tabletop configuration. With an I-Sonic entertainment system you will be able to enjoy the widest range of music, movies, news, information and entertainment available today and tomorrow.

[MisterBritt]

I've got one on my wish list but have never actually seen one. We had a thread about this item maybe two months back, but as I recall no one had ever put their hands on one. I'm a big fan of Polk speakers.

The features I need are the alarm clock, the radio, the DVD player, the CD player all with a common amplification and speaker system. (I don't currently have an appetite for the HD radio, MP3, ipod or XM satellite radio, though.)

If you or anyone has demo'd one please advise.

[beatle_giancarlo]

CNET editors' review
Excellent
8.0
out of 10The good: The Polk Audio I-Sonic is a do-everything tabletop radio that one-ups the competition by adding HD Radio, XM Satellite Radio support, and DVD video playback to the standard AM/FM/CD features roster. Its two front and two rear speakers combine to deliver a full-bodied sound.

The bad: The I-Sonic is quite expensive, and the utilitarian DVD player seems like an afterthought compared to the more well-rounded audio features. The control interface isn't as user-friendly as it could be.

The bottom line: While its built-in DVD player is going to disappoint videophiles, the Polk Audio I-Sonic sounds impressive for its size and offers a bevy of cool features not found on competing tabletop audio systems.

Average user rating from 19 users
Very good
7.4
out of 10

[MisterBritt]

Okay, I just broke down and ordered one. I'll be back in 7-10 days with a full report. Nobody else here has one?

I've heard the Bose Wave system and, while I can't do a direct A/B comparison on the sound, I'll be honest in my review of the Polk I-Sonic. I will say I have a positive bias toward Polk, based on having owned and really enjoyed their loudspeakers. Dollar for dollar, I'm expecting good things.

(Frankly, I thought the Bose system was a joke. Their big endorsor Paul Harvey probably realizes that half his audience have hearing-aids anyway.)

[LeeS]

I have not heard it but I would also look closely at the Monitor Audio i-Decks.

[MisterBritt]

For $599 they offered a $100 value I-Dock, which I take it downloads I-Pods, for free. I ordered one in white. But I won't know what to do with it. :p Too bad they didn't offer me a free copy of I-Robot instead.

This thing is supposed to have HD radio too, which will be interesting to sample. Plus, with an integrated DVD player, I might actually plug my television back in. And you get an alarm clock too -- gee whiz! I'm excited.

[nukevor]

Polk Audio Introduces I-Sonic® Entertainment System 2

Next generation of the critically acclaimed I-Sonic features category-leading sound quality and is the first to combine HD™ Radio™ technology, iPod compatibility and revolutionary new iTunes Tagging
http://isonic.polkaudio.com/learn/isonic2-press-release.php

Polk’s new iPod-docking HD Radio will make it easier for consumers to buy songs they hear on the radio from Apple’s iTunes download store:
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6476664.html?nid=2402

[nukevor]

Polk Audio Introduces I-Sonic® Entertainment System 2

Next generation of the critically acclaimed I-Sonic features category-leading sound quality and is the first to combine HD™ Radio™ technology, iPod compatibility and revolutionary new iTunes Tagging
http://isonic.polkaudio.com/learn/isonic2-press-release.php

Polk’s new iPod-docking HD Radio will make it easier for consumers to buy songs they hear on the radio from Apple’s iTunes download store:
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6476664.html?nid=2402

Bump on this! Just goes to show, in most cases, it's never wise to purchase the first generation gadget; the upgrades usually knock it out of the park.

[bhazen]

Oops, nevermind...