Soundfreaq Sound Rise
It doesn't take up much space on your nightstand.
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Take one look at the Soundfreaq Sound Rise and you'll realize you've never seen a clock radio like this before. Sure, like those other docks, it connects to Bluetooth devices, charges iOS gadgetry, and charges Android phones, tablets and the iPhone 5 via its universal USB port in the back. But its most appealing feature is its kick-ass sound.
I've favorably reviewed four other Soundfreaq products: the awesome flagship Sound Stack, the portable Sound Step, the tiny Sound Kick and the company's original product, the Sound Platform. So when I cranked up this new clock radio version of Soundfreaq goodness, its punchy, tight and enormous sound felt familiar. Not only is its sound reproduction pleasantly accurate with its crystal-clear highs, realistic midrange and surprisingly powerful bass, but its construction exudes quality and its footprint is just the right size for a crowded nightstand.
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I'm just wondering how Soundfreaq fits all that sound into such a small package. There are two side-firing drivers to take care of the high frequencies and mid-range, and then there's bass emanating from the sides and bottom that sounds unlike any clock radio I've ever encountered. It seems like there's a lot more than 13 Watts driving those three speakers.
On the downside, Soundfreaq released this lovely product at precisely the wrong time, because it sports the old Apple 30-pin dock connector, now rendered obsolete by the iPhone 5's new Lightning connector. But that doesn't mean it's obsolete for most people, including those using any other iOS device besides the iPhone 5, and the majority of smartphone users with Android or other phones. Any modern smartphone, tablet or music player equipped with Bluetooth can wirelessly connect to the Sound Rise. If your player doesn't have Bluetooth, you can always connect any equipment with a 3.5mm plug into the Sound Rise's auxiliary jack.
You lose some convenience if you're using an iPhone 5, though, because that dock connector is not going to help you much, at least until you can get your hands on one of those absurdly expensive $30 adapters from Apple. And then, if you try to place your iPhone 5 into the dock using that connector and adapter, the top of your iPhone will be sitting so high that it obstructs the Sound Rise's clock.
For my testing, I placed Soundfreaq's dock cover onto the front of the unit, and propped my iPhone onto it horizontally. Then I could plug the iPhone 5's Lightning cable into the USB port in the back, the same way I tested my Android phone. Charging inconvenience aside, all the Bluetooth devices I paired with the Sound Rise linked up easily and without incident.
There are other nice touches that were particularly satisfying for me. One was the way the backlit touch panel controls are only lit when you need them, and you can dim the clock down to barely visible levels. That's perfect for those of us who prefer to sleep in complete darkness. Another great idea is the clock's ability to sync alarms and time of day via a free iOS app. And then there is its smart alarm with a weekend setting and dual crescendo alarms, giving you time to silence the thing before it gets loud enough to wake the neighbors. And if you like to listen to FM radio, there's one of those on board, too.
I think $99 is a lot to spend on a clock radio, but when it sounds as solid as this one, that's a good value. If you're an iPhone 5 user, you might want to wait for a version with the Lightning connector that will someday be ubiquitous, but for everyone else, you can't go wrong with the Soundfreaq Sound Rise.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
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