We have a Squeezebox 3 in the living room. Apart from using it to play our music collection, having a choice of 1000's of radio stations, streams and podcasts is awesome. I'm now wanting to get something to replace the old am/fm clock radio in the bedroom.

But this thing will need to be different. it will be used at night to fall asleep to and to wake me up in the morning. I don't want to be navigating too many menus. I want fixed real buttons that can be pressed without looking too closely. A good clear clock display and good alarm options are important. Sound quality comes second to usability as a clock radio and painless compatibility with as many online sources as possible. Connecting to our own music collection on slimserver that runs 24/7 on our readynas would be a good bonus too.

So far I am interested in the Accoustic Energy Wifi Radio and the Roku SoundBridge Radio.

Which one of these would make a better clock radio replacement? Are there other better ones out there? Anyone use one of these already?

Any of your thoughts and suggestions would be welcome!

I have a SoundBridge Radio and apart from the fact that it does not have a RJ45 port, I like very much. It should also work with your Slimserver AFAIK.
If you have any questions, please share them and I will try to answer.
Patrick S.

Hi Patrick,

The Roku is the unit I am most keenly looking at right now. I do have a couple of questions:

- Does it work fine with WPA wireless security? I read on some sites that this can be a problem.

- Do you find it easy to use with just the preset buttons - without needing to read the screen and use the menus?

- Is it reliable to use as an alarm with internet radio? Does it fail to play sometimes?

Thanks!

- Does it work fine with WPA wireless security? I read on some sites that this can be a problem.
I've runned WEP and then WPA (when they implemented it) without any issues ... I know that some had issues, but I think Roku published a list of gear that they tested and are knowned to work.

- Do you find it easy to use with just the preset buttons - without needing to read the screen and use the menus?
I use only the presets, once you know what they do, it's quite easy. I use the unit in the complete dark in my bedroom.

- Is it reliable to use as an alarm with internet radio? Does it fail to play sometimes?
Do you mean wake up with an internet radio stream ? I have not tried anything aside the regular alarm on the device. But it's been my most reliable alarm clock ever. Since it syncs up time with the server, even if there is a power failure, it keeps it time when the power is back up.
The only times I had issues where because of signal strength (was using it in the backyard).

If I spare money, I would buy another one !
Patrick S.

Musket,

I also have the Roku unit...

Regarding WPA, it supports it in the later firmware revisions. The stock I found in the local store had the older stuff on it and only supported WEP. To upgrade the firmware for WPA you have two choices. You can change your wireless security and then run the update (ugh!) or read on their website how to download the latest firmware to an SD card and do the upgrade locally.

The presets are quite interesting as they can be a mix of AM/FM radio stations, internet stations or playlists from iTunes. You have 18 of them to play with. Setting them up is a bit of a pain as it is a mix of menus, and local webserver software (you can log into the box via its IP address). Once done though it is easy to use in the dark. I have no experience with Slimserver so I cannot provide any information.

The alarm function as well as general clock usage is extremely good. Indeed the best I've seen so far. You can wake to various buzzers, radio, internet and playlists. The wake volume ramps up slowly so as to not shock you into consciousness. The sleep function is equally impressive in that it also ramps down. The display can be configure in so many ways for information (time, date, and formats therein). The size of the fonts can be adjusted. There are four brightness levels available depending on the available light and the status of the radio (on or off).

Anyway, I am quite happy with mine. You might want to go to their forum dedicated to the device where owners and some of the support staff are available. It is:

http://forums.rokulabs.com/viewforum.php?f=16

Regards, Peter

Thanks for the comments guys. It sounds like the SoundBridge Radio is pretty close to what I'm looking for, although $300 is a lot to spend for a clock radio! :D

OK, couldn't resist - I just ordered it :)

Damn you online shopping - you make it so easy!

I've been looking at these too. The one area where I was disappointed though was the Roku doesn't have different alarm clock times for different days of the week (so it doesn't go off on the weekend).

Is that still the case?

I like the Freecom MusicPal. Besides internet radio & alarm, it also has one RSS feed showing a news tickertape under the time, and streaming MP3s via WMA11. It is smart enough as a bedside clock. Wifi is easy to set up and there is also an RJ45 connector. Cost is £80, 100Euro, or possibly $150 if it gets to the US. http://www.freecom.com/ecproduct_detail.asp?ID=3593&CatID=400

I've been looking at these too. The one area where I was disappointed though was the Roku doesn't have different alarm clock times for different days of the week (so it doesn't go off on the weekend).

Is that still the case?

Yes. It is still the case. I think that and the bass/treble controls are fairly high on the wishlist compiled at the Roku site. Hopefully they will add them.

Regards, Peter