I-Sonic Entertainment System

by Richard Muerle, March 29, 2007

Strengths:

Its multi-capabilities - CD, DVD, MP3, conventional and HD AM/FM as well as XM (ready). Also base/treble adjustible, and aux in and out. And of course the really fine sound for such a small, attractively packaged product.

Weaknesses:

Nothing of note. The info on the screen is a bit small in some cases, but they have a lot of stuff to display on that restricted area. It IS rather expensive.

Review:

A genuine Bose killer (and I have a Bose). Excellent sound in all ranges and at all volumes. GOOD looking unit. GOOD size. If your location for receiving HD radio signals is O.K., the unit picks up lots and lots of them, assuming you know how to set up the dipole antenna correctly. And take it from me, other than an attic or roof antenna, the dipole works better than rabbit ears, etc. Contrary to what some have said regarding the intuitiveness of the electronic controls and the too small size of the remote, I think the whole system is marvelous! Just spend a little time clicking on the various options, and you'll learn the system and won't have to even look at the instructions (REALLY!).

by Larry Goodwin, August 30, 2006

Strengths:

The I-Sonic shines when it locks in a high definition channel.

Weaknesses:

AM exhibited fidelity that was no better than much less costly radios.

Review:

Overall my experience with the I-Sonic has been a mixed bag. The radio's high definition performance pretty much lives up to expectations. Moreover, the ability to play DVD's and the portability of the I-Sonic are an added plus. Using the remote and menu system requires a little patience, but becomes pretty straightforward after the initial learning period. However, I have been disaponted by the AM performance. After trying the supplied external antenna and getting little improvement, I purchased an external antenna. This too failed to improve the performance. I must admit that this may be attributed to reception anomalies in my area.

by Robert Braid, March 19, 2007

Strengths:

HD radio is magnificent, FM stereo excellent.Great flexibility with DVD and its many formats. Works equally well as a room filling system or soft background music.

Weaknesses:

Was not able to find one to hear before buying. LED displays lets down the otherwise modern and clean design.

Review:

Following a great deal of research and soul searching between the ISonic and its competitors we bought one and would highly recommend it as an excellent multifunctional audio and radio system. Great sound definition, dynamic range and incredible bass from such a small unit. We are travelling so it provides an excellent system for playing IPod and MP3 and a much better stereo loudspeaker for the Laptop than others available.

by Larry Smith, November 19, 2006

Strengths:

The size and sound make it a great radio for the office and bedroom. There is no distortion when the volume is up high.

Weaknesses:

I was disappointed in the meager operation sheet and no extended ops manual on line. I had to discover short-cuts in operation by accident. I was frustrated in needing to use an external antenna to pick up many of the HD stations perfectly. I imagine that those not living outside the prime HD area of 25 miles should have no problem.

Review:

I purchased the I-Sonic and am very pleased. It is the best sounding portable radio beating the Boston and Bose. Trying HD was my main reason to try a $600 radio, the great sound had me sold. The extra channels without commercials and now the HD AM channels-without the static is great! HD radio is like HD TV, once you hear channels in HD, you don't want to bother with the standard channels. I added an outdoor antenna and powered AM antenna by C Krane. I recommend this radio over all others

Polk Response:

We are working to improve our instructional materials and will post them on-line when they're done. We will also expand the number of on-line video tutorials to make getting up to speed much easier.

by John McCann, November 28, 2006

Strengths:

Excellent sound; excellent dispursion, feature-rich; blows away the competition!

Weaknesses:

Menu choices should remain available for selection for a longer period of time.

Review:

While I own a $10,000 component stereo system, my Polk I-Sonic is the system I use much more frequently. When it comes to projecting a rich, full sound throughout a 914 square foot condiminium, the I-Sonic more than does the trick; not to mention making HD channel content and XM stations available. I would, and do, give the I-Sonic my highest recommendation.

by L. D. Jacobson, November 16, 2006

Strengths:

Great sound, very nice design and high quality product.

Weaknesses:

Purchase experience, additional cost for ugly external XM adapter, poor sales support and customer service and priced about $100 too high.

Review:

The I-Sonic is a great product with the typical Polk quality I have come to expect but I have I have been disappointed with the buying experience associated with the I-Sonic. If you want to use the XM capability you have to purchase an external unattractive adapter for $60, something that is not very clearly indicated in the information on the Polk web site at the time of purchase. Given the price of this product and its design this seems very petty and detracts from an otherwise very attractive product. There are no connection cables of any type provided so if you plan to use the DVD you will need to purchase cables. Finally, during the purchase of the I-Sonic I found the Polk Audio I was dealing with to be nothing like the Polk Audio I dealt with when I purchased over $20,000 worth of speakers and other products for my home theater, whole house sound system and entertainment center. I could not get tracking information on my shipment and I found the customer service people to not only not be very helpful or service oriented, they bordered on being very rude. Especially disappointing was the fact they wanted to charge me over $40 to send me the XM adapter by UPS second day service so I could evaluate the entire I-Sonic product and decide if I wanted to purchase 23 of these as Christmas gifts for my employees. Needless to say, my employees will not be getting I-Sonics for Christmas.

by Richard Rauh, November 20, 2006

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Review:

First of all, I love the system. Just wanted to point out that if the unit is tipped back with a cd in the tray, it can easily slip out and get stuck inside. I had to turn the unit upside down and jiggle it to get cd out.

by Paul Taibl, September 2, 2006

Strengths:

Nothing else on the market has as much functionality.

Weaknesses:

Don't market it as just another clock radio--it's more than that.

Review:

Tested a prototype and the sound was outstanding for a unit its size. Just bought a production model and hooked up the XM antenna--wow! Couldn't be more pleased with the functionality and sound. Replaced an entire tuner/CD player/DVD player component system in our family room with the I-Sonic. Saved a lot of space and no decrease in quality of sound or capability.

by Charles Cassidy, March 22, 2007

Strengths:

Excellent audio performance in a small package. HD radio! Reasonably user-friendly interface.

Weaknesses:

Inability to enter radio frequencies directly from remote.

Review:

Actual rating would be 4.5 stars if that were an option... Sounds very good, with solid, but not overwhelming bass, and clear highs. The interface with the radio is well thought out. It's easy to perform the most common functions quickly (tuning, volume control, operating a CD/DVD), but has enough flexibility to fine tune other settings to whatever you wish. There is only one function that I have not been able to perform - direct entry of radio frequencies. There are numeric keys on the remote, but they only seem to be used for selecting one of the preset radio channels.

by David Melucci, April 2, 2007

Strengths:

Power, clarity, and aesthetics; This is not your mother's clock radio!

Weaknesses:

I hear a noticeable "hiss" while on no or low volumes; agree that the display should last a bit longer when altering applications.

Review:

4.5 really... It IS everything that everyone has been raving about (and some of the negatives, too). I'm glad everyone feels that this is a better product than BOSE-Wave, as these sentiments affirm my own. I use this w/ my Sirius Stiletto 100 (sorry XM, amybe later) and each compliment the other nicely, however, when I use my Sirius remote, the I-sonic switches to "mute" or it toggles the alarm options!!! I've yet to contact Polk regarding this. Also, for the first or second reviewer who opted not to purchase 23 of these units for his employees: Are you looking to hire any help; you sound like an awesome boss!

by Bill Fotheringham Jr., February 12, 2007

Strengths:

- Sound quality. I'm hearing things that I usually only hear when I'm wearing my Sennheiser headphones. Bass/treble response is very accurate and clean. - Footprint. Great size, very clean & compact. Doesn't look like a big beat box. - Packaging. Sleek, stylish, looks great! The variable strength of the display level lighting is a nice touch. - Features/programming/ease of use. Both the Zune and I-Sonic were new to me and they were easily hooked up in minutes. - HD Radio! I'm an evangelist now, I can't tell you how cool this feature is.

Weaknesses:

- None. I rarely use the cd player although it sounds great. I don't anticipate using the dvd or clock radio features for some time - great features though.

Review:

The I-Sonic's sound quality is truly remarkable. The bass and treble response are extremely clean and true, and the sheer amount of room-filling sound is hard to believe. When I showed the I-Sonic to a friend he started looking around the room for ceiling mounted speakers. We use the system run our Zune in the living & dining room, replacing racks of Denon gear, Boston Acoustic speakers and hundreds of cd's. I was mostly concerned with making a small tradeoff in sound quality for the payoff of reduced clutter. But the sound quality is fantastic, no tradeoff at all. The HD radio is a hidden gem. I had never been exposed to it before and it is incredible. Crystal clear sound is a given, but multiple broadcasts on the digital bandwith means that many of my favorite stations have 2-3 separate programs now. My favorite NPR station has a local program, the national broadcast and a 24 hour BBC feed. There is a great rock station that has the regular programming plus an all-live music program. I didn't expect HD radio to be this great or that I would listen much, but this added feature is truly outstanding. The I-Sonic was the ideal solution for my need to have superior sound in a compact, clutter free environment. I highly recommend this system to current gear heads out there who need high performance in a tight space.

by Jordan Valinsky, April 2, 2007

Strengths:

Sound, Display, Contols.

Weaknesses:

Nothing, but still confused how I hook up the device to my tv in order to listen to the tv through the unit. Which wires do I need? S-Video?

Review:

I love it! Best purchase I've made in a long time!

by Gabriel Grenon, November 18, 2006

Strengths:

Crystal clear XM Sat Radio. A very nice 360 degres sounds. We can up grade the radio with software sent by the company

Weaknesses:

No line output. No HDMI output

Review:

I got my I-Sonic entertainment system since almost two months; I was looking forward to get it since an year. I must say that I didn't see this kind of interesting system (that big) since 1966 (Phillips Portable Radio-Tape Recorder Model RL962 (ac/dc AM-FM Radio Tape)). First of all, This I-Sonic Entertaining System is the best system that I had; I use it in my bedroom when we read, before to sleep and when we get up (this system has full function dual alarm clock radio). We use it to watch DVD with the s-video output (no HDMI output) and the picture is perfect on Samsung TV LN-S2651D. The sound is also excellent “crystal clear” when it goes through the I-Sonic. We use this I-Sonic the most of the time for XM Satellite Radio (with subscription to XM Sat Radio) and we have to add a kind of antenna-mini-tuner named “Audiovox XM Passport Mini-Tuner Receiver and Home Kit number CNP 2000B” It works very well. The sound at XM Sat Radio is like the CD-sound. For the people who are fed up to listen the music that they do not want on FM or AM radio or tired to listen the advertisings that they don't need, this I-Sonic is like a “GIFT”; the music is soft and exactly what you want to ear when you want to ear it! For the complete specifications or to learn more, go to www.polkaudio.com; this I-Sonic entertainment system give us all we can hope for our needs from this compact configuration radio (all digital format entertainment center, High Definition Radio with multicasting, XM Ready Sat Radio, AM + AM local or cable Broadcast, MP3 player connections, headphone jack if needed, 30 radio presets for AM/FM and XM, DVD player and high performance audio system). When I bought my I-Sonic Entertainment system, I had to return it to Polk Audio Company (in Unites States) and they send me a new one back (I'm living in Montreal, Canada). The service and the respect of that company for the customers are perfect even we live far of them; thousand thanks. A last thing I want to say before to finish my customer review, is that Polk audio send to the customer a CD to upgrade the I-Sonic Entertainment system when it's needed; we have to insert it in the DVD/CD tray and the up grade performs automatically. Thanks again to keep our I-Sonic up to date. Before to leave you, be sure you won't regret your purchase and don't be scare to find something better somewhere else. I have one other Polk Audio XRt12 Tuner in my living room and I have the same review (assessment) for it! I have a hope in my dreams, it is the one that Polk Audio put on the market a portable radio with AM/FM and real time XM sat radio with the possibility to record memos and to play MP3. Thank you for your patience reading me and good luck.

by judith kristen, November 19, 2006

Strengths:

Good speakers, full sound, nice appearance, easy to put in cd's....

Weaknesses:

the unit is not for a large area, loses quality. The different applications not easy to figure out, and the remote is totally useless...and I didn't get the $50 rebate either....it would be nice!

Review:

I loved being able to adjust the treble and bass... all the new equipment including Bose is preset and that is not good for my oldies...this is fine sound for the size room it is in...

by robert challinor, November 18, 2006

Strengths:

sound and ease of use

Weaknesses:

the am antenna could be more sensative and it would be great if you could have xm built in

Review:

excellent sound and controls I am taking it to Florida for the winter. i am going to use it formy dvd cd radio music. this is a great product

Polk Response:

We considered bulding in XM Radio but of course it would have driven the price higher, burdening all I-Sonic with the cost whether or not they were interested in subscribing to XM. The beauty of the XM Mini Tuner option is that only those who want the feature and choose to subscribe assume the cost. Think of it as choosing the heated seats and mirrors option. Necessary in Minnesota, not needed in Florida.

by William Nungester, November 19, 2006

Strengths:

OUTSTANDING Bass and sound clarity.

Weaknesses:

Low headphone output. Does not display cd artist and title. Has HD radio reception issues.

Review:

Overall, the I-Sonic is an excellent audio system. I have enjoyed its deep sound (along with many co-workers), especially on those late night "gotta beat the deadline" jam sessions.

Polk Response:

Currently the FCC does not allow HD radio stations to broadcast at high power, thus decreasing the effective range of HD Radio stations. Lobby the FCC to allow high power HD broadcasting. Ultimately the range of high quality reception will be much wider with HD Radio than analog.

by Ken Guthrie, December 9, 2006

Strengths:

Sound, media options - especially XM and HD radio, but also regular FM, and CDs, design and compact footprint.

Weaknesses:

Controls and menus not intuitive.

Review:

The Polk I-Sonic provides wonderful sound and a multitude of media options in a sleek package. It is easy to set up right out of the box and is a great solution for those individuals looking for a powerful yet small entertainment system. I give this product 4.5 stars only because the controls are not intuitive and can be a bit confusing, especially if you are uncomfortable with electronic equipment.

by Mike Miller, February 12, 2007

Strengths:

quality of sound and multiple listening options such as HD,XM,AM/FM,CD DVD etc

Weaknesses:

FM reception could be a little better

Review:

From the moment we plugged in the ISonic, we have been very impressed. We purchased the ISonic after researching a number of other comparable sized radios and feel we definetly made the right choice. We use the radio in rather large great room and it has no problem filling the room with a very clean rich sound. I will be selling my Yamaha component system and purchasing another ISonic for the game room. Everyone the comes in to my home is floored by the sound that comes out of that little radio.

by Bruce Cotler, February 12, 2007

Strengths:

Very good sound quality for a unit so small. Simple intuitive controls, and the remote is just as easy.

Weaknesses:

When playing a DVD/CD, I can't get audio through my surround sound speakers.

Review:

I am very pleased with this system. A few months prior to this purchase, I bought a "Wave" radio, and then found out about the I-Sonic. I returned the "Wave" and am so glad I did. Its like comparing a Model T to the Space Shuttle.

Polk Response:

Geting the I-Sonic's audio output into your surround sound system should be as easy as connecting a pair of audio cables from the I-Sonic's audio output jacks into a pair of AUX inputs on your surround receiver. As that is an analog connection make sure your receiver's surround setting is set to Pro Logic (or Pro Logic II if you have it). Do not try to connect into the digital input of your receiver. The I-Sonic's volume control will change the volume level along with your receiver's volume control so make sure you have MUTE off and no headphones plugged in. If you need further help with this contact our Customer Service folks at (800) 377-7655 during normal east coast business hours.

by Kevin Klemens, February 14, 2007

Strengths:

Great sound and versatility

Weaknesses:

Remote control awkward to use DVD sometimes freezes up following temporary stopping play

Review:

Great Sound, attractive unit. simple connections

by Karen M Lee, February 9, 2007

Strengths:

HD, CD, DVD, gorgeous display (very calming to your eyes first thing in the morning!), sound quality.

Weaknesses:

buttons & menu are not that user-friendly (although once you get used to them, they're fine); antenna could be better.

Review:

I purchased the I-Sonic for my fiancee for his birthday. He wanted to upgrade from his cheap college Sony clock radio and was looking at the Bose system. I shopped around and did some research -- I looked at the Bose, Cambridge Soundworks, Boston Acoustics and the SDI iHome... but the iSonic caught my eye. Not only is it a beautiful machine and looks great in ANY room, the sound quality and features are terrific! Although we were just looking for a replacement for a clock radio, the iSonic is so much more! I figured that this multi-functional unit will come in handy in so many more ways!

by Steve Head, November 17, 2006

Strengths:

Sound, does not take up much space, all the features it has like easy to understand displays.

Weaknesses:

I have had something like squealing in the system when I play it at higher volumes.

Review:

I have enjoyed my Polk audio system overall. I haven't subscribed to xm radio yet, but am planning to do so.

by Samuel Byron, November 17, 2006

Strengths:

Small size with great sound and easy to use and attractive.

Weaknesses:

It seems to be warm all the time even when itis off.Where there is there is wear. Mine has an intermitant problem where the CD player won't come out of the read function. I have to upplug it to get it to work properly.

Review:

This is a great machine with great sound and a very versatile and intuitive on board and remote control system. It is Polk quality through and through even though Mine has one glitch which is intermittant. I love it and it was worth the wait!

Polk Response:

The warmth you feel is normal and is no cause for concern. There are a lot of parts in the I-Sonic, all of which generate some heat. Heat sinks draw the heat away from the electronic components and into the enclosure and air.

by Timothy Joner, March 1, 2007

Strengths:

The size really drives this unit. Other 5 or 6 piece units are bulky and big with lower quality sound. This is perfect for anyone looking to conserve space.

Weaknesses:

Remote is small and has been lost a few times. I would love to see a remote the same length and width, but a bit thicker to have more defined buttons.

Review:

Absolute must for anyone not want to spend 2 grand for a big system, but wants great sound. I have this hooked up in my living room to my tv. Great sounds and is very convenient for my Ipod. Clear highs and good lows from such a small unit.

by Bob, March 18, 2007

Strengths:

The sound quality is unmatched by any other system in its class.Great Hi's and Low's

Weaknesses:

FM reception...But that could be just from my geographical location..

Review:

This system can really fill the room with BIG sound.Small form factor is perfect for any room.

by Dana Archer, November 17, 2006

Strengths:

Amazingly good sound from such a small unit. Chock-full of features that leave you wanting for nothing.

Weaknesses:

There is mechanical noise from the CD/DVD that can disrupt low-volume listening if you're close to the unit. Also, the CD/DVD transport seems to run even though I have pushed "stop" on the menu. HD reception on AM is easily interfered with (e.g., a nearby computer).

Review:

This beautiful well-designed, full-featured unit is a great addition to my office. It's small footprint allows you to put it almost anywhere; its good looks, however, beg for an elegant setting. The sound quality of the I-Sonic is first-rate. It's simply amazing that a unit of this size can sound this good--even at room-filling volume. The bass is plentiful and natural, not "thunky." It's great to have so many features; it doesn't leave you wanting. The inclusion of HD Radio is forward-looking, and the fact that it's XM-ready is great. It has a nice, cool-blue very readable display and even a 24-hour clock. Nice touch. There's nothing else like it available today. I couldn't be happier.

by Nick DeCarlo, February 13, 2007

Strengths:

Ease of use, sound quality, compact size.

Weaknesses:

Haven't found any at this time!

Review:

This is a wonderful system for the money. It is small and compact in size, but big in sound quality and features.

by Ron H., February 12, 2007

Strengths:

XM/FM/AM/HD/CD/DVD/2 Aux in, headphone jack, audio out, S-video composite video out Attractive design. Great sound. Highly functional.

Weaknesses:

Perhaps a slot in the unit for the optional XM mini cartridge rather than connecting it externally with another set of wires.

Review:

Works as advertised and does a fine job doing so. Very full sound. Treble / bass are very linear in response to volume. Controls are easy to navigate. All signals work very good (no chance to test HD though). Kind of makes you want to hang around the bedroom, watch a DVD, listen to a XM, etc. Good thing it has a second alarm to remind you to get to work. Good job Polk!

by Frank Sullivan, November 19, 2006

Strengths:

clarity of the bass and treble, dvd/cd player, and ease of operation.

Weaknesses:

none as of this date.

Review:

I was going to buy a bose, but on my sons recommendation I bought the polk instead. I'm not sorry!There are some many extra features with the polk that don't come with the bose. It is worth every penny!

by howard berliner, November 17, 2006

Strengths:

great display many varieties of music and radio

Weaknesses:

awkward controls epensive

Review:

The I-sonic looks great and sounds great. I find the controls a bit awkward to use and it is surprising that the back panel will not attach once you put in any antenna's or other peripheral devices. I am also surprised that the xm antenna is not included with the unit-- since why would you buy this particular model if you didn't want xm. That said, a fine product that I am enjoying very much.

by Douglas Barton, November 17, 2006

Strengths:

Combination of XM Satellite Radio, HD Radio and CD player. Sound quality is quite remarkable.

Weaknesses:

Haven't found any yet, although the remote takes a little getting used to.

Review:

I find the combinatino of XM Radio, HD Radio and CD player remarkable and the sound quality is far better than the Bose Wave Radio that I own. Yes, it's a little expensive -- but well worth the investment. A highly recommended product.

by Jason Slote, February 9, 2007

Strengths:

Sensitive tuner. Plays CDs / DVDs / HD Radio. Big sound, enough for a large room.

Weaknesses:

Way too much bottom end! Tone controls are not accessible except from menu and are limited. Accessing CD tray disables the radio.

Review:

This is much better than the average "table radio." The tuner is very sensitive and works very well with HD radio. It plays CDs and DVDs, and it has plenty of power and a very clean sound. I'm very happy to have it in my home!

by william cline, November 18, 2006

Strengths:

Sounds great and does everything in a small package.

Weaknesses:

Maybe a little skinny on stereo separation.

Review:

I purchased this radio without listening to a demo, so I was uncertain about sound quality. I made my choice based on features: HD radio, XM radio, DVD, and lots of inputs and outputs. All of my expectations have been met or exceeded. I'm not a 'raver' sort of person, so no exclamation points, but this is the coolest radio I've ever owned. Well worth the money. The sound quality is great; lots of bass and with very clean mids and highs. The website is correct when it describes how the radio can be listened to from any angle, front or back.

by Jack, February 13, 2007

Strengths:

Big sound, small size

Weaknesses:

Remote is awkward to use.

Review:

Rich, full, room filling sound from a small package. Great CD/DVD player. Having owned Polk speakers over the years I knew the I-sonic would sound great, but it exceeded my highest expectations.

by Kevin Walters, December 1, 2006

Strengths:

Audio quality Combination of CD/DVD and HD radio

Weaknesses:

Inability to easily toggle through preset radio stations HD radio cannot be disabled. This is annoying when there is a weak signal that comes in and out since there is a delay between the non-HD and the HD signal.

Review:

Have been very impressed with the sound that the I Sonic produces. It is what you would expect from Polk Audio. It fills the room nicely and has great balance and clarity. This combined with all of the features makes this unit a must have for anyone looking for a table top stereo. Equally impressive has been the customer service I received. I provided Polk with some solicited feedback and mentioned an issue I was having. It was troubling me but not yet to the point of seeking a warranty claim. Polk's customer service contacted me for further details. After some back and forth to discuss the issue and the situation they offered to replace the unit and asked that I send the unit in. They provided me with a shipping label and sent out the new unit once the tracking number was activated. To me this says a lot about Polk and their customer service. This type of service is hard to get these days and is a reason Polk will be at the top of my list for future A/V purchases. I am astounded by the fact that all I did was provide some feedback and Polk took the initiative to contact me. In today's day in age having someone solicit feedback seems like a stretch, and then to actually have someone read it seems surprising, but better yet, they took the initiative to correct an issue without the customer ever filing a formal complaint. Normally you have to jump through hoops just to be heard. To me this was a breath of fresh air and was icing on the cake to solidify Polk as a top notch company in my mind. With the I-Sonic and Polk's customer service, how can you go wrong?

by Gene King, February 13, 2007

Strengths:

Great fidelity and clarity of sound with incredible bass for a machine of its size. The DVD/CD works flawlessly. All-round winner of a music machine!

Weaknesses:

Controls take some effort to learn to use. I am no fan of credit-card sized remote controls, especially when used in the dark.

Review:

I purchased the I-Sonic initially to replace a Proton clock radio in my bedroom. I had a ministereo system with multiple speakers in the bedroom through which I also received my room-filling TV sound. I am a very careful audio enthusiast. I bought the I-Sonic after years of enjoying the Proton product and following the Bose Wave Music System. I have been astounded by the incredible sound produced by the I-Sonic. Even at the loudest volumes, the sound is crisp with no distortion. This past weekend, I replaced the ministereo with the I-Sonic, hooked up my iPod by extended cables from my bedside to a solid stand beside the TV. The sound my large bedroom is now as good as the full stereo system I have in my den also sporting floor standing Polks.

by Joeff Williams, February 13, 2007

Strengths:

Sound quality - excellent!! Nice variety of music capability all in one unit.

Weaknesses:

The preprogrammed stations are a little difficult to change. Have to press a few buttons. Panel displays took time to get use to.

Review:

We love our I-Sonic entertainment system. The sound on the HDRadio stations is unbelievable. Music/talk sounds like it is live. The system is loaded with all kinds of nice features and can play a wide variety of music. Thank You Polk Audio for another great product!

by adam, March 13, 2007

Strengths:

Design, features, sound for the size

Weaknesses:

Not loud enough, annoying FM antenna.

Review:

Excellent Features in a unit that I'm sure sounds better then anything its size, but it doesn't get loud enough. This can not be used as a main stereo unit. I am planning on bringing this thing to houses that need a stereo for the night. Because of its size there should be a carrying case and definitely a more suitable antenna; annoying to carry multiple pieces around.

by spyros karavas, November 17, 2006

Strengths:

full deep sound, bass levels, clarity and good use of the top mounted buttons and it looks cool.

Weaknesses:

none

Review:

the sound is extraordinary for something that is this size. i've attached xm and i have never had so much fun just listening to the radio.

by Brad Kerley, March 31, 2007

Strengths:

The unit sounds amazing and looks nice and the HD radio works well.

Weaknesses:

Sound delay. The remote is a little bit difficult to use.

Review:

Overall this radio is very nice. The sound is amazing, very rich and attractive. One unexpetced dissapointment I have with the radio is the delay in sound as compared with other radios. I have a portable Sirius tuner that I use to broadcast the Sirius signal to my stereo in the living room and the Polk radio in the bedroom. The Polk radio delays the signal. It does it regardless of the frequency. I tried my ipod transmitter on a different frequency and the same thing occurs, and also with any regulr radio station. The result of having the same song play on two stereos, the Polk with a 1 second delay is annoying. I'm not sure if this is a characteristic of all HD compatible radios or just the Polk. I like the radio but for the price am considering returning it because if this. Also, the remote control is not the easiest to use. I still give it a high rating because of the great look and sound.

by mary Anne Feliprada, March 2, 2009

Strengths:

Sleek and space saving design, sound is good.

Weaknesses:

It gets awfully hot and my DVD/CD does not work, I haven't been able to finish a movie it always freezes, had it fixed but problem persists

Review:

I like the design and the fact that for a small unit it has a lot of functions.

by rlavelle, October 21, 2008

Strengths:

Full size sound from a small unit. Allows me to jettison the DVD player in the master bedroom.

Weaknesses:

Distracting hum if left on aux 1 with no input. After 18 months of use it just quit working. Unacceptable at this price range. Remote should be backlit.

Review:

I was shopping for the Boston Acoustics component that is similar when I listened to the i-Sonic. The sound blew me away. I already own a Bose wave and when you compare them side by side the Bose sounds like an old transistor radio.

by Mike Greeley, July 10, 2010

Strengths:

Sound and appearance.

Weaknesses:

CD player---big time!

Review:

Like the unit-- good sound and an attractive appearance. The remote is a little difficult to use but can be dealt with. Big problem is the CD unit--sometimes and with some CD's it works and with others it won't. Tried cleaning the CD's--no help. The worst part is that this is the second one I've had the same problem with. Sent the first one back and got a repaired one that had the same problem. Very frustrating.

by Mark Treadwell, December 4, 2010

Strengths:

Good sound in a relatively small package

Weaknesses:

Constant heat output / power draw; display glitches.

Review:

Won my i-Sonic from a radio station, it lives in the kitchen / dining room where it's handy for DVDs on a small TV while cooking. I have some reception issues - can't pick up an HD signal on my primary station - but it's a pretty weak transmitter on the other side of the city so it's a problem I'm used to. My major complaint though is that it's constantly warm, even while off. I understand that the components give off heat while they're working but the power supply should be designed to run at a lower level when the system is off. It bothers me how much power the system must be sucking down while not in use. My other minor complaint is that over time random pixels in the display seem to get 'stuck' on, so when it's been off for a while it acquires streaks of white around the clock. Any action to reset the display (turning on, switching modes, etc.) clears them out until the next time it stays on one screen for an extended period.

Kirk Yuhnke
WJRT-TV, September 24, 2006

Polk Audio Creates The Ultimate Desktop Audio/Video System
"The I-Sonic from Polk Audio is the creme of the crop. The sound is amazing and the features are endless...Polk Audio designed the speaker system to fill the room with sound and it really does. It sounds rich and the bass is deep."

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