iHome’s iH5 Clock Radio

Written on September 29, 2006 by Josh Pigford and 106 people have commented

iHome iH5

No, not that iHome.

Ain’t No Other Man…

The iHome iH5 clock radio is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a full-featured clock radio that lets you hook in your iPod as a source for sound. So instead of accidentally having the radio wake you up blaring Ain’t No Other Man, you can wake up to something much more kind…like Sunrise.

Features

I’ve been using the iH5 for the past couple of weeks, waking up every morning using it. It’s been a pleasure to use and even greater pleasure to be able to chose exactly what music wakes me up. I find it way to jaring to have a buzzing alarm wake me up and regular radio, no matter what station, inevitabely is playing something that isn’t as pleasant as I’d like it to be.

There are quite a few small features that really make this product usable. Things like iPod alarm backup that will make your radio or buzzer go off if you forgot to dock the iPod and then Sleep which lets you set your iPod to play music for a certain amount of time and then auto-shutoff (like the Sleep feature on your television).

The most obvious major feature that really sets this apart from all other clock radios is the ability to dock your iPod. It supports practically any docking iPod (gen 3, gen 4, iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod nano) and has connectors to make all of them fit. It even supports the iPod shuffle an other audio devices that can’t dock. If it’s got a headphone jack, you can use the iH5.

Sound Quality

The only gripe I can find with the iH5 is the sound quality. While it’s certainly not bad, it isn’t exactly award winning either. But then again, why would superb sound quality matter at 6AM (or noon for some of you)?

Don’t get me wrong, the quality is definitely at an acceptable level, but you’ll find that the lows and mids get muddied together more than a higher-end system might give you.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, the iH5 really is a great product for its purpose and is a welcome addition to my nightstand. It’ll run you around $100 and comes in black or white. Go check it out.

Now, if only there was a way to disable this snooze button…

Comments RSSComments

#1 Randy Stewart says:
You forgot the other key problem wit the ihome…. it’s really, really ugly.

Seriously, tho, how are you finding the support for the iPod? One of my primary concerns with all of the iPod altars…. errr.. docks is that they seem to not hold the iPod in very well and the dock connection is pretty susceptible to being bent, especially when looking for the snooze button :-).

Cheers,
Randy
#2 Tim Boester says:
You also forgot the other key problem with the iHome … you cannot set the wake up volume. The documentaion claims it will gently wake you up by slowly increasing the volume. Wrong - it starts loud and in five seconds goes to really loud. There is no way to adjust anything about the wake up volume. That was the deal-breaker for me.

In addition, whenever you push one of the buttons on the unit, it emits a eardrum-shattering “BEEP”, the volume of which you also cannot adjust. The wheels on the tops of the speakers are also difficult to turn, which is a pretty bad design flaw. The brightness settings for the front display are all too bright for an alarm clock (which presumably, you’ll have to have next to your bed). And the list goes on…

I took mine back after about a week. - Tim
#3 Pete Doherty says:
Spell check couldn’t hurt this article.
#4 Josh Pigford says:
@Randy: That’s a personal opinion, I don’t think it’s all that ugly. As for support for the iPod, I just have a gen 3 iPod and it fits perfectly.

@Tim: If it’s too loud for you when the alarm goes off, how about turning it down? I can’t imagine your reasoning here about how this is a “deal-breaker” at all.
#5 Tim Boester says:
Well, you’d think you’d be able to turn down the wake-up volume. But you couldn’t. There was no way whatsoever to turn down the wake-up volume. You could change the volume while the unit was playing, but the volume would reset itself (to LOUD) when the alarm went off. I tried every possible way to adjust the volume, even turning the volume down on my iPod. Nothing worked. That’s why it was a deal-breaker.

Now maybe they fixed this problem between the time I took mine back mine and you got yours. There were certainly enough complaints on various forums/reviews. After I returned mine, I never checked back to see if they did fix the problem (basically, because I bought another alarm clock with a line in). But I’m always going to be a little wary of their products based on my experience.

P.S. Do they include the remote with the unit now? The remote gives you access to functions that you can’t access without it (which is also dumb), and I couldn’t find a store anywhere that sold the remote at the time. You basically had to order it from their web site. For me, that was like strikes five and six.
#6 Ben says:
I find it to be a poor design all together.
Its ugly and does not function like a true alarm clock.

They really should include a remote with it as well. Right now i rather use my imac with the remote and set it to auto start rather than use this.
#7 Josh Pigford says:
@Ben: They DO include a remote with it. And I’m not sure where you get that it doesn’t function like a true alarm clock. Maybe the 10 different alarm clocks I’ve used in my life have all just been weird…because the iH5 functions just like those…except it can use an iPod as the source.
#8 Zeus Lizard says:
The issue that I have is that when falling asleep with the timer, it makes an audible double beep sound every 30 seconds or so. Instead of drifting off to sleep while listening to mp3’s of gentle rain, I’m kept awake waiting for the next beep!!! If I can’t get this fixed, it is going back.
#9 katie says:
i really like the ihome. I think it is well worth the money. I got it for my birthday and i have used it so much since then. I dont think it is ugly at all. The only thing that i dont like it that the remote doesnt come with it. I wish that was included in the package because you are able to do additional things with the remote than with out the remote. i really enjoy it.

thanks, katie
#10 Scott says:
I have had the same experience as Tim. I bought this for my wife a couple months prior to Christmas last year. As Tim said, when you wake to radio it comes on lound and gets REALLY LOUD in just a couple seconds. I don’t know whose definition of gradually they used, but no one I know considers this appropriate for 5:30AM! My 20 year old clock radio does a better job and was one fourth the price.

I found a lot of postings about this issues and a couple reports that said it had be partially fixed in later units and perhaps totally fixed in an upcoming revision. There may be a trick to making it work with you iPOD, but on these early revisions you cannot change the wakeup volume of the radio.

Since it had been purchased several months earlier, the retailer wasn’t willing to refund my money, just swap units. Unfortunately all the units they had in stock were the same revision as I had…

I called the company and they said ‘yes we’ve heard this but there is not program to swap the unit out’…

We are going to try it in our son’s room to see if it will help him get out of bed and I’ll buy something else for my wife.

One thing for sure, this is my last iHome product.
#11 Jenna says:
Our iHome is not working. When I put my iPod in it it doesn’ charge and won’t let me play songs in it. It simply says “AUX” in the box where it should say iPod. Can anyone help?
#12 Michelle says:
Hey Scott, I am with you about any future purchases. We made an even bigger mistake. My 2 boys and my husband had iHomes for their ipod to be able to charge and wake them up to their favorite music. Maybe by now your son has had it long enough to find out that they don’t charge the iPods anymore either. I have contacted the iHome Company to find out what I can do about this and their response was to send it in for repair. I would send all three of them in, but for the problems we have had with them I don’t have any faith in the clock radio or the company that makes them. I am feeling like I should cut my losses, unless someone can tell me that they have had their’s repaired and is working great.
#13 Sarah says:
I have the same problem as Jenna. I can’t play my iPod or charge it, and it just says AUX instead of iPod. How do I fix this?
#14 John says:
AUX,what is this….I havn’t been able to play or charge my IPOD at work for a month. HELP????
#15 Gregg says:
I have the same problem as the people above…my iHome says Aux and I have no idea how to fix it. SOMEONE help!!!
#16 Anna says:
Hello,

Someone please, please help. I’m having the same problem as eveyone above. My iopd won’t play or charge. When I try to play AUX comes up. Please, please help it’s driving me nuts!!!!
#17 miniman says:
ive got the same problem too, except mine WILL charge, it just doesnt play the music. It plays the radio fine and everything else is fine, but its been this way for a while now… can anyone think of a solution?
#18 Knine says:
My ipod doesnt charge on my ihome does anyone know how to fix it???
#19 annie says:
same problem as all of these people above, it wont play or charge in the iHome, and “AUX” appears on the screen.. its really frustrating! can anyone pleaseee help???
#20 Gregg says:
Someone should really just contact Apple and find a solution. This is just so frustrating and annoying for all of us.
#21 Pierre says:
I just bought the IH5 as a Christmas gift for my son. The iH5 has a problem with playing songs from the IPOD. It’s playing the songs and all of a sudden the iH5 is turning the IPOD on pause or when we are playing the IPOD the iH5 simply doesn’t play songs. We are thinking of returning it instead of an exchange. Be aware before getting an iH5
#22 Anna says:
I have had the same problem that others have refered to. When I try to sit my iPod in the dock and turn it on, it has says AUX. I have figured out that it’s a loose connection. On closer examination I noticed that the docking connection was actually loose. I have taken the iHome apart and the docking connection was not in fact connected. It fell out into my hand. I’m attempting to reconnect it. I will keep you posted.
#23 Anna says:
well, with some superglue and strong tape - it is back together and working. I have to admit, I had someone who knows what he’s doing work on it for me - i was too scared to start fiddling with the small parts. but it can be done!
#24 Jessica says:
I have the same problem. My iHome was displaying “AUX” a few months ago, but after I took out the batteries and reset it, it worked fine. This time it wasn’t that simple. Does anyone have any other solution other than taking it apart?
#25 Ty Catron says:
Hey! My iHome wont play my iPod…. what do I have to do to it.. I already pressed iPod on the Dock… It wont even use my iPod as a Alarm……

Tell me what to do!!!!
#26 alice says:
Right so I have no clue how to fix this aux problem. I’ve looked at each part and nothing is out of order. I’m out of ideas, please help or find somebody that will!
#27 caz says:
im having real problems with my mine, i got it for xmas and now its not working, none of the buttons work but when its plugged in it lights up but none of the buttons work so it is totally useless, is anyone else experiencing this problem :S
#28 Caitlin says:
Yeah I’m having the same problem as everyone else with the AUX problem. I looked stuff up on apple, but of course they’re no help. Has anyone figured this out?!?!?!?!
#29 Matt says:
I don’t know what to do either, but why don’t you try taking it back to the place of purchase to get a new iHome or get a refund. That just might work. Another thing that might work is reseting the iHome. Take out the batteries and unplug the iHome from the wall outlet. Let it sit for an hour or more until you plug the batteries back in and plug the iHome back into the wall outlet. The only problem with doing this is you have to reset your time and date. Try to play your iPod again and see if the problem is still occurring. If it is, you are on your own. It would be appreciated if you posted your results.
#30 Sky says:
Hi, I’ve had the Aux thing happen to me before it means that its in line out and its not reading your iPod. Mine happened because my iPod wasn’t in the stand all the way so i pushed it in a little and then it worked; but my iHome has been making my iPod skip. At first I thought it was my iPod but then when I listened to it with headphones it went through like 80 songs with out skipping. What it does is it will play through a song all the way through then it will go to another one cut off and go to a different song. The order of this varies. Can anyone help?
#31 Sky says:
Hey guys never mind about the whole skipping thing. Turns out that my iPod is actually really sick. I cant even get to my music anymore all it does is rebute it self and the computer doesnt read it. It’s a sad time for the little guy.
#32 Alex says:
So my ipod won’t turn off anymore ever since i got the ihome for Christmas. Does anyone know whats wrong?
#33 blahh says:
how do u reset the time on the ihome?!?!?!?
#34 Marisol says:
Mine too isn’t charging when I place it on the stand. VAUX reads when I try to play with the remote; I manually press play on my ipod and it works. Perhaps I need to push down further on the stand when I place the ipod on it. I’ll try that and let you guys no. Seems to be a lot of problems with this one.
#35 Julian says:
I’ve been trying to get my ihome to work, when i place the ipod on the base of the ihome, i turn it on and the ipod works, but i can’t hear it, i don’t know whats going on because the earbuds work perfectly fine, it just won’t make a sound when i put it on the ihome! what should i do! its such an inconvience!
#36 Simone says:
My daughter’s ihome gets horrible static from the right speaker,even though the radio is clear as a bell, in stereo, and the ipod works fine out of the dock with just the earbuds. If you jiggle it in the dock, it sometimes clears up or goes silent on the right, but won’t stay either way…Anyone successfully fixed this?
#37 Mike says:
re: #36 from Simone. You can call iHome @ (800) 288-2792 & they will give you the address of a local repair facility.

You have to send a check for $10 to cover return postage (and of course pay for postage yourself to get it there) but they will fix it if you describe the problem. turnaround is 2-3 weeks. Do not send any adapters or the power supply. Include a brief description of the issue.
#38 mark says:
Mike’s ihome must be under warranty. I was told to send a $40 check in addition to the cost of shipping it out.
#39 Matt says:
With the whole iPod not turning off, I may have one solution. Toggle the hold switch (hold on then hold off) then hold down menu and select(middle button) until the apple sign shows up on the screen, then release and that will reset the iPod. It won’t erase anything, but it will reset the pod. Or an easier way to turn it off in these situations, go into “Settings”, click on “Main Menu” then scroll down until you find “Sleep”. Then click while the cursor is on “Sleep” Then push menu until you reach your pods main menu. It will say sleep in the menu. You can then just click on sleep and the pod will turn off.
#40 P0LLiT0 says:
EEEEYYYY!!!!! LiKE MY iP0D PLAYS S0ME S0NGS 0NCE iN A WHiLE WiTH THE EARPH0NES….BUT WHEN i PLUGGED iT iNT0 THE iH0ME iT W0RkED F0R LikE 5 MiNUTES AND THEN i C0ULDNT HEAR ANYTHiNG F0R A WHiLE && EVEN WiTH THE EARPH0NES 0N….THE S0NGS WERE SkiPPiNG! THiS THiNG iS REALLY RETARDED! PLUS i HAVE T0 USE iT BECAUSE i ACCiDENTLY F0RG0TT MY CHARGER && EVERYTHiNG ELSE BUT THE USB..S0 YEA WHAT CAN i D0…iT REALLY SUCkS …BY THE WAY D0 WE 0NLY USE iTUNES T0 PUT iN MUSiC 0R iS THERE AN0THER WAY? iF ANYTHiNG REPLY BACk T0 THiS 0R JUST EMAiL ME AT nayeli_rdrgz@hotmail.com

0R

http://www.myspace.com/nayeli_rdrgz…..

THANkS AL0T GUYS!
#41 Lisa says:
I have also been having the same problem with the ipod not playing in the ihome. It played one day then wouldnt play the next. The weird thing is that it will play my sisters but not mine. So im assuming that its my nano taht is the problem??
#42 Lisa says:
I FIGURED IT OUT!! Okay I read something in the instructions, and you have to reset your ipod (it wont mess up your music) heres what you do:
Turn the hold switch on, then off.
Then hold down menu and the middle button at the same time.
This will reset it.
I did this twice then put it in the ihome and it finally worked. Also you shoulnt plug your ipod into anything while its in the hold mode for some reason.
#43 Carlos says:
Did anyone noticed a smell problem coming out of the ih5? I had to stop using it, because of the smell in my room..
#44 Casey says:
my ipod will play in ihomes but it has this staticy sound in the back ground any ideas
#45 Lisa O says:
After about 1 month, my iHome went to AUX when trying to play the iPod. Nothing worked, so I sent it back to the company (they reimbursed my shipping charges). They sent it back after about 2 weeks. It was clearly the same iHome, and I could not actually tell that anything was done. However, it was functioning properly for another month, and is now stuck on AUX again. Very frustrating. When it says AUX, the iPod is still charging.
#46 Ellie A says:
Although I’ve also had the AUX problem many times, my biggest problem is that my ipod no longer charges on it. Should I send it in for repair? Many people don’t sound satisfied with their ihome repair, but does anyone have a solution to my ipod not charging on it?
#47 Stephen says:
the remote i just ordered for the iH5 does’nt work and I have the batteries in right. Any suggestions
#48 kyle says:
i have had the same problem as many:
the ipod will not charge/play music

the “aux” only happens when i push play, because it doesn’t know there is an ipod connected.

i sent an email to the ihome support people, and i will let the group know if anything actually gets done.
#49 J.B. says:
To set the wake up volume on RADIO, first turn on the radio and set it to the volume you want to wake up to. Then, while it’s on, set the alarm, and choose RADIO. That seems to set the volume for the alarm mode. Then I can put the radio on sleep timer, or plug in my MP3 player, and listen to something at a different volume, but it wakes me up to the volume I had it at when I set it.
I read this in the instruction book.
I ASSUME it would work for waking up to your iPod, but sounds like those iPods are too finicky. Love my Creative Zen!
#50 kyle says:
i exchanged a couple of emails with a service rep, and came to the conclusion that i needed to replace the dock connector.
the part is 9.50 and shipping is 4 bucks

i will probably order this part, and let you know how it works.
#51 Shane says:
Well i don’t know if the AUX question has been answered yet but i’ll answer it anyway, the AUX stands for axillary and it is what allows you to play any device with a head phone jack through the ihome by plugging it into the line in on the back.

basically if thats showing up when your plugging in your ipod that means that something is wrong with the dock. mine went out of place a few months after i got it and if i wiggle the ipod around on the dock it eventually hits a sweet spot where it works fine. just getting it to stay there is the problem.
#52 zayber says:
My IHome randomly goes into sleep mode and the radio turns on (I have it set to wake to radio). Sometimes it happens at night when I turn on the alarm for the next morning or just very randomly. Lately it’s been happening to the point that when I press the “power off/alm. reset” button, the sleep mode will turn on again almost immediately.
Please help.. I really like it.. and I’m pretty sure that’s not supposed to happen.
thanks
#53 Marianne says:
i had that problem a while ago. heres how you fix it jenna and who ever else is wondering. plug you ipod into your computer and update your software. when it became incredibly dead it went back to its original settings and was totally reset. so on itunes click your name or whatever it says update your software. click that and you have to be connected to the internet. now when it finishes your ipod will play. it just couldn’t register because the software was too old for it to work.

now i have a question for you. i plug my ipod into my ihome but it doesnt charge but plays. whats do i do please tell me if anyone knows. because im about to go on some trips and need it to be able to charge w/o my computer.

TANK YOU in advance.
#54 Lauren says:
I have had my iHome for about a week now, and, personally, I really like it. I’m leaving for vacation soon, and I can’t drag my computer with me. SO,I’m taking the iHome, considering I have to be able to charge my iPod. And to Tim Boester, I read what you put in comment #2 about the volume of the alarm. I just want to say that I couldn’t disagree more!! One of the first things I did when I got my iHome was testing the alarm. I thought that the volume was PERFECT. Of course, that’s only my opinion now, isn’t it? Anyway, for anyone reading this, and trying to decide whether they want an iHome, I completely reccomend it!!! I have a generation 2 iPod nano, and it works great with the iHome!!! Plus, the iHome looks great in my room!!!! Oh, and the sound is pretty good too!!! 8D
With all due respect to those who disagree with me,
Lauren
#55 Alli says:
I have the same problem as zayber in #52. I have the IHome set to wake me up by radio and it randomly turns on by itself and goes into sleep mode. It usually turns on by itself in the middle of the night.

I’ve owned the machine for awhile and this just started happening! I hope someone can help me out because I would really like to go to sleep!
#56 kyle says:
sorry this has taken a while, but if your ipod is not charging, not playing music, or simply not doing anything when you dock it (or only working part of the time) all you need is a replacement dock. i bought the part from my previous post and intallled it myself, and everything is back to normal.
#57 Jamie says:
Kyle… where can you order the ihome dock connector from? I’ve had the same AUX problem for the last month or so, and my dock connector is also loose. I’m thinking if i replace it, all should be well.
#58 chris says:
Has anyone had any luck with finding out where to get the replacement connector? I’m havving the same problem. Thanks.
#59 Alex says:
HELPPP, my iHome says AUX and i havent been able to use it for 6 months!!! how do i get rid of the AUX, HELP PPLEASEEEE!
#60 Betty says:
I have 2 problems with my IHome-I need to different alarm times, so I have to also use my old alarm clock with the crappy music system- but the biggest problem is…it skips! And not just a little, every 10-15 seconds! It doesn’t happen when I just listen to the Ipod, so it has to be the IHome. It’s like listening to my old albulms…Can anyone help me out with this problem-thanks!
#61 Betty says:
Help-my IHome skips..alot! Like every 10-15 seconds and it drives me nuts! It’s like I’m listening to my old albums. Anyone got a solution for me? Thanks!
#62 Michelle says:
Customer Service Dept at 800 288-2792
between 8 AM and 4 PM Eastern time (business days only). Even tho it says replacement parts cost money on their website (www.ihomeaudio.com) they have mailed them to me for free. You don’t even have to pay shipping. Additionally if the docking port breaks/becomes lose you can mail the unit to them with a check for $10 for shipping and they will fix it for free even out of waranty. Mail to iHome repair department, 135 Essex Avenue, Avenel NJ 07001.
#63 Tammy says:
Hey! I have a problem: my Ipod and iHome were working just fine for a while and now the iPod needs to be pushed far up in the dock to work! It says that it is not connected when it is in the reclining (and normal) position and I have to push it forward with something for it to charge and work. How do I solve this problem? Help me please!
#64 Jen says:
I have a problem with my iHome. My ipod mini plays on my friends iHome but not mine. The ipod charges but won’t play music. It’s pluged in and everything. How do i fix this? Have any suggestions?
#65 Korrissa says:
Okayyy i have the same AUX problem and it doesnt charge either. I have treis to reset it and take out the batteries, but it still continues to have problems. what do i do?
#66 Ed says:
KYLE - exactly where did you order the dock part from? It sounds like just what I (and many others) need!
#67 Bobert says:
The AUX problem can be solved!!!!!
If you unplug, and then re-plug in your ihome the aux goes away. (atleast that workd for me).
#68 Kathleen says:
where do i get a replacement dock–mine is doing that aux thing and is annoying PLEASE if someone finds out where to get one post!!
#69 Kaitlyn Hanne says:
A little Spell check won’t hurt.
Why don’t u list some of the good things about the iH5????
#70 Joanna says:
i kno this is supposed to be about the H5 but does anyone kno how to reset the time on the H6? its supposed to reset automatically for daylight savings time but it hasnt.
#71 Nina says:
help!!! my settings and volume wheel stopped working!
#72 maggie says:
Kyle: where did you order the new part from? i have been having the same AUX problem.
#73 Emily says:
How do you set the time on this? I lost my directions
#74 Chris2 says:
Both of my kids’ ihomes had AUX forever. No workarounds. Both ihomes had wobbly/loose connectors. After taking apart (I’m way past the warranty period) the ihome (case AND inside main circuit board AND circuit board to the connector, I noticed that the connector was rocking over the multi-pin connectors, rarely (if ever) making a reliable connection. In fact, the connector fell off the board into my hands. So, I carefully, with all pieces of the ihome still wired together (but not screwed to each other), plugged in the ihome, plugged in the connector to the iPod, then placed the connector’s tiny legs (4) into the matching tiny slots on the circuit board, and made sure that the plastic base of the connector was FLAT (no rocking angle) against the circuit board. I was careful not to touch too many metal things, as I didn’t want to get any electrical shocks. Another person had to press the ihome buttons (iPod button) and watch the display, as I couldn’t do it all by myself. Anyway, the ihome played the iPod. Rocking the connector just a slight amount caused the player to stop, and AUX resulted again. So, I’m going to try a couple of dabs of JB Weld to secure the connector FLAT against the circuit board, without getting the goo on the tiny connectors, then re-assemble everything, then hope for the best.
#75 Chris2 says:
Hah. Well, on one of the iHomes, the connector wasn’t really that bad — that is, it was seated OK and not really rocking … but the connector’s base wasn’t flat against the circuit board. A few light prying attempts with a small screwdriver didn’t loosen it, so I left it as is, and re-assembled the iHome. It’s still a clock radio that won’t charge/play an iPod (except in AUX mode).
The other iHome … the JB Weld bonding looked great. And after re-assembling the iHome, several iPods play and charge … INTERMITTENTLY. That is, there’s static when playing songs, unless the iPod is nudged and held just right (somebody mentioned the sweet spot way above). Oh, and the lights flicker, etc. Not a good result. It’s also destined to be a simple alarm clock radio.
And I did test out the “JB Welded connector” with the 1st iHome, with similar results (intermittent play). So, it all seems to be the connector on the iHomes’ circuit boards … either a bad connection or an intermittent connection.
I suppose it might also be flimsy connection to the iPod-side connector; however, all iPods communicate nicely with the computers (iTunes, via USB connector to iPod) and charge just fine. So, iHome … what a disappointment. (IH5)
I’d want to try to monkey with a USB connector … to take the USB side and somehow hard-connect it to the iHome’s connector (or actually bypass the iHome’s connector). Probably not, since the circuit board thingy is a bit intimidating, and I don’t really know that they heck I’m doing spending so much time on this piece of junk.
#76 AAA says:
For all you people who keep seeing AUX, thats for the line out. i use it to plug into my computer by using a cord that plugs to the back. if you want the ipod to play, dock it first, before pressing “ipod” someitmes you may have to press it twice because it goes on pause. I’ve had my ihome for 2 and a half years, and the sound quality is still great. but there is a malfuntion with the volume and set wheels which always jump back and forth when i try to adjust it. Anyone have that problem?
#77 John says:
I just recieved an iHome for christams less than a month ago and for the past two weeks it doesn’t charge my ipod!! I am very upset that the company hasn’t done something for all of the disastisfied customers. Very unproffesional if you ask me. I dont want to pay to send it in… the company should pay for it!! its their mistake!
#78 Michael says:
First of all, the ihome is NOT an apple product, i am sure apple would not make such a poor working product…anyways, i have an ihome i got for christmas and it is not charging my ipod, i am thinking about returning it to costco, but i would still like to have the product…right now, it is working fine, just not charging the ipod…is there any way to fix this or should i just return it? thanks
#79 Donna says:
I can’t set a wake-up volume. I try to set it when I’m setting the wake time, but it always wakes up so quietly that I can’t actually use the iHome as an alarm clock. I’m a heavy sleeper and I need it to be loud. The volume does start out very quiet and then raises up to ALMOST audible, but is NEVER loud enough to wake anybody up- especially me. Contrary to what somebody said up above, once I try to set my preferred wake-up volume, that also ends up being the same volume setting that the sleep timer uses. Once the sleep timer turns off, it resets itself back to barely audible. So, basically, I just use the darned thing as a player/charger.
#80 Donna says:
By the way, for those who find the display too bright at night…Press the snooze button to toggle between 3 (I think it’s 3) different brightness settings. It switches from Very bright, medium, to very dim.
#81 Devon says:
I have the same problem as # 52 and #55…..it keeps randomly going into sleep mode!! Every morning after the alrarm goes off I hit snooze, but I can’t go back to sleep anyway because I hear this faint annoying sound of music…it fades after a few minutes, but if I hit snooze again, it starts up again. Then lately it has been going into sleep mode in the middle of the night by itself and waking me up!! I really like it, and its to late to take it back….but I’m ready to replace it
#82 Devon says:
Oh yeah, also…I was so excited that it came with a remote but it hardly works. I have to push the buttons like five or six time and be standing right in front of it (in which case I wouldn’t need the remote!) BUT…the remote turns my TV on or off!!! It must be on the same frequency or something. In the middle of the night last night it went into sleep mode by itself and woke me up….so I grabbed the remote and tried to shut off the power button, it didn’t work ..but it turned on my TV! This happended three times in a row, so its not a coincidence! Anyone else have this happen??
#83 Last P says:
my problem is my ipod is playing but sound not come out i try to reset my ipod but it still no sound so what should i do now????
#84 art says:
I’ve tried the AUX solutions mentioned and none worked for any good amount of time. I now use it for the radio. Glad I came across this blog, though. ‘Cause I spent way too much time trying to figure it out.
#85 greg says:
i’m tring to play my ipod but it won’t play it has the aux in the box where it should say ipod how can i fix the problem?
#86 jilll says:
my iHome if stuck on AUX just like everyone elses,
does anyone know any tricks to fix it.
#87 Lara says:
My ipod won’t do anything at all. The light is on where the time is supposed to be but it doesn’t show a time. i press buttons and it won’t do anything. It does charge my ipod though. What should i do?
#88 Lola Loo says:
I have the same AUX problem….i even read this whole forum and tried everything that had to do with the AUX problem and it didnt owrk…im so mad….smh
#89 Lola Loo says:
I Fixed the Aux Problem….Ok so first you know the cord that connects to line out in the back of the ipod dock….well connect the cord on only one end to line out….that means the other side of the cord is free….take your ipod put it in to the dock take the line out cord (free side) and put it in the headphone jack of your ipod then press play on your ipod…if you hear nothing, then press ipod….its really easy now that i think about it…..trust me this will work…just make sure that you plug the line out cord only into one of line out jacks and put the other in your ipod’s headphone jack…got it…good
#90 English says:
I love my Ihome. The only thing that makes me mad is the fact that now, if I go to play my ipod with headphones, the ipod has major problems shutting off. Another thing that iratates me is that after an hour of pressing snooze, it starts buzzing super, super loud. But other than those two things, its really great!
#91 Kathleen says:
I fixed the aux problem with mine, but i had to order the part which is the dock part that hooks to the ipod to read it—you have to completely open it up and replace it–now it works like new– the part was $13.00.
#92 anonymus says:
I was thinking of buying one of these iHomes but after reading all of these posted comments and learning that about 95% of these comments are complaints I am definitely not even going to consider it.
#93 kensey says:
i have the aux problem i dont know what to do….:( not kool……it gay if i fix it i will tell u guys how to fix it
#94 paige says:
i know how to fix the AUX thing for the ihome
all you have to do is hold your ipod down in the dock as hard as you can and then press IPOD on the ihome and it will play.
trust me it will work i have fixed a lot of my friends that way.
#95 canbek says:
same problem with #18 please help me
#96 Lindaa says:
samee aux problem, can’t fix itt. :s
#97 Rachel says:
None of the buttons on my actual iH5 are responding when I press them except for the volume and tuning wheels as well as the am/fm button. My iPod charges just fine, and when I use the remote both the radio and iPod will play and function normally. Is anyone else having the same issues or know a solution?
#98 Leah says:
My Ipod works fine with it except it just wont charge?! i dont get it… i can still listen to it on the speakers but it wont do anythingwhen i go to charge it!
#99 kensey says:
my ihome is awesome!!
well except for the factthat if i press ipod it says AUX
all u have 2 do if u have a problem with it push the ipod forward nd keep it there.
#100 Colleen says:
i am having the same problem as Rachel #97 — i just emailed them via their website so we’ll see what they say ……

right now i have a nice clock ……..i cannot get it to work for anything else ..

EVERYONE needs to contact them!!

http://www.ihomeaudio.com/contactUs.asp
#101 laura says:
I have had exactly the same problem with this AUX- I am from the UK and the Ihome was bought as a present from the USA, however my ipod will randomly jump and play at its own accord! I thought it was just mine so am really interested to see how many others have experienced the same problem! I generall bang my speakers on the table and generally they come back to life (lol sure there is a better solution) anyone know who to contact in the UK ?! thanx
#102 luisa says:
i finally fixed the “AUX” malfunction. i contaced the manufacturer - SDI Technologies in Avenel NJ (see above for phone number). the sent, and i paid for, a dock connector and wire assembly for my particular model. i was able to install it myself. 1- first you remove all the screws so that you can take off the bottom of the unit***, 2- then you remove the screws from the circuit board, 3- then you remove the four screws from the bracket that hold the dock connector in place, 4-then you remove two more smaller screws that are on the dock connector itself. ***you can not really remove the bottom of the unit in step #1 because there are random wires that are attached to the circuit board. if you remove the am radio connector (see back of unit) from the circuit board it will make it easier to maneuver and remove screws. just remember to keep notes as you are removing parts so you can reassemble, especially when it comes to the dock connector or you may put it in backwards. i fixed two ihomes yesterday and they both play the ipods now!
#103 Andreea says:
I have a iH5 and I moved to Europe so i had to use a transformer to plug it in..after like 5 min smoke came out of it and it made a buzzing sound so i pluged it out..can u help me i have no idea why it did that and i dont wana plug it back in.Thank you!
#104 Karen says:
I just ordered the dock connector. I uninstalled mine 1st. If you know from the other comments thats what you need WAIT to uninstall your current dock connnector it will make it easier to put it back together correctly when you get the part. Here’s the lowdown….
SDI Technologies
1-800-288-2792 135 Essex Ave, Avenel NJ 07001 You send them a money order $9.50 for part $4 for shipping. Include your name and address where to send you the part. You’ll also need to include the following info from the bottom of your Ihome. model # and Service# When you call them they’ll give you the part number. Very nice people, She also said I could send it in for $40 but I have it apart. Hope this works.
#105 sara says:
i am havin the aux problem and none of these solutions mentioned work..any new tips?
#106 DIYer says:
Hi if anyone needs help with the ihome aux problem I made a post on my website on how to fix it.

Thanks

http://diyspirit.com/2008/12/repair-your-ihome-after-it-no-longer-detects-your-ipod/