EmersonEmerson SmartSet Dual Alarm Clock Radio with AM/FM Radio, Dimmer, Sleep Timer and .9" LED Display, CKS1900

I read the reviews before buying this Emerson alarm clock radio and was half thinking I'll probably be returning it based on reviews. How wrong those people are! I've had 2 alarm clocks since my long time radio alarm clock became unreliable. I bought both at W, and those radios were aweful. What you want to know about this Emerson.. The radio volume can be adjusted pretty high, and for waking in the morning you would not likely set to more than 1/2 the available volume range. When the radio alarm starts, the volume is very low and gradually increases to your volume setting (over 5-10 seconds). Sound is clear. Obviously this is not a high end stereo, but the clarity is very good. I like the ability to reduce the brightness (4 settings, I keep it on the 2nd from dimmest setting). The green LED is different, I can see it, but for 30 years I always had red so its a change that I'll get used to. Time sets automaticlly with no problem. I only set one radio station which is somewhat local and not the strongest signal and it works fine. I like that station in the morning over other stations with a stronger signal. Dual alarm mode is nice. I did read the directions, which I normally never do because a couple things were not obvious when setting the wake up times, but very easy to operate. the only downside is the lettering on each button is black (they did not fill the letters with a color for contrast), but after a couple days of using it I know where the buttons are and there is no issue. Battery backup is a CR type flat battery that's already installed. Bottom line, radio and alarm works great and this was exactly what I was looking for in an Alarm Clock Radio! :-)

I've had this clock radio for about two weeks and am really enjoying it. It's actually the second one I ordered; I had to return the first because the radio just didn't get loud enough. I had read complaints about this in some of the reviews, although others complainied that their radios were too loud. I chaulked this up to inconsistent manufactuing and figured a replacement radio might work better. It did. This little clock radio is packed with more features than I've ever seen in one device, and it cost less than $15! All those features, however, can be a little daunting, but once you've set it up, everything can be customized to your satisfaction. Be aware, however, that some features can only be activated when the radio is off and others when the radio is on. I forgot this and messed up some of my settings by adjusting them when the radio was on. I'd recommend keeping the instructions close by the radio, since you'll need them to help you remember how to adjust each feature. I was pleasantly surprised by the tone of the radio, which I thought would be tinny but was actually better than the old (and larger) clock radio that it replaced. I also appreciate the fact that when the radio is used as the alarm, it comes on very quietly at first and gradually gets to the loudness level that you've preset. It's better than blasting you awake in the morning. All in all, I don't think you can find a better buy for the money, as long as you test it out when you first receive it to make sure everything works as it should.

Alarm clock has large numbers and are very easy to see. Clock is automatically set for the eastern time zone and daylight savings time. for EST. If you live on the east coast, you are set. If not, I recommend disabling the automatic daylight savings feature. The buttons are dark and hard to see. Would have been better if the letters were white. It's been 8 days and I still haven't figured it out. It is a smart clock which means it has a chip in it to pick up certain information automatically, e.g. date, time zone, etc.

I've learned the hard way that almost nothing is made with quality anymore, so I had reasonable expectations regarding a replacement clock radio. I chose this Emerson brand because about 5 years ago, I had purchased a different model Emerson Smart Set clock radio for a different room, and the quality, design, and the features of that model were excellent. That one looks, feels, sounds, and functions like a premium, high ticket item. It had exceeded my expectations. Since that model is no longer made, this time I decided to try this Emerson model. This newer model is pure JUNK, JUNK, JUNK!!!! There is zero comparison to their previous product, or any clock radio I've ever owned, except that they are all technically clocks radios.First of all, this thing is so lightweight that a strong breeze from an adjacent window would blow it off its surface. Just walking by it, it's incredibly easy to knock it to the floor just by accidentally brushing against it. As for sound, it sounds like you'd expect a cheap radio to sound. It has adequate sound quality to wake you up and the volume can be made loud, but the louder it gets, the more marginal the sound quality becomes. But, since I bought this solely for the purpose of waking up on time, the radio sound quality was not a big problem for me.The cheap, textured, black matte plastic that it's made of is a dust magnate vs what a slick, smooth, shiny plastic would be, and it's tacky looking. Still, I could have lived with it if had to, though I know it would require constant dusting. Since I hate returning things, I tried to convince myself that this item would be okay for short term use, maybe longer.HOWEVER, the absolute deal breaker for me is the black buttons with the black writing on this black clock. What complete idiot designed this???!!!! I was willing to accept this clock's cheap quality and design for temporary use to avoid having to do a return, but the black writing on the black buttons on the black clock case is downright abusive!!! Especially given that this item is normally used/set at night in dim lighting. No one wants to have to turn on a bright overhead light or stick their face and this clock next to a bright lightbulb at bedtime just to try and read the settings when they're winding down and ready for bed. How are people supposed to set an alarm when the settings are unreadable??? Even in full daylight, you have to pick up the clock and try to angle it in the right light to read the control buttons, and I have excellent vision. Even in the daytime, I have to bring this to a sunny window and angle it 45 degrees in the sunlight just to read the controls. NO! An alarm clock should be able to be easily and quickly set. It should not be a nightly ordeal!This clock was designed with only making the cheapest possible product in mind. There was no attempt to offer the customer reasonable features, and there was no consideration of the customer in mind. Seriously, black buttons with black writing on a black background???!!!! Beyond idiotic! Can't wait to send this hunk of junk back!!!!