Good controls and sound for the price

I was looking for a clock radio that would have relatively good sound and radio reception, that wouldn't wouldn't have that common 'tinny' sound (typical in for clock radios), and as compact as possible. Of course, in the end I wasn't willing to pay that much for it either. All other features were 'optional' for me.

The Sony ICF-CD843V was $60 (regular price) at Target. It's larger than I would have liked (8"hx8"dx7"w), but I could not find any CR with good sound in a small box. It provides three alarms; one radio alarm setting, one CD alarm, and one (increasing) electronic chime alarm. These can operate in any combination by simply toggling the LED 'alarm set' button (one or the other alarm, radio and CD, CD and chime, all three, etc). It has a lot of unlit buttons, that may make it kind of hard for some to reprogram unless your fully awake in the light. That said, Sony's made the control system pretty clear; you KNOW very clearly when the alarm is set and which alarms and for what time.

The sound is pretty good for a CR (more full bodied sound, not very tinny); but the FM reception is just okay, normal for a CR, I guess, nothing like a Stereo Receiver or a boom box). The chime is pretty gentle and augments the longer you let it go. The snooze and radio preset buttons (five of them) are pretty easy to find by feel at the top of the clock (as well as 'sleep' and LED brightness controls). Programming otherwise is all at the front; only the volume dial is at the rear (why?) as well as a 'mega bass' button. It has a variable 'nap' feature which can wake you up in 10-120 minutes. It has AM, FM1, FM2 (so you can program 10 FM presets), TV, and weather (the latter two work so-so).

One very dangerous button is this small vulnerable button in the front that toggles the clock into daylight savings time. I am worried that I might hit this button inadvertently and reset my alarms by one hour. Moreover, for this feature, SONY only provides a little symbol to indicate that this feature is activated. I think it should have something like 'DST' projected in large type on the screen instead.

Based on Epinion and CNET user and editor reviews, I went to the stores and looked at a bunch of CRs, including Boston Acoustics' Recepter, Timex T309TT, and many others. Normally, I would have purchased online, but I really needed to hear the thing, and wanted to be able to return it with ease.

Boston Acoustics Recepter, Cambridge Soundworks Radio 730,or Bose clearly have better sound and reception. The Recepter is really simple (and minimal) in features and design, which may appeal to some. They tend to be heavier (as a result?) but you have got to pay at least $150 (Recepter). This may be worth it for the sound and reception for some. From what I saw, you have to pay at least $50 for better sound. For alarm features, price is all over the map.

So far I am pretty satisfied with it.