HoMedics SS-4000 Sound Spa Classic Deluxe Clock Radio & Sound Machine with Time Projection
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Customer Reviews of HoMedics SS-4000 Sound Spa Classic Deluxe Clock Radio & Sound Machine with Time Projection
Customer Review: Sanity Saver
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a 15 month old that has had such problems with sleeping. His room was too close to the road and for some reason would amplify every sound coming from outside. I was getting up several times a night to lay him back down. So we moved him into our room. A little better, but still got up a few times every night. I tried everything I could think of. Then I started shopping for the sound machines to drown out the other noises. This was my first pick. And we couldn't be happier. He now sleeps in his own room all night every night with the rain noise. During the day we like the tropical rainforest sound. That has also put him to sleep, but we prefer the rain to that. All the sounds are great. The thunder could stand to be a little louder. I have to turn the volume up for that one, but it's still good. Love the projection, but we don't use it right now. Since a baby can't tell time, I see no reason to have it on the ceiling. The radio could be better because you can never tell what station you're tuned to unless they say it on air. Love the fact that the lighted time has a dimmer switch. I read some saying that it was too bright, but I don't find that to be true with mine. It doesn't take up much space and doesn't look intrusive. It's made from a very light plastic, so I'm just trying to be careful not to drop it or be rough with it. It may be able to break easily because of that, but I've had no problems at all with it. I Love this clock radio sound machine. I even have it set up by the baby monitor so that I can hear the rain while I'm sleeping in my room too. It's great!!!Customer Review: A nifty little gadget!
Summary: 4 Stars
I have had this gadget for a month or so.
Let's start with the PROS:
So far the alarm has not failed me yet. The snooze button is big and easy to find, located right in the front of the device. Easy to find without actually having to open my eyes yet.
The radio works surprisingly well. Waking up to music is a MUCH nicer way to start the day than to the standard mind numbing BEEPING sound. It does have that option though which could come in handy if you want to annoy the crap out of your spouse one random morning.
The projection feature is cool and easy to read. Now that I have that, I don't honestly know how I lived without it. I must have had to sit up out of bed 5 times/night to see the time. Now all I have to do is look up.
The noises are relaxing. I've heard some noise machines that are suppose to be relaxing, but are the farthest thing from it. If you are looking for a jungle full of wild animals squaking and screaming, this is NOT the item for you.
Cons: The unit is a little on the big/bulky side. Kind of looks like something that belongs in a kid's room.
The projection only has about a 90 degree range, from straight up to the wall behind it. It would be a much better design if it projected forward and/or to the sides. I'll have to do some furniture rearranging to get the time to shine where I want it.
While the noises might be nice to fall asleep to, I don't think I would rely on them to wake me up. For that I think I'd need the jungle full of screeching birds and angry monkeys.
Customer Review: Nice starter sounds assortment for the money
Summary: 5 Stars
There's a little bit of sensory deprivation between the brain and nature when you live in an urban environment. If you have a window that looks out into another building, or a wall, or you feel very urban these modern days, then you need a bit of artificial nature to soothe the soul.
Start with the sounds of nature.
I recently picked up a Homeomedics Nature Alarm Clock for $29.99 at Bed, BAth & Beyond. This sound machine plays the radio, but also gives me choices of Thunder, Summer Night, Rainforest, Rain and Ocean. There's also a button for Waterfall, but everyone who has heard it agrees it's really just White Noise. Which is fine if you like that. :)
I enjoy all the choices tremendously. Summer Night reminds me of my childhood in Upstate New York with the nightjar bird and cricket insect noises. Ocean makes me feel nostalgic for trips to the coast, complete with seagull cries and washing surf. Rainforest is a nice morning sound but I can't sleep with it on (the bird calls remind me of morning noises and interfere with my late night mood). Thunder and Rain are nice nighttime sounds to sleep to.
I wish there were some other choices, like a Babbling Brook sound, or dockside sound, or different ocean sounds. I have heard those sounds on other machines, but this REALLY is a nice product for the money and does have a good starter sound assortment.
Customer Review: Good Purchase at the Price
Summary: 4 Stars
This is overall a good purchase, but there are pros and cons that you should weigh before buying it.
On the plus side is simply the range of options this clock/radio/sound machine/alarm/projector provides. The clock functions perfectly well, and you can set the alarm to buzz, play the radio, or play one of the soothing sounds provided in the "Sound Spa." Unfortunately, the radio is very rudimentary (no presets) and functions with a dial, which of course can very easily get turned off of the stations you wanted to hear as you reach for the clock in the morning.
The projection of the time on the ceiling is a fun bonus. I don't really use it to tell the time, as I'm absolutely useless without my contacts in or my glasses on, but the blue light is a nice, soothing color and adds an interesting glow to my apartment at night.
The best feature of the Sound Spa is the Sound Machine aspect. There are 6 options - Ocean, Summer Night, Rain, Rainforest, Thunder, and Waterfall. Most of the sounds are great - I personally love Waterfall, Thunder, and Ocean - but it is easy to hear the cycling of the sounds in a couple of the choices, notably the presence of some annoying bird chirps in Rainforest. You can just leave the sound on, or you can set it to a sleep timer of 15, 30, or 60 minutes.
Overall, a great purchase for the price.
Customer Review: Performs as Advertised - Solid Multi-function Device
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased the HoMedics SS-4000 Sound Spa Clasic Delux Clock Radio and Sound Machine (with Time Projection) as a gift for my wife this past Christmas. She was interested in the projection and sound machine functions. Thus far, the device has performed well. The AM/FM radio gets good reception where others have failed, so we are happy in that respect. The sound effects are pleasant and definitely more soothing to wake up to in the morning. The projection function seems to be working fine, but fortunately there is an on/off button available because my wife finds it a bit distracting. The only problem I've seen thus far is that there is no "safety" on the time setting button so it can be activated if you accidentally hit it when trying to snooze or turn off the alarm. So far it hasn't been a problem. More about the time projector. It swivels approximately 110 degrees on one axis (front to back) so you can set it to project straight up to the ceiling or behind the clock on the wall (but not across the room on the far ceiling or opposing wall). The projector lens rotates so it will allow you to position the time display in the correct orientation to your viewing angle. The lens can also be focused by turning the lens clockwise or counterclockwise. The brightness of the time display is adjustable (low and high setting).