Sleek and silver, Sony's ICF-M410V Portable AM/FM/TV Band/Weather Band Radio is perfect for travel. Its Ergonomic Designer-Look Styling demands to be seen as you enjoy the 4 Band Digital Synthesized Tuner (AM/FM/TV/Weather) with Shuttle Dial Operation, and use the 5 Direct Keys to tune into your favorite stations at the touch of a button. Take advantage of the Sleep/Radio-On Timer to turn off the radio after a set period of time or turn on the radio at a preset time - whether you want to be lulled into a noon time nap or awaken from a sweet slumber. In addition, the Earphone Jack enables a private listening experience so that you can enjoy your favorite music just about anywhere. Tune in with the ICF-M410V when you travel.
This portable radio is perfect for travelers who want to keep in touch with their favorite FM/AM and TV stations. The Sony ICF-M410V even receives NOAA weather stations to allow up-to-date metrological forecasts and warnings. With shuttle dial operation and five direct keys for memory presets, this radio allows quick access to your favorite stations. There are twenty presets, five stations for each band. One important feature of the ICF-M410V is the sleep/turn-on timer. With this feature, it is possible to not only have the radio turn off after a selected amount of time, but also to have the radio turn on at a preset time.
This four-band radio picks up FM, AM, TV and weather channels. FM frequencies range between 87.6 and 108 MHz while AM frequencies range from 530 to 1710 kHz. You will pick up TV VHF channels 2-13 and weather channels 1-7. You can listen to the radio via the 3 1/8" speaker, or through optional headphones via the headphone jack. Whether through the built-in ferrite bar antenna or the telescopic FM, TV and weather antenna, you are sure to receive the best possible reception. Sony designed this portable radio for on-the-move enjoyment. Either carry the lightweight radio like a small bag, or set the small radio on a desk or dresser. To power this sleek, ergonomic radio, use either an optional AC adaptor or three AAA batteries.
What's in the Box
Sony ICF-M410V portable radio, user's manual and a ninety day warranty.
1 Great radio, would've been 5 stars if...
The Sony ICF-M410V gets great reception. I work in a building that's got some serious radio interference surrounding it. I've tried various clock radio's and a C-crane radio, none were able to pick up anything but static.
This radio is able to pick up all of the stations on AM and FM that I like to listen to. It also picks up 4 or 5 TV stations without any static.
Why not 5 stars? Because, for some reason I can't figure out, Sony thought it'd be a good idea to sell this thing without a power cord.
I bought the Sony AC-E45A power adapter from Amazon along with the radio (they shipped from different retailers btw). Some people reported that this power adapter caused problems with their radios (static or humming) I've not experienced either.
I love it.
2 Solid performance, great buy!
This is the latest version of a radio Sony has been producing for years (I own the original version). The radio performs like a champ, with great sensitivity, selectivity, and clean audio. Use it virtually anywhere. Although you have to get an a.c. adapter separately for it, the unit gets great mileage and plenty of sound out of 3 AA batteries. The controls are precise and convenient. Put this radio up against any other in its price and size range, and I guarantee you'll go with this one! Every so often, Sony produces a product with great design, perfomance, durability, size, and value: a "Sony classic". This radio is one of those products. If it is the type of portable radio you are looking for, look no further.
3 Excellent Bedtime Radio with Strong AM
Sadly, strong AM is a disapearing trait from many PLL synthesized digital tuing radios, but the Sony M410V has paid attention to AM; as a result, this Sony gets better AM reception than many digital radios that cost twice as much. 790 AM, which has weak reception on many of my expensive radios, comes in loud in clear on the Sony. The FM is strong. I get all the weak left-dial stations. The TV is strong with the exception of channel 4, a major station. Here's a rundown of what I like:
1. Strong AM
2. Strong FM
3. Ease of use, large buttons, intuitive functions
4. Slender design makes it ideal for bedside use.
5. Costs half of many premium radios that don't have as good AM.
Here's what I would improve:
1. Give the radio more than five presets per band.
2. Give the radio a rear flap so that you can lay it down at an angle for easier operation and to avoid having the radio tip over.
Other than those small flaws, this is an outstanding performer for the price.
4 solid performance for its class
I listen to AM for news in the morning and evening, and classical or jazz FM on occasion. I am not a radio expert as some of the previous reviewers, but have a quality stereo for serious music listening.
I purchased this radio to replace a similarly priced Radio Shack model which broke after 6 months. I did not want to get another from Radio Shack, nor buy a second Grundig G-2000A (the "Porsche" design -- nice enough, but pricey for the sound quality). As some reviewers have noted, there does not seem to be much selection among portable table radios. I use it in the kitchen in the morning and around dinner, and sometimes move it around if I am working elsewhere in the house (the Grundig sits in the bathroom).
This radio has done a fine job for a product of its size and price. The sound is relatively full and rich (it's not a Bose, but then it costs a tenth the price), though a bit on the darker side. I have had no trouble with its reception or frequency drift, but I do live in a city, so rural users may have a different experience. It separates channels well. I get all the TV and several weather channels in my area but don't use these features. It does not equal a desktop stereo, but then, I think that would be an unrealistic expectation for its size and price.
The memory presets are convenient, and the radio has both a sleep and an alarm function (you can set it to come on at a certain time, but not make an actual alarm sound). The controls are intuitive. Construction quality seems good but not great; it is mostly plastic. It is a bit too large to be an ideal travel radio/alarm.
Some reviewers commented about a few things which are of less importance to me. The picture alone makes it clear this is a mono device; in any event, a radio this small isn't going to have sufficient separation (or power) to give much in the way of stereo. If you want stereo, spend a bit more and get a larger radio, or save the space and get a walkman type device with good headphones. No AC adapter is included, which is admittedly kind of cheap on Sony's part. Still, something this size is primarily meant to be portable; if you aren't going to move it, and sound quality is your main concern, check out higher end radios (e.g. Tivoli, larger Grundigs) or get a nice stereo clock radio in the $50-100 range.
Negatives include the styling, which looks like a small purse (as another reviewer said), and the plastic is a flat off white color, not very appealing. It lacks either a sophisticated or a relaxed appearance, in my opinion. It has no night light, further diminishing its use as a travel alarm/radio. It seems picky about battery power, reporting low batteries with batteries that run other radios without difficulty.
This radio has served my needs well, but is not outstanding. I am happy with its performance, reception, portability, and ease of use. If your priority is the best sound quality, and you are willing to sacrifice a bit in the other areas, you would be better off with a different choice.
5 don't buy -- especially from J&R Music World
At work, we ordered this for the office. When we ordered, amazon wasn't selling it directly -- you had to purchase through an amazon affiliate, J&R Music World, and you had to pay shipping. What you don't see in any of the specs is that THIS RADIO DOES NOT COME WITH AN A/C ADAPTER. The A/C adapter costs $19.88 through J&R, and who-knows-how-much through Sony, the manufacturer. I don't understand how this radio came to be in amazon's "Top Selling" list with that grievous omission. It's probably the most returned radio as well... if you can return it.
J&R has a 14-day return policy, and you foot the S&H for it all. Various members of our office took it home to find an A/C adaptor for it among their odds and ends, but none worked. By the time we decided to return it, we couldn't. And the A/C adapter comes at an outrageous scalper's price!
6 Such a bad selection!!!
I was really disappointed by the radio.Such a bad selection. So difficulty to handle and ajust. Very inconvenient to bring with. I without hesitate returned it.
7 It's a good portable radio.
I wanted a small FM radio with a digital tuner. I wanted a radio with a tuner that would not drift. I now have a small FM radio with a digital tuner that does not drift. My only concern before buying the radio was reception. The radio is placed inside a building far from any exterior wall and I've been pleasantly surprised by the good reception. The radio is not high fidelity; it's a small portable single speaker radio. That's exactly what I wanted and is exactly what I got. I'm very happy.
I have not used the AM tuner. I have been able to listen to TV broadcasts.
8 Junk
The quality of this radio is amazingly poor. The speaker emits an extremely irritating tinny "echo-buzz" -- even on the clearest FM stations. My old teensy $5.00 AM radio from Walgreens has better sound...This Sony is also a battery hog and according to other reviews, the ac adapter causes interference in reception.
Sony used to stand for quality and it is sad how far they have let their reputation sag...
9 All in one and it's a Sony
I just ordered my third radio simply because we find ourselves carrying our "bathroom" ones around to different rooms and outdoors as its TV reception and weather functions are so handy. Tonal quality is excellent for a small radio. Its vertical and thin design takes up less space than comparable radios. I live about 90 miles from the nearest TV station and the reception is good although you have to align the radio for reception. On weather mode I inexplicably have to increase the volume for a station located in our city. Given how handy and portable the radio is, a small handle would have been nice.
10 static noise uwing the ac adaptor and AM
I bought this radio for AM usage. when you plug it in with AC, you get noise on AM. sony discontinued the old adaptor that had no problem with nose and introduced this one. i thought sony meant quality. this radio is junk for me and i am returning it. i called sony and they were aware of it, but not too concerned. they told me to search the net and find the old adaptor. it sells at a premium, no thanks sony.
11 A VERY GOOD RADIO
I hear every day to this radio at bed and bath time,to listen news,to listen tv and radio programs and after wake up (about 2-3 hours daily). Its reception in AM,FM and TV is very good. The Weather reception is below par. The unit is an excellent all around radio with very practical features,including memory preset buttons,useful shape,batteries last a long period of time,good ergonomics, and large dial and buttons. Also it can be operated with an optional AC/DC adapter (about $25.00 more). In the minus side i miss a seek/scan button, but i can live without it.
The sound is clear. This Sony is the radio that i listen most by far.
12 Very good AM reception, minor flaws
Pro: This baby has very good AM reception for such a small radio. It was the best in its price range that I tested (I have bought 15 radios in the past three years). Please note that if you work in a building that is heavy with metal construction that signals aren't going to come booming through no matter how much you spend on a radio. No signals due to building blocking = no signals period. Try this one. If you still can't get your favorite AM station, return it and start listening to internet radio. there is no other way. Safer buildings mean crappier radio reception.
The sleep, alarm, digital tuning are all perfect.
The TV band is strong.
Battery drainage is low and a set will last for weeks/months.
Cons: I hate the purse design of this one. Women may like that but it is not a butch piece of equipment. The design is feminine.
The headphone plug isn't stereo. You get mono through one side of ear plugs you plug in. This is very distracting.
There is no night light.
There is no adaptor included.
There is no handle. This looks more like a table top design than something you would carry around with you.
The weather band is so weak but this may be due to the weak signal in my area.
Overall, because of the excellent AM reception I give this 85%
13 Decent, but overly priced for the product.
I ordered this radio because I work in the middle of an office building and have a difficult time getting good reception on even strong FM signals, let alone AM signals.
After reading the reviews on the site, I gave it a chance and was, sadly, disappointed.
The radio looks nice, but doesn't get the reception I was seeking.
Also, because I work in an office, I listen to the radio on my headphones. I wasn't really upset that the radio didn't offer stereo capability for the headphones, but I was sorely upset that the mono available only traveled through one side of the phones. Listening to music or a radio show in only one ear, is irritating for me.
Really though.. radios have been around for 60 some-odd years and Sony has a tough time working full mono in both headphones.. because my stupid little jogging radio doesn't have a hard time working with that technology.
The more and more I buy from Sony, the more and more I realize a: they don't make quality products anymore and b: they don't care.
"we'll just ride out our own name brand for awhile, afterall, we're Sony!"
And, yet, they still have the gall to charge more for their products.
No more Sony for me...
14 Just What He Wanted
I bought this radio for my husband for in the bathroom in the morning. He had an old radio with presets on it, but it died. He wanted something to replace it with. This was the most reasonable radio with digital tuning and presets that I found. The big plus is that it is a Sony. This is one awesome radio. It has great sound, it's small and fits in perfectly. He starts out with music, then I hear him switch over to the local news cast. He liked it so well, I just bought him a second one for out in the garage.
15 Best for what it is
After searching and comparing for days, I bought this radio. All I wanted was a digital tuner with FM and internal speaker. It's hard to find much out there. Everything has headphones (no speaker), casette player, cd player etc.. Well, this appeared to have the largest speaker (3") in it's class. The radio itself is compact. Five programable stations is okay, but they could have added more. I get ZERO weather reception (Atlanta area), although I DON'T CARE. Three TV stations come in pretty well, but again, I DON'T CARE. I also DON'T CARE about the AM so I can't comment on that. Now, the FM radio: Works fine. Stations DO drift, however. Overall, it's okay. The volume cannot be turned past 1/2 way without noticable distortion. This was a little disappointing, although I realize this is not a home stereo. Oh yeah, for those who may not know, this is mono radio. One speaker=mono ! No surprise here. Overall, a pretty good radio. Why can't I find JUST an am/FM stereo digital tuned radio with a great speaker that isn't the size of a boom box ?
16 Great Radio .....but NO PLUG included!!
Buy this radio-- but buy the plug along with it!!!
I love these Radios w/TV sound reception!! (great for the office, kitchen, bathroom, BLACKOUTS!!) I've owned others- a Sony, a GE and a hand held portable/transistor - so I've got a lot to compare.
This radio is VERY nicely designed--compact and portable; easy to read and set. Sound quality is VERY clear and it's nice to have the sleep timer and push button tuning (MUCH better than to fish for the stations on a dial).
The color: "putty" is a bit outdated. (Black would have been better), but it'll do.
All and all it's a GREAT little radio!!!
But....here's the disappointing news....There's NO adaptor included!! NO way to plug it in.
WHY??
You'd think those adaptors would be the easiest thing to include. (how many old ones have I thrown out??!)
Anyway, it says that you HAVE to use a 4.5v adaptor (and of course what's left in my junk drawer are a 3, a 9 and a 5.5v).
So now I have to figure out where to pick up this adaptor!
And that's why it only received 4 stars!
Also--I don't remember being prompted by Amazon to make this additonal purchase when I added this item to my shopping cart. (...Hint to Amazon...)
Anyway, just be sure to purchase the adaptor when you buy this radio and you'll be a happy camper (these TV/radios are GREAT for camping, too...)
17 Handy for more than emergencies & good sound quality
When I was a kid growing up in New Jersey my parents had this radio in the kitchen (that they bought through their Gulf credit card) that seemed to get every band in the world. We used to love to listen to the short wave at night. But the radio really came in handy for its weather channels when the power went out during thunderstorms. We also boated a lot, and the NOAA weather radio broadcasts became as important a step in planning for an outing as packing the sailbags and filling the cooler with ice.
Now that I live in the midwest, I live through wicked seasonal thunderstorms that often knock out the power. I also find that our tv stations' weather reports are useless for two reasons -- they cover too large a broadcast area, and they tend to hype the weather for everyone, even if only one part of the state is being affected. After this most recent round of thunderstorms and flooding I decided to get a battery powered radio that gets weather radio channels so I can cut through the tv hype and get specific local information.
I had an Amazon coupon, and decided to buy this radio for two reasons. First, unlike other radios on Amazon, this one shipped for free, which made it equivalent in price to other radios with fewer features. Second, even though the tv weather coverage around here drives me crazy it is nice to know that I can tune into the tv channels if I want to when if the power goes out.
Now that I have the radio I have found (like other reviewers) that I use it for much more than emergencies. The radio is so small and handy that I keep it near my desk and use it to get a quick weather update in the morning. I also listen to NPR throughout the day, which I wouldn't otherwise do unless I'm in my car. (Is it me, or did we learn in the big hair generation that a tricked out stereo is the only radio worth having in the house?)
I have two minor complaints about the radio. There is a lot of interference with other electronics on the weatherband channels. I also have to crank up the volume on those stations to hear anything. As a result as I have to carry the radio around the room to get a good weather reception spot. And as I do so, I have to endure these really loud waves of interference until I find the right spot (ow). But this is only a minor annoyance. If it weren't for that I'd give it 5 stars. My second complaint is that while the radio is on, it displays the frequency and not the clock. You have to turn off the radio or look at a different source to get a time check. These are only minor annoyances, worth living with for the price.
There are also two features I didn't really think much about when I bought the radio that I now use all the time. First, I use the standby feature (which on most other radios would be called an alarm), to turn the radio on every day right as the afternoon NPR broadcast begins. If left to my own devices I never remember to turn on the radio at the right time. Second, I also use the sleep feature a lot -- if I walk away from the radio, I know that the radio will turn itself off and not wear down the battery.
I like the sound quality -- even the AM stations are pleasant to listen to.
18 great value radio
This is a great radio for the price. It's size and shape make it convenient to carry around and the reception is fabulous.
19 Look elsewhere if you need Weatherband...
I received this radio from amazon today and am happy with it except for the faulty Weatherband. (It's the tuner that's bad: all 7 weather channels tune to the same frequency, and none of them well, compared to my smaller, cheaper, older Radio Shack Weather Cube). Sony's technical support was of no help whatsoever, referring me to NOAA's frequency guide on the web. Weatherband shortcomings aside, the radio fits perfectly on a narrow ledge (like a window sill); the 3-inch speaker sounds great for its size, and the five presets per band are adequate for me. The TV channels perform well, too. ... But for $40 or less, it's a good value and performs well (except for the Weatherband, which could be a defect only in the radio I received). Made in China, by the way, not in Japan.
20 Just what I needed
I needed a radio with sensitivity (to lock onto a fairly weak station) and selectivity (to block out a nearby strong station). This radio does both extremely well. The sound quality is good for a radio this size. I can't think of anything that it doesn't do well.
21 Perfect for the price!
The Amazon reviews are (usually) very helpful when considering product choices. However, I am continually perplexed by the number of "geniuses" who participate. With this diminutive gem, you get digital tuning, tv/am/fm bands, sleep timer, clock radio, pre-set buttons, etc. In other words, for less than 40 bucks, IT'S LOADED!!!
Yet incredibly, a few rocket scientists downgraded it for not having stereo or home-theatre sound quality. That's why you have to check out the reviews individually, rather than go by the average "star" rating.
22 Great performance for the price!
I needed a radio with great AM sensitivity and portability. I checked out a number of radios and found the GE 7-2887 Superadio III to be the best, but the size was just too big.
The AM sensitivity of this Sony unit is great! I live in a mountainous region of Arizona and use the unit mainly to listen to talk radio. The daytime AM station is almost 100 miles away and most radios have difficulty even picking it up. This one shines! I attribute this mainly to the larger than normal internal ferrite bar antenna and decent circuitry.
The speaker is large enough to listen at volume, without distortion, and with very good tonal quality for a 3" speaker. I did not notice distortion at "normal" listening levels, nor did I expect to have stereo sound in a radio of this price range.
When listening to AM I use rechargeable batteries. They last 60 hours on average.
FM sensitivity is also very good when compared to other units I tested. The digital frequency readout also appears to be accurate, a problem that often plagues cheaper units. Due to my remote location I could not verify the selectivity of the unit (ability to separate strong radio signals that are close to each other in frequency).
The radio seems to pick up weather stations that have at least a moderate signal. Weak signals simply will not be heard. The unit also has problems with selectivity on this band as even a moderate signal (mine is 30 miles away) washes over onto all the weather frequencies. This is not a problem for most folks, but would be a concern if you live mid-point between two transmitting weather stations.
As "over the air" TV reception is not possible in my area this feature could not be evaluated.
The shuttle style tuner, clock, sleep and activation timer is a great plus!
Bottom line... this is the best portable radio you can buy in this price range!
23 Form and function
This radio is perfect! The sleek shape looks and feels almost like an elegant evening purse. It looks good and fits anywhere and is truly portable, so as I work around the house I can carry it from room to room.
The button settings are easy to use and I can set the stations I listen to regularly and instantly choose between them.
I had purchased a slightly less expensive Sony with tv reception and found it unusable because it was so difficult to locate the desired channel. No such problem here. I can listen to Oprah while washing dishes or the Today Show while making pancakes, and the audio alone carries about 90% of the information you'd get by sitting in front of the tube.
The sound is fine, though perhaps not audiophile quality, but for most purposes, it is completely adequate.
I am delighted with this product.
(There is no cord to plug it in, so if you want to use an adapter, you'll need your own, but it runs for days on 3 AA batteries, so I'm not bothering with a cord.)
24 it is a pity that fm is not stereo sound
I got this radio, and found that it is mono output to the earphone of FM, it is really a pity, if is a stereo output!
25 Great radio!
Great radio, very nice sound, compact size! The weather band and TV band comes in loud and clear. The AM/FM reception is excellent. A terrific compact radio at an excellent price! The memory settings are an added plus. You can't go wrong with this one. Better than other radios of this size with the the same features.
26 Great brand, great product & great price
This little guy came in handy big time during the blackout of 2005. Doesnt eat through batteries, has great range and really good sound. Not sure what the other reviewer was griping about.
27 Good Brand, Bad Sound Quality
I Recently purchased but returned an ICF-M410V radio because the sound reproduction is low tone and muffled. Increasing the volume just distorts the sound. For me the reason is that Sony no longer manufactures this products in Japan. I own 2 of the older versions of this radio, both made in Japan, and the overall quality was excellent; sound reproduction was crisp, clear and loud. A pity because new features in the ICF-M410V radio are good improvements to the product, like the shuttle tunning knob.
