Great sound, very good analogue reception and good facilities in the price category IPhone 6 Plus compatible!

Sony supplies the DC295 as opposed to Philips DTB 297 a remote control with which partially offset the DTB 297 (with radio, Bluetooth) by the Philips Digital Radio app. When docking could then, however, many a missing remote. Philips offers a Bluetooth input source that does not know the Sony.
In order to continue to have an alternative to the Lightning Dock, Bluetooth was very important for me. What might have been missing, NFC would be me personally was not important.

When docking the entire width is available for functions with the iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone fits with original Apple Silicone Case perfect on the dock the same applies to Sony XDR DS16IPN. Prerequisite for a perfect docking at DTB 297 is a recess of about 4,4cm in the Lightning slot forms the center. Even a thin sheath prevents the connection to the Dock. A longer Lightning slot for a final bottom shell would not like from design to technical reasons, especially in an iPad, where you rather not use a shell, but also in the case with cutouts. One could very well separate the Lightning slot from the base and can make moveable by spring.

Those who believe that the finish and the controls of the DTB 297 are made of quality aluminum, just believe me, he was deceived by aluminum-plastic imitation. At first I also thought that it was made of aluminum, but I was unsure and asked me exactly at Philips. The only thing is made of aluminum, the bars on the speakers, but even when I am due to the aluminum typically lack refrigeration uncertain ;-).
Due to the still quality workmanship and stylish form my Philips by design says something truer than the Sony. The Sony is too obvious plastic dominated me to my liking and processed edges. Nevertheless, there is a little point deduction for a non-existent real aluminum surface.

* Sound - 4.5 stars *

At Saturn, I have the Sony XDR-DS16IPN against the Philips DC295 (up to DAB receiver identical to DTB297) can test just in terms of the sound.

The sound of the system is really very good for the device or price range with only 10 Watt. Ups and especially bass are balanced, dynamic and significantly better than the Sony XDR-DS16IPN. This opinion I am the way, not only so you can read in various reviews the Sony selbiges, for example by French critic: Who wants to play almost all the iPhone should get the Philips radio, the sound is as best in my eyes.

The only drawback is the lack of adjustability of height, middle and depth. Also no sound patterns can be set. However, this is bearable in combination with a docked iPhone as sound patterns are stored in the iPhone itself when setting / music. So you can replace the factory preset sound pattern by another. In my opinion this is not necessary because very effectively. Nevertheless, I have to deduct for missing sound settings a half star. Why, however, sound settings when DC295 are possible and not when DTB297, remains a mystery.

* Radio digital (DAB) without rating *

Unfortunately, I had hardly DAB receiver has 13 channels found, but only off air, probably too weak signal. However, the lies more on the region, which has only a very weak signal and the building (modernized, three-story barracks buildings with thick walls), as on the radio. That radio has ever received what speaks more for the quality of the receiver, while remaining DAB without judgment.

* Radio analog 4.5 stars *

Here I can despite cheaper wire antenna announce good: unlike my old dock Philips DC220 really good reception. If reception is poor you can switch to mono by entering Ok, so can the incoming signal can be output a little interference suppressed. As with the DAB radio, an automatic station search will start.

* Easy to use and Bluetooth 3.5 stars *

Operation of the device is relatively difficult, despite or because of the many keys and can be tapped not equal. The same applies to the Sony dock. The reading of the user manual helps and makes initial difficulties disappear quickly.

Bluetooth works reliably in conjunction with the iPhone 6 Plus. With Philips Digital Radio App is installed nachgehakt after coupling immediately if the app you want to open. The app can then take place in one operation largely. However, a channel sorting is not yet possible at present (Version 2.0.0).
But what bothers me is the not disconnectable during radio mode Bluetooth interface which continuously flashes when there is coupling on the display. While the docks Bluetooth is turned off. It can only be set if Bluetooth during standby is to be active.

* Alarm Clock 4.5 star *

The radio I use exclusively in my office, the alarm clock is not used. Did it anyway briefly tested. What struck me very positively that the iPhone is untied during standby and is coupled only with appropriate Weckprofil for alarm. This means that tones of calls and message not during standby are passed. While raising the tone is raised stepwise to the set volume. In addition, you can use a power outage as a precaution two AA batteries.

The two storable Weckprofilen the time, source (dock, DAB, tuners, Buzz), repetition (weekdays, weekends, every day), and the volume can be adjusted. The display brightness can be dimmed in four stages - darkened up completely. When repeating one could easily have let benutzerdefiniertere settings insofar half a point is deducted.

* Conclusion *

Due to the good sound, the ability to use Bluetooth and the overall impression wertigeren I decided against the Sony XDR-DS16IPN. Therefore I rate the Philips DTB 297 with 4 points (average is the same rating categories was 4.3 points).