It's been 1 month now since my last trip to the local Apple store. It was time for another visit after I finally heard of a new system called the Polk Audio I-Sonic System 2.
I had been waiting for a system that sounds good, looks good and has an alarm clock with iPod dock. So off I went down to the store to check it out. They did not have it on display yet, so I had to ask to see it. Unfortunately they would not take it out of the box to let me see or hear it so I was a little bummed about that. Since they have a 15 day return policy I figured I would get it anyway and try it out. 

So first things first. How does it sound?  Pretty good for such a small package.  I would say it was pretty comparable with the Bose Wave Radio for which this system is in competition.  It has two speakers in the front and two in the rear that really does provide a wide range of listening positions and fills the room with sound.  Bass is pretty good for such a small system but not as clean as larger sub woofers would be.

This is my first HD radio receiver and I am impressed.  The HD radio stations are transmitted within the regular frequencies.  All you need to do is tune to your favorite station and if an HD station exists, the system will automatically select it.  You may have heard the commercials with something like "the stations between the stations".  This means that broadcasters can transmit additional stations using the same frequency.  For example you could have a station 100.3 FM, then also 100.3-1 (HD) and 100.3-2 (HD)

This system is also the first system to support iTunes Tagging.  This will allow you Tag a song you hear on HD radio and then store the name on the iPod for review and possible purchase later in iTunes.
How does it work?

1. Tune into any HD Radio station with the I-Sonic ES2. When you hear a tune you like, press the Tag button on the I-Sonic ES 2. The Tag data is stored for future reference. (You can store up to 50 songs.)
2. Dock your iPod classic or iPod nano in the I-Sonic ES2 and the Tags are transferred automatically to your iPod.
3. Sync the iPod with your computer and your tagged songs will appear in a Tagged Playlist in iTunes. You can then preview and purchase that song directly from the iTunes Store.

Conclusion

Pros:

• Competent sound system
• iPod Dock
• Tagging
• Alarm Clock (Big for me)

Cons:

• $499 MSRP
• Does not work very well with older iPods.  I tried an old iPod mini and next/previous track buttons turn off the iPod.  iPod nano is OK
  

Specifications:

• I-Sonic Speaker Technology (Patent Pending for stereo imaging on all sides of the entertainment system)
• Patented PowerPort Bass Technology for impressive bass performance
• HD Radio second-generation technology with the latest features such as multicasting
• iTunes Tagging lets you Tag and download songs you hear on HD Radio
• iPod dock with universal well adapters integrated into the top of the unit
• S-Video and Composite Video ports for connecting the I-Sonic ES2 to a TV so watch video content from your iPod
• Full-featured remote control
• 24 presets for AM/FM
• Clock with alarm and sleep timer
• Auxiliary input for easy connection of other devices
• Multiple outputs, including iPod video (Composite and S-Video), analog audio (fixed line out), headphone (mutes main speakers)
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 4.75 x 14.5 x 9.0 in./12.06 x 36.83 x 22.86 cm

In the box:

• I-Sonic ES2 system
• Remote control (battery included)
• AM external antenna
• FM external antenna
• Owner's guide

Warranty:One year limited for parts and labor