12/9/12--It's up to $49.99 at Target, but $84.99 on Amazon? So much variation in price...We all LOVE this toy....and as the other reviewer noted, I have as much fun playing with it as my 2 year old daughter does. There are so many ways to learn with the toy as well at the most basic level: colors, shapes, sounds -but also an exploration of melody vs. harmony, woodwinds vs. brass, not to mention all the wide variety of instruments (koto, accordian, and sitar to name some of the more exotic options). The pieces themselves feel great to the touch (and I can imagine a child who is sensitive to those types of things would really find them particularly engaging). The shape-sorter element is a little tricky (even for me sometimes ha!), but a nice challenge. The quality of the sound itself is very rich and not tin-like or electronic-sounding at all; it really sounds like you have an orchestra in your room! The song selections are varied and engaging (from beautiful classical classics to standard childrens' songs you can see a list of them all if you visit B. Toys' website). I will note that this toy can be purchased for almost twenty bucks cheaper at target. My other caveat is that although ours has never broken it can be finicky and take a little jiggling (turning on and off, with fingers crossed) before it works (and there is a sticker on the toy which acknowledges this and provides recommendations). The company seems really great and has advised that if you lose a piece, they'll send you a new one but there is a great storage section in the back where all the pieces fit. If you google "please mom toys symphony in b" you should be able to get more info and there's a demo on b. toys' website too. It is a pricey item, but if you're buying it as a gift for two kids to share or as a special birthday/christmas present, I think you'll be happy with it in the long run. We are!!! Almost a year later (I think?): we still love this, but I only take it out once in a while because I'm nervous about all the pieces. My 32-month old really just likes the music though the fact that she can click the demo button and change the songs...and then she stacks up the instruments...I don't think she's getting the full value of it yet, but I like to play with it myself. Note the current price here of nearly a hundred bucks is insane. I think it's thirty at target.
Buy Symphony in B Music Toy Now
I am 35, and I had so much fun playing with this toy (my mom bought it for my daughter, who is not old enough yet to play with it). The ages recommended should be 3-83Read Best Reviews of Symphony in B Music Toy Here
This is an amazing toy with one serious flaw, and that's the DEMO button.My two year-old instantly realized that to hear the music, just push the DEMO button.
This cancels out the PLAY button and any ability to add/subtract instruments, which is the entire point of the toy.
So, if you're handy and have size small and extra-small phillip screwdrivers, razor knife and pliers, then here's a "hack":
1. Flip it over and remove the batteries for safety.
2. Remove every screw on the bottom except for the ones appearing to hold the speakers.
3. Carefully lift the base off and you'll have access to the little circuit board that holds the DEMO button.
4. Remove that little circuit board and the DEMO button will fall out.
5. Take a razor knife and cut out the guts of that button, like you're taking the seeds out of a melon. I cut the four lines of plastic, then used a pliers to twist it out.
6. Put everything back together and Voilá! the DEMO button is deactivated.
And it is now a perfect toy!
One criticism-
The batteries included with the toy last about two weeks.
So if your toy starts glitching and you think it's broken, it's probably the batteries.I saw this in a store and knew I had to get it for my kids. They love it, but I play with it even more than they do. It is truly outstanding. The songs are great and the sound quality is wonderful. I love that the accompanying instruments play different melodies that are like listening to completely different songs. I want to buy one of these for every kid on the planet.
No comments:
Post a Comment