Sangean HDR-1 Table Top HD Radio Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)After owning a Sangean WR-2 clock radio for a year and a half and growing more fond of it, I decided to get another upscale radio for my office, a radio with a remote control so I could avoid computer interference by keeping the radio a good 6 feet away. After reading about HD radio and Sangean's entrance into the market, I decided to take a chance. Worst case scenario, I figured, is that it would be another high-grade radio like my Sangean WR-2. Like the WR-2, the HDR-1 has a high-grade feel, a solid construction, memory presets, a remote control, and strong sensitivity on AM and FM. However, the HDR-1 is definitely an upgrade and you might consider that it has the following advantages and differences:
1. Two speakers instead of one.
2. Easy-to-use (simply plug in) AM external antenna for hard-to-get stations.
3. HD quality is clearly discernable, clear, full, no static, no "birdy," no chirps.
4. Some HD stations have multi-broadcasts.
5. Most functions have to be performed with the remote. For this reason, I don't see this as a bedside radio. Who wants to squint at their remote in a dark bedroom? More appropriate for a bedside radio is the Sangean WR-2 or the Eton Sound 100. But for office or anywhere that requires a distance between you and your radio, the HDR-1 is an excellent choice.
Update: Be aware that in AM it takes a few seconds before the radio "kicks in" to digital mode. The sound is so good it's hard to listen to non-digital AM stations. Even the strongest station in Los Angeles, KFI 640, sounds bad because it's non HD. One last point: I'm more and more in love with the speaker sound. I can't even play them as loud as I want to as I'm working when I have the radio on. But these dual speakers really shine.
Second Update: 1-19-07: After 3 weeks, I've discovered a weakness on AM: Rainy weather compromises the HD signal. This problem is compounded by the fact that the radio has weak conventional AM (much weaker for example than my Sangean WR-2 and my Eton/Grundig S350) so that when it's not in HD mode the AM sounds bad, a constant crackle in the background. FM remains strong in both HD and non HD mode, but Sangean needs to address this AM weakness.

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Sangean HDR-1 Table Top HD Radio Receiver

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Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, yes, this is a tuner, NOT a radio, and Amazon should correct that! Also, HD radio is NOT High Definition radio. The HD stands for Hybrid Digital. So don't assume you'll have better sound in HD than analog radio! That said,
I have been interested in getting an HD radio to try out the format. Being an audiophile, I checked several audiophile review sites for the Sangean tuners, and they weren't getting too good of reviews. Also, their price is $200-250.
Then I came across a review for this tuner, and how much better it is, saying the FM analog portion alone is worth the price.
I have to agree, the FM tuner is much better than the tuner in my $1000 PrePro! Analog reception picks up more stations and the sound is great! Haven't heard analog FM sound this good since the 60's! Analog AM is also better than my Prepro (though not by much). Great sound, and only $99 ! This is a steal, grab it before they jack up the price! Audiophie FM tuners go for $200 & up. All this performance, and it's about the size of a car stereo!
There are about 20 FM HD stations here in Chicago, and it pulls them all in great, except for one, which keeps switching between analog and HD. There are some AM HD stations in Chicago. It would show which were HD, but none of them had enough strength to switch the tuner from analog to HD, so I couldn't judge AM HD.
Now for some things that need improving: there are 40 presets; 20 for FM and 20 for AM....not enough for FM and too many for AM. If you want to hear a HD station in analog, there's no way to switch it back to analog, you have to listen in HD. The dial glows like a cellphone, which is great while you're using it, but when you turn it off, it still glows, like a night light in a dark room. When powering down, it should dim. You can dim it down in the menu so it doesn't glow in the dark, but then when you turn it on, you can't read it because it's dark. Who wants to set the dimmer everytime you turn it on and off?
Overall, it's more than worth it.

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Experience more choices, crystal clear sound, and no subscription fees. Enjoy music the way it was meant to be heard with AM stations that can deliver FM sound quality and FM stations that sound like your favorite CDs. With static-free sound and an easy-to-read dot matrix LCD for viewing important information, the XDR-F1HD receiver is the perfect choice for adding HD radio reception to a home audio system. Includes remote control.

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Teac HD-1 Clock Radio with iPod cradle and AM/FM HD Radio Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this radio for about a month. I purchased it as a replacement for my 25 year-old alarm clock radio, and also to see what HD radio was like. Overall, the workmanship of the radio is fine, and the sound quality is decent, given the size and price. The radio has quite a few features packed in for the money, and from that standpoint, it is a good buy. FM reception is good. AM reception is average.
As I primarily use this as an alarm-clock radio, my review comes from using the radio for that purpose. I don't use the iPod docking function, or use the radio for casual listening. As such, the radio has some short-comings as an alarm-clock radio, and that's why I only gave it three stars. If used the radio primarily for something else, like casual daytime listening or an iPod dock, I could easily see rating it higher. The issues with the alarm clock function are as follows:
1) The display is way too bright for an alarm-clock radio, even on the dimmest setting. Particularly if the radio is sitting on a nightstand next to the bed. There are are three brigthness settings, but very little difference between them. Due to the brightness of the backlight, it is very difficult to glance over and see the time when it is dark if you've been sleeping and have just waken up. Backlit LCD is not the best display technology for an alarm-clock application.
2) When the alarm starts the radio, the time is no longer displayed. You can push a button to display the time, but it reverts back to the radio information. Not exactly convenient if you are laying in bed and need to see what time it is. During the alarm-clock function, a time display is more important than the radio station frequency or other HD information. The radio display function should have a display modes with a large time display that can be permanently selected. Perhaps along the bottom where the HD radio information scrolls by. The Sony radios have this feature.
3) When the radio is used as an alarm, the radio turns off 1 hour after it first goes off. For me, 1 hour is a little short, especially if I hit snooze a couple of times. My old radio used a two hour time period. Ideally, this setting could be adjustable.
4) The snooze is 6 minutes. That's a little short for me. Again, it would be nice if this setting was adjustable.
The last three issues could be fixed with some software changes. The first item would require a hardware change. Maybe I can find some tinted plastic film that could be fitted over the display to tone it down a bit.

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iLuv HD Radio & Dual Alarm Clock - Black (I168) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't typically write reviews, but i am writing this as a response to a particularly malicious review which claims that this radio is unable to receive AM-HD radio stations.
The radio arrived in attractive, high-quality packaging, with both AM and FM antennas (zero reception without them.) I haven't read the instructions (it's a radio...) but they are included as well.
I quickly unwound the power cord, plugged in the FM antenna, and plugged the radio in. Right away i was impressed with the overall build quality. Nice new-electronics smell, the display is really really beautiful, and unique (inverted black/white LCD is quite eye-catching.) The buttons feel sturdy, and give good feedback when pressed (a nice 'click' or notchiness.)
I've found more than a dozen of stations in my area that have HD stations available. There's a few 'hidden' stations in my area, as well. I was treated to a comedy station (106.5-2) as well as a 50's/60's oldies station (105.7-2.) Besides the 'hidden' stations, and the COMPLETE lack of noise or distortion when listening in digital, the sound quality difference is negligible through the small speakers, but is amazing through headphones. The lack of distortion, and perfect tuning is worth something, tho.
The real benefit is in the AM stations. The only station in my area (that i could find) that is broadcasting AM-HD in my area is WTAM 1100 out of cleveland. It takes a few seconds to kick in, but when the radio recognizes the digital station, and switches over, the quality difference is AMAZING. The difference in quality is literally the difference between traditional AM and FM reception. I really can't stress how incredible the difference really is. The radio personalities i've listened to every evening suddenly sound so much more real, and completely different, as they're now crystal clear (as well as completely free of typical AM noise/interference.)
The overall sound quality is ok. It certainly wont replace a stereo or bose-esque bookshelf system, but it's really a clock-radio at it's heart, and in the realm of clock-radios, this is among the best i've ever heard.
If you need a (nice) clock radio, or if you're like me and just wanted an inexpensive HD-radio to play with, you can't go wrong with this product. The price is right, and if the thought of listening to HD-Radio through such small speakers is making you hesitant, the headphone jack is GREAT.


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