Herculodge

How the Sangean PR-D5 Has Rendered the Eton/Grundig S350 Obsolete

For the last five years I have been a fan of the Grundig/Eton S350,  drawn to its rugged military styling and assured AM/FM reception. I have put up with its AM drift (improved on the new deluxe Eton models) and analog tuning. But let's face the facts: At $100, the S350, which has never been known for exceptional SW performance, is overpriced, especially now that the Sangean PR-D5 has become available. In my tuning tests, the PR-D5 is superior to the S350 in both FM and AM reception. Unlike the S350, the PR-D5 is digital, it has presets, it has dual stereo speakers, it has iPod connectivity, it is smaller. And let us not forget that the PR-D5 retails between $75-85, considerably cheaper than the S350. Unless the S350 can go digital and improve its features to meet the specs of the PR-D5, I am afraid it will lose its lofty status.

On an earlier post I point out the 10 reasons the PR-D5 is my favorite radio.

Sangean WR-2 Vs. Eton Sound 100: The Clash of Two Clock Radio Titans

In the war of premium clock radios there are only two contenders. We can eliminate the Tivoli Songbook.  Unreadable interface at night, flips over easily, mediocre AM reception. We can eliminate the Boston Acoustics.  No headphone jack. If your bed partner doesn't want to hear your radio, you've got serious problems. For premium clock radios, we must focus on the only two viable ones out there: The Sangean WR-2 and the Eton Sound 100.  A close comparison will reveal that, considering the strengths and weaknesses in both radios, there is no best radio for everyone but that individual needs will determine which radio is the best buy (or if you’re a radio fanatic like I am, you’ll buy both).
 

The Strengths of the Sangean WR-2 

1. Great warm sound from the monoaural speaker.
2. Incredible AM reception.
3. Strong but not great FM reception. It's surprising how good the FM reception is with the  piggy tail antenna in the back. However, the lack of the WR-2's telescopic antenna occasionally gives me problems tuning in 89.3 FM. In fact, if you'll notice my photo of the WR-2, I keep a Kaito 1103 on top of it for the specific purpose of getting 89.3 when environmental factors make the 1103, an ergonomic nightmare, useful for its superior FM reception. If I'm close to the WR-2, I can pull the wire antenna toward me and improve the FM reception. But note, even then the WR-2's RDS feature does not work, as it does work on all other FM stations. Having made this criticism, I still must say the FM reception is well above average.
4. Substantial heft so it won’t tip over or pull if you sleep with a headphone connected to its front jack.
5. Great look.
6. Easy to toggle silver presets at night even in the dark.
7. Remote control. 

The Strengths of the Eton Sound 100 

1. More than adequate sound from monoaural speaker.
2. Very good AM reception.
3. Superior FM reception with its telescopic antenna.
4. Remote control.
5. Retro-modern look. 

The Weaknesses of the Sangean WR-2 

1. Piggy tail FM antenna not great for picking up 89.3 KPCC in Pasadena (I live in Torrance)
2. Alarm controls are too confusing.

 The Weaknesses of the Eton Sound 100 

1. The plastic exterior might look and feel too cheap to some.
2. You can’t touch individual presets so you have to toggle up and down, which is not as efficient as the Sangean unless you’re using the remote control, but who wants to squint at a tiny remote control in bed? 
3. Does not have RDS, as does the WR-2.

Conclusions: 

If you’re buying a clock radio for the bedside and don’t have any tough-to-get FM stations, get the Sangean WR-2. If you’re buying one of the radios for your computer room and want to keep the radio five feet away to avoid computer interference, get the Eton Sound 100 and use its remote.

For me, my Sangean WR-2 is by my bedside and after trying my Sangean PR-D5 by my bed for two nights, I returned it to the kitchen and restored the WR-2 by my bedside throne. The PR-D5 is too light so that my headphone cord might drag it off the table. And while the PR-D5 has comparable AM, which is fantastic, I have to angle it toward different AM stations. The heavier WR-2 doesn't even have to be moved. Also, the single speaker from the WR-2 sounds fuller and richer than does the PR-D5's stereo speakers. My Eton Sound 100 is in my computer office for reasons stated above.

If you don't need iPod or MP3 connectivity or a headphone jack, then you probably save 40 dollars or so and pick up the very capable and in many ways comparable Boston Acoustics Receptor radio. I see these radios for sale frequently on Amazon and Overstock. But if you have a spouse or other partner who can't tolerate the radio at night, be sure to get one with headphone jack. If you don't mind a light-weight portable radio by your bedside, you might be happy with the 75-85-dollar Sangean PR-D5, which is my favorite radio, as discussed on an earlier post. 

Wishes: If Sangean gave the WR-2 the same telescopic antenna they put on the Sangean PR-D5 portable radio, the Sangean WR-2 would be the ultimate clock radio.

 

Radios Worth Wishing for in the Near Future

Based on the following prototype photos, these very appealing radios should be available soon:

Radio #1: A huge dual speaker shortwave radio that updates the Tecsun/Eton/Grundig S350, check out this photo of the Tecsun BCL-4000.

Radio #2: Apparently an homage to the older Panasonic radios, check out the Tecsun S-2000.

Radio #3: An update of the Redsun/Kaito 2100 with more memories and keypad entry, check out the Redsun RP3100.

Source Consulted: VK5VKA. 

10 Reasons My Sangean PR-D5 Is My Best Radio

I've had the Sangean PR-D5 for about 2 weeks now. Testing it against my radio collection, I can confidently conclude that the PR-D5, which I bought for $85, is my best radio, better than many radios I purchased in the $150 range. Here are 10 reasons the PR-D5 is overall my best radio:

1. Its FM reception beats my Eton/Grundig S350 as it pulls in the weak 88.9 in Los Angeles better than the S350.
2. Its dual speakers make it my only stereo radio, and for 65 dollars less than my monoaural radios such as my Tivoli Songbook and my Eton Sound 100.
3. Its AM is as strong as my Sangean WR-2.
4. It has iPod connectivity, unlike my Boston Acoustics radio.
5. It has headphone jack, unlike my Boston Acoustics radio.
6. It has RDS display like my $150 Sangean WR-2.
7. It has easy-to-use ergonomics.
8. It has a clean, attractive build and looks attractive anywhere in the house.
9. It can be used as a home radio or on the road.
10. It has a telescopic antenna unlike the almost useless pigtail antennas affixed to most "premium" clock radios.

A Few Areas for Improvement:

1. Give it a remote control.
2. Give it more presets than the 5 for AM and 5 for FM.
3. Give it better night-time illumination so one can toggle the presets during the middle of the night.

Eton P'9110 Now Available

With a unique style that is almost irresistible, Eton has finally made their Eton P'9110 AM/FM emergency radio available on the Eton Website. It sells for $200. I have not read any reviews but suspect it is as sensitive on AM and FM as the Eton S350 which cost half as much. Even less in cost and the best value of any radio out there for AM/FM reception and incredibly including dual stereo speakers is my current favorite radio, the Sangean PR-D5. I may get the P'9110 for my birthday in 8 weeks or so and write a review of it but I'd guess it's hardly worth $200. However, it will sell because of its cool factor.