Inexplicably, Target in Torrance, CA, prematurely stocked the brand new $99 Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo, which I purchased and tested against my $149 Boston Acoustics Recepter. A comparison test makes it clear that the new Horizon Solo, which, like the Recepter has 20 presets on a tuning knob, is for many reasons a superior radio to the Recepter and for 50 dollars less. It appears to me that the Horizon Solo will push the Recepter out of the market and effectively replace it. Here are 5 reasons:
One: The tuner on the Recepter for AM/FM is almost perfect but unbelievably the Horizon Solo is even better on AM making even less background noise. FM is also markedly stronger on the Horizon Solo so that I don't even have to elevate the FM wire antenna 99% of the time.
Two: The Horizon Solo with its rubber casing has a more modern look and renders the Recepter a stale looking dinosaur.
Three: The Horizon Solo has a headphone jack whereas the Recepter does not.
Four: The Horizon Solo has a bigger, more powerful, more pleasant sounding speaker.
Five: The Horizon Solo is fifty dollars less retail.
Final Thoughts: I have to assume that the Recepter will go extinct and will be selling at bargain prices as Boston makes room for their new radio champion. Also, the Horizon Solo is a far superior radio in terms of sound and reception to the more expensive Sangean WR-2, Eton Sound 100, and Tivoli Songbook. The Horizon Solo's clear superiority should make the competing radio companies go back and improve their models. If they don't, they are going to lose a huge market share to the highly recommended Horizon Solo.
For two more descriptions of my impressions of the Horizon Solo, CLICK HERE and HERE.
Update: The Horizon Solo is now selling on Amazon.
Second Update: It appears the Horizon Solo suffers from a small bug: One reader and I both have experienced that when we're playing our radios, the time display loses its accuracy by being 5 minutes too slow and once we turn off the radio, the time restores to its accurate point. Even with this small glitch, I stick to my claim that the Horizon Solo is the best clock radio between $100-200. The only competition is the $240-300 Sangean WR-3.
For updates of the Horizon Solo, CLICK HERE.
Below is my Horizon Solo reconfigured in vertical position. I prefer the horizontal because it is less prone to tip over:
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