5 Reasons the Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo Will Replace the Recepter

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:

Comments

[Ed S.]

No. 6: Every product has a life cycle. For electronics, it's just a year or two, then the "latest and greatest" model replaces it. Nomystery; it's just the way the world works.

[herculodge]

Yes, but what high-fidelity clock radio in the last five years offers such a complete package, including sterling reception? To me the Horizon Solo is the first and at a good price point.

[Wals]

So BA is pricing 33% less per "Solo" unit, vis-a-vis BAR. Have they made cuts in plastics quality? I can't think of anything else, except cheaper labour.
One tec question: does it have an ac plug or a DC adapter?

[herculodge]

Actually, the material quality seems better than ever. I'm at work, away from the Solo, and have forgotten if it's an adapter or an AC plug. I will clarify that ASAP.

[Ed S.]

If product quality were the sole determinant of market share, everyone would have bought a Betamax, Jeff. I saw from amazon reviews that many people liked the Receptor because of its ease of use--esp the alarm settings, which uses dedicated pushbuttons. From what I saw on a sample at Target, the Solo has those (to some) nasty menu-driven settings. So it is definitely less "user-friendly." But people buy things for many reasons, price being one biggie, even color being another reason. I wont say the Solo is ugly, but it does look a little "unusual" with its 3 dials in a triangle. That may throw some people off, trust me. I worked in Consumer Electronics many years.

[herculodge]

Yeah, appearance counts. Tivoli has done a good job of making nice looking radios with mediocre FM tuners and they sell at premium price.

I demand the best in reception and there's something about Boston radios that repel interference and give AM/FM sound with no background hiss or noise.

[Tom Welch]

Jeff, I purchased the Horizon Solo at Target here in Mesa, Arizona based on your recommendation and I am seeing the very same problems with the clock when tuned into a FM station you mentioned in your blog. The clock otherwise keeps accurate time, at least for the first 24 hours of ownership. The Solo is still the best value for the buck. BTW, I graduated from El Camino College in 1966.

[Jeff McMahon]

Okay, so the first generation of the Horizon Solo has bugs for sure. Thanks for letting me know.

I'll tell some of my colleagues about you, see if they remember your name.

All the bests,

Jeff

[Ed S.]

What is this "bug" Tom spoke of, Jeff? And is he saying a pricey CLOCK radio doesn't keep good time!? Holey moley, folks, don't toss your Receptors out the window yet! That's totally unacceptable.

[Jeff McMahon]

The bug is this: When playing the radio, the time is 5 minutes slow. When turning the radio off, the time is accurate again. Bad news.

[Ed S.]

Today, 3-12, the Solo is selling for only $79.88 on Amazon, while the remaining Receptors are fetching over $170. Curious.

[Jeff McMahon]

The Recepter's high price attests to its successful brand. Who know? Some day the Horizon Solo might prove to be legendary, which will afford it a high price.

[Ed S.]

I just wish I had bought more Recepters when they were selling for $95.

[Jeff McMahon]

But the Horizon Solo is more sensitive on both AM and FM and it sells for 75-99 dollars.

[tonyinhi]

Got my Solo based on this website and it's very good. Don't have the time bug problem though. Just a likeable radio. Thanks Jeff for the advice and this website! Paid $75 for mine.