I really tried hard to like both my Tivoli Model One and my Tivoli Model Three, (great speaker sound) but both radios offer a serious compromise in FM reception. To remedy the Model One's, I keep a Kaito 1103 sitting atop it so that I can 89.3 KPCC while I'm working out in the yoga room at home. As for the Model Three, I use it at work and must use an unsightly C.Crane Reflect FM Antenna to improve FM. For my bedside clock radio I use and love my Sangean WR-2, but I must say the WR-2, like the Tivoli's mentioned above, suffers compromised FM reception and to remedy the WR-2's weakness, I keep a reliable and sadly no-longer-made Grundig G4000 ontop of the WR-2 in order to tune in to the aforementioned KPCC.
Update: Eventually, I sold both my Model One, my Model Three, and my Sangean WR-2 and replaced them with the Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo, which I review HERE.
What about radio lovers who don't want to having radios sitting on top of radios? What two radios, both a small portable and a mid-size, would constitute the best radios for those who refuse to compromise on reception? Looking at all the strengths and weaknesses of 30 or so radios, my verdict is this:
The Best Small Portable: Eton E5 or its clone the Grundig G5. The Eton, in gray, and the Grundig, in black, are improved updates of my Kaito 1103 in that they offer far superior interface and easier, more logical ergonomics. For an excellent E5 review, see RadioIntel.
The Best Mid-Sized Radio: Kaito 2100. The 2100 is like having the familiar Eton/Grundig S350 but better because it is digital with presets. For an excellent review of the 2100 clone, the Redsun, see RadioIntel.
So there you have it. If you're new to radios and can only buy two, you can't go better than the Eton E5 and the Kaito 2100. If you only want one radio and don't need a compact one, the superior AM on the 2100 over the E5 make it the best radio you can buy, especially in its $99-120 price range. A better version of the 2100, the Redsun 3100,will have direct entry, more memories, etc., but it may not be available for two more years or so. And many of us will want an American vendor with a warranty and will have to wait another year for the radio to be rebadged by another company like Kaito or C.Crane or Eton. And there is no guarantee that that will even happen. So for now get the Kaito 2100.
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