Back in 2005, I purchased a Walnut Grain Sangean WR-2 with great look, feel, AM, but the FM disappointed me, especially as I tuned in 89.3 KPCC. Sometimes I'd compensate by keeping a Grundig G4000 or a Kaito 1103 on top of the WR-2. Then about 2 months ago, I was initially impressed with a Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo. I sold the WR-2 and used the BAHS, which got all my stations with great ease and power. However, the BAHS started misbehaving, as I describe on THIS POST, and I relegated it to the exercise room. What would replace it? Another WR-2, this time in black. Why? Because I was hearing reports, especially from Ed Strnad who lives a mile from me, that his WR-2 was getting great FM reception, including 89.3. I realized my Walnut Grain WR-2 was an early model. Perhaps almost 3 years later the WR-2 had improved. So with great anticipation I opened my black WR-2 from its box and placed it on my bedside table. Of course the first thing I did was tune to 89.3. Presto! Perfect reception! And with the wire antenna not even elevated. What's more, the speaker sounded warmer, fuller, richer. Was this my imagination judging the speaker? Was the high-gloss black altering my senses? I don't know. All I can say about the new WR-2 is happiness and ecstasy.
But my elation was short-lived. I then tried AM and my heart sunk because I got static, even on the powerful 640 KFI. My God, a new WR-2 that fixes my previous FM problem but gives me abysmal AM? But not so fast. I discovered the problem: My JBL On Stage iPod Speaker, just inches from my new WR-2, was the culprit, causing AM interference. I moved the On Stage about a foot away from the WR-2 and the AM was fine--just as excellent as my previous model. Happiness and joy had returned!
So what more can I say? I gave the WR-2 a second chance, this time in black, and I'm glad I did.
Yay! Sometimes things go right, thankfully. Good to hear. (What about that backlight...is it brighter than you remember?) Anyway, if stereo is not your thing, I believe you that the WR-2 is the ideal table/bedside radio. For stereo and for its attendent ipod playback/charging ability, I would recommend the BA Horizon Duo. But the WR-2 definitely wins on aethetics. That piano-gloss finish is nice, eh?
Posted by: Ed S. | April 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Great to hear that the WR-2 is the radio you always hoped it could be.
Will you be revisiting any other radios that performed unimpressively two or three years ago, but may have since been improved?
Posted by: doby14 | April 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Ed: For the price, you can't beat your Horizon Duo. I'm not sure I'm in love with the look.
The black high-gloss is beautiful but I'm sure it will be a bit high in the maintenance category: fingerprints, dust, even scratches could be a problem. I've thought of putting a decorative cloth over the top but that's my OCD talking to me.
David: No, there are no radios that get a second chance. The Tivoli Model One is STILL NO GOOD and it's been out for a few years now. I bought a recent one. I'm selling my Tivoli Songbook for $119 on Amazon. I'll see if I get any bites. I've got too many radios right now.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | April 25, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Jeff, where did you buy the your Sangean WR2?
Posted by: Tom Welch | April 25, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Tom,
I bought the WR-2 on Amazon for 135 dollars, free shipping. Are you interested in one?
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | April 25, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Too bad about the Tivoli Model One.
For some reason, it's also too bad about the Sangean 505.I considered it for a while, but you warned me about it. I wonder if Sangean has improved it.
Posted by: doby14 | April 25, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I've never heard anything good about the 505. You'd be far better off getting an Eton/Grundig E or G 5 or the new Grundig G6. Truthfully, for a travel radio, since you were considering the big Eton S350, which is too much like the Kaito 2100 right down to the exact dial controls, you might like the Sangean PR-D7. BTW, the PR-D5 is selling on Amazon today for 59 and free shipping. That's a lot of radio for the money.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | April 25, 2008 at 06:58 PM
So, is the Sangean PR-D7 the "Super AM" Radio you mentioned they were coming out with in a previous post? Or is that something else still to come?
Posted by: doby14 | April 25, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Most likely it is, but it's probably the same AM antenna on the PR-D5, which is quite good. Wait a few weeks and be sure the PR-D7 is using the same speaker on the WR-2. That is, if you want it. You seem pretty set right now.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | April 25, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Jeff: I know you had trouble with your Tivoli Model 1, but I still think anybody looking for a high-end radio without presets or clock owes it to themselves to at least try one... They do sound great when they manage to grab and hold the station you want (which is 100% of the time for me).
I never experienced the FM drift problem you reported -- in fact my impression is that the radio even improves after "warming up" a bit. The FM reception on the BA Solo I tried was not as good as on the TM1. I never tried the Sangeans because I can't find any in store.
My impression from reading too many reviews on-line is that all the "usual suspects" can be excellent radios. Reception may be highly dependent on your particular physical settings though.
Posted by: Cyril | April 27, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Cyril,
I completely agree. I actually read an Amazon review that claims the Kaito 2100, the best radio I've ever had, gets "lousy" FM. So, yes, my bad experience with the Tivoli Model One doesn't make it a bad radio. You make an excellent point and I should post our exchange. Also let me say I love the TM1 and would have kept it if it didn't give me FM drift.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | April 27, 2008 at 08:52 AM