A Herculodge reader asks:
What ever happened to the Sangean PR-D7 by the way? There was a lot of talk about it around this site a few month back, and now that it seems to be out, nobody seems very interested anymore. Unless I missed that. Or maybe you have decided that the PR-D5 is the way to go anyway despite the small speakers?
Reader,
The Sangean PR-D7 has a considerably smaller internal AM antenna (4 inches vs. the PR-D5's 8 inches) than the PR-D5's and its single 2.5-inch monoaural speaker is less sound than the double 2.5 inch speakers on the PR-D5. Therefore, the PR-D7 does not represent in anyway a breakthrough in radio performance. Bear in the mind, the PR-D7 has been available in Europe for some time and is not even a "new" radio. In contrast, the PR-D5 has the biggest AM antenna of any radio and represents a passion for AM DXers.
Tom W has also provided this update:
The Sangean PR-D7 is sold in Europe as the PR-D7, go tohttp://www.sangean.nl/English/?opt3=PR-D7%20white&opt5=342 to view. The Sangean PR-D4 is sold in North America as the Sonida radio distributed by CCrane. BTW, the PR-D7 gets good reviews overseas and has a 2.5 inch speaker, not a 3 inch speaker.
With respect to the Sangean PR-D7 speaker: I called CCrane last week and asked them to measure the speaker and indeed the speaker is 2 and half inches wide.
Posted by: Tom Welch | July 30, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Thanks -- I had completely missed that, especially since the manual says "Circuit Feature Loudspeaker: 3 inches , 8 ohm". Other sources also mention 2.5in so I guess there is 3 inch and 3 inch.
Posted by: Cyril | July 30, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Cyril, the manual is wrong, probably b/c it was basically a rewrite of the PR-D4/Sonido radio manual. BTW, I ordered the PR-D7 today from Amazon and will have the radio by tomorrow afternoon, hopefully.
Posted by: Tom Welch | July 30, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Tom, I hope you write a review that I can post. Also what motivated you to get it over the PR-D5?
jeff
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | July 30, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I have cancer, so I prefer a smaller radio in case I go into the hospital. I like the AA battery charging capability. Also, if my health holds up, I'm planning a trip to the South Bay area and would take the PR-D7 as a travel radio.
I'll email you when that happens!
Posted by: Tom Welch | July 30, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Tom, more than anything keep me apprised of your health as that's all that counts. I don't know what stage cancer you're fighting. My officemate just had a malignant mole taken from his ankle and he had stage 2 cancer requiring the removal of his lymph node. He seems okay for now. My cousin is currently fighting 3 types of cancer at the same time and she's gone vegan in the hopes of fighting it though I don't know if being a vegan makes a difference.
Bests, Jeff
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | July 30, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Tom, if you mean you'll visit the South Bay in Southern Cal, let me know and we should get together.
Posted by: Ed S. | July 30, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Tom, for some reason I thought San Francisco, but it you're in Redondo or Torrance, let me know. Maybe all 3 of us can meet. Jeff
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | July 30, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I have prostate cancer, next to last stage, appears to be under control. I will email you Jeff when I leave Mesa, AZ for your area.
Posted by: Tom Welch | July 30, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Okay, Tom, I'll be back from Vegas on August 11. Jeff
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | July 30, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Tom, sorry to learn about your illness, and best wishes.
Btw I have no doubt you are correct. The PR-D7 speaker just looks too much like one of the PR-D5's speakers. The reason for them insisting on 3" in the manual could also have to do with some "creative measuring". If you add a 1/4 inch rim around a 2.5" speaker, does it make it a 3"? ;-)
Posted by: Cyril | July 31, 2008 at 08:34 AM