Can Radios Get Better and Worse at the Same Time?

I was one of the first to get the Sangean WR-2, an upscale clock radio with excellent AM. If my memory serves me, I bought it in late spring of 2005. I finally sold it in February or March of 2008 because its FM pigtail antenna wasn't getting 89.3 KPCC as often as I wanted it and I despise external antenna hook-ups because they take up too much space and are downright ugly. However, I'm getting reports from other WR-2 owners of great FM reception with its stock pigtail antenna and I'm wondering if the radio has improved over time.

Update: I bought the newer WR-2 and found improvement on FM, but it seems the AM, a feature that seemed strong on my first model, being weaker on the newer second one. But it may be that my standards have increased since I've been enjoying the new AM King of modern radios, the Sangean PR-D5. 

Another case of an improved radio is the  Eton E5, arguably the best small portable on the market. When it first came out there were reports of bugs, not the least of which was a buzzing from the AC adapter. Additionally, the makers of the E5, Degen/Kaito, have been reported to improve on their same models as newer models are made.

If this is the case, I'll probably be sorry for forking out $300 and pre-ordering the Grundig Satellit 750. Who knows what kind of bugs and glitches this new model might have? If I were smart, I'd learn my lesson from the WR-2 and wait a year before I buy the 750, but then again radio lovers can't be cured. 

Update: I never did order the GS750 because reports are coming in that this $300 radio is at best mediocre and certainly not worth the price. 

I was one of the first to get the Sangean WR-2, an upscale clock radio with excellent AM. If my memory serves me, I bought it in late spring of 2005. I finally sold it in February or March of 2008 because its FM pigtail antenna wasn't getting 89.3 KPCC as often as I wanted it and I despise external antenna hook-ups because they take up too much space and are downright ugly. However, I'm getting reports from other WR-2 owners of great FM reception with its stock pigtail antenna and I'm wondering if the radio has improved over time.

Update: I bought the newer WR-2 and found improvement on FM, but it seems the AM, a feature that seemed strong on my first model, being weaker on the newer second one. But it may be that my standards have increased since I've been enjoying the new AM King of modern radios, the Sangean PR-D5. 

Another case of an improved radio is the  Eton E5, arguably the best small portable on the market. When it first came out there were reports of bugs, not the least of which was a buzzing from the AC adapter. Additionally, the makers of the E5, Degen/Kaito, have been reported to improve on their same models as newer models are made.

If this is the case, I'll probably be sorry for forking out $300 and pre-ordering the Grundig Satellit 750. Who knows what kind of bugs and glitches this new model might have? If I were smart, I'd learn my lesson from the WR-2 and wait a year before I buy the 750, but then again radio lovers can't be cured. 

Update: I never did order the GS750 because reports are coming in that this $300 radio is at best mediocre and certainly not worth the price. 

Comments

[Ed]

Production quality of radios varies along the famous bell-shaped curve, as do shoe sizes and IQs. So sample-to-sample (ie radio-to-radio)--will show some variation in performance. Specifications always imply some range, like "Frequency Response: 20 - 20KHz (+/- 3dB)." The same would be true for a radio's AM and FM sensitivity. The spec quoted is always an average, achieved under the most ideal conditions.
So your chance of getting the most sensitive sample is pretty much due to the luck of the draw, as they say in Probability.

[jeffrey McMahon]

Absolutely. For example I own two BA Horizon Solos. One gets birdy on 710AM; the other does not. The one that doesn't is used in my bedroom. The one in the kitchen is supplemented by my PR-D5.