When I saw the retro-modern prototype for the Eton Sound 100 over two years ago, I knew I had to buy one. A clock radio with remote control and available in a wide array of colors, the Eton Sound 100 was a good fit for my computer office. Experience has taught me that you need to keep your radio a good 5 feet away from your computer to avoid reception interference, so if you wish to toggle your stations, get yourself a radio with remote control. I already enjoy my more solidly built Sangean WR-2 in my bedroom (for a comparison between the WR-2 and the Eton Sound 100, CLICK HERE), but I wanted a radio with a telescopic antenna. The Eton Sound 100 fit the bill quite nicely. However, it may not be a good fit for all buyers. Number one, if you're using the Eton Sound 100 as a bedside clock radio and you're manually toggling the stations with your hand, you have to go up the preset cycle. You can't move down. This is annoying because you have to go through all the stations. Of course, you can select the precise preset with your remote. But honestly, are you going to squint at your credit-card sized remote in your bed with the lights off or dimmed? I don't think so. Besides, the Eton Sound 100 is too light due to its plastic materials for a bedside radio. One inadvertent swipe of your arm, and your radio flies off the bedside table. On the other hand, the wimpy piggy tail FM antenna on the WR-2 can be problematic. For me, 89.3 KPCC can give the WR-2 problems while the Eton Sound 100 gets that station clearly. Overall, the FM on the Eton Sound 100 is well above average and quite excellent. AM is also above average. However, 710 ESPN radio has a little birdy hiss while my Tivoli PAL (retailed for $130 when I bought it in 2004; now it goes for a big tag of $199) gets 710 with less background noise. My best AM sound comes from my Boston Acoustics Recepter. As far as the speaker goes, it does not possess the Wow Factor like my BAR, but nor is the Eton Sound 100 weak or tinny by any means. It's full and rich enough but not as good as my Tivoli Model 3 or Boston Acoustics Recepter. I'd even say the WR-2 has a slightly richer speaker. But overall, I'm happy with the Eton Sound 100. My only complaint is its price tag of 150 dollars. No way. Considering the cheap plastic materials and the average speaker, this radio should retail for no more than 100 dollars. If you don't need a remote control and want even slightly better reception, check out the Sangean PR-D5 for about 75 dollars. A full review of the PR-D5 can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Update: Buying my first black Eton Sound 100 for $150, I have since bought my wife a burgundy red one for $99 and my father a silver one for $79. Then during a "hot sale" on Amazon, I couldn't resist getting one for $69. I got it in silver. The photos don't really let you know how the colors look in person. Having seen the Sound 100 in black, burgundy, and silver, I will say that the silver looks by far the best.
Second Update: I must say that while this radio is a capable performer and looks good, it has some weaknesses that have made me a bit cold toward it over the years:
Number One: its ergonomics are terrible as a bedside clock radio. The buttons are hard to see on one hand and the light is too bright on the other. Go figure. The Eton should only be used as a table radio.
Number Two: The sound is mediocre and pales next to the Sangean WR-2 or the Tivoli Model One.
Number Three: The radio has a cheap plastic feel.
How does the sound of this radio compare to your recent vintage purchases, such as your 888 or your panasonic table radios?
I agree that the Recepter has the wow factor, but the good bass response isn't the same as a good full sound. Would you say the Sound 100 is closer to the sound of the Tivoli and the Recepter, or to your vintage stock?
Posted by: Scooby214 | September 02, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Neither. The Sound 100 is cold and distant, but not as bad as my Sangean PR-D5, my most disappointing radio because its AM is so superb.
The 888 is a huge sound, even bigger than the 5900. But both those vintage radios have a forward sound with no background noise that evidences their superior quality.
That Sony you're getting has a big sound as well.
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | September 02, 2008 at 06:03 PM
I finally gave away my black Eton 100 as a house-warming present. They love it! It looks better than it sounds in my opinion.
Posted by: Ed S. | September 02, 2008 at 06:06 PM
I agree. Great look. The sound is not tinny but nor is it appealing. It's blah.
So I can't fall in love with it. I've given away a couple myself.
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | September 02, 2008 at 06:08 PM
It is disappointing that none of the recent Grundig/Eton radios live up to their older counterparts. The closest one is the S350DL, and even it had to have the AM tuning lock added to offset its drift.
Oh well... It is easier now to not spend the money on that 750 I had wanted.
Posted by: Scooby214 | September 02, 2008 at 06:25 PM
I'd get the 750 used in mint condition with Amazon coupons for $150. But I'm not spending $300.
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | September 02, 2008 at 07:07 PM
You were right about the sound of the Sony table radio. It has just the sound I was hoping for. It's warm for listening to classical music. It doesn't have the overemphasis on bass like the Recepter has.
Don't get me wrong... I like the sound of the Recepter, but my NPR station sounds better with less bass in the sound. On the recepter, many of the male NPR voices almost sound like Barry White! To me the Recepter is at its best with oldies or classic hits. When listening to my local classic hits station, the Recepter sounds like a hifi.
Posted by: Scooby214 | September 05, 2008 at 07:09 PM
That Sony needed a home and by george it found one. It's great to hear.
Jeff
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | September 05, 2008 at 07:45 PM