Herculodge Review of the Tecsun CR-1100 With Updates

Purchased for $69.99 with $10 shipping on Amazon, the Tecsun CR-1100 is a digital table/clock radio with 300 presets, telescopic antenna, and what I guess will be rather complicated controls for many, as I'll explain later.

First, as I opened the CR-1100 from its box I was surprised at how small and light it is. This for me is not a good thing. I like my radios heavy. The closer in weight to Samsonite luggage the better. About the only way to add heft to this radio is to fill it with 4 D batteries. Not surprisingly, this light piece of machinery feels cheap in build quality. To add to its carnival-prize chintziness is the faux "woodgrain" plastic trim that flanks the radio. 

As I said, the radios looks small. In fact, it's 10 inches across, 2.75 inches deep, and 6 inches tall.

One feature that happily surprised me is that it has an outdoor thermometer. You can select temperature or time display.  

Now for the presets. You have 3 bands: FM 1, configured for US FM band; FM 2, configured for Japanese FM band; and AM, configured for US AM band.

Amazingly, each band can store up to 100 memory presets, which I find ironic since radio stations are dying every day. 

Selecting memory is easy enough. You simply press the memory button twice and the radio assigns preset numbers as you go along. To get into "preset mode," you press the multifunction tuner button once. 

Now here is a complaint of mine. When you press the band button to go from FM to AM, the radio doesn't remember that you're in preset mode. You have to press the multifunction button again. This isn't so bad if you're playing the radio in the kitchen or den as a table radio, but I object to this extra step if you're using this as a clock radio. When I'm half asleep, I can, with my Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo, do everything "blind." I can feel the right knob and scroll up and down. The AM and FM bands can be "mixed and matched." You don't need separate bands. 

The CR-1100 not only makes you select another band. You then have to press the multifunction button to establish preset mode. 

As I am an insomniac, nursing my sleep deprivation with "blind" nighttime toggling, I prefer the BAHS. However, I'm sure I could get used to the CR-1100's unnecessary preset steps, if I had to. Since I own two BAHS radios, I do not have to get used to these extra steps. For me a good clock radio can be operated blind. That's a bottom-line. 

One advantage, however, that the CR-1100 has over the BAHS is that it has an FM telescopic antenna. What a relief it is to use the antenna when you're pinpointing FM station reception. In contrast, the BAHS has the dreaded wire. Now in my case, all my FM stations come in well with the wire antenna elevated and hanging on a picture frame--with one exception: 88.1 KJAZZ suffers static. The antenna has to be declined. Who in the hell wants to get out of bed, stand on their tiptoes, decline the wire antenna, and then elevate it again when jazz listening is over? So you see, the BAHS is not perfect either. In fact, some would argue that the CR-1100's extra preset steps are worth the convenience of the telescopic FM antenna. They have a compelling point. 

Another feature I like about the CR-1100 is stereo mode. In this mode, you will see two speaker symbols in the lower left display.

Tuner Reception

Okay, everything written before this review is irrelevant if the reception isn't strong. Here's the good news: The reception on both FM and AM is strong indeed. This is a relief since I read a review in which the reviewer said AM is weak. This simply isn't true, at least for me. On 710 AM, my worst AM station for birdy noise, a simple rotation of the radio silenced the bird. Another weak station, 830, came in loud and clear.

On FM, all my favorite stations came in well. Even the weak KXLU 88.9 came in with remarkable strength. 

The speaker sound is is excellent, full and loud. I'm getting better sound from the CR-1100 than my Eton Sound 100, my Sangean PR-D5 and my Sangean WR-2. However, the aforementioned BAHS, which costs about $10 more, sounds better. And the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo, costing in the $135 ballpark, sounds even better than the Solo.

Conclusions

For me, the CR-1100 is a mixed bag. Owning dozens of radios, including many vintages, I'm rather spoiled and jaded and I am not easily swooned by all the cheaply built radios that come down the pike. 

But if I was just some dude who, without the baggage of a radio obsession, needed a radio, I'd be very happy with the CR-1100. In spite of its cheap feel, it sounds great, gets great reception, and offers a lot of features (including 300 presets!) at a remarkable price point. 

If you are in the market for a good clock radio or table radio for under $80, the CR-1100 cannot be beat. But, wait, before you run out and buy one, read this update:

Update:

Wanting to get familiar with the CR-1100, I put it in my bedroom, replacing the Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo. FM was still great, but AM suffered a lot of interference, most likely from my JBL iPod speaker. It wasn't even on but the CR-1100 was seriously degraded on AM. The Solo seems to have better shields. 

So I said forget this, and I moved the Solo back to bedside. Then I moved the 1100 to the piano/workout room. FM again was fine and while AM was improved, I noticed something disturbing about the CR-1100: When you first tune to AM after turning the radio on, the sound is weak and distant and full of static. Turn to FM, then back to AM and the sound is improved. This is weird. Also, I don't like that a cheapy-feel, light radio is so vulnerable to AM interference. In spite of the CR-1100's merits, I'd rather spend five more dollars, deal with the wire FM antenna, and get the BAHS.

Second Update

Two months ago I sent the CR-1100 back to Kaito because the radio seemed to have a faulty tuner switch between AM and FM. I'd have to tune to AM TWICE for AM to sound right. One time wasn't enough. The AM sounded muddled.

An exchange never came. Two weeks ago I called Kaito and they apologized, saying that their new shipment should arrive in late April and my replacement should arrive in early May. As I write this it's May 6 and I have not received it.

Purchased for $69.99 with $10 shipping on Amazon, the Tecsun CR-1100 is a digital table/clock radio with 300 presets, telescopic antenna, and what I guess will be rather complicated controls for many, as I'll explain later.

First, as I opened the CR-1100 from its box I was surprised at how small and light it is. This for me is not a good thing. I like my radios heavy. The closer in weight to Samsonite luggage the better. About the only way to add heft to this radio is to fill it with 4 D batteries. Not surprisingly, this light piece of machinery feels cheap in build quality. To add to its carnival-prize chintziness is the faux "woodgrain" plastic trim that flanks the radio. 

As I said, the radios looks small. In fact, it's 10 inches across, 2.75 inches deep, and 6 inches tall.

One feature that happily surprised me is that it has an outdoor thermometer. You can select temperature or time display.  

Now for the presets. You have 3 bands: FM 1, configured for US FM band; FM 2, configured for Japanese FM band; and AM, configured for US AM band.

Amazingly, each band can store up to 100 memory presets, which I find ironic since radio stations are dying every day. 

Selecting memory is easy enough. You simply press the memory button twice and the radio assigns preset numbers as you go along. To get into "preset mode," you press the multifunction tuner button once. 

Now here is a complaint of mine. When you press the band button to go from FM to AM, the radio doesn't remember that you're in preset mode. You have to press the multifunction button again. This isn't so bad if you're playing the radio in the kitchen or den as a table radio, but I object to this extra step if you're using this as a clock radio. When I'm half asleep, I can, with my Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo, do everything "blind." I can feel the right knob and scroll up and down. The AM and FM bands can be "mixed and matched." You don't need separate bands. 

The CR-1100 not only makes you select another band. You then have to press the multifunction button to establish preset mode. 

As I am an insomniac, nursing my sleep deprivation with "blind" nighttime toggling, I prefer the BAHS. However, I'm sure I could get used to the CR-1100's unnecessary preset steps, if I had to. Since I own two BAHS radios, I do not have to get used to these extra steps. For me a good clock radio can be operated blind. That's a bottom-line. 

One advantage, however, that the CR-1100 has over the BAHS is that it has an FM telescopic antenna. What a relief it is to use the antenna when you're pinpointing FM station reception. In contrast, the BAHS has the dreaded wire. Now in my case, all my FM stations come in well with the wire antenna elevated and hanging on a picture frame--with one exception: 88.1 KJAZZ suffers static. The antenna has to be declined. Who in the hell wants to get out of bed, stand on their tiptoes, decline the wire antenna, and then elevate it again when jazz listening is over? So you see, the BAHS is not perfect either. In fact, some would argue that the CR-1100's extra preset steps are worth the convenience of the telescopic FM antenna. They have a compelling point. 

Another feature I like about the CR-1100 is stereo mode. In this mode, you will see two speaker symbols in the lower left display.

Tuner Reception

Okay, everything written before this review is irrelevant if the reception isn't strong. Here's the good news: The reception on both FM and AM is strong indeed. This is a relief since I read a review in which the reviewer said AM is weak. This simply isn't true, at least for me. On 710 AM, my worst AM station for birdy noise, a simple rotation of the radio silenced the bird. Another weak station, 830, came in loud and clear.

On FM, all my favorite stations came in well. Even the weak KXLU 88.9 came in with remarkable strength. 

The speaker sound is is excellent, full and loud. I'm getting better sound from the CR-1100 than my Eton Sound 100, my Sangean PR-D5 and my Sangean WR-2. However, the aforementioned BAHS, which costs about $10 more, sounds better. And the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo, costing in the $135 ballpark, sounds even better than the Solo.

Conclusions

For me, the CR-1100 is a mixed bag. Owning dozens of radios, including many vintages, I'm rather spoiled and jaded and I am not easily swooned by all the cheaply built radios that come down the pike. 

But if I was just some dude who, without the baggage of a radio obsession, needed a radio, I'd be very happy with the CR-1100. In spite of its cheap feel, it sounds great, gets great reception, and offers a lot of features (including 300 presets!) at a remarkable price point. 

If you are in the market for a good clock radio or table radio for under $80, the CR-1100 cannot be beat. But, wait, before you run out and buy one, read this update:

Update:

Wanting to get familiar with the CR-1100, I put it in my bedroom, replacing the Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo. FM was still great, but AM suffered a lot of interference, most likely from my JBL iPod speaker. It wasn't even on but the CR-1100 was seriously degraded on AM. The Solo seems to have better shields. 

So I said forget this, and I moved the Solo back to bedside. Then I moved the 1100 to the piano/workout room. FM again was fine and while AM was improved, I noticed something disturbing about the CR-1100: When you first tune to AM after turning the radio on, the sound is weak and distant and full of static. Turn to FM, then back to AM and the sound is improved. This is weird. Also, I don't like that a cheapy-feel, light radio is so vulnerable to AM interference. In spite of the CR-1100's merits, I'd rather spend five more dollars, deal with the wire FM antenna, and get the BAHS.

Second Update

Two months ago I sent the CR-1100 back to Kaito because the radio seemed to have a faulty tuner switch between AM and FM. I'd have to tune to AM TWICE for AM to sound right. One time wasn't enough. The AM sounded muddled.

An exchange never came. Two weeks ago I called Kaito and they apologized, saying that their new shipment should arrive in late April and my replacement should arrive in early May. As I write this it's May 6 and I have not received it.

Comments

[Pablo]

Thanks for the review Jeff; this radio grab my attention since its launch..
What about the DSP..have you noted any influence on sound or reception? I have the DEGEN DE1103 and, honestly, seems to get things worse than best, specially on the sound part.

[Pablo]

I want mean DEGEN DE1123 instead of 1103..sorry

[jeffrey McMahon]

I've never tested the 1123. I hope my replacement arrives so I can test the DSP.

[Edward Glenn]

I just received my CR-1100 from Amazon WITHOUT the English manual.
Can anyone send me a copy either via email or snail mail?
edward.a.glenn@smithbarney.com
OR
Edward Glenn
399 Park Avenue, 12th fl
NY,NY 10022
Many thanks