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.
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.
Posted by: Pablo | May 06, 2009 at 04:24 PM
I want mean DEGEN DE1123 instead of 1103..sorry
Posted by: Pablo | May 06, 2009 at 04:25 PM
I've never tested the 1123. I hope my replacement arrives so I can test the DSP.
Posted by: jeffrey McMahon | May 06, 2009 at 04:33 PM
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
Posted by: Edward Glenn | December 10, 2009 at 08:27 AM