Sangean WR-2 Update: Great FM, So-So AM

 

My wife and I still use the black Sangean WR-2, purchased over a year ago, in our office. I bought a walnut model back in 2005 and sold it. 

The FM sounds great, but the AM seems average to me with too much background noise for my tastes. The speaker is above average, warm and clear. 

I don't use it in the bedroom because the control buttons are the tiny, requiring a surgeon's hands in the dark. 

I suspect most people will like this radio, elegant in black, great FM, remote control, good speaker sound. However, I find AM wanting, especially in bad weather. 

Comments

[Gary]

I agree with you, Jeff. I bought a wood and silver WR-2 two or three years ago.

The sound of the WR-2 is quite good, and I like that it has separate bass and treble controls.

On the other hand, the AM is pretty weak. KFWB -- which is one of my "test" stations -- is pretty noisy out in Simi Valley, and has a very low sound level. I have to use an external antenna to get it well.

I think the AGC on the WR-2 could be better as well. Weak stations have a much lower sound level than strong stations. A proper AGC would equalize the sound levels better.

[Shawn Patrick]

These days, the larger the radio, the worse the AM reception will be. Almost like a reverse law these days.

[Radio Russ]

I had both the WR-1 and the WR-2. The WR-1 was too boomy with no tone controls but it had a great analog tuner which performed well on AM and FM. I plugged the bass port on the back with a wad of removable foam which cut down on the bass noticeably.

The WR-2 had tone controls but it just never sounded as good as the WR-1. I was also disappointed with its AM section and found it unusable without a Select Antenna sitting on top.

I sold my WR-2 because I was so unimpressed with it. I still have the WR-1 and I'm very curious about the new WR-11 to see what changes they made to it.

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-radios/sangean-wr11-wooden-radio.aspx

[Ed]

Appropos of nothing, Doug McIntyre returns to "Red Eye Radio" on KABC midnight to 5 AM.