I haven't been excited about any new radio products for a long while, but I am eager to get the Sangean WR-12, nonbluetooth version for $169 scheduled for October; bluetooth version for $229 scheduled for November.
Getting excellent performance from the Sangean WR-2, digital, and the WR-11, analog, I expect the WR-12 to be at least as good as those radios in terms of FM and AM reception. I'm expecting of course greater speaker sound from the WR-12. We shall see.
That does look like a pretty slick radio, it appeals to me because it looks both simple but high quality at the same time. Not sure I could justify paying $170 for it though, maybe if I ever see it on sale around $120 I might grab one if the reviews are solid.
Posted by: brandon | August 31, 2012 at 07:25 PM
I'm curious how the WR-12 compares with Sangean's own WR-3 in all the important qualities, audio quality which is admittedly subjective, AM/FM sensitivity & selectivity, ergonomics which is another subjective assessment*, build quality, and the most important quality for radio furniture, LOOKS.
* Regarding ergonomics here are some of the factors that work towards good ergonomics IMO, Are all controls accessible without having to use the remote? (Does the WR-12 have a remote?) Are all functions accessible without having to navigate a menu or other graphical user interface? GUI can be a bitch for the blind or visually impaired. (I am damn near blind.**) Do the knobs and buttons have a solid tactile feel? Are all labels in a legible font?
** I take it that "damn" is a perfectly OK word to use in public since Gov. Martinez used it at the 2012 Republican National Convention with a Mormon as the presidential candidate.
Posted by: ¾ Blind | September 01, 2012 at 09:36 AM
I think "damn" is okay. I haven't heard of a remote for the nonbluetooth version. For me, it's a style appeal. I doubt it performs better than the WR-3.
Posted by: herculodge | September 01, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Where do you plug the guitar in, and does it go to 11?
Posted by: Drive-In-Freak | September 03, 2012 at 04:43 AM
This is nonsense! Does it cook an egg??
Posted by: Randy | September 04, 2012 at 06:21 PM
The manual is available for download now:
http://www.sangean.com/support/download/Manual/V1/UM_20120726_3A81V31000000_WR-12_GB_V1-1.pdf
Posted by: Patrick | September 16, 2012 at 08:52 PM