Addressing my complaint that my iPod causes my Sangean WR-2 to have AM interference when the two gadgets are too close (causing me to put them on separate tables), Mark Roberts writes:
An iPod is a computer. Computers make electrical noise. AM is far more susceptible to electrical noise than FM. The only way around it is to have an AM antenna that you can move away from the docking location. Sangean did this with its HDT-1 series of HD AM and HD FM tuners. It works but it's unhandy.
My Sangean WR-5 doesn't seem any worse when the wife's iPod is charging in the dock, but AM reception is fuzzy to begin with because it is next to a TV and cable.
You could always hook up an external outdoor AM antenna to the WR-2, I'm sure that would make you really popular.
Posted by: nathanjr | December 11, 2012 at 11:16 PM
I did a video overview of the WR-5 a little while ago if any of you guys are curious
http://youtu.be/v2ZBv4ekkwc
It is a great sounding iPod dock, aux-in speaker, and decent FM radio. Radio enthusiasts are better off with the WR-2, though.
Posted by: nathanjr | December 11, 2012 at 11:27 PM
My wife's Sony ICF CS15ip (well, it's the solo radio in our bedroom now) doesn't have an issue with interference when the iPad or iPhone is docked. And the sound is rather good for a Sony. I picked it up from Best Buy, open box, for 29 back in Feb.
Posted by: JMaffuccio | December 12, 2012 at 09:24 AM
How does your wife's Sony fare on AM/FM reception? Could you give us a mini review, a short paragraph?
Posted by: herculodge | December 12, 2012 at 09:58 AM
FM reception and sound throughout the dial is excellent without requiring an external antenna. One of the better Sony products I've used in a while. The stereo speakers fill the bedroom and bathroom area. AM pickups nicely on locals during the day with clear sound and while I haven't tried dxing, I do listen to KSL quite often but that's a channel you can pick up with just about anything. I've gotten other stations approx 500 miles away but they're all high powered. It does use an external am antenna.
As a clock radio, controls are very friendly as is the remote. You can set 2 alarms, we have one set for weekday mornings and the other for Sunday morning. Setup was a breeze as are most modern clock radios.
Also the clock is very legible at night without having too bright of a backlight. Actually very similar to the radio and climate readout in our Accord.
Finally, this did replace an old Sony cube clock radio... So I was a bit partial in brand but wasn't going to pay full retail either.
Posted by: JMaffuccio | December 12, 2012 at 07:59 PM
One other nice feature is that the dock portion is not completely fixed, or rigid. I believe this is done to allow for withstanding the size and weight of using either an iPhone, iPod, or iPad. I'm sure it also helps to mitigate potential for damage to the dock.
Posted by: JMaffuccio | December 12, 2012 at 08:02 PM