Is the Upgraded Version of the CCRadio 2 a Significant Improvement?

Tim writes:

C Crane has a new version of their CCRadio 2. Does anybody know if the "enhancement" makes a substantial difference?

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-radios/ccradio-2e.aspx

On the CCrane website we read this description:

Reception and audio are the main reasons to own a better made portable radio. For over 10 years our CCRadio line has had some of the best AM reception available in a radio, along with audio tuned for the human voice. With the new CCRadio-2 Enhanced version, audio can be accurately tuned for realistic human voice. It can also be adjusted for good musical performance! Traditional FM reception is also a full step up in its ability to bring in a weak station clearly. The CCRadio-2E Enhanced also has the weather band/alert along the 2-meter Ham band. The five memory buttons on top of the radio make it easier to change stations rather than front mounted buttons.

The boost in AM performance comes from our patented Twin-Coil Ferrite® AM Antenna. This technology can give a noticeable boost to weak AM signals under most circumstances. After you select a station, the CCRadio-2E evaluates the signal for several seconds and then locks it in for the best possible signal.

The display features a full backlight and three levels of brightness and an "off" setting. When the power is on the display will show the station you are on and then automatically change to the clock after 15 seconds.

The Weather Band, with a very loud alert, can keep you informed of any NOAA alerts. The 2-Meter Ham band may make the CCRadio-2E a life saver during an emergency. Two Meter Ham operators are early on the scene of an emergency and they donate their time while handling perhaps 90% of emergency coordination efforts. The CCRadio-2E makes it easy to hear the vital information they share by acting like a simple radio scanner, searching five progammable memories for Ham operator communications. The sensitivity (squelch) can be adjusted for best results. More information about the 2-Meter Ham Band can be found atCCRadio.com/2-meter.

The CCRadio-2E comes in Black Mica and Titanium color. Features include: 5 memories per band (AM, FM, Weather and 2-Meter bands), adjustable display light, adjustable bass and treble, clock alarm, sleep timer, auto scan, stereo headphone jack, line-input jack, and line-output jack. Runs on included AC power cord or four (optional) "D" batteries.

Weight: 4 lbs (without optional batteries) Size: 11" W x 6.5" H x 4" D.

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Comments

[herculodge]

This new 2E version is not on Amazon yet and the non 2e version is no longer available on the Amazon site:http://www.amazon.com/Crane-CC2B-Radio-2-Weather-2-Meter/dp/B002NU5RZS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[Tim]

From the description on C Crane's web site, the enhancement sounds as if it may concern audio quality, with the ability of the user to adjust the tone for either voice or music. The images they have are of the previous model, so you can't tell if there's an added control of some type.

Regardless, an improvement in the audio quality of this radio would be welcome. This model and the previous versions have always sounded muddled to me, even though I've liked this radio for years.

[Gary]

Maybe they've included wide and narrow AM filters, as the CCRadio-EP has, selectable via its Music/Voice control.

[Avo]

Hmm, but it says that the FM performance is "a full step up".... Maybe the front-end filtering has been tightened affecting FM bandwidth as well.

[Tim]

Will it really make a difference to the ears? That's all I want to know.

[Gary]

If they put in a wider AM IF filter, it should make a big difference in the clarity of the sound. I guess we'll have to wait for the first reviews to know for sure.

I briefly owned an original CCRadio in 1999, but I found the AM audio too muffled for my taste, so I returned it.

[brandon]

I'd be almost certain based on the phrase "audio can be accurately tuned for realistic human voice. It can also be adjusted for good musical performance" that it has a wide/narrow AM IF filter.

[David Bartron]

I had a conversation with a CCrane customer service person prior to placing an order for the 2E yesterday. The person told me the "enhancements" are an upgraded DSP chip (no details given ) and wider range bass and treble controls. All "enhancements" are internal. There is nothing in the way of external changes; no new switches, controls, buttons, etc.

[TPH]

I received the new CC Radio 2 Enhanced today and love it! This is my first CC Radio and so I don't have anything to compare it too, but the sound quality is excellent. FM is extremely selective and sensitive. AM id great, of course. No new buttons based on the pictures, but some upgrades in the production run is what Customer Service told me. FM does have a stereo light come on when the reception is very good and so maybe that's new. I read the reviews about the voice being better than the music, but I think that both are excellent. Another minor change is that weather alert can be turned on while in Ham mode which I think is something new. Box and manual are identical to prior CC Radio 2. Great radio and would highly recommend! Not really enough upgrades to warrant trading in an older CC Radio 2 version, but if you were on the fence because of music sound quality and FM performance, no need to be on the fence anymore.

[Gary]

Jay Allen reviews the CCRadio-2E.

http://radiojayallen.com/c-crane-cc-radio-2e-enhanced/