The Sangean RCR-3 specs says it has a 3-inch speaker, the same size as the speaker on the Sangean WR-2. Considering the RCR-3's smaller footprint and lower cost, that would make it appealing. However, I notice its atomic function gets some customer reviews reporting more glitches than are observed with the WR-2.
With my 6 year plus old WR-2, I have to DeOxit the headphone jack about once every two weeks or so because the sensor doesn't tell the speaker to turn on when my earbuds have been removed from the jack. So I've been keeping my eye on a bedside radio replacement if the problem deteriorates.
Have you considered the Sangean CL-100 (I know you're not a fan of Sangean.)? It has a fairly small footprint, offers excellent audio quality, is fully programmable through menus, and gives you around-the-clock weather reports.
It does have two shortcomings. First, it needs a tilt stand to be readable at night, and second, with each change of a station, the volume comes up very slowly. Strange. But otherwise, it makes an excellent bedside radio.
Posted by: Tim | September 14, 2014 at 01:33 PM
The CL-100 is a fine radio. I own one. But moving from a Sangean WR-2 to a CL-100 is like going from a Lexus to a Yaris.
Posted by: herculodge | September 14, 2014 at 03:55 PM
I don't know about the Sangean RCR-3, but I really like my Sangean RCR-9. I was blown away by the sound from a small clock radio. Very rich sound.
Posted by: Jerry | September 17, 2014 at 08:42 AM
Jerry, that's very interesting that you like the speaker sound of the RCR-9, with its 2.5 inch speakers. The RCR-3's is 3 inch and I guess that's why it costs 20 dollars more. I'd love to do a side by side comparison.
Posted by: herculodge | September 17, 2014 at 09:58 AM