Small Portable Radio's?

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I would like a radio in this class that also plays FM music with decent sound. Which of these handle FM music best? Thanks,

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Chrisdm said:
I would like a radio in this class that also plays FM music with decent sound. Which of these handle FM music best?
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If you're looking for a smaller budget radio, the Meloson M8 is about the size of a small paperback book but thanks to some speaker engineering and sound processing, sounds like a boombox or a modest-sized flatscreen, very impressive for its size and only $35.

Middle of the road would be the CCrane EP, a straightforward larger needle-and-dial analog unit with unusually good sound and reception for its price, $70-ish. And the higher end would include the CCrane SW and CCRadio2E, both historically well-established models at $150 each.
 
Thanks, looking for something similar in size and style to the grundig s350 but with better FM sound. I think the ccradio2 is it. Anything better than that?

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Chrisdm said:
Thanks, looking for something similar in size and style to the grundig s350 but with better FM sound. I think the ccradio2 is it. Anything better than that?
Click to expand...

The CC SW is actually the conceptual successor to the S350, but if your goal is solely FM radio, the CCRadio2E's digital tuning and memories are better for casual listening.

There are vintage multi-hundred dollar options available from EBay that could just narrowly oust the CCranes, but they don't come with a warranty. And don't forget web radio - any internet-connected device streaming a higher-quality feed of your FM station connected to a very good speaker will sound better than any portable radio..
 
Thanks again. Not as concerned with features as I am sound quality. Would pay "multi hundreds" for a sw radio that also sounds great on FM.

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Chris
 
I've been pleasantly surprised and very pleased with the sound quality of the PL-880 on FM stations. For a small portable SW radio it has a very good built in speaker and the audio amplifier seems to have a wide dynamic range. In addition to a headphone jack it has an adjustable level line out that sounds good if you want to hook up to external amplified speakers. I've been listening to mine for hours each day on my desk while working since getting it last week.

The 18650 battery format is a big plus for me since I already have a good collection of those, and a couple dedicated charges used for flashlights.

The radio is only slightly larger than a paperback book and comes with a nice zip up leather travel cover. Overall it has a solid quality feel to it and the volume control and tuning knobs are silky smooth.
 
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Chrisdm said:
Thanks again. Not as concerned with features as I am sound quality. Would pay "multi hundreds" for a sw radio that also sounds great on FM.
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Then web radio is the way to go; some stations' online streams are higher-bandwidth than the FM frequency allows, meaning you can hear your station with higher audio quality than is physically possible with any radio. Whatever device you have handy with the TuneIn or IHeartRadio app/program (though it's usually the station's site that has the high-bandwidth stream) connected to a top-shelf Bluetooth music speaker will soundly best any all-in-one radio. And you can always connect your device to a music system/home theater system for the full effect.

Short of that, if you still prefer the traditional radio route, the rare vintage EBay finds won't actually perform the two- or three-fold price they demand over the CCranes; I'm not aware of any comparison between the SW and CC2E, but the two are most likely very close with the SW sounding better at higher volume levels and the CC2E having broader bass/treble controls.
 
Thanks starhalo, I appreciate the insight. Looking for a traditional radio for remote job sites/campsites etc. I do listen to webradio in the office.

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Chris
 
Chrisdm

What would you change or improve in terms of FM sound quality of the Grundig/Eton S350 that would satisfy your needs? Better Base, duel speaker, loudness or something else? I’m just trying to get a better understanding of what you are looking for.
 
Lebkuecher said:
Chrisdm

What would you change or improve in terms of FM sound quality of the Grundig/Eton S350 that would satisfy your needs? Better Base, duel speaker, loudness or something else? I’m just trying to get a better understanding of what you are looking for.
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Thanks, I don't know technical terms of audio fidelity, I'm just assuming from my limited experience with the s350 that there must be a better sounding FM/sw portable radio out there. Basically I want one radio that I can listen to FM music on job sites most of the time but also occasionally enjoy sw while camping/personal excursions etc... It seems the ccrane sw will fit that bill. Perhaps also a tecsun880 for lighter excursions.

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Chris
 
In the 1990, I carried on my body: Walkman tape player/quality am/fm radio, jacket pocket portable spreadsheet, cell phone brick, pager, squeeze pen light, wallpaper razor knife (which fits my need better than pocket knife), sharp organizer (contacts, todo, expense, memo, calendar), modem based email.


I am no longer the nerd, I am the reactionary, who prefers an mp3 player in addition to the cell phone. I think email and surfing should be done once a weekend. Cellphone batteries should be reserved for Personal info organization, weather, text (to save phone time), and phone calls.


Nevertheless, in essence, the more combined uses of the gadget, the more successful the item becomes. If Fenix started adding a fm/am receiver in the headlamps and jack, this would be a draw if the price of the unit stayed low. Great for me for low cell phone battery, and entertainment for workers that wouldn't annoy me.

I think the headlamp/radio merge is pretty natural, for form factor reasons.
 
Bullzeyebill said:
Let's stay on track here. Subject is small portable radios.

Bill
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Existing or possible ones in the future?

Yeah, probably a good one for general flashlights: Why don't all high end FL have built in noaa weather radio; and the form factor match of a long running headlamp and having something to which to listen. Mostly, we are talking about adding is a stamped circuit board. These kinda of merges create alot of static on oldtimers, but are generally accepted and become beloved (ex. gestures and email into browsers). So, you are right, needs own thread; I just had to think and sleep about the idea more with limited comments, before putting it out there. James Burke had this problem.
 
Chrisdm said:
It seems the ccrane sw will fit that bill.
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That would be my pick for that specific application, too. I wouldn't go with the 880 for excursions though, would prefer to just replace common batteries I can get anywhere rather than dealing with an 18650.

degarb said:
the form factor match of a long running headlamp and having something to which to listen.
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Strap your smartphone to your head - presto, your headlamp is also a PDA and a radio..
 
StarHalo said:
That would be my pick for that specific application, too. I wouldn't go with the 880 for excursions though, would prefer to just replace common batteries I can get anywhere rather than dealing with an 18650.



Strap your smartphone to your head - presto, your headlamp is also a PDA and a radio..
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LOL.

Bill
 
Eton just announced four new SW models for 2014.

CES 2014: Etón Corporation Announces New World Traveler Radios


Etón Satellit ($229.99)
Etón Field ($149.99)
Etón Mini ($44.99)
Etón Traveler III ($69.99)

All expected to be available in Q2 of 2014



The Satellit looks nice, I look forward to Jay Allen’s review if he does one.

http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/satellit

Satellit_FRONTe20-20Copy_zps4faec576.jpg
 
That Satellit will have to be some radio for the price, considering its size.

Bill
 
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