Hi!
I've been lucky enough to have been able to test 2 of the Sangean
Tabletop FM/AM tabletop radios - mantle radios if you like - and thought
I'd get back to the list with some information on both since there seems
to be some interest in this sort of radio.
Firstly, we're not talking "portable radio" here, these are radios which
are designed to be used on a table, mantle piece, shelf and so on and on
a table or shelf is where they sound there absolute best.
Both the Sangean models I have are inclosed in wooden cabinets so this
gives them a sound of their own, - if you're old enough to remember many
of the old valve units then you'll have some idea of the sound quality
i'm referring to here.
Both radios have a 3 inch heavy magnet type speaker, again you may not
think this much and if you think that then be prepared to be very
pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed, these speakers have been tuned to
the wooden cabinet plus there's a bass port at the back of each unit to
take full advantage of this.
Sound quality is excellent along with quality of reception, the analogue
tuning unit is a little more sensitive than the digitally tuned set but
performance of the digitally tuned set is still very good and far
superior to many radio sets available on the market today but then
again? Well anyone who knows Sangean products would expect a good receiver.
Both sets have external antenna terminal for FM and AM and both have
built-in antennas for these bands.
The analogue set is simple, just 3 knobs on the front which are a 3
position selector which selects between power off/FM/AM, a volume
control and a tuning knob, a very nice feeling and precise! tuning knob.
The digitally tuned unit obviously is a little more complex but still
very useable, it contains an alarm clock with buzzer option, facilities
to take advantage of the Radio Data System, 5 memory presets for each
band etc, bass and treble controls etc.
Both sets have the following extra connections, line out, line in,
headphones and a 9-15V DC input jack which makes them extremely versatile.
The digitally tuned set is able to set its clock automatically thanks to
the Radio Data System, another benefit to those of us who can't see the
screen.
Both sets will work in stereo mode if used through the headphones or
line out socket.
There are other Sangean Tabletop models and I hope to try another soon,
that being the Tabletop Stereo unit which has a slot loading CD player
wich is compatible with MP#/WMA data files as well as standard audio
CD'S, has facilities for memory cards and USB memory sticks and - well
so I'm told - can record as well, I'll know in a few weeks.
Finally, I could talk more about the digitally tuned set and its
features and I've deliberately refrained from doing that as to keep this
email short and hopefully interesting <smile>.
In Australia you can find these radios at <http://www.radioparts.com.au>
and if you're in the U.S. then consult <http://www.sangean.com> for a
list of dealers, CCrane Company at <http://www.ccrane.com> also sells
these radio sets.
--
Dane Trethowan
From Melton Victoria Australia
skype callto:grtdane12
MSN: grtd...@dane-trethowan.net
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