Review Best Sangeon Portable Hd Am Fm Radio

Late last twelvemonth, we learned that Sangean was planning to innovate a small-scale portable HD radio to their product line: the Sangean HDR-14. Readers were excited about this release––indeed, I've received more inquiries and comments from readers about this radio than about whatever other Hard disk drive radio.

While there have been numerous portable FM HD radios on the market over the years, in that location have been very few meaty HD portables that tin besides pull AM Hard disk signals from the ether. Shortly later on Sangean made their declaration that the HDR-14 was forthcoming, I contacted them and requested a review unit. They sent me a review sample from the starting time production run in May.

Due to my exceptionally busy schedule this summer, information technology's taken me longer than I'd like to  exist able to write up a complete review. On the plus side, while I've not had a chance to sit down down and write, I have had time to heed; thus I've had more than on-the-air time with the HDR-14, with the outcome that my review is congenital on nearly three months of use.

Initial impressions

Size comparison: Sangean HDR-fourteen (left) and the C. Crane CC Skywave SSB (right)

The HDR-xiv has a practical AM/FM portable radio pattern: the front panel features a backlit display, speaker grill, power button, memory preset buttons and a few other buttons to command essential functions like tuning, Hd mode/channel pick, band, and information brandish toggle.

Like nearly similar Sangean radios, the chassis is a difficult gloss plastic terminate, while the front end panel is by and large matte. The buttons are raised and have a pleasing tactile response.

On the left side of the radio you lot'll find a coaxial ability port (5VDC with a positive tip), volume wheel and headphones jack. I practise wish Sangean had used a standard micro USB port, but their alternate choice might be be a result of the fact that USB ability supplies are and then RF noisy…? This is, nevertheless, mere speculation on my role.

On the correct side, the only characteristic is one mechanical key lock switch––a bonus for me, as I prefer mechanical cardinal locks over button buttons.

On the back of the radio you'll find the usual silk-screened product specifications and model information. Y'all'll also find the large battery compartment cover which easily slides open to reveal positions for iii AA cells.

The telescopic antenna is sturdy and nearly twenty-five inches in length, fantastic for FM radio reception.

I unique characteristic of the HDR-xiv is that it doesn't have a tilt-out stand up on the dorsum, rather a human foot that swings out from the bottom/base of the radio. The foot gives the HDR-xiv excellent stability while continuing up, say, on a dark stand next to the bed. Vivid addition, Sangean!

Features and specifications

For such a compact portable, the HDR-14 sports a compliment of features:

• HD Radio digital and analog AM / FM-Stereo reception
• 40 Memory Presets (twenty FM, 20 AM)
• PAD (Program Associated Data) Service
• Support for Emergency Alerts Office\
• Automatic Multicast Re-Configuration
• Real Time Clock and Date with Alarm and Slumber Function
• 2 Alarm Timer by Radio, Cablegram
• HWS (Humane Wake System) Cablegram and Radio
• Snooze Part
• Information Display for Channel Frequency, Call Sign, Radio Text, Sound Way, Service
• Mode, Signal Quality and Clock Fourth dimension
• Easy-to-Read LCD Display with Backlight
• Depression Battery LED Indicator
• I/O Jacks: DC In, Headphone and Hard disk drive / FM Rod Antenna

The clock and alarm features make the HDR-14 ideal for travel. Sangean's "Human Wake Arrangement" is one of the best wake up alarm systems I've ever used on a radio: the buzzer alarm sound will slowly increase in volume for 1 minute, so stop for i infinitesimal of silence, and repeat up to one 60 minutes. Of course, this volition wake well-nigh of us on the first go. If non, it'due south patiently persistent, but a gentle way to wake:  I similar this.

The internal speaker is well counterbalanced though it lacks any notes of bass. Still, music is quite pleasing, and the spoken give-and-take sounds brilliant and articulate. Note that my expectations for audio fidelity are always fairly low from radios in this size form (although the Sangean  WR-7 showed me that meaty radios are capable of amazing fidelity).

Operation

Tuning the radio and storing frequencies to retentivity are each straightforward and simple.

Keep in mind, even so, that the Sangean HDR-xiv can receive both AM and FM radio in analog and Hard disk. On either ring, if you tune to an analog station with accompanying HD channels that can be received, the HD Radio logo will flash on the brandish, indicating that the signal is blending from analog to digital. Once the radio locks onto the Hard disk point, the Hd Radio logo on the brandish will end flashing and appear steady.

Saving a station to a memory is simple: 1) tune to a frequency, use the page push to select the desired retention page of five presets; 2) press and concur the button where you would like to shop the frequency, and when you hear a beep, the station has been stored. If y'all chose, for instance, the third page and commencement memory position, "31" (indicating "page 3" and "memory i," respectively) will appear on the top line of the display. After entering your presets, you can then recollect a station by selecting a page and simply pressing the preset.

The HDR-14 does have a useful "HD Seek" part that searches for HD signals automatically. In addition, there is an Hard disk drive Car Preset Organization that will scan the ring for HD signals, then auto-store them in memory presets according to their point strength. The first memory on the outset page will exist the strongest station received.

If the HDR-14 acquires an Hard disk drive station that multicasts (and in my marketplace, most exercise), the display will note "HD1," "HD2," or "HD3," based on the number of multicast HD signals per broadcaster. You tin can flip through these with the tune upwardly/downwardly buttons in one case the display indicates multicast signals.

The HDR-14 also features an alpha-numeric RDS system which makes identifying the station and even their programming/music quite easy. I notice that the RDS decode is quite good: it works on fifty-fifty marginal FM signals.

Performance

The last Sangean HD radio I reviewed was the HDR-sixteen, and I was impressed by its performance. As yous can imagine, my hope was that the HDR-14 would pack the HDR-16'south performance in a smaller packet…So, did it?

Let's merely say information technology comes quite close.

The HDR-sixteen'south analog AM broadcast band operation is, overall, improve than that of the HDR-14. The HDR-14 isn't poor, only its noise level is slightly higher than the HDR-16's. I can't say I'm disappointed with the HDR-xiv'south analog AM performance, even so; it's just what one would expect. I do wish information technology had impressed me.

I've simply received 1AM HD signal with the HDR-xiv, so I can't comment on the AM Hd performance other than to say I was impressed with the steady HD lock. I listened to WWFD in Germantown, MD:  I could receive the station both day and even at nighttime when power output was decreased dramatically. I find that AM Hard disk sort of boggles the mind; it's odd listening to a clear, static-free signal on the AM punch.

Click here to view on YouTube.

I've had severalSWLing Mail readers tell me they were impressed with the HDR-xiv's ability to acquire AM HD signals. One reader added that it's the best he'due south ever used…wow! Equally I travel this year, I hope to snag a few more than AM HD signals myself.

The HDR-14 is a very sensitive FM analog receiver. I notice that I can receive all of my criterion local and distant analog FM stations. The HDR-xiv seems to exist equally every bit expert as the HDR-16 in terms of sensitivity.

I caveat is that when I melody to an FM analog signal which happens to be adjacent to a strong FM station, sometimes the stiff adjacent station bleeds into the audio. FM selectivity isn't as good every bit the HDR-sixteen.

In terms of FM HD functioning, you might remember that in my review of the Sangean HDR-16, I mentioned that one of my benchmark distant HD FM stations is WFAE HD2. WFAE's transmitter is but over ane hundred miles from my home shack, and I'm well outside fifty-fifty the the fringe reception area. I'm pleased to annotation that, on more than one occasion, from my porch, I've gotten a reliable HD lock on WFAE with the HDR-14. I'm convinced that when the leaves fall off the trees this autumn (they exercise attenuate signals) reception volition be fairly near to reliable.

Listening to the HDR-14 from a hospital room.

While waiting for a block of time to pen this review, I've spent a lot of time tuning to FM Hd signals in a least five different urban and regional markets in ii countries. And I can say I'm very impressed with reception; the HDR-14 seems to snag every available Hd signal.

Summary

Every radio has its pros and cons. When I begin a review of a radio, I take notes from the very beginning and so that I don't forget some of my initial impressions. Here is the listing I formed over the time I've spent evaluating the HDR-14.

Pros:

• Fantabulous overall FM Analog and Hard disk drive performance
• Excellent AM Hd reception (a stand-out for pocket sized HD receivers)
• twoscore memory presets
• Congenital-in speaker has first-rate fidelity for spoken word and music (see con)
• Uses standard AA cells
• Excellent build quality
• Gentle but persistent alert
• Useful swing out represent bedside listening and warning usage
• Compact form factor, platonic for travel

Cons:

• AM analog performance is acceptable but not for weak-indicate piece of work
• FM Analog selectivity is mediocre, some potent side by side station bleed-through
• Built-in speaker lacks bass response, so not optimal for all music listening (run into pro)

Conclusion

While I take mixed feelings well-nigh digital radio in full general––but especially In-ring on-aqueduct (IBOC) HD radio––I practice honey exploring all that over-the-air radio has to offer. Like it or not, HD radio is a part of that mural for the foreseeable future.

HD Radio has opened up a few culling music stations that otherwise I'd never have discovered in my local market place. In improver, I notice that NPR and public radio stations frequently multicast commercial-gratuitous talk, jazz, and classical music, which makes HD Radio a worthy addition at home and while I travel. In big urban markets, HD Radio certainly increases the number of available commercial options sometimes past a gene of ii or possibly more.

If y'all like chasing AM and FM HD signals, you'll be very pleased with the HDR-14. Information technology's first rate, and I recommend it.

The Sangean HDR-14 RDS display (Photo: Thomas)

I'll shut by adding that I proceed to be impressed with Sangean every bit a company.  They've always been one of the quality leaders in the portable radio marketplace, and still make products with the radio enthusiast in listen––something of a rarity these days. I always look forward to seeing what they'll come upward with next!

The Sangean HDR-14 tin can be purchased at a number of retailers including:

• Universal Radio
• Amazon.com (affiliate link)
• eBay
• Staples

Click hither to check out the Sangean HDR-14 on Sangean's website.

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Source: https://swling.com/blog/2018/08/a-review-of-the-sangean-hdr-14-portable-am-fm-hd-radio/

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