Sangean's
newest Radio, the WR-1.
RadioLabs: Wednesday, August 20, 2003
by Chris Justice
Sangean, (wait, let me
set the pronunciation correct for the first time….(San -
G-N), is not exactly a household name. I don’t know why,
but, I suspect that nobody knows how to pronounce their name correctly
so people simply don’t say it. (See above for correct pronunciation)
Well, you better sit up and take a look at what they are doing
because they could possibly be the biggest radio manufacturer
in the world. No kidding!
I feel privileged being
one of the first people in the U.S. to not only get a thorough
test drive of this radio, but, write the first review on the newest
release from Sangean, the WR-1 wooden radio. In a nut-shell, the
WR-1, Wooden Radio, is an eye-pleasing, small, hi-fi radio with
tons of quality audio and simple functions. This radio will not
be available until mid November so you are getting a first hand
look at something completely new!
Receiver Shoot-out
There are a lot of contenders
in the small, table-top, hi-fi market, with prices ranging from
$99 to $499. You probably know the brand names of the competition
and have most likely heard radio, or, seen print advertisements
for these companies. This is a very competitive market and the
competition is tough. Well, let me tell you, it’s getting
real tough with the release of Sangean’s Wooden Radio. So,
I decided to turn this little review into a simple table-top,
hi-fi shoot-out.
Features:
The WR-1 is one of the simplest receivers to operate. Heck, there
are only 3 controls on the front of the radio. Let me comment
on the feel of the tuning knob first because no matter what radio
you plan on purchasing, you always have to feel the tuning knob
first. Two words, TIGHT and ACCURATE. There’s nothing worse
than an analog radio with a sloppy tuning knob.The volume control
is crisp and has the correct resistance when turned. This is important
because I also loathe a loose volume control. The band switch
is simply an OFF/AM/FM rotary switch with a tight feel.
Audio quality:
All I can say is “Whoa!”
Let me tell you first how I compared this radio to the competitors.
Fortunately, I am one of those people that have access to all
of the newest radios, literally all of them produced. I set these
receivers up in a quiet room, side-by-side and tested them on
the same frequency. For legal reasons I am concealing the names
behind the radio manufacturers I tested these against but I will
give small hints as to which they were? There were three radios
which we tested against the WR-1. The radio that starts with a
“B” and rhymes with “hose” another radio
which is named after the Capital of Massachusetts and another
small wooden radio that starts with a “T” and I can’t
think of anything that rhymes with it. It sounds like an Italian
name however. (maybe Stromboli).
