Eton S350DLS Deluxe AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Red)
By: Eton Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 12
More Information
 On: 2008-06-27
Bought this radio for sensitive AM/FM reception but this radio lacks the sensitivity it claims to possess.
Brockton-area AM radio provides a means to test an AM radios sensitivity, with local stations on 1410 and 1460. An AM radio with sensitive tuning will let you pick up weak signals between those two locals on 1430 and 1440. With the Eton S350, the signal on 1410 started coming in at 1390 and stretched all the way to crosstown rival 1460! In fact, music from 1410 came in as background under 1460, which shouldnt be possible. That shows how awful this radio is!
I bought one at Radio Shack and returned it within a week. The sales staff couldnt understand why I was returning it, having no clue about radio reception. I replaced the Eton with a Sony HD radio that truly delivers sensitive reception.
Dont waste your time or money on this stinker!
 On: 2008-03-12
Eton S350 Deluxe DLB AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Black)
I Have both the older S-350, and now the S-350DL The 350DL is definatly an improvment over the 350, but not by much.
The RF gain actually works from low to high in a linear way not like a switch, thats a big help. The tuning lock is an improvment, but takes some getting used to. As you dial across the band, particularly on shortwave the Khz symbol will flash, indicating you are not locked on to the frequency. If you slow down to much, it will lock on and the Khz stops flashing. Great except if you are off a little or desire to tune one or two Khz off frequency you must move the dial about 5 Khz off to break the lock then retun quickly to your desired frequency without allowing it to lock when you dont want it to. Once you learn to work with it its not really as difficult as it sounds.
The larger speaker may be better but I cant really tell both radios sound great, nice easy listening. The 350DL has a nice backlight (blue) that makes the LEDs visable and clear even to my age challenged eyes.
Reception is great on AM, FM, amd shortwave, this radio is sensitive. Yes you can overload it, but you can always shorten the antenna a little to compensate. Turning the radio does help with AM reception but that is normal with a ferrite bar antennas, and this radio has a big one. All such antennas recieve directionaly and null to the sides.
Cheap plastic box? Well all radios these days, just about, are plastic, and I find the Tecsun produced (Grundig) no better and no worse. Chinese ? Well most all radios are now produced in China, Grundig went bankrupt about a year ago and what is left is owned by a Turkish company. So this has left Eton who owns the Grundig name in North America to carry on. If people think the Tecsun radios produced in China are poorly enginered then consider the history of this companys start up. Under the Supervision of German engineers and closely monitored in production and manufacturing equipment, they have become a world leader in shortwave. They started life as a company called German Fresh, I know, wierd name but you get the connection.
Bottom line, nice radio there are better but they cost two to three times more and you may get 25% better performance. As a Ham Operator let me say the antenna is maybe as important as the reciever. Get an outside wire. Oh if someone has a 350 I would not rush out to upgrade to the DL unless its important to you, both are good radios to listen to.
Sorry for any typos but thats me.
73s (Ham Talk)
 On: 2007-09-16
whats there to say,i live on the edge of no where[my choice],where stations,the close ones are 70 miles to over 200 an this radio pulls them in great.I will buy another when this ones gives up[10 years an counting]but then it might out live me.
On: 2007-09-07
i got the radio today, took it out the box, couldnt turn it on. It looks like it is already broken. I cant believe I bought a broken radio for 108$. There is a sticker behind saying"high quality 100% guarantee" Well now i have to go trought the hassle of getting another one trought the warranty service. How long would it be?how much i am gonna pay for shipping? I heard bad things about Grundig but i never expected myself to be a victim of their reputation.I took a chance buying they product, first time, may be last time. Too late to return it to Amazon, Grundig help line is closed as their work on pacific time and i live on the east coast. So i dont know yet, what i m gonna do with this broken radio.It was a gift for my dad I ordered it a month before his birthday, you have 30 day to send it back to amazon. If you buy something make sure you test it before the 30 days goes by. I ll post another review later, if i get another functionning radio, to tell you at least if they work well. So far i dont know, no power with the power supply or battery.Is this purely bad luck or bad quality?? i let you know later.
 On: 2007-03-31
I listen to this radio regularly, often several hours a day, and dont think Ive replaced the batteries twice in 2 years. All said, a great radio, the AM and FM reception is great, although Ive found the shortwave reception to be so-so, the caveat being I live in the city. While camping, I tend to pick up far more channels, albeit fewer than Ive managed with other radios.
One wildly annoying aspect is the radios backlight: it is timed, perhaps 20 seconds. Therefore if youre fumbling with it in the dark (as I regularly do while camping), you need to keep one hand close to the backlight button in order to continually press it.
All said a great radio, although Im evaluating others as looking for a truly killer shortwave device.
On: 2007-03-27
I have this radio for two weeks now. I am very satisfied with the reception of AM, FM and Short Wave -- very sensitive. Has great sound. The only negative is the lack of being able to preset the stations. Would buy the radio again - worth the money.
On: 2007-03-11
I havent had a good shortwave radio since I was a kid. Since then I also have become an Electrical Engineer and have been so for many, many years. I got the bug to listen to shortwave with a lay up due to a recent injury. Wow, this radio is way cool! All the neat things I remember when tuning in a fine tuning radio 1 hertz at a time to receive a far off station. Digital radios just cant do that the same way. Great features such as RF gain, IF bandwidth and Low Pass Filter are very useful. A great radio, a great trip back to the past and new experiences. I am really enjoying it!
Frank
On: 2006-12-15
My 10 dollar portable Panasonic radio has BETTER and Clearer reception than this overpriced crap. Even if the radio is by my window , reception is static and horrible. Dont fall for the GRUNDING name like I did, you can get a high quality shortwave radio for much less. Panasonic makes one for 40 bucks !!! Amazon also carries that awesome panasonic portable for less then 10 bucks. I feel ripped off by Grundig. Boycott this crap.
On: 2006-12-10
AM sensitivity is very good on this model. AM frequency lock is a little difficult to master, however it makes the set drift free. I own two of these. I use one as my bedside reciever and alarm clock. Great battery life and a good all round FM reciever. Shortwave is sensitive for the casual SW buff. Serious SW listeners may want to look at models that include sideband reception. This set does not have it.
by: bay_street_stores On: 2006-11-22
I got this radio when Amazon had a special for $35.00; although they noted that it was discontinued, they started to sell it again. Pros - Great AM DX reception, even during the day. I am able to pick up WBZ in Boston very clear during the early afternoon hours. None of my other radios will even come close. Has a nice back-lit LCD than can stay on all the time. Uses either 4 D cell batteries or 4 AA batteries (nice idea). Light weight with plenty of buttons and knobs. Cons- Does not have preset function or search/scan. You have to use the tuning dial, which can go over or under the frequency; however, the frequency lock works great. A great radio for $35.00; however, I would not pay over $50.00 for it.
On: 2006-10-15
This review is for the silver model @ $35.00. I could not belive the price & had to get one & see what was up. I think mine is a floor demo as the tape sealing the box had been broken.
The radio is in perfect condition, all functions work fine, all origonal packaging. I recommend this buy for as long as it will last, it is a great price. I enjoy this radio more than my other portables as the sound is much better & I like twisting knobs.
On: 2006-09-22
There is still a lot to love about the S350, big full sound, incredible FM reception, generally strong AM reception, good rugged looks. But the drift is a minor annoyance. Worse, two AM stations here in Los Angeles, 1150 and 980 (Dodgers baseball), get overcrowding, meaning two stations are playing at once, and no matter how narrow the filter I get this overcrowding. My 40-dollar GE Superradio III doesnt have this problem. But the GE doesnt have digital readout and I hate finding the sweet spot. So is there a big digital radio that doesnt have these flaws? I hear there is. Soon there will be a radio available called the Redsun 3000, designed by the same maker of the Grundig S350 (called the Tecsun BCL 2000 in China), which is supposed to blow away all the competition. Already the Redsun 2100 is said to be superior to the 350 but has ergonomic problems. As of 9-22-06, the Redsun 3000 is supposed to be only a few months away. Until the Redsun 3000 arrives, you may want to look at the $99 Sonido (made by Sangean). It boasts presets, digital tuning, and adds to its FM/AM a TV band, but has no shortwave.
Final Point: If youre buying a radio for your office and you use a computer, I suggest you get a good table radio with a remote control, like the Sangean WR-2 or its big brother the Sangean HDR-1, a high-definition radio. I point this out because any radio Ive used within five feet of my computer suffers from horrible interference. Place the WR-2 ($159) or the HDR-1 ($199 after rebate) on a shelf or cabinet six feet away or so and use your remote to toggle between preset stations. In my experience these remote-control-operated radios are well suited for computer environments.
Update 12-31-06: Ive been able to get rid of overcrowding on AM station 980 by turning down the AM/SW RF Gain knob. So I have to give a fifth star to the S350.
On: 2006-06-02
Every house should have a Grundig S350 Deluxe. Big, brawny, "grabbing" in all the hard-to-get stations with ease, championing a big antenna that says this radio means serious business, the Grundig S350 Deluxe version, is a bigger, better version of the old Grundig S350, eliminating some of the "drift" problems of the earlier model. The speaker on the Deluxe is bigger and brighter. Whereas your fancy digital preset radios often sound like tin, the Grundig S350 DL has depth. Is it a perfect radio? No. You dont have presets in spite of the digital read-out. You get a little AM overload. Here in Los Angeles I get overload on 1150 so that Im listening to two shows at once. Also the cheaper (and cheaper built) GE Superradio boasts an internal AM ferrite antenna twice the size and as a result gets slightly better AM.
If youre looking for a radio with similar features as the Grundig S350 DL but erases its weakness--no presets and AM overload, then you might want to check out the Grundig G4000A. Its the same price as the S350 and its speaker is surprisingly good for a digital preset shortwave radio. Or you might look at the stunning Kaito 1103 or its more expensive cousin the Eton E5. But even if you get a fancy preset radio, every house should have the big easy-to-use Grundig S350 Deluxe.
Update: Comparing the S350 to the same-priced G4000 for several months, it becomes clear that the G4000 is a better buy: superior AM, superior separation of AM stations, presets, same warm speaker, and smaller.
On: 2006-05-26
Every house should have a Grundig S350 Deluxe. Big, brawny, "grabbing" in all the hard-to-get stations with ease, championing a big antenna that says this radio means serious business, the Grundig S350 Deluxe version, is a bigger, better version of the old Grundig S350. The speaker on the Deluxe is bigger and brighter. Whereas your fancy digital preset radios often sound like tin, the Grundig S350 DL has depth. Is it a perfect radio? No. You dont have presets in spite of the digital read-out. You get a little AM overload. Here in Los Angeles I get overload on 1150 so that Im listening to two shows at once. Also the cheaper (and cheaper built) GE Superradio boasts an internal AM ferrite antenna twice the size and as a result gets slightly better AM.
If youre looking for a radio with similar features as the Grundig S350 DL but erases its weakness--no presets and AM overload, then you might want to check out the Grundig G4000A. Its the same price as the S350 and its speaker is surprisingly good for a digital preset shortwave radio. Or you might look at the stunning Kaito 1103 or its more expensive cousin the Eton E5. But even if you get a fancy preset radio, every house should have the big easy-to-use Grundig S350 Deluxe.
On: 2006-05-23
"Million-Dollar Looks for $100" - Analog w/digital display receivers do not have the stability of digital phase-locked loop (PLL) receivers.
I opened up the back of the radio, before returning it to RadioShack - it was mostly hollow inside, very cheap, low-grade plastic, and with 1960s-grade electronics. The front filter and band switches and tuning knob are flimsy. When putting the radio back together, I was very careful not to over-tighten/cross-thread the screws, but as soon as, one of the screws started to tighten down, the plastic started to crack. Because of the very cheap quality construction, the radio is very light-out-of-the-box, until the 4 "D" size batteries are inserted.
The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a DX/LOC switch. Even the newer model drifts off the tuned frequency, despite a kludged fix, that only causes ergonomic problems - once a frequency locks on, it still drifts, causing one to have to retune way past the desired frequency, to break the lock. The S350 has significant tuning backlash, which is partly responsible for the frequency drift. There are images all over the SW bands, being a cheap, single-conversion superhet. There are no station memories, so anytime the band selection changes, the radio has to be retuned to the desired frequency. The speaker grill is plastic, the digital readout is low-resolution, the antenna doesnt lock into place, and the carrying handle is cheap, smelly, imitation-leather.
Instead, I bought a Radio Shack AM/FM (for AM DXing) model 12-898 for $25; it has digital PLL tuning (prevents drifting), DX/LOC switch, hi/low tone switch, 3" speaker with metal speaker grill, internal ferrite-bar antenna, lock switch, 20 station memory, almost as sensitive as the S350, and much better quality - even the antenna locks into place.
Dont be fooled by the "Grundig" name - it used to be made in Germany, but is now made in China, by Tecsun/Eton. Check out the Tecsun/Eton brand of this radio on Amazon (same junk), and show, "lowest rating first", also, look at the reviews for Grundig G2000A. Tecsun/Eton is becoming known for marketing jazzy, pretty radios that are poor quality/performers; they bought the rights to market products, under the "Grundig" name, hoping consumers will think they are still made in Germany.
With all that being said, with the restructuring of the 50K watt clear-channel AM stations, in the 1980s, AM DXing is not what it used to be, in the 1960s and 1970s. For example, many stations out West now have to use directional antennas, that cannot be picked up on the East Coast. All the hype about the CCradio, Superadio III, and S350 being, "DX machines", is nonsense, and with the clear-channel situation, certainly not worth the extra expense. With the Radio Shack receiver, I can easily pick up WWL 870 New Orleans (1000 miles), WHO 1040 Des Moines(900 miles), WABC 770 New York, and my favorite, WLW 700 Cincinnati - same as the S350. These stations can easily be picked up with standard car radios.
For just, as little as $30 more, one could purchase the Sony ICF-SW7600GR instead, with digital PLL tuning, dual-conversion, SSB, and synchronous detection; or, for $45 + $20 S&H, off Ebay.com, one could purchase a new Degen 1103 with digital PLL tuning, dual-conversion, and SSB (the S350 has none of the above).
On: 2006-04-04
The old (Silver) Grundig/Eton S-350 is being phased out. (see my review on the S350). The Eton S350DL series is the replacment...For more on this, visit the website of "Passport to World Band Radio" (passband.com) under "Receiver News: Update to Edition 2006" (near bottom of the page).
The S350DL (with headphones eliminated from the package, see S350DLR, S350DLB and S350DLS) will then drop to about the same price as the old S350. Right now, some of the older stock of the S350DL (with headphones still included) is being sold off at cheaper than the normal price...shop around.
I do not own a S350DL, but it has been reported that this model reduces the "drift" problem observed on the S350, and provides STEREO reception through the headphone jack. Perhaps Eton will now offer this radio in more colors, since it is dropping the silver model... a nice "electric blue" or "emergency yellow" like they use on some other models (crank-power and pocket) would go well with the blue display illumination.
On: 2006-03-11
"Million-Dollar Looks for $100" - Analog w/digital display receivers do not have the stability of digital phase-locked loop (PLL) receivers.
I opened up the back of the radio, before returning it to RadioShack - it was mostly hollow inside, very cheap, low-grade plastic, and with 1960s-grade electronics. The front filter and band switches and tuning knob are flimsy. When putting the radio back together, I was very careful not to over-tighten/cross-thread the screws, but as soon as, one of the screws started to tighten down, the plastic started to crack. Because of the very cheap quality construction, the radio is very light-out-of-the-box, until the 4 "D" size batteries are inserted.
The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a DX/LOC switch. Even the newer model drifts off the tuned frequency, despite a kludged fix, that only causes ergonomic problems - once a frequency locks on, it still drifts, causing one to have to retune way past the desired frequency, to break the lock. The S350 has significant tuning backlash, which is partly responsible for the frequency drift. There are images all over the SW bands, being a cheap, single-conversion superhet. There are no station memories, so anytime the band selection changes, the radio has to be retuned to the desired frequency. The speaker grill is plastic, the digital readout is low-resolution, the antenna doesnt lock into place, and the carrying handle is cheap, smelly, imitation-leather.
Instead, I bought a Radio Shack AM/FM (for AM DXing) model 12-898 for $25; it has digital PLL tuning (prevents drifting), DX/LOC switch, hi/low tone switch, 3" speaker with metal speaker grill, internal ferrite-bar antenna, lock switch, 20 station memory, almost as sensitive as the S350, and much better quality - even the antenna locks into place.
Dont be fooled by the "Grundig" name - it used to be made in Germany, but is now made in China, by Tecsun/Eton. Check out the Tecsun/Eton brand of this radio on Amazon (same junk), and show, "lowest rating first", also, look at the reviews for Grundig G2000A. Tecsun/Eton is becoming known for marketing jazzy, pretty radios that are poor quality/performers; they bought the rights to market products, under the "Grundig" name, hoping consumers will think they are still made in Germany.
With all that being said, with the restructuring of the 50K watt clear-channel AM stations, in the 1980s, AM DXing is not what it used to be, in the 1960s and 1970s. For example, many stations out West now have to use directional antennas, that cannot be picked up on the East Coast. All the hype about the CCradio, Superadio III, and S350 being, "DX machines", is nonsense, and with the clear-channel situation, certainly not worth the extra expense. With the Radio Shack receiver, I can easily pick up WWL 870 New Orleans (1000 miles), WHO 1040 Des Moines(900 miles), WABC 770 New York, and my favorite, WLW 700 Cincinnati - same as the S350. These stations can easily be picked up with standard car radios.
For just, as little as $30 more, one could purchase the Sony ICF-SW7600GR instead; it has digital PLL, SSB, and synchronous detection - the ICF-SW7600GR is many times the radio compared to the S350 (Ide be kicking myself, if I was stuck with the S350).
On: 2006-03-10
"Million-Dollar Looks for $100" - Analog w/digital display receivers do not have the stability of digital phase-locked loop (PLL) receivers.
I opened up the back of the radio, before returning it to RadioShack - it was mostly hollow inside, very cheap, low-grade plastic, and with 1960s-grade electronics. The front filter and band switches and tuning knob are flimsy. When putting the radio back together, I was very careful not to over-tighten/cross-thread the screws, but as soon as, one of the screws started to tighten down, the plastic started to crack. Because of the very cheap quality construction, the radio is very light-out-of-the-box, until the 4 "D" size batteries are inserted.
The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a DX/LOC switch. Even the newer model drifts off the tuned frequency, despite a kludged fix, that only causes ergonomic problems - once a frequency locks on, it still drifts, causing one to have to retune way past the desired frequency, to break the lock. The S350 has significant tuning backlash, which is partly responsible for the frequency drift. There are images all over the SW bands, being a cheap, single-conversion superhet. There are no station memories, so anytime the band selection changes, the radio has to be retuned to the desired frequency. The speaker grill is plastic, the digital readout is low-resolution, the antenna doesnt lock into place, and the carrying handle is cheap, smelly, imitation-leather.
Instead, I bought a Radio Shack AM/FM (for AM DXing) model 12-898 for $25; it has digital PLL tuning (prevents drifting), DX/LOC switch, hi/low tone switch, 3" speaker with metal speaker grill, internal ferrite-bar antenna, lock switch, 20 station memory, almost as sensitive as the S350, and much better quality - even the antenna locks into place.
Dont be fooled by the "Grundig" name - it used to be made in Germany, but is now made in China, by Tecsun/Eton. Check out the Tecsun/Eton brand of this radio on Amazon (same junk), and show, "lowest rating first", also, look at the reviews for Grundig G2000A. Tecsun/Eton is becoming known for marketing jazzy, pretty radios that are poor quality/performers; they bought the rights to market products, under the "Grundig" name, hoping consumers will think they are still made in Germany.
With all that being said, with the restructuring of the 50K watt clear-channel AM stations, in the 1980s, AM DXing is not what it used to be, in the 1960s and 1970s. For example, many stations out West now have to use directional antennas, that cannot be picked up on the East Coast. All the hype about the CCradio, Superadio III, and S350 being, "DX machines", is nonsense, and with the clear-channel situation, certainly not worth the extra expense. With the Radio Shack receiver, I can easily pick up WWL 870 New Orleans (1000 miles), WHO 1040 Des Moines(900 miles), WABC 770 New York, and my favorite, WLW 700 Cincinnati - same as the S350. These stations can easily be picked up with standard car radios.
For just, as little as $30 more, one could purchase the Sony ICF-SW7600GR instead; it has digital PLL, SSB, and synchronous detection - the ICF-SW7600GR is many times the radio compared to the S350 (Ide be kicking myself, if I was stuck with the S350).
On: 2005-09-28
I read reviews for a few hours online looking for a radio that had excellent FM and AM reception. This was supposed to be one of the best. The picture looked great and the switches and dials looked like brushed metal with a stamped metal body. Grundig is a well respected name of solid German manufacturing.
This radio was a disappointment right out of the box. The weight was light, the body, switches and dials were light plastic and felt as if they would break easily. And I was shipped a radio branded as an "Eton" instead of a Grundig which I understand is the same company, so perhaps that doesnt matter, but I still felt like I was shipped something I didnt order.
Reception:
I bought this because I live in New York City and have a place deep in the Catskill mountains in a steep valley. Both have their reception challenges. The challenge in the city is interference with other stations. The callenge in the country is no reception at all.
My city experience:
In the city I have a 25 year old JVC dedicated stereo tuner I got at a tag sale for $10 with a piece of speaker wire coming out the back for an antenna. I get my favorite independent stations (the ones in the high 80s and low 90s) but with a lot of static and agressive positioning of the speaker wire depending on the station, if the Nigerian cab drivers are talking over a similar frequency or if the fire station behind my apartment is radioing in a call. My other radio is my car radio, which works better than the stereo component tuner. I figured a $150 portable radio would beat both of these. WRONG! This expensive piece of junk does not recieve my favorite station WFMU 91.1 FM AT ALL! Nothing but static, not even a hint of speaking voices or music. It does get my other favorite station NPR 93.9 FM but the interference with a salsa station a few ticks up the dial is so bad that I have to listen to All Things Considered with accompanyment of congas and timpany.
My country experience:
Now this is marketed as a "field" radio. Maybe it works better in the "fields" and was never intended to work among the crowded airwaves of the USAs most densely populated city. I will use it this weekend and see. Ill update this review next week.
For now, I have nothing good to say about this radio. If I find that in the country I get a full range of stations, I might keep it. But if I had to choose right now, Id send it back. With a nasty note to boot.
On: 2005-09-27
I read reviews for a few hours online looking for a radio that had excellent FM and AM reception. This was supposed to be one of the best. The picture looked great and the switches and dials looked like brushed metal with a stamped metal body. Grundig is a well respected name of solid German manufacturing.
This radio was a disappointment right out of the box. The weight was light, the body, switches and dials were light plastic and felt as if they would break easily. And I was shipped a radio branded as an "Eton" instead of a Grundig which I understand is the same company, so perhaps that doesnt matter, but I still felt like I was shipped something I didnt order.
Reception:
I bought this because I live in New York City and have a place deep in the Catskill mountains in a steep valley. Both have their reception challenges. The challenge in the city is interference with other stations. The callenge in the country is no reception at all.
My city experience:
In the city I have a 25 year old JVC dedicated stereo tuner I got at a tag sale for $10 with a piece of speaker wire coming out the back for an antenna. I get my favorite independent stations (the ones in the high 80s and low 90s) but with a lot of static and agressive positioning of the speaker wire depending on the station, if the Nigerian cab drivers are talking over a similar frequency or if the fire station behind my apartment is radioing in a call. My other radio is my car radio, which works better than the stereo component tuner. I figured a $150 portable radio would beat both of these. WRONG! This expensive piece of junk does not recieve my favorite station WFMU 91.1 FM AT ALL! Nothing but static, not even a hint of speaking voices or music. It does get my other favorite station NPR 93.9 FM but the interference with a salsa station a few ticks up the dial is so bad that I have to listen to All Things Considered with accompanyment of congas and timpany.
My country experience:
Now this is marketed as a "field" radio. Maybe it works better in the "fields" and was never intended to work among the crowded airwaves of the USAs most densely populated city. I will use it this weekend and see. Ill update this review next week.
For now, I have nothing good to say about this radio. If I find that in the country I get a full range of stations, I might keep it. But if I had to choose right now, Id send it back. With a nasty note to boot.
On: 2005-06-30
The S350 DL Deluxe is essentially an upgraded version of the popular Grundig S350, which features analog tuning with a digital read-out. The improvements on the Deluxe version are as follows: Longer telescopic antenna, an AFC switch for FM to grab stronger stations over the weaker ones; the elimination of "drift" whereby the station "drifts" away from the chosen station; a bigger stereo speaker; and the ability to listen to stereo with the included very nice headphones.
The question for many will be is it worth the extra fifty dollars for the deluxe version. For me the answer is yes. I want stereo and I want the elimination of drift.
As the owner of both the regular S350 and the deluxe version, I can say that both are nearly identical in AM/FM reception. What stands out in the deluxe radio is the brighter stereo sound. In the case of both radios, what really shines is the FM reception. The S350, in both versions, grabs everything on the FM dial.
The internal ferrite AM antenna is such that to improve AM reception, you need to angle the radio, moving it left or right, until you find the sweet spot. Its pretty easy and is a normal procedure for all the dozen radios I own, whether they be digital or analog.
If youre looking for a similarly priced radio with digital tuning and presets, you might want to check out the Tivoli Songbook. Youll be getting a beautiful sound and an attractive package. But while the Tivoli gets above average reception, its still not quite as strong on FM as the Grundig S350.
For a cheapter alternative, fifty dollars will buy you a Degen DE1107, which I assume will be eventually released as a Kaito 1107. Its an analog radio that presumably has the best FM reception, tied with its digital cousin the Degen/Kaito 1103, and has a decent speaker. You might want to check that out as youre getting similar performance as the Grundig for a hundred dollars less.
Postscript: For those who are disappointed with this radio and have dismissed it in their reviews, may I suggest that some environmental factors, like interference, can be so insurmountable that no radio can overcome them.
Update: AM stations 980 and 1150 overload and bring in two stations at once. Highly annoying. Lack of separation and filter. Maybe AM is "too good." My Kaito 1103 has excellent separation and gets these stations with no overload.
|
|
