How to choose a radio for home

At the end of the last century, a home radio was considered a sign of wealth in the family, but this very successful hybrid tape recorder and radio is still in demand by some consumers.

Views, pros and cons

Modern radio receivers are divided into different types, depending on individual functionality:

1. Devices with a CD are capable of reproducing any information recorded on laser discs.
2. Portable class flash players can play any files from a flash drive or recorded on a memory card. They are lightweight and compact, because the design is without a disk and a bulky drive, and there is no cassette deck.
3. Combined version with USB input - can read the necessary information from cassettes, disks and memory cards.

Radio cassettes are tuned to receive urban radio stations operating in the 75-108 MHz band, in this they are similar to cassette recorders. Models with an extended range allow you to receive all existing frequencies, as well as VHF and HF, where users can listen to foreign radio stations.

The tuner for searching for radio stations can be digital or manual, the first option has significant advantages, because the search is performed automatically and only stations with no interference are turned on. The digital tuner is able to memorize the frequency and enter it into the device’s memory, then the user only needs to press the button and the music will play immediately without searching again.

The memory capacity of different models is very different, so you should pay attention to this when buying - it is better to choose a product that can store at least 20 stations. A more expensive and powerful technique that supports the RDS system can not only stably receive signals from different radio stations, but also display the name or music genre typical of it.

Power

An important feature of modern products is compactness; the portable radio does not have a lot of power, but even at 10-20 W for each speaker it is capable of producing good sound without interference even at maximum volume. The only drawback of such devices is the high price, so users with limited financial capabilities choose a budget option with parameters no higher than 5-6 watts.

Most radio tape recorders give low frequencies poorly, so lovers of juicy bass should pay attention to the presence of special systems to enhance your favorite frequencies. The home radio is capable of reproducing sound not only from cassettes, but also from CDs; Only more expensive models can read MP3 files.

How to choose the right

Radio receivers vary widely in sound quality - the presence of one speaker tells the user that the device reproduces sound in mono mode, which is not very suitable for fans of the “surround” sound. A portable radio with good sound and two high-quality speakers is capable of playing music tracks in stereo format, and if they can be disconnected and positioned at an appropriate angle, you can enjoy a more voluminous sound.

In addition, you should pay attention to the types of media that the device recognizes, the formats reproduced by the radio, the type of tuner, output power, and the presence of additional functions. When you decide on the necessary characteristics, you can choose the color and design.

Audio media in modern products use the following types:

• small-width magnetic cassettes - capable of playing music recorded on them for 60 or 90 minutes;
• CD-R, CD-RW discs provide high-quality sound - 73 minutes;
• DVDs - 4 GB, so you can listen to up to 1000 songs and not change the media;
• the most capacious are memory cards and flash drives, they record not only music files, but also other necessary information.

Almost all portable models are equipped with a USB input.

Modern radios today are equipped with:

• standard headphone jack;
• a system for recording music or broadcasts from a radio to a USB flash drive;
• remote control for convenient remote control;
• a timer to set the on / off time of the product;
• built-in microphone;
• for hours;
• low frequency amplifier;
• multi-band equalizer to adjust the sound;
• large display that displays time, song in Latin, digital value of the radio station;
• Convenient carrying handle or shoulder strap.

Many users purchase a budget cassette player to listen to music while working on a personal plot, and high-end models have a karaoke function.

Users should remember that all of the above functionalities affect the final cost of the device, but make the operation of the radio more comfortable.

Rating of the best models

BBK BS03BT

Portable stereo flash player with 6W output power, supports FM band; Performs MP3 functions, stores up to 60 stations. There is a display, USB Type A interface, supports Bluetooth, SD / MMC. Net weight of only 790 g, a convenient handle for carrying.

The radio tape recorder is perfectly equipped, due to which it qualitatively reproduces audio files from any source. To expand the memory, there is a slot for inserting an SD card. Manufacturers took care of the remote control so that the user could amplify the sound or find a favorite station without getting up from a comfortable armchair or sofa. It is made in China.

SUPRA BB-M102UB

A stereo radio with an output power of 6 watts, capable of storing up to 20 radio stations and loading them into memory, the CD player provides MP3 playback. Chinese engineers guarantee good operation for a year if all the requirements described in the instructions are met.

The built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 1100 mAh ensures autonomous operation for 3 hours, the AC 100V-240V power adapter is included. When connected via a USB output for charging, it provides 5V and 0.5A. The radio tape recorder has relatively small dimensions of 300x115x83 mm and a mass of not more than one kilogram.

BBK BS05

The radio with USB / SD is quite compact and convenient to use; it can play MP3, WMA, as well as files from flash media; when connecting SD cards via USB input, the memory capacity is expanded. The PLL digital tuner provides stable reception of any radio station in the FM / AM bands. The radio has a power of 2.4 watts and allows users to listen to audio from external media.

The device is used as an alarm clock, and the melody can be set from MP3 files or from any radio station. There is a function "Sleep mode", which turns off the radio after a specified time. By plugging in your headphones, you can listen to music without disturbing other family members. Warranty 12 months, made in China.

Hyundai H-PAS220 / H-PAS240

A radio tape recorder from South Korean specialists with a power of 6 W is capable of playing audio files from flash drives and SD cards, there is a radio on board and a jack for connecting a portable player or headphones.

It has a rather original design and a lateral arrangement of broadband stereo speakers that perfectly reproduce high and low frequencies.

A large LCD with excellent backlighting displays the current time and information about the selected music track. The Chinese model has its own battery with a capacity of 600 mA / h.

Hyundai H-PAS140 / H-PAS160

6 W output power, built-in removable Li-Ion battery, BL-4C brand with a capacity of 600 mA / h, audio format - MP3, FM tuner provides electronic control. On the side panel there is an LCD display, which displays the information necessary for the user, as well as the clock. There is a standard 3.5 mm headphone input and an SD / MMC connector.

The best-priced radio among the presented models will appeal to retro lovers who have nostalgia for such devices with a convenient handle and a retractable antenna. The product was developed by engineers from South Korea, but the assembly takes place in China, a guarantee of 12 months.

findings

Receivers are a reminder of youth for the older generation, but today they have excellent functionality and high-quality sound. Given the large assortment of similar products, choosing a decent option will not be difficult, you just need to carefully read the technical parameters.