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I wake up exclusively to classical music and this radio sounds much much better than cheap units and even some of the more expensive clock radios sold at stores like Best Buy. is a bit slower than I would like. Looks nice too - I recommend getting it in black. Usability is good, although the process for selecting and then modifying features (setting the alarm etc).
I have had it for a month with no problems. I will mention that I do not use this radio for extended music listening; I use it solely as an alarm clock and bought it pretty much to upgrade the sound when the alarm goes off. Also, I think Boston should upgrade the screen to a higher resolution full color screen. For some time, I wanted to replace my $10 Timex clock radio (horrible audio quality) with something better, but I did not want to spend a fortune. I auditioned the Boston and immediately liked its low distortion and rather warm sound. The Boston pulls these stations in very well and is able to pull in a few more that I cannot get with my NAD receiver - so I am satisfied with the FM tuner. Nonetheless, controls are reasonably intuitive.
It works very well in this capacity and I am quite happy with it. I am a recovering audiophile and still can't quite overcome my need for high quality sound. I live in an area where FM reception is almost impossible, and I only get two stations with any kind of clarity. One small issue for me is that the LED panel is only in blue with blue numbers, and I would like to be able to dim the screen more than allowed by the unit.
The Boston Accoustics rep in New Jersey are RUDE beyond compare. Letters and calls to the company were ignored. The "helpful" company representative instructed me to turn the alarm off to resolve the problem. I had to send the unit for repairs in Iowa 3 times. The "back up" feature that works in a power failure but doesn't require a battery failed me this morning and I was several hours late for work.
Then the problems started. It was returned dirty each time and with something else not working. The last time it was returnd the alarm would not automatically shut off as it was supposed to and I would come home from work with it still playing. All the wonderful feature sound great and I hope they work for you, but I will never buy another product from this company again. I was so excited about this radio and loved it for the first 3 months.
Apparently a man who owns a storage unit business repairs them in his back room. Made me feel so happy I had spent over $100 dollars for such a dependable product.
I have a Bose Companion 3 and it sounds much better. The bass is somewhat boomy and not punchy, if that makes any sense. I also had the Horizon Solo, it did not have this problem, however, it was returned because the volume would not turn up past 23 on the 0 - 50 scale.The radio is fine otherwise. So I wouldn't recommend this radio if you like listening to talk radio. I returned the first radio, but the second one acted the same. There is a lot of hum in the lower am frequencies such as 650 kHz. The humming lessens as you go up the am dial. FM and AUX sound good but not great.
This radio is realy good it picks up all the stations that I need. and Sounds even better.No outlet on back.
So, in ordering the new Duo I also ordered a Terk high-gain FM antenna to use with the Duo.I set up the Duo using its own FM antenna initially (a mono-pole or single-wire antenna that is about five feet long). Each successive touch gives you five more minutes.A full data sheet and a very well written user manual are on the BA website at:http://www.bostonacoustics.com/Duo-AMFM-Stereo-Radio--P208.aspxIt is available in a model with an iPod dock for a small increment in price. It is easily the best I have ever seen. AM and FM reception is poor. The antenna was draped along and down the side of a table. The location is about 25 miles from a major metropolitan area although in a valley. The bass speakers port out the back of the unit. The Terk is helping another radio.The sound quality is superb, better than many micro-stereos I have heard.
The maximum brightness is itself adjustable through the mode control.The clock and alarms are easily set and adjusted. Reception with its own antennas on both AM and FM is incredible. The bass and treble controls can further adapt the tone if needed.The radio has 3 sets of five presets - FM1, FM2, AM.The controls are very intuitive and well thought out. The brightness automatically dims from maximum as the room darkens. The "sleep" control is the entire outer metallic rim of the front of the radio.
For example: Pressing a preset button on either the radio or the remote will turn on the radio if needed and tune in the preset. I am using the Duo's own external FM and internal AM antennas. Three simple knobs control almost all functions - the mode, power/volume, and tuning knobs.The Duo replaced an old radio that was made by another manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. Touch it once gives you ten minutes. Reception was OK but had some static. The "trio" is the duo plus a CD player; it is considerably more expensive than the duo. NO static.
The design is attractive, elegant, and functional. The old radio was connected to an indoor FM dipole antenna. The Terk antenna did improve weak stations a bit although it created too-strong a signal on already-strong stations. I recommend the duo with no hesitation. More than I was willing to pay. The Boston Acoustics Duo is an incredible clock radio. We frequently had to rearrange the FM antenna to improve reception.
Successive pushes of the preset button cycle FM1 - FM2 - AM and back, always tuning in the preset associated with the button being pushed.The display is a very pleasing off-white characters on a blue background.
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