AM/FM Compact Analog Portable Radio (Black)

If you're looking for an easy to use, simple AM/FM radio with excellent performance, you should definitely consider the PR-D6BU from Sangean. This radio still uses an actual analog tuning capacitor, as opposed to the DSP based designs nearly all other radios have moved to. The result is a radio that tunes as you'd expect an analog tuner to work, without the "notchy" tuning behavior seen in competing radios. Don't let the compact size and small rubber antenna fool you. This radio is very sensitive and reasonably selective. It's also extremely easy to use, with easily understood basic controls. Beyond the tuner, volume and power/bandswitch controls, there are only two more controls for separate bass and treble adjustments. While the headphone jack is wired to play through both speakers of a stereo headset, this radio does not receive FM stereo broadcasts. Battery life seems quite good. It's still going strong on the same set of batteries I put in when I bought it several months ago. The only feature I'd consider adding to this set would be a dial light.

Sangean held up to all the rave reviews I read. The sound clarity for the size of this radio is way beyond acceptable. Tunes in lots and lots of stations and holds the signal. Also LOVE that this radio has treble and bass dials. You can listen to talk stations and distinctly discern what is being said, and then dial back the treble and add some bass for music. Can't ask for more in a reasonably priced portable radio. What a great value for the money!

This is a cute radio. A bit retro. It feels solid overall, but the controls feel very flimsy and cheap. The sound is fantastic. Clear, with a lot of volume. The tone controls can fine tune it to your own liking. Control layout bothers me a bit. Tuning and Volume are on opposite sides. I would prefer they be on the same side. May just be a personal preference. The tuning knob has some play and tuning is a bit stiff. You can jiggle the tuning knob and it has no effect on the dial. And tuning feels quite stiff overall and a challenge to fine tune to stations. Would have preferred it be a smoother tuning mechanism. I was lucky and got the radio at a really attractive price (quite a bit lower than standard). I feel okay with the radio at the price I paid. But at the regular price, I think I would feel it's lacking a bit. The screw-in FM antenna is a strange quirk. It seems to get great reception, but it's always extended unless you actually remove it. I think I would prefer a standard telescoping whip antenna. All-in-all if you're looking for a sturdy portable basic radio this can fit the bill.

It's very common that when you turn on an analog AM/FM radio with the volume all the way down, you hear a slight hiss coming from the speaker(s). It's simply from the electronics being on, and is called the "noise floor". With most radios, it's that normal, quiet, smooth hiss that is hard to hear if you're more than a foot away. Not so with the PR-D6. It's absolutely horrible. With the radio on, and volume all the way down, you're treated to a loud, rough and scratchy noise floor that sounds like the cheapest electronics possible were used. It's easily heard from three feet away using AM, FM, antenna on, antenna off, inside the house, outside the house... doesn't matter. It's the radio itself making the noise. If you then turn up the volume to a low listening level, the noise from the electronics is still so loud that it's almost equal to the signal. Just want to make sure that sinks in to anyone reading... a slightly bigger than pocket-sized radio that's perfect for playing at low volume close to you, and you can't because the noise floor is so bad. You could if you had to, but it would suck. This is most definitely NOT due to any kind of external interference like RFI, EMI, or weather conditions affecting the signal. It's the PR-D6 making the noise all by itself. I have decades of experience with many analog, and digital AM/FM radios, guitar amps, PA systems, recording studio equipment, and also have radios sitting next to me right this minute that do not make this noise. It's a shame because this is a very nice looking radio, has good sound for a little handheld thing, the bass and treble controls actually work and are an excellent feature, the dial indicator is calibrated well, good sensitivity and selectivity, feels sturdy and weighty, etc. It has everything going for it! But the noise level of whatever crappy components used inside truly bring the PR-D6 from what should've been a 5 star review, and a good value at the price, to a 2 star review, and not worth what I paid. This is a real disappointment, and frustrating since this was to be a late Christmas gift to someone who appreciates radios. I am not setting my expectations too high as I have cheaper radios with a normal noise floor. My only hope is that I got a defective unit that can be replaced with a good one. But if they're all like this, I'll be returning it for something else.

Sweet, sweet, and a most excellent radio! The Sangean put a huge smile on my face when I turned it on for the first time. Wow is all I can say about this compact AM FM radio! Features I like about this radio: Bass and Treble controls! yes..finally. A Pure Analog Tuning Experience. White lettering on Black Dial. Very easy to read. FM Reception is through the roof! AM Reception is fantastically good. Removable antenna. DC input. FM Stereo while using headphones! Stop the presses :) Speaker audio is very strong and sounds sweet with the extra bass/treble controls. Headphone audio is a wonderful experience with the addition of the bass/treble controls. Features that could be improved on or added: Carrying handle, vs strap. include AC adapter on all models. Power LED indicator. Aux In jack. Top or back lit dial...that would look amazing. Silver paint treatment needs protection. Dial tuner could be less stiff. Overall, I would choose this radio over my Sony 506, 19 and Panasonic 2400...main reason is the bass/treble controls, they work so well and make the smaller speaker sound so good. Did I mention Sangean thought about putting FM Stereo as a feature on the headphone jack? Killer! This radio is a must buy..fantastic.

Nice analog AM tuner with pleasant tone quality. Compact design. Non slip rubber feet. Durable, removable rubber FM antenna. Used to listen to the morning news on AM when I get ready for work and FM music in the evening when I prepare dinner. Good reception and easy to tune. Recommended for someone who prefers analog tuning and likes the reminiscent appearance of classic old time radios with a top mounted faceted tuning dial.

Small powerful and clear.

This radio sounds great but it takes more effort than it should to tune it. If you open it, you can see that the tuning knob shaft twists a bit in it's mounting before it overcomes internal friction and the dial starts to move. This would have been unacceptable in earlier generations of "premium" analog radios. Nice electrical engineering, disappointing mechanical engineering.