Sangean AM/FM Stereo/SW Digital Tuning Worldband Radio

a nice radio and top rated by Radio Netherland

here are my nitpicks:

1. LCD backlight only stays on for 7 seconds

2. 1KHz tuning increment setting is inconvenient (you have to push in and turn the rotary knob first, and it only lasts for one tuning session)

3. too few SW memory settings

4. the back stand is useless unless you use the radio while sitting at a desk a much better approach is to take an 8x10 sheet of plexiglass, heat and bend to make a stand so the radio sits more upright for use...

5. the build feels 'flimsy' as the radio doesn't have a solid feel

6. there is a discernable (1-second) delay when entering digits in the direct-access keypad you'll need to get used to the delay, and the keys require more pressure than you'd expect for a keypad..

7. battery life is not great

I did a lot of research before buying the Sangean 505 and must say, now that I own it, that I'm disappointed on two fronts: the cheap plastic feel of the radio and its weak AM reception. I live in LA and the Sangean 505 gives me a weak signal for a major AM radio station 790. The internal AM antenna is such that I have to turn my radio far south to get the aforementioned station. There are the radio's strong points: clear speaker, strong FM reception, easy-to-use presets. My Sony SW35 has clearer AM reception, a more solid feel, but alas, has a tinny speaker, so I can't recommend that either. In contrast, my Grundig S35, which has no pre-sets and relies on a spin dial tuning system, gets strong AM and FM reception though it is the size of a lunch box. For digital tuners with presets, I'm still looking for a portable radio that delivers good speaker and strong AM reception. I may have to start looking at two-hundred-dollar models, such as the Sangean 909.

Post Script: Several weeks later I have found the radio I wanted Sangean 505 to be: The Kaito 1102, which gets great AM radio, has stronger FM than the Sangean, is smaller, and costs significantly less. To save even more money, the Kaito clone, the Degen 1102, costs another 15% less but arrives with only a Chinese operating manual.

Update: The Kaito 1103, in spite of its ergonomical difficulties, is the uncontested king of FM reception with above average AM reception. Ironically, the cheap GE Superradio III is the king of AM reception, largely because it has an 8-inch internal ferrite AM antenna, twice the size of any other radio.

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Hi folks its Vince the Radioman . I have a large collection of radios and I love to do compares and share my thoughts. The ATS 909 and 606 , if you've seen my reviews are great buys and probably Sangeans best radios. The 505 is a very good buy for someone who want Single Side Band and can't spend a large amount of money .The 505 is the least expensive radio out there with side band and fine tuning( 1kh increments). The overall construction and quality of the build is ok at best and the radio is a little top heavy and bulky . The tuner sensativity is far better than the Grundig yb400 on AM and FM but on SW the 505 is about equal on its best day. The step down to 1 kh tuning is inconvenient where you need to push in the tuning dial to go to the fine tuning mode. The dynamic range and selectivity is good but the ATS 606 blows this radio away, same price , but the 606 has no SSB. The new Eton E 10 ( probably the best of the new Eton line for the money) also blows it away but no SSB. So , if you want SSB and a fairly decent radio for a low price this is a no brainer. If you want a mid-sized and priced radio for AM/SW and FM get the Eton E 10 or the SONY SW35 or the Sangean ATS 606.

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I purchased this radio after buying and using a Grundig G-2000A for about a year. The Sangean is a little larger, with perhaps a three inch speaker versus a two inch speaker for the Grundig. The Grundig has only moderately good sound quality for AM and FM. This Sangean has surprisingly good sound quality on AM and FM, particularly for a radio this size. I put it in our kitchen, and when someone is down there playing it I noticed that I can hear it upstairs and the sound is really like a much bigger radio with a larger speaker. The sound is clear and has very good tonal quality and richness. This Sangean has settings for both music and voice programs. Tuning and reception are also good. The Grundig is kind of a battery hog, that will run down in around three weeks with moderate use. The Sangean has better battery life with similar use, although I think using the shortwave bands seems to be a greater drain on the batteries of both radios. If you haven't used a shortwave radio before be prepared for a booming and fading pattern of the sound. Both radios have this quality, and it is a characteristic of shortwave transmission. You are likely to find that this will detract from your listening satisfaction with some programs, but again, I would have to give the nod to the Sangean for overall quality on the shortwave tuning and sound. With either radio you certainly can listen to some stations you have never heard on AM and FM. I was listening to a station in Florida one night and then when I changed channels some, I was surprised to find that a Cuban station was coming in pretty clearly. The Sangean also has a small light that changes color to help you determine the strength of radio signals as you adjust the tuning knob to find stations. This Sangean is quite a nice radio, and I think most radio fans will like it.

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I love this little radio. I was looking for an inexpensive world radio to fool around with. I looked at various sony, grundig, and sangean radios. I chose this one because of the price, features (lots of presets, digital tuner, range of bands), and some solid reviews. Now that I own the radio myself, I couldn't be happier. I work in an office full of electronic equipment, an d the building is build into the side of a hill. My office is 1/2 below grade and radio reception is bad. This radio can pickup many stations that I previously thought were unreachable from my desk. The sound is really amazing for such a small radio. It's rich and full (a nice pair of headphones lets you enjoy the fm stereo). Battery life is wonderful, plus the ac adapter was included. The radio feels solid and well made. Also, the included protective pouch is a nice thing to have when transporting or storing the radio. I would recomend this radio to anyone.