- Wired or wireless connection
- Infrared remote control
- Large, easy to read 3 line display
- High quality full-range stereo speakers
- Play your music collection from your computer
I have just recently purchased a Sangean WFR-20. Here are my initial thoughts. (I will update this posting with additional information, if necessary).
Sound Quality: Good dynamic response for such a small unit, at both low and high volume levels. The unit has a reflex port on the rear which boosts the bass. There is also a noticeably good stereo separation on high bit-rate streams (e.g Radio Paradise).
Build Quality: Heavy duty case**, very solid and sturdy construction. My only minor criticism is that the 'tuning' knob is slightly wobbly, and taints an otherwise robust design.
Software Quality: The radio uses the Reciva software. This is reliable, but seems a tad buggy. For example, when attempting to load "My Stations" while simultaneously listening to a Podcast, it displays a menu load error; Of course, this is not a fault of the WFR-20 itself, and I am certain that firmware quirks like this will eventually be resolved by future `online' firmware upgrades. The Reciva website is easy to use, and I had no problem registering and setting up my radio's station, stream and podcast lists. The Reciva forums are also a good source of information, for example if you have questions regarding setup, connection to Premium streams etc ...
Usability: I found the navigation of the menu system to be straight-forward, using either the `tuning' knob or the remote control. The instructions are almost redundant because the menu system is quite intuitive. The three line display is sufficient to browse station/tracks lists and the horizontal scrolling feature effectively allows long track names to be displayed. That said, I am aware that some less tech-savvy users might disagree with this analysis; the radio's features are not quite as simple as a normal table-top FM/DAB unit, and the display is not what I would consider to be large, or crystal clear. So beware if your fingers are a little stiff, or your eyesight is a little tired,
Connectivity: I had no problems setting up the WFR-20, on our home network. I use a WRT54G Linksys with WEP in B/G mixed mode. After initial configuration I was able to instantly access, browse and play Internet Radio stations and access my WAV encoded music library (Twonkymedia on an NSLU2).
Cost: The WFR-20 is what I would consider to be an expensive unit, when compared to other Reciva based radios. Shop around, because you may find a bargain!
Conclusion:
I am very happy with the WFR-20. It provides me the access to the BBC listen again/on demand streams, which is the primary reason for the purchase. While expensive, the sound quality is better than I expected and the unit has a definite quality feel ... reminiscent of early transistor radios in Bakelite cases! I would recommend the WFR-20 as a good WiFi table-top radio, with any caveats previously mentioned. Internet Radio is still in its early stages, and I would consider this to be a great table-top radio to enjoy the new technology!
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** Regarding the case material: I believed this to be plastic when I first wrote the review, however I stand corrected! (Please see first comment). 11/22/07
Buy Sangean WFR-20 WiFi Internet Radio & Media Player Now
This internet radio does well what it is advertised to do. It took me five minutes to set it up to work with my Linksys wireless router. I was able to save a large number of favorite stations as "My Stuff" after registering the radio at the Reciva Radio Portal. The single button/dial system is not difficult to use and, at night-time, in the dark, offers advantages over multi-button sytems.
Pros: Ease of use and set up; the Reciva linked system which enables easy access to thousands of radio stations and streams without having to use a computer; Real audio enabled, which the Roku R1000 is not, allowing listening to many streams, especially great BBC on demand streams, that cannot be picked up the Roku R1000.
Cons:
1. Low power speakers will be sufficient for many listeners,but audiophiles will want to connect higher powered speakers, i.e. Logitech or Creative, via the auxilliary line out.
2. Does not accept DRM protected files. This deficiency is clearly stated in literature about the radio, and was, thus, not unexpected. Thus, Napster, and other media service files cannot be played on the radio. I do not think there is any device that plays both DRM protected files and Real audio streams, thus, when purchasing internet radio devices, it is necessary to choose between a device such as the Roku R1000, that plays premium service files, but has limited radio stream access, and a device such as the WFR-20 that does not play premium service files, but has extensive radio stream access. This is probably the most difficult decision that any purchase of these devices has to make. Since I enjoy listening to on-demand BBC streams, I opted for the for the WFR-20. I may one day add on a Roku M1000-like device so as to be able to access Napster, especially if Reciva does not add access to DRM streams, as they are, apparently, trying to do. The WFR-20 is not the right device for someone uninterested in international radio broadcasts seeking a device to wirelessly play their premium service playlists/downloads.
3. The clock is only visible consistently when the radio is in standby mode (off).
4. It would be nice if Reciva expanded the genres, eliminated radio stations that failed their listening tests, and subdivided the US stations by state.
5. Some reviewers on the internet have complained that this radio does not pick up analog AM/FM radio stations. I do not see this as a disadvantage. The internet radio probably picks up the local stations digitally via the internet better than most analog radios can pick them up, and a much less expensive conventional radio can be used to pick these stations up.
It can be useful, when looking for reviews, to know that the Sangean WFR-20 is the same as the Roberts WM-201 internet radio. The Roberts name is used in the United Kingdom, and the Sangean name is used elsewhere, including in continental Europe. Although the manual has pictures of the radio with 220 voltage input, the radio, as sold from Amazon in the U.S. has the U.S. 120 voltage input.
Read Best Reviews of Sangean WFR-20 WiFi Internet Radio & Media Player Here
This is a revised review after a month's use; I'm less pleased than I was. Although I still think it's a good product for many uses, I regret that I didn't return it while I still had a chance to do so.
One issue is that the radio has a very hard time connecting with BBC world service. This is one of the stations I most wanted to listen to (because it is no longer broadcast to North America), but I haven't been able to connect to it for over two weeks. The sangean/reciva combination will sit there "retrying" for an hour with no success. But I have no difficulty connecting with my computer. So the problem is with Sangean or with reciva. There is a sluggishness, an uncompetitiveness about the machine; it seems that it puts in a request about once every 5 seconds, and when refused it goes through a long slow checklist before it tries again. In any case the performance is poor. If you expect to want to listen to popular stations, this is probably not the right product.
Another issue, widely noted, is that the sangean/reciva system is rather buggy. "Internal error 1104" is a pretty common sight when you try to change the station, and the radio freezes up for 20 or 30 seconds. This freezing-up is a frequent occurrence (not always accompanied by an internal error). It can be annoying if all you wanted to do is lower the volume. If the knob is occupied waiting for the radio to reset itself or update itself, you just have to wait.
I'm thinking now that the better option might be the clunky old-fashioned one of running the internet radio through the computer. Sometimes I think that internet radio is never going to work, or that what will be permitted will be profoundly unfree, but other times I think that its triumph is inevitable. Who knows? It's a cool technology and a cool gadget. But I miss the subversiveness of short wave, and the straightforward jamming of unwelcome thoughts.
Want Sangean WFR-20 WiFi Internet Radio & Media Player Discount?
I ordered this radio after doing a great deal of on-line research, frustrated that American retail electronics stores for the most part don't stock internet radios, thus leaving consumers without an opportunity for in-store inspections. The radio arrived this afternoon, I had it configured within minutes of opening the box, and it's playing splendidly in the background as I write this. The sound quality is much better than I expected for this size unit (though I'd hoped for good sound given this price). Another pleasant surprise is that the navigation is much simpler than I'd expected, given the solitary knob that controls everything. AND, this radio performs much better as a media streamer than most products currently on the market for that purpose. After fooling around with radio stations for a while, I started streaming music from my immense collection on a hard drive in another part of the house -One selling point is that the Sangean can play lossless files in the FLAC format -On the whole, this item surpassed all my expectations.
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Its already been accurately said; Sealed FedEx box to listening to the BBC in 5 minutes or less. In 10 minutes I'd checked out a few Irish FM stations and some beautiful bluegrass music.
My earliest memories of radio are of listening to my dad talking to 'Eskimo's' on shortwave radio and the shiver of a cold war. It took me years to understand that the artic wasn't like Disney and that igloos weren't melting all over their radios. Now both the war and ice sheets are thawing and the hobby of listening to the world via shortwave is drastically changing, if not also melting away.
The good news is Voice of Russia, Deutsche Welle (Germany), Swiss Radio, National Public Radio, WSM, and thousands of others are alive and well on the internet.
Here's what I've found out about the Sangean WRF-20:
Pros:
Its simple to operate for anybody who's ever opened a file folder on a computer; very Intuitive.
Breaking news in a country or town, you might be able to tune in to their local news and get it first hand.
Have you ever listened to traditional music from China? Rock from the Netherlands or Belgium? The defiance of Cuba? Heres your chance.
It's smaller than picture looks, and a handsome unit
I've read reviews complaining about too few buttons. If 1 works, and 1 does, 2 would be too many. Zen baby.
I really like the remote, though it's small and could be trouble for a home with kids and a playful puppy. I'll eventually look for a 2nd unit knowing I'll do something stupid to this one.
Its very easy to operate in the dark with phones on, not disturbing your mate.
The clock is huge and easy to read, the sleep timer is excellent. I haven't tried the on-off timers but they look simple and highly customable, if thats a word.
I haven't hit a function I couldn't do with the remote, I'm not aware of any but others may. Perhaps functions related to Reciva setup.
I have a friend with a $49.95 XM receiver; I paid $250.00 for Sangean. He pays a $15.00 a month subscription, I pay $ZI.PP. (We both pay monthly broadband Internet service) He has 160 channels; I have at least 2500 to 10,000. Some of his channels are commercial free, dedicated channels; some of mine are too.
Sound: I'm used to shortwave radio; this is beautiful! I'll let the audiophiles review this aspect.
Cons:
12 presets, only slightly more than the am radio in a 1967 Volkswagon Bug. I want 100!
The headphone jack is in the back. This makes it look pretty, but makes you fumble in the dark n dust to plug in the phones. Or dust! (my wife's suggestion)
No clock when listening to the radio. Common with many good radios.
Some drawbacks are those of Reciva and web streaming, not the Sangean. Buffering is the new static and fading that shortwave and AM radio suffers. If it does it on your computer, it may do it on the Sangean. The Sangean's memory isn't competing with a My Kittens or Hawaiian Tropics screensaver. Personally I've been pleasantly surprised how little buffering I've had to deal with. Its not Sangean's fault you can't sort by language. And having too many stations is like having too much money; nice problem to have!
I give it 4 stars. Would go 4 1/2 if I could. Its not perfect, but its great fun. Its a small world after all.
Minus my beloved hams and shortwave pirates, it's the new shortwave radio. Enjoy!
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I'm now owned this radio for a couple months. I wouldn't change a thing I've said. I love this radio and play it daily, it's my primary radio, and I own many. I'm a proud freq. geek. I would like to add a few observations to my original review, here goes:
Whether it's the site Reciva or the radio itself, and I don't know which,there are occasions when you cannot access a genre or 'favorites' area of the radio. I've always been able to correct this by unplugging and replugging in the radio, essentially rebooting it. There is so much to listen to, I don't always do this, sometimes I just tune in something else. Theres sooooo much to listen to.
I love the alarms and timers. Highly customizable and very easy to do with the remote, very intuitive. For example, you can set it for Wednesday, 8:35am, Folk Alley, once or every Wednesday. You might want Tuesday set for everyday, 6pm, WSM. IT'S EASY!
You can easily add podcasts and live audio streams thru Reciva. It will automatically give you access to podcast archives, real sweet! There is a growing list of police scanner feeds for some major (and minor) cities that will stream too. NYC, LA, Edmonton to name a few.
Not to plug Logitech, but I added a $40.00 set of Logitech computer speakers to this radio and the already good sound is incredible! 2 built in speakers in the Sangean, 2 satillite speakers with 2 speakers in each, and a subwoofer. Nirvana! Full range sound! If ya got a few dollars left over, this really enhances the music. There are $20.00 speakers, I've heard them, they're not impressive. These are. They'll work on your computer and ipod too, very versitile. I've got about $300.00 in the system, I feel its worth more.
Buy this radio. Buy the extra speakers if you can. ITS FUN!
