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Sony SRF-59 Walkman AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver)

Sony SRF-59 Walkman AM/FM Stereo Radio (Silver)

List Price: $17.99
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best AM performance on a pocket radio.
Review: Excellent sensitivity and selectivity (both front-end and IF) on the AM band--at least equal to and usually superior to the Sangean ATS-909 (digital AM/FM/SW/LW receiver). Analog tuning very easy despite the technology. Single alkaline AA cell estimated by Sony to last 140 hours on AM. No "soft" on-off switch, a plus to prevent accidental power-up. Battery compartment hatch is attached by hinges and snaps shut securely, so it won't just pop open if jostled nor get lost. Note: lack of speaker is also a plus; a speaker on a radio this small would be next to useless, as it is the case with the Radio Shack Optimus (cat. no. 12-610), another analog AM/FM pocket radio just slightly smaller than the SRF-59.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fantastically awesome radio!!!
Review: Over the years I have bought various "walkman type" radios from various manufacturers. This Sony is a fantastic radio. I have owned analog and digital tuners and find the sensitivity and selectivity of this radio to be on par, if not above, digital tuners. Don't let the low price and non-frills appearance fool you. The sound is top rate and the output is sufficient to drive the headphones with very little input from the volume control. Sure you don't get some features that one gets with digital receivers, but I listen to one station while exercising so channel surfing isn't an issue. I am very well pleased with this radio and for the money, you can't beat it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Radio -- Great Price!
Review: This is a perfect little radio. The reception is very good (much better than a few headphone/radio setup's I've owned), and it is very well made. It's solid and tough. And it's smaller than a pack of cigarettes.

There are only 2 downsides I can think of:

1. It doesn't have a digital tuner. This can be a major problem with this radio if you're a profuse channel changer. Dialing in your stations is a bit tricky as the slightest adjustment to the tuning dial will send it across many channels. But if you're like me (I pretty much stay on one channel all the time), you'll find this radio to be perfect for you!

2. The headphones stink. They do the job, but the radio is actually much better sounding than the headphones allow you to appreciate.

It takes only one AA battery and it will last a VERY long time. A set of two AA's will last you dozens of hours.

I recommend this radio highly.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: worth the money
Review: this little radio is a very good value for the money. sounds decent, costs little, works well, what more could you want?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing Radio
Review: This radio has actually exceeded my expectations. Easily the best pocket radio that I've owned in a good ten years.

As noted by others, this radio has great AM reception. No, the included headphones are not good. But when used with better ones the sound quality is, dare I say, excellent for a radio of this price. A surpisingly warm, rich sound - not the harsh/brittle/thin sound of other radios that I was afraid of. Compare it to a radio like the god-awful RCA RP1667 in order to truly appreciate how great this little radio is. And for the price you can't beat it. I even like the analog tuning and volume controls.

Just to correct a previous reviewer, this radio does indeed receive FM in stereo.

[...I never thought I'd write something so positive about anything... what's happened to me?....]


Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best AM reception
Review: This radio has the best AM reception of any portable that I've heard. Better than a Sony digital tuning portable radio, better than the various cassette/radios I've owned, better than an expensive Sangean portable that I tried. I also own a Grundig Yacht Boy and the AM reception is at least as good (using the reel antenna on the YB). It even has a local/dx switch, just like the Grundig. I should point out that I use this primarily at work, in a high-rise building in a city.

It's small enough to fit in shirt pocket and is very light. One NIMH AA rechargable battery will power this radio for over 40 hours (the length of a work week).

Though not in stereo, FM reception is also very good. This is an analog tuning radio, so it can take a little time to lock in some stations.

Currently I am on the third of these radios. I drop them a lot and after a 2-3 years of abuse, the antenna is dislodged, which ruins AM reception. This is my fault and I plan on being more careful with this latest one, maybe wrap it in foam or something to cushion it.

This is a great little radio that you should not overlook in favor of those with more features.


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