Sangean WR-3 User Manual download pdf

68 MONITORING TIMES February 2006

REVIEW

ewly released from Sangean is a

handsome, fine-performing, AM/FM

tabletop radio with RDS (Radio

Data System). For the uninitiated, RDS has

been widely adopted by FM broadcasters as

a means of delivering to suitably-equipped

receivers (typically automotive) displayed

messages like programming format, 12 or 24

hour time, title and artist of current song, road

and traffic information, advertisers’ phone

numbers, station identification, and even sta-

tion tuning information.

The WR-2 also has EON (Enhanced

Other Networks), a gradually-emerging tech-

nology which allows a local broadcaster to

break in on a network transmission if drivers

need to be alerted to emergency road or traffic

information. This new technology can even

feed retuning-command information so that

such a broadcast can switch an EON-equipped

radio from one channel to another on which

the message is being transmitted.

Following in the footsteps of its suc-

cessful predecessor, the WR-1, the up-scaled

WR-2 offers improvements requested by

consumers of the first model. All primary

functions may be operated manually or by a

thin-style remote control (provided).

Weighing 5-3/4 pounds and measuring

9-1/2”W x 4-1/2”H x 7-1/4”D, the WR-2 of-

fers a respectable 7 watts of monaural audio

(10% THD) through its internal speaker. The

wood housing helps keep ringing down which

is often prevalent in metal-enclosed speaker

systems.

For the utility of using the high-quality

amplifier system with external audio sources,

an auxiliary 3.5 mm mini-jack is provided on

the rear panel; it accepts external, high-imped-

ance audio inputs (47k ohms nominal) with

a rated 160 mV sensitivity. Another 3.5 mm

jack on the rear panel can be used with stereo

headphone for private monitoring; the output

is limited to 5 mW per left or right channel

to avoid blasting. Yet another rear-panel jack

offers an output of low-level (2.2 k ohm)

monaural audio for external distribution or

recording.

Encased in an all-wood cabinet and avail-

able in three different color schemes (walnut,

black, or white) to match the owner’s decor,

the WR-2 features a large LCD display with

brightness control and front-panel tuning. An

additional rotary control may be alternately

selected as a volume control or separately-

tapered bass and treble control.

A tuned-port speaker enclosure assists

bass reproduction. The PLL tuning reports

its frequency to the digital display, and ten

memory channels are assigned as five each

to the listener’s choice of AM and FM sta-

tions. A clock/alarm can be selected as radio

or buzzer.

External antenna jacks are provided for

AM (screw terminals) and FM (F connector).

A scan button searches through the currently-

selected band (AM or FM) looking for active

channels.

The radio can be powered directly from

the AC line, or alternatively from a source of

12 VDC for automotive/boat/emergency use.

❖

Our Test

The handsome styling definitely lends

appeal to this radio; it has a serious look to

it as well as being nicely designed. Much of

the operation will be intuitive, while a quick

glance at the manual should familiarize the

user with some of the more esoteric func-

tions.

Audio reproduction is, of course, mon-

aural. Sound quality is very good from the

internal, tuned-port speaker. The bass/treble

control allows a considerable range for custom

adjustment. The double array of pushbuttons

are well marked as to function, and tactile to

confirm the presses.

The main tuning dial is somewhat cum-

bersome to use. It is too shallow to grasp, and

its ring of raised spots aren’t really adequate to

prevent the finger from slipping as it turns the

knob. Placing the hand on the top of the cabi-

net and pressing the thumb against the face of

the knob was more effective, but the inclusion

of a dimpled finger indent would have been

better for slewing through the spectrum.

It is tempting to compare this radio with

the well-established GE Superadio, but that

would be hard to do. The low-cost GE product

is a large portable, and although it does have

narrow/wide selectivity selection which the

WR-2 does not, the Sangean, at more than

twice the price, has digital readout and a num-

ber of other features that the GE does not.

So can the WR-2 be compared instead to

the widely-promoted Bose radio? No again;

the Bose costs several hundred dollars, and its

concentration is on the satisfying production

of FM stereo sound, in which it excels.

For those of us with a few decades of

listening experience, the new WR-2 could be

favorably compared to the old KLH bookshelf

receivers; fond memories should flood back

as we reflect on the soft bass and silky highs

that emanated from those wood-enclosed

receivers.

But for present-day listeners, we should

consider the approximately $150 Sangean

WR-2 as filling a pricing-point niche between

the modest-cost, AM/FM, monaural portables

and the high-cost, stereo, bookshelf receivers.

In that perspective we found the new Sangean

WR-2 to be a very satisfactory and attractive

performer at a reasonable pricing point in the

consumer radio market.

Sangean WR-2 AM/FM Receiver

By Bob Grove W8JHD

1 2

Sangean WR-2 AM/FM Receiver 1

Summary of Contents

Page 1 - Sangean WR-2 AM/FM Receiver

68 MONITORING TIMES February 2006MTREVIEWNewly released from Sangean is a handsome, fine-performing, AM/FM tabletop radio with RD

Page 2

February 2006 MONITORING TIMES 69With the wide selection of FRS (Family Radio Service) walkie-talkies available from virtually

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