Customer reviews for HD Radio Portable Player
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HD Radio Portable Player
When you're on the go, listen to your favorite HD and FM radio stations using this portable player that features a belt clip for easy portability.
Overall rating:
3.8
/ 5
(325 reviews)
Rating breakdown 325 reviews
5 Stars
136
4 Stars
89
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
32
1 Star
39
73%of customers recommend this product.
(
238 out of
325)
Customer reviews for HD Radio Portable Player
Review 21 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
4
Inexpensive and performs well as a tuner
on December 19, 2010
Posted by: mike2119
from Milwaukee, WI
I wanted to add HD FM radio to the Yamaha mini system in my bedroom. There was very little extra room on my TV/stereo shelf and so I didn't want anything big and clunky.
The Insignia HD portable works really well when hooked up to the Yamaha's auxiliary inputs via an ordinary Y-Cord adapter. It picks up all but the weakest HD stations without drifting in and out. And, best of all, when drift does rarely occur, and the radio is tuned to the -2 channel, it stays on that channel and does not go to the main -1 channel like my other HD radio.
Also, unlike some HD radios, the Insignia does not run hot. And it has no unnecessary features, such as a clock.
I purchased a Rocketfish 5 volt AC adapter for use with the radio, since my Yamaha system has no USB port to provide power.
The radio is so small that it can be tucked in between two stereo components or perhaps on top. The radio's buttons are easy to press and the digital readout is very easy to read.
I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I could have spent a lot more money and gotten the same or less performance.
What's great about it: Inexpensive and pulls in HD signals really well
What's not so great: Nothing worth mentioning
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
3
Review 22 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: iLoVeMyGiRlS
from Los Angeles, ca
I love to listen to talk radio in the morning. Didn't want anything big for my desk so I purchased this one and I LOVE IT. The reception picks up really good sometimes I have to move it around to get better sound but it works.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
5
Review 23 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: iheartmuzak
from San Diego, CA
This radio was great...while it lasted. I bought it Feb. 24, 2011. Got the glowing screen of death today, June 27, 2011...even the reset button doesn't do anything. Only 30 days over the 90 day warranty and when I called Insignia, they wouldn't do anything for me. All they said is that sometimes the software can be corrupted or something happens to cause it not to work....Seriously!?!?! A product that costs $50 should last more than 120 days. And if they know that people are have problems with it (as the guy said when I called) they should be more willing to help fix the problem...especially when the problem is in the design. As it stands now, I won't ever buy another Insignia product. I'm just glad Best Buy has other radio options.
What's great about it: was able to listen to one of my favorite stations without fail...
What's not so great: short battery life, HD stations are a joke, other stations are distorted when clear on another radio
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
2
Durability
1
Review 24 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: crftst134
from Sacramento, California
I really do not understand why this product is not being sold in a best buy retail store other then top people in the company wants to push satellite radio so they get kick backs from the subscription service.
When the radio arrived, I could tell that the item had been opened and used. I did not understand why until I took a drive and found that if you get out away from big cities most if all FM stations have not converted over to the new HD format, yet. For example, up in Butte County, it would be a waste of money because I scanned for HD stations and there weren't any. The radio will pickup standard station broadcast but will not lock into HD because there isn't any up there. In Sacramento, there are a lot of HD stations [about 5].
The radio is nice I am really happy with the sound quality. I would buy a second one if the retail store sold it, but I am not going to waste my time ordering another one online. As far as the unit dieing after a three month, I have it only for a month so far and I'll let you know if it does. A cell phone charger [[see a Sprint store for a car/home adapter]] charges the HD radio. The connector on the unit that charges the HD radio is a mini-computer port interface and the connector can be purchased through digi-key [electronics parts seller] but the connector would need to be connected to a 5 volt DC power source [really should have come with a AC adapter-for another $5]. The battery life is really good [about 4-5 hours before HD starts fading in and out] and this radio is small and fits in the palm of your hand [it is really nice]. By the way, a 300 mAh hour charger works too.
Over all I would hope that Insignia will keep on improving this unit and would put in HD/AM Radio in this thing while keeping the existing features. Would like to see firmware updates on this model. WiFi radio built in would be nice.
Over all, I like it.
When the radio arrived, I could tell that the item had been opened and used. I did not understand why until I took a drive and found that if you get out away from big cities most if all FM stations have not converted over to the new HD format, yet. For example, up in Butte County, it would be a waste of money because I scanned for HD stations and there weren't any. The radio will pickup standard station broadcast but will not lock into HD because there isn't any up there. In Sacramento, there are a lot of HD stations [about 5].
The radio is nice I am really happy with the sound quality. I would buy a second one if the retail store sold it, but I am not going to waste my time ordering another one online. As far as the unit dieing after a three month, I have it only for a month so far and I'll let you know if it does. A cell phone charger [[see a Sprint store for a car/home adapter]] charges the HD radio. The connector on the unit that charges the HD radio is a mini-computer port interface and the connector can be purchased through digi-key [electronics parts seller] but the connector would need to be connected to a 5 volt DC power source [really should have come with a AC adapter-for another $5]. The battery life is really good [about 4-5 hours before HD starts fading in and out] and this radio is small and fits in the palm of your hand [it is really nice]. By the way, a 300 mAh hour charger works too.
Over all I would hope that Insignia will keep on improving this unit and would put in HD/AM Radio in this thing while keeping the existing features. Would like to see firmware updates on this model. WiFi radio built in would be nice.
Over all, I like it.
What's great about it: Battery Life & Size
What's not so great: Used item upon delivery
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 25 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
4
Play's well. I get most of the channels from 30 mi
on February 9, 2012
Posted by: Surprised1095
from Green Valley, AZ
I like the radio as a whole but was surprised that it will end up
being a throw away. From what I can see the rechargeable battery
cannot be replaced when it finally dies. I didn;t know this when I purchased it and don't remember seeing this lack of feature on the packaging or the on line description. I will keep it as long as the battery lasts as it does have good range and sound. It would be great if they make on with a replacable battery.
being a throw away. From what I can see the rechargeable battery
cannot be replaced when it finally dies. I didn;t know this when I purchased it and don't remember seeing this lack of feature on the packaging or the on line description. I will keep it as long as the battery lasts as it does have good range and sound. It would be great if they make on with a replacable battery.
What's great about it: Range and Sound
What's not so great: Battery replacement does not exist.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
2
Review 26 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: CCH1
from Seattle WA
I LOVE this radio. However, the sound in my second one just quit. The display is on, but the sound quits. My first one lasted about 3 months and the second one about 6 months. Best Buy will not replace it, as it is past the 90 day warranty. I can't just keep replacing them at $50 a pop. Even though I understand the warranty, I am discouraged with Best Buy's refusal to replace a defective product. Insignia says that they honor Best Buy's warranty.
What's great about it: Excellent reception and sound
What's not so great: The sound quits
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
5
Durability
1
Review 27 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: RFCMOS
from Austin, TX
The updated version of this radio is great! The reception is much improved, seeking for HD stations is super fast, and when you are on an analog-only station or out of range of the HD signal, the analog signal sounds great, too. Make sure you get the NS-HD01A, not the older NS-HD01. To be really sure you have the latest version, power it up in the store, select Menu -> Version and make sure it says "Si4680" under "DSP Version." That's the new receiver chip that is the heart of the radio and gives it the great performance.
What's great about it: Excellent reception, really fast HD station seek
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 28 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: GMike
from Fontana, Ca
The audio quality of the Insignia was amazing up to June 28. Then there was no audio. I tried re-setting to the factory setting. I tried a different set of ear-buds. No change. The receiver turns on, but no audio. To make matters worse, it is about a week and a half out of warranty
What's great about it: the audio
What's not so great: 90-day warranty
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4
Durability
1
Read Comment (1)
Comments (1)
amhildreth
Rochester, NY
Additional information about amhildreth could not be loaded.
I had the same problem
July 24, 2011
I owned one of these, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Not long after the warranty expired, I noticed the audio began to cut out. Very soon after that, the audio was gone completely. The audio jack uses very weak solder ponts where it connects to the main board. After time ( a very short amount), the audio input jack becomes separated from the rest of the radio. I't really can't be repaired, so I removed the battery, and tossed the rest away. I'm thinking yours suffered the same fate.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Review 29 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: qa1433
from Dallas, TX.
I got this cheaper model the day before the newer Insignia™ HD Radio Portable Player was stocked at my local Best Buy store. I live in the far northern Burb's of Dallas, Texas, 45 miles away from the FM antenna farm located in Ceder Hill Texas. Over the 40 years I have owned many portable radios. This little gem has the best FM receiver I have ever came across in the portable Walkman type radios. In my home I receive all 41 HD broadcasts out of Dallas. When conditions are right I receive 1 Cameron University HD channel from Wichita Falls, TX. That is some 90 miles away from home. I took this little radio on a trip to Marion Indiana and was surprised to receive HD stations from both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Indianapolis is 65 miles away from Marion Indiana. The 3 HD stations that were received from Indianapolis were loud and clear with little dropout when the radio was moved around the house or when I went for a neighborhood walk. The Fort Wayne HD stations (50 miles away) stayed on while walking with out measurable dropout. I am very impressed with this radio. I did notice that only one station in Indianapolis (Q95) had the sound quality of most of the HD stations here in Dallas. The other HD2 channels sounded like analog FM. That brings me to Dallas again. Notably I found four HD 2 channels and one HD3 channel I really like to listen to. 50s & 60s Oldies on KLUV, Smooth Jazz on the Oasis, the Indie channel and The Strip HD 2 channels. This makes this $40 investment good one. It sounds great through my Bang & Olufsen hooked to the Bose Surround Sound Speakers. The only bad thing I have to say about this little radio concerns the battery and battery life. It never shows a full charge even if it is plugged in for 10 hours. It does not receive AM HD stations. Other then that It is a great value and has provided a lot of enjoyment into my wife and my life. I would recommend this radio to anyone who wants to get into HD radio cheaply.
What's great about it: The reception of HD Channels here in the Dallas Metro
What's not so great: Battery life & it It never shows a full battery charge. No AM-HD reciever.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Review 30 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
1
HEADPHONES NEEDED... POINTLESS WITH AN AUX IN JACK
on January 4, 2010
Posted by: Twartacus
from Orlando, FL
I was planning to plug this item into the AUX IN option on my car stereo and home stereo. Only problem is that by doing so, you essentially have no signal.
The headphones that come with it are the antenna. This is great for someone who wishes to use it at the gym... on the bus... or jogging or something... but makes it worthless if you plan to plug it into anything else.
I bought this on sale for $40, and for the money liked the headphones and the rechargable battery and the arm band. But, when I plugged it into the car... pointless! No signal without its headphones!!!
I was not about to buy a splitter to test to see if that would work... so it went back to Best Buy.
What's great about it: The HD Radio does sound VERY CLEAR, USB recharge
What's not so great: The headphones that come with it are the antenna... pointless without them
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4
Durability
3
Review 31 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: reddog7
Great HD radio reception. This radio, however, will not replace my portable FM radio because the Insignia portable has no belt clip, no clip, and no strap attachment loop. The over sized, muscle arm band that comes with the Insignia is too large in general and is to large for my arm, although I do push ups daily.
What's great about it: sound quality
What's not so great: no clip
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 32 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: timprepel
from pittsburgh,pa
Lots of stations in our town. Has 3 way to tune a channel. Interfaces to other peripherals. Price is right.
What's great about it: Small Package, good price,
What's not so great: Small buttons.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
3
Durability
4
Review 33 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: bratch
from San Diego, CA
This has to be the lowest cost HD radio available. I wanted HD because many of the local stations use HD2 and HD3 for other versions of their stations. For example, NPR has talk radio on HD1, classical on HD2, and Groove Salad on HD3, for no extra cost.
Reception for me depends on what stations I am trying to get. Some stations have antennas in the south part of the county, and others in the north. I am closer to the south antennas so I get those stations clearly, but the north antennas are harder to receive from, especially when inside an office building. I have a long 3.5mm headphone extension cable plugged in, which seems to make the indoor reception better, since the headphone cable acts as the antenna.
Everything about it works fine, with one exception. At my desk I like the LCD display to be always on. The display menu allows this option, but every time I turn it off and back on again it forgets that setting. The setting is still always on, but the display turns off after about 20 seconds. In order to get it always on again I must go to the menu, change it to some other value, and then change it back to always on.
If you have large biceps the armband that comes with it doesn't have a long enough Velcro strap. I mostly use it at my desk or just put it in my pocket when walking. Prior to this I used a RadioShark from my desk, and my phone for walking, but there is no RadioShark HD available yet, so this is the next best choice.
What's great about it: Gets HD stations for low cost, small size, good battery life.
What's not so great: Possible reception issues, minor menu issue.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
4
Review 34 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: Runnerwantsradio
from Minneapolis
Problems
1. Two units failed. First unit lost volume control. Second unit, randomly losses station, volume spikes! and stays loud, will not shut off, initial good reception has recently failed - in short poorly constructed.
2. problems with design
a) charging off a USB port! When past radios died I switched out rechargable AA batteries and unit is ready. NOW I have a radio that requires a running computer, it never charges if the computer is shut off. This Design is is garbage
3. No AM station
4. Carrier makes difficult to get unit out, and operate with unit in carrier.
5. I wish I would have written my issues down. I would have more.
My only regret is the Zune is my only alternative, and I do not know if
$170 is necessary for my needs.
1. Two units failed. First unit lost volume control. Second unit, randomly losses station, volume spikes! and stays loud, will not shut off, initial good reception has recently failed - in short poorly constructed.
2. problems with design
a) charging off a USB port! When past radios died I switched out rechargable AA batteries and unit is ready. NOW I have a radio that requires a running computer, it never charges if the computer is shut off. This Design is is garbage
3. No AM station
4. Carrier makes difficult to get unit out, and operate with unit in carrier.
5. I wish I would have written my issues down. I would have more.
My only regret is the Zune is my only alternative, and I do not know if
$170 is necessary for my needs.
What's great about it: HD radio when it is working
What's not so great: Poor Battery and USB Recharge. AA Batteries that can be replaced better
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4
Durability
1
Review 35 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
4
Just consider the $9 extended warranty as "Rent"
on February 5, 2013
Posted by: Gashmore
from Macon, Ga
I have owned 5 of these radios. I LOVE THEM but the Geek Squad guys duck for cover when they see me. I learned to always buy the extended warranty when the first one went quiet at 3 months. Every thing else worked. Just no sound. It was like the mute button was pressed but the mute icon didn't indicate so. Thinking the problem was the earphone jack I performed a little surgery it to try and fix it but the surgery became an autopsy. The problem must be in the firmware or the uC because all the components seem OK. I bought another one with extended warranty. Now I just plan on going back to the store every 6 or 8 months and pay $9 for a new one.
They must cost next to nothing to make because many users have reported the same problem on the Insignia website but the problem continues and is very uniform in nature. Either that or BestBuy is taking a bath on their extended warranty.
What's great about it: Very portable, good reception, good sound
What's not so great: Goes mute within 6 months on average
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
1
Review 36 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
5
Very good quality , great reception
on July 28, 2013
Posted by: railroadrob
from philadelphia
Verified Purchase:Yes
I enjoy listining to static free radio. HD quality is very good
My Best Buy number: 0752656548
My Best Buy number: 0752656548
What's great about it: small and battery last long
What's not so great: nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 37 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
4
GREAT RADIO
on April 26, 2014
Posted by: LARRY
from ST LOUIS, MO
Verified Purchase:Yes
Great little radio. Great reception. Charges last for at least 8 hours.
However, this radio will croak on you. buy the extended warranty that Best Buy offers. It is well worth the money.
My Best Buy number: 3300203072
What's great about it: PORTABILITY, BATTERY RECHARGES
What's not so great: BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
3
Review 38 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
5
Get good earphones, get SPECTACULAR SOUND!!!
on July 13, 2015
Posted by: LovingTheMusic
OK, so you're about to put down a nice chunk of change for a, well, it's just a RADIO, right? And you're wondering if the "HD" thing is going to make a difference or if it's just marketing hype.
Well, what you get in this package will give you a nice, pleasant sound, but face it, any time you buy a portable radio or mp3 player that includes earphones, they're not intended to give you great sound. Then again, there's Apple, but they really can't afford to give you junk earphones when they're charging hundreds of dollars for their products. Still, they're just "starter" earphones, and they cost $29.95 if you want to buy them separately - and lots of people upgrade them to get better sound.
So, what should you do?
GET A DECENT PAIR OF EARPHONES!!!
Like the Apple buds? No way - just average sound for the price.
Check out Logitech Ultimate Ears 600vi or Rockjaw Alfa Genus #more bass than the Logitech# and the sound will rock your world. Both of these will play loud, but if you just have to have to crank it up every once in a while #for short periods - don't damage your ears# get the Logitechs.
So what about HD? It really works. It gives you a little bit better sound than the station you get the best reception on in regular FM. And the regular FM sound is great - full spectrum, including the BASS.
The downside? If you live in a rural area, there might not be many hd stations near you. Just google "HD radio" to find out. Also, not all hd stations are of equal strength #some are farther away from you# and on the weak stations, you will get occasional drop-outs, and with weak regular FM stations, the signal can drift in and out. Hey, it's RADIO.
Just for reference, I can tell you that the sound quality equals or surpasses my San Disk Sport Clip mp3 player #and crushes it in the bass# Of course it's not as good as my $100 Fiio X1 or my $200 Ibasso DX-50 mp3 players, but if you don't have a whole big bunch of CDs that you can rip to MP3 or Flac, it's really not worth getting one of those players, unless you're prepared to shell out hundreds and hundreds of dollars to buy music online.
And besides, radio has ALL THE NEW MUSIC.
Well, what you get in this package will give you a nice, pleasant sound, but face it, any time you buy a portable radio or mp3 player that includes earphones, they're not intended to give you great sound. Then again, there's Apple, but they really can't afford to give you junk earphones when they're charging hundreds of dollars for their products. Still, they're just "starter" earphones, and they cost $29.95 if you want to buy them separately - and lots of people upgrade them to get better sound.
So, what should you do?
GET A DECENT PAIR OF EARPHONES!!!
Like the Apple buds? No way - just average sound for the price.
Check out Logitech Ultimate Ears 600vi or Rockjaw Alfa Genus #more bass than the Logitech# and the sound will rock your world. Both of these will play loud, but if you just have to have to crank it up every once in a while #for short periods - don't damage your ears# get the Logitechs.
So what about HD? It really works. It gives you a little bit better sound than the station you get the best reception on in regular FM. And the regular FM sound is great - full spectrum, including the BASS.
The downside? If you live in a rural area, there might not be many hd stations near you. Just google "HD radio" to find out. Also, not all hd stations are of equal strength #some are farther away from you# and on the weak stations, you will get occasional drop-outs, and with weak regular FM stations, the signal can drift in and out. Hey, it's RADIO.
Just for reference, I can tell you that the sound quality equals or surpasses my San Disk Sport Clip mp3 player #and crushes it in the bass# Of course it's not as good as my $100 Fiio X1 or my $200 Ibasso DX-50 mp3 players, but if you don't have a whole big bunch of CDs that you can rip to MP3 or Flac, it's really not worth getting one of those players, unless you're prepared to shell out hundreds and hundreds of dollars to buy music online.
And besides, radio has ALL THE NEW MUSIC.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Review 39 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: sma1tofu
from Dallas. TX
1. Very good reception. When there is not enough signal switches seamlessly to regular FM. Regular FM is better than my other radios. No hissing, noises, interferences.
2. Works with regular headphones.
3. Included armband.
4. Good price.
Little on the negatives:
1. Somehow difficult preset setting.
2. Little functionality beyond radio, clock, stop-watch, mp3 would be great!
1. Somehow difficult preset setting.
2. Little functionality beyond radio, clock, stop-watch, mp3 would be great!
What's great about it: Good radio
What's not so great: It could have been more
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
5
Review 40 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: coldsplice
from minneapolis, mn
wanted something to listen to the TV's at the club. really frustrating to have a built in battery that only lasts a few hours after a full (16 hour) charge. reception is fine on some stations at my club, crackles on others. big downside is Best Buy doesnt offer any competition to this item - they only sell their in house brand, Insignia.
What's great about it: not much that i can tell
What's not so great: internal battery died after <3 hours of use.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
2
Durability
3