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 121 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: HDradioSeeker
from PA
I was excited when I heard an ad for this radio so I went out and grabbed one. Boy I was shocked when I got it home. The radion would only pick up 3 total FM stations, and wouldn't pick up any HD Stations even though there are over 20 in my area. I took the thing back the very next day for a refund. They hype this radio up but once you get it home its a real dissappointment!
What's not so great: Reception
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
1
Durability
1
Review 122 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: Anonymous
from Los Angeles, CA
This is a wonderful little HD Radio! Small enough to be on my over-crowded desk at work, yet it brings in the channels great! (Even in the building I'm in, which doesn't bring in most regular radio stations!) It's screen is a nice size which I can easily read. And the sound quality is wonderful. I just wish LA had more HD radion stations!
The price is also great for an HD Radio. And I'm discovering that is true of all the Insignia products. I have 3 so far myself, but I know that I'll be getting more. Great quality for great equipment!
What's great about it: Great price, easy to use, amazing quality of sound.
What's not so great: Haven't found anything bad at all.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Insignia - 7" Widescreen LCD Digital Photo Frame - Multi
Insignia - Clock Radio with Voice Commands - Multi
Review 123 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: ras7181
from Louisville, KY
The first portable HD radio is an excellent value. It sounds wonderful and looks sleek. Since digital signals don't travel as far as analog signals, the reception isn't great but that is to be expected with HD radio and a small antenna. Besides, if a digital signal is not locked then the analog channel is played, so the listener is no worse off in that case. When the signal is strong enough then what out! The earbuds have an excellent sound. The small display limits the song information the device can show.
What's great about it: Excellent value and sound quality
What's not so great: Reception and display
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 124 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
1
Stopped working quite quickly
on March 22, 2013
Posted by: Severelydispleased
from Austin, TX
Within an hour of buying this product, I had tested the product to make sure it worked, and charged it for a short bit. After turning it on, all it does is produce a solid white screen with no reaction to any input. Hitting reset turns the white screen off momentarily and goes straight to the white screen again. I just wish I had bought it earlier in the day so I wouldn't have to wait a day to return it.
What's great about it: One of very few portable products to allow for HD Radio
What's not so great: Utterly unreliable
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Durability
1
Review 125 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: Tim1050
from Minneapolis, MN
Works great for what I need. I was looking for a portable HD radio with FM and nothing else. I have an ipod so I don't need the MP3 functionality. Price is fair for what you get. Great unit if you are only looking for HD radio and FM.
What's great about it: Small, Clear reception with headphones, mini usb charger, easy to use
What's not so great: Poor reception without headphones
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
3
Review 126 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: bobs4911
from Woodbridge, Va
Great little radio at a good price ( I had a $20 coupon so only cost me $29)
Works great easy to program picks up 2 to 3 broadcasts on each HD channel.
Sound is good as my IPOD. All in all good buy
Works great easy to program picks up 2 to 3 broadcasts on each HD channel.
Sound is good as my IPOD. All in all good buy
What's great about it: Better reception than home HD radio picks up many stations I didn't know were HD
What's not so great: Found nothing yet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
4
Review 127 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: jim1055021
from denver
Here in Denver there must be at least 25 HD stations that I'm able to receive from home using the headphones. Many are commercial free! The quality of sound is crisp and clear. The radio does work in my car with the AUX jack but I've not tried it on the road yet. I'm hopeful that this will replace my Sirius radio which I've not been completely satisfied with along with monthly fees.
What's great about it: Easy to use and I love the display information.
What's not so great: Some display text a little small. More memory presets would be nice.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 128 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: StevieJ
from Ridgewood, NJ
I was very pleasantly suprised at the quality of this radio. It has a much better sound than other portable radios from Sony, etc.. and the HD sound is very clear. The headset earphones that come with the radio are cheap and don't really show the full quality of sound that this radio is capable of producing. I am using a pair of $25.00 V-Moda's. and the sound is much improved.
The one area that could be improved is the function of the presets. For example, If I am listening to preset 5 and want to move it to 6 or 4, it often starts me at preset 1 again. Also I am not able to set the preset to a sub-HD station, which would be convenient. But, for $49.00, I would say this is a very strong buy.
What's great about it: Suprisingly good sound and reception.
What's not so great: Presets are a little bit confusing.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
5
Review 129 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: sonson
from charlotte, nc
use a motorola/blackberry cellphone wall charger to charge this.Also used audio jack cables/ also doubles as antenna, to hook it up to my home reciever purchased from radioshack.Works great ...love to listen to 99.7 hd2 nc/charlotte....its good .Before u buy see what listings are available for your area this is what matters.also can be used with pre-amped computer speakers/or car if it uses a plug/jack.3.5
What's great about it: use a motorola/blackberry cellphone wall charger to charge this.Also used audio jack cabels to hook it up to my reciver
What's not so great: none.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 130 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: BobM2
from Washington State
I've waited a long time for portable HD Radio. Before this unit only car radios or home table radios or tuners had HD.
How well it will work for you obviously depends on how good FM reception is in the area you want to use it. Like all other small FM radios without external telescoping antennas, the earphone cable is the antenna so if you live close to a lot of stations it will work well for you. If you live further away you may find reception depends on how you locate the earphone wires. Do you remember messing with rabbit ear antennas on TV's to get good reception? FM on portable radios works the same way. I live 35 miles away from most Seattle FM stations in a relatively hilly area and yet I can receive all of the HD subchannels (hd2, hd3, etc) that are listed in the area. I usually listen to Jazz 24 on hd2 indoors while reading and have no problem with signal loss. I recently took the radio with me on a trip to the Portland area and found reception much more solid there. I agree with a previous reviewer that this radio has the best analog FM reception and sound of any portable FM I've owned and they cost up to five times this price.
I like the size, shape and control layout of the radio. The display is very readable. I'd like user a replacable battery since the idea of this being "disposable" does not appeal to me but that would also affect size and shape of the unit. Battery life seems very good.
I did not try the supplied earphones but the sound for HD channels with my Sony's is great and noticibly better than analog FM.
Some reviewers criticize the radio for no AM HD. Since AM requires a larger built-in antenna, the size and cost would grow considerably. It does not have built-in MP3 capability. Fine with me, I already have an excellent player and don't want to pay for another. I would expect those will be on the market in time.
The bottom line is this is an excellent radio. It will not perform miracles in very bad reception areas but definitlely worthwhile if you will use it in an area of reasonable FM reception.
What's great about it: Good reception, great sound and excellent physical layout.
What's not so great: Battery is not user replacable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 131 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: EmanWithShirt
from Naples FL.
I've only had this for a couple days so I'm still getting used to it, But so far its a very nice little radio! Standard FM is what you would expect from this or any other FM radio. HD Radio is MUCH BETTER! no hiss, pop, or crackle at all, very good separation and detail. The lack of more presets is a drawback though.
I don't use mine for portable audio, I have it patched into my Fisher 400 All Tube
Receiver, sounds B.E.A.UTIFUL!!!
Worth the money!!
I don't use mine for portable audio, I have it patched into my Fisher 400 All Tube
Receiver, sounds B.E.A.UTIFUL!!!
Worth the money!!
What's great about it: Small, Light,Good reception, Excellent sound in HD, PRICE!
What's not so great: Only 10 presets.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 132 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: nickman
from tucson,az
This is a great portable option for HD Radio. First off, out of the box it is easy to charge, but everyone should read the manual to understand the slightly convoluted programming information (for presets, etc). Now, with radio, all anyone can do is review it for their particular market. I live in Tucson, so the reception I receive is pleasing overall, with only a few stations unavailable in certain parts of town. The player does a very good job using the wires from the headphones as an antenna, but in situations where a solid HD signal is unavailable, it will resort to normal fm quality which is obvious and confusing due to the fact that the HD symbol remains but in the lower right corner a "plus" is displayed. Also, it has 10 presets, but this is misleading. If you attempt to program the dash 2 or dash 3 signal, they will not save. In other words, 92.9 will save only, and you have to push menu then the up button to get to the 92.9-2 station. I know, Confusing! Also, the internal battery is neat, but I would prefer a AAA because I do not believe this battery is replaceable. I have connected it to a receiver and it sounds very good when turned to at least 13 (out of 15). With highly efficient headphones, a volume level of 8 or so is pleasing. Overall it will work assuming that your particular market is broadcasting at 100% in HD. You get what you pay for, and in this unit you get a lot!
What's great about it: Size, portability, ability to deliver HD Radio effectively
What's not so great: Presets confusing, automatic downgrade to normal FM with poor reception a downer
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 133 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: bobguynn
from CT
Picked up the unit the first day it arrived at our local Best Buy. It worked great for about two weeks and then would respond to control inputs, depsite extended charging, etc. Took it back to Best Buy with receipt...who graciously refunded my money, since they had no stock for a replacment and could offer no timeframe for a replacement.
What's great about it: Price, Size, Sound
What's not so great: Durability
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4
Durability
1
Review 134 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: Aniks9001
from Lake in the Hills, IL
This is not for you if you leave in suburb about 15-20 away from the heart of a major metro cities.
Also I would only recommend considering this for purchase if you live in the heart of a major metro area where HD towers are very nearby .
What's great about it: Size, Reception if you're near a metro area
What's not so great: Not able to recieve HD signal in my are
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
4
Review 135 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: brendon2480
from PA
I live about 20 miles or so from Philly and all the staions are in HD. HD reception is great, it doesn't fade unless it goes back to analog. Analog is ok, can be too sensitive. I have a pair of my own earbuds do I didn't bother with the ones that came with it. Battery life is great. What is nice is that it still receives the RBDS in analog mode. Excellent price, most HD radios are over $100 and they are not easlily portable, this one is. When it switches between HD and analog, that gets a littles annoying. Overall a good product to buy.
What's great about it: Good HD reception, good battery life, great price
What's not so great: analog reception is shaky, no bass control, analog can be too sensitive
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
5
Review 136 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: babyarm
from Ft Worth, TX
I've fought with radio reception at work forever, and the station i listen to at work, 1310 the ticket is unlistenable at work on my little am radio. luckily they simulcast on an hd-2 fm signal, strong signal at work, can finally get the ticket! lot of other hd and hd-2 signals in the metroplex come in strong and clear and the audio difference is awesome. if you're in dfw and cant stream the ticket from work....this is the answer. great price too, cant find a tabletop hd for cheaper, and this one you can take in your car
What's great about it: great reception, great price
What's not so great: nothing so far
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 137 for HD Radio Portable Player
Customer Rating
5
Nice Wroth the money handhald HD)) Radio
on September 3, 2009
Posted by: JY14
from Lexington, Nc
I live near a radio tower thats 100,000 watts it comes in on the station i listen to but the HD comes Works.
I even use it on a school bus i can pick up the hd signals to so thats why i rate it a 5 but analog signal is sometime not good and i've also used it around a whole room full of computers and still can get hd.
Oh one other thing it should come with a non armband case to.
What's great about it: I live near a radio tower thats 100,000 watts it comes in on the station i listen to but the HD comes Works.
What's not so great: The Armband case can't take strap shows finger prints easy thats all.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 138 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: MrNoid
from Westchester, NY
This is a great radio if you live within, or near a city. The extra free channels you get are fantastic. Here in Westchester, next to NYC, we have been without a country station for years. Now I can listen to WLTW-HD2 and get country music 24/7.
The only drawback is HD radio technology in general. The FCC only lets a station broadcast its HD signal at a fraction of the power of the main analog signal. This means you have to be within 30 or so miles of the station to get all the HD channels.
Also remember the reset button. HD radio is digital and thus the radio is a mini computer, if it goes dead reset it just like you would a computer, only faster.
What's great about it: Easy to use, works great out of the box, so many new free channels!
What's not so great: HD radio shortcomings
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 139 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: mikey45
from Vienna, VA
This device has great looks and the size is wonderful. Signal reception needs to be improved however. I am in the DC area and the stations cut out very often while driving. Absolutely horrible choice for anyone looking to buy this product to listen to at work since it is very unlikely to pick up any stations inside buildings. I get a total of 3 stations while in my apartment, all of which cut out often without any movement. Battery life is okay, for those that are actually able to receive a station. I highly doubt this would work in downtown city areas with tall buildings around you, as it only takes a few trees to completely cut out signal to this device.
What's great about it: Small size, very pocketable, nice looks, solid feel.
What's not so great: Horrible reception
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
2
Durability
2
Review 140 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: PhillyJoeP
from Philadelphia
Nice little radio. Gets HD FM only. I do enjoy the HD stations that are made listenable by this device. There's nothng to compare it to.at $50 so if you want to listen to HD-FM on the run this is the only way.
To be perfect it would need an external antenna wire for better reception when headphones are not plugged in, an AUX OUT for quality connection to a home or auto audio system, larger but fewer buttons with more legible icons, and AM HD capability. I am amazed that so many stations bother to put out an HD signal when there are so few receivers. Why are the stations not promoting receivers? Why doesn't every radio sold today have HD capability? In the early days of FM the stations put their logos on radios and sold them at discounts. Some gave away radios with tuners fixed to their station. Where's the marketing? I want HD to survive and flourish.
To be perfect it would need an external antenna wire for better reception when headphones are not plugged in, an AUX OUT for quality connection to a home or auto audio system, larger but fewer buttons with more legible icons, and AM HD capability. I am amazed that so many stations bother to put out an HD signal when there are so few receivers. Why are the stations not promoting receivers? Why doesn't every radio sold today have HD capability? In the early days of FM the stations put their logos on radios and sold them at discounts. Some gave away radios with tuners fixed to their station. Where's the marketing? I want HD to survive and flourish.
What's great about it: Portablility, size, color display.
What's not so great: Reception in car comes and goes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
3
Durability
4