Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio HD

by Boston Acoustics

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• ASIN: B0009MFPZ4
• Item model number: Recepter Radio HD
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,473 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Realize the full potential of high-definition digital radio technology with the Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio HD, an AM/FM clock radio that delivers brilliant CD-quality sound. The next-generation tabletop device not only radically upgrades the performance of traditional analog AM/FM signals, but also receives digital broadcasts and their associated wireless data services over existing AM/FM radio bands. The result is spectacularly brilliant clarity, fidelity, and room-filling sound never before heard on any radio of any size.

Digital HD radio broadcasting represents a revolution in radio listening by ushering in a boundless array of entertainment and information possibilities. Across the country, AM and FM radio stations are upgrading to digital HD Radio broadcasting, which enhances both the sound and the programming options. Some stations are broadcasting data over traditional AM/FM bands, including song titles, artist info, weather and traffic updates, and more, while others are broadcasting digital "multicast" channels with alternative programming. The Receptor Radio HD sorts it all out to bring you your favorite current programming, the expanded listening choices, and the song and weather data--all without requiring a subscription.

The Recepter Radio HD's impressive audio performance stems from Boston Acoustics' years of experience in designing and manufacturing high-performance audio equipment. The key to the radio's topnotch sound is its Boston-designed wide-range driver, which is optimized specifically for the radio, and its digitally equalized amplifier outfitted with proprietary BassTrac circuitry for full, satisfying, distortion-free bass regardless of the volume level. The audio performance is coupled with the radio's AM/FM tuner and its 20 easy-to-access station presets. The digital technology even enhances the AM and FM bands' audio fidelity--AM sounds more like FM does today, while FM signals boast a CD-like quality. Best of all, the static, hiss, pops, and fades commonly found on today's radios are virtually eliminated, ensuring crystal-clear reception.

Adding to the radio's value are a host of other features that add to your convenience and enjoyment. The iPod/MP3 player port, for instance, invites you to share your favorite tunes over the Receptor Radio HD's high-quality stereo speakers. Meanwhile, the headphone jack lets you listen to digital HD radio privately so you don't disturb others. You can also adjust the tuning, volume, and station presets either manually or with the credit-card-sized remote control. Additional features include a sleep timer that lets you fall asleep to music; two independent alarms for waking to music, a beeper, or both; and a power backup that stores presets and alarm settings should a power failure occur.

The Receptor Radio HD measures 7.62 by 4.38 by 6.75 inches (W x H x D), while the included second speaker checks in at 4.38 by 4.38 by 6 inches. The entire system is also backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Radio, second speaker, AC power cord, FM antenna, remote control, remote battery, user's manual.

Product Description

BostonAcoustic Receptor HD AM/FM radio delivers a new level of high-definition sound performance from HD-Station radio broadcasts. This HD-Radio receives special encoded signals that upgrade sound performance. AM upgrades to FM fidelity. While FM can deliver CD quality sound. The technology, developed by Ibiquity-Digital uses new FCC approved sidebands that allow radio stations to transmit both HD-Radio and analog radio simultaneously. It differs from Satellite radio because these signals are transmitted from public accessible radio stations. At this writing, there are over 700 radio stations currently using HD AM/FM bands in the USA and, depending where you are, the Recepter RadioHD can receive them. Multi-line radio display Output jack for connecting optional headphone Outstanding sound from Boston Acoustics Color - Platinum Uses 110-120 Volts AC 60 Hz power (USA AC power-cord included) A subscription is NOT required to receive HD AM/FM signals on this radio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

166 of 189 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Cool toy, but not very good as a clock radio and not true hi-fi, July 17, 2006

By 

Daniel Eskenazi (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio HD (Electronics)

OK, I'll have to admit up front that I became interested in this radio because the clock looked really cool. The HD radio seemed like a nice bonus but wasn't my main reason for buying this radio.

So, let me first review the clock. The dot-matrix display allows it to show nicely-rounded digits, but the digits are fairly small. Therefore those of you who wear glasses and plan to use this radio on a nightstand better think again. Even if you can read the clock, the display is VERY bright even at the lowest dimming level ... it casts a blue glow on the opposite wall and I can literally make shadow puppets on the wall. I had to point it away from the bed! Yes, it's that bad. I will probably end up moving it to another room or selling it for that reason alone.

Next, the radio. While the sound quality is fine, it is afterall a tabletop radio and doesn't have the sound quality of a true hi-fi component. I really can't hear much improvement of the HD radio over standard analog broadcasts ... listening to "standard" FM on my home stereo with its larger speakers still sounds much better than listening to HD radio on the Receptor HD. So there really seems to be little point of the HD audio on a tabletop radio other than the potential new features like muticast, etc. My next biggest gripes with the radio are lack of seek or scan buttons, and the kludgy station memory ... you can only add new channels to the end of the list.

So, in summary, this radio excels at nothing and fails miserably as a bedside clock radio. If you are an early adopter who just *has* to be the first on your block to listen to HD radio, go for it. Otherwise, save your money.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutting edge design and premium sound., December 7, 2006

By 

R. Broady - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio HD (Electronics)

I bought this after hearing the regular Boston Receptor clock radio in a store and looking into it on line. The HD version appealed to me because the one station I always wake up to (NPR) is now broadcast in HD in my city. I liked the idea of stereo instead of mono, simple alarm set/snooze function, a remote, and most especially wanted good sound quality (hoping to get even better with the HD, right?). I orderred it from Antonline, an approved amazon vendor, and it came in a few days and I dived into the box.

First impressions: excellent packaging, instructions, and construction. Powerred up: sound is amazingly good for a "clock radio" which is what I am using this for. I am sure you could get comperable sound out of a mini component system, or better out of a real Hi-Fi, but they can't wake you up, and for a clock radio this is truly unreal. I was annoyed that there is no seek function to the digital tuner, but it only took 5 minutes to program my stations into the 20 memory slots. After that you never need to seek anyway. I put my Wake Up station as #1 and #20, so it is a quick spin of the dial in either direction, no sweat. First off, the tiny wire attached as the FM antena out of the box is a joke. That didn't get as good reception as my existing clock radio. I quickly put the T-type antena which was included into use and got excellent reception instantly. My NPR station sounds normal with the slight hiss and pop of FM for about 6 or 7 seconds until the HD indicator comes on and all noise goes away with just crystal clear voices or music to hear.

I did think the bass was too prominent at first. So I read the instructions and adjusted the "bass boost" by pressing the dimmer switch for 4 seconds and the turned the nob to -2. It can go all the way to -6, so I am sure anyone can be made happy.

The diplay does have a range of 3 brightness settings, but I agree that the lowest was still a bit bright if you had your face right next to the radio as you were going to sleep. Solution: turn radio on, then press and hold the clock button for 4 seconds, the display will then show an additional setting mode, turn the tuning knob to Hardware and press, then turn to Brightness Steps and press, then turn to Low and then turn the volume knob to whatever you like as your low setting. I use 8, but the factory set it at 14 and it can go up to over 100. I just found this feature which was not in the instructions by accident, but it is nice. There are about 6 other adjustment that can be modified including a full graphic equalizer for both right and left channels or simple bass and treble if you prefer. Some of the adjustments are really advanced such as cutoff frequencies, digital delay, HD data diplay type, etc. but even if you somehow screwed something up there is a button to hit to Restore Defaults. Very flexible.

Design wise, the unit reminds me of an I-pod in that it is very simple in its controls and display, and truly intuitive to use. It has only two knobs in front and a few buttons on top. Times for alarms are set by twisting a knob, twist fast and it moves very fast, but twist slow and it can easily move one minute at a time (like an I-pod wheel), try that with buttons. I did try playing my Ipod through it and it sounds just as good as when on my Altec Lansing subwoofer assisted surround sound system for my computer. Very nice.

Bonus feature: I always hated getting into bed after the wife was asleep and having to turn the radio on for a split second to check and be sure the station was set and the volume was loud. If you don't check with a typical clock radio then if either the volume or tuning dial got bumbed, you are toast. Now I just press Alarm 1 buttton (or 2) and the digital display shows the radio call letters, the time, and the volume ( 1 to 100 ) which is set. Wow, silent reliable confirmation.

The HD station pickup is excellent for me, and the sound is a big improvement over the regular signal. I typically have it on the HD station 80% of the time and then listen to two or three other local stations which come in fine. Distant station reception is OK but not great. I think you would have to get an outside antenna if you wanted to grab really weak signals. I wouldn't get this unit for trying to listen to distant stations because a scratchy signal will sound just as bad in Hi-Fi as on a piece of junk.

Rating 5 of 5 stars: Excellent build quality, design, function, and above all else sound.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Comparing Recepter Radio HD with Sangean HDR-1, January 11, 2007

By 

James J. Flannery "K0UNX, Jim Flannery" (Littleton, Co United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio HD (Electronics)

de K0UNX. I know radios.

I purchased the Recepter Radio HD a year ago, used it for a weekend and returned it immediately. Even in the Denver market, with lots of very strong HD signals, this radio had trouble finding them. I'd be listening to a strong station, and the radio would lose lock, go silent, and rebuffer before coming back to life. This was one of the few HD radios available when I bought it. I have since purchased a Sangean HDR-1 and love it. Read my review under the Sangean HDR-1.