Customer Reviews

Coby HDR700 Portable HD Radio System (Black)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've been using the product for a few weeks now. I've noticed that there are differences in performance depending on the situation. I'm not sure if this is due to the product itself or if it is HD radio itself that is to blame. Here is what I've noticed:

1) I primarily listen to AM radio, but when I listen to FM radio, the HDR-700 mostly performs as I expected. There is an easily noticable sound quality difference between the HD and regular radio, but it's not huge. Only stations that are already almost completely static free will come in HD.

2) On my AM radio stations, when the unit locks into the HD signal, the difference is pretty amazing. I can't normally get any AM radio station to be completely static free, but this easily does that and more WHEN IT GETS A HD SIGNAL

There is one major problem. The DC adaptor that powers the until when not in battery mode severely interferes with the radio's reception. Severely. When the unit is plugged into the wall - the reception is so bad that a 100,000 watt station 50 miles from my house does not come in at all. However, as soon as it is on battery power, it works great.

I live in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado about 30 miles from the broadcast towers on Lookout Mountain. This radio's reception is fine at my location. The HD works well, except as many know, when the signal gets weak the sound stops - it doesn't fade as with regular broadcasting signals. I like the radio's portability with the built-in rechargeable battery. It's mono sound, but has very acceptable fidelity for its size. It also had an aux input in the front with a mini-plug - ideal for connecting an iPod, or laptop computer for better fidelity sound. I gave it four stars because for something of its size and cost it does its job. Could it be a little bit better, sure, but so can nearly anything else.

Great design, great idea but awful radio all-around. Has a hard time picking up standard FM signals and even harder time picking up HD signals. (in a strong signal area where other standard and HD radios work great) Going to send back to Coby to see if it's just my unit.

My advice, stay away.

I have a very hard time picking up AM in my office so I bought this radio hoping that the HD channels that carry AM programs on FM stations would do the trick. Unfortunately, the HD channels hardly ever come in and when they do, I hear every other word from the radio host. I've had to revert back to my analog radio where I can clearly pick up FM and barely hear AM but it's better than nothing.

I like this radio but I'm sorely disappointed in performance at my office, which is why I bought it. However, I gave it 3 stars because at home the reception is great and the HD channels work perfect. So it must be my office that is the main problem.

Warning: I bought a Terk antenna that was "bundled" with this radio by Amazon and when I got it, the antenna connection wiring does not fit the radio! Why would Amazon do that?

Also, I don't like the headphone jack being in the back of the unit instead of the front or sides.

I bought this unit for the HD radio portability. It started out fine-then i started to have reception problems. I could set it right next to my other hd radios and not get an hd signal-although the other radios had a strong hd signal. When it did get a signal it would be good, but then lose it completely. (i believe it was a defect and not the HD radio signal as i have experience in these radios). I had seen on another site that someone had compared it to a Tivoli PAL (which i own). The Tivoli cost twice as much, but is a far superior radio. If you want a nice portable rechargeable radio go with the PAL. It is not HD but seems to be much better made. I was very disappointed in this radio-i did not keep it long enough to judge the battery power. It also had an issue with a popping noise when you would tune it. The mono speaker does not sound good at all (the Tivoli is much cleaner sounding, almost stereo like) All in all the Coby is a very cheap feeling and i would imagine cheaply built radio. Too bad it could have been really a good thing. My thoughts on Coby's reputation stays the same...low quality stuff. I replaced it with a Sony Xdr-sdip10 HD radio with Ipod dock. While it's not portable, the sound is so much better. Much better built too. i own four other hd radios (two sonys, cambridge soundworks HD 820, and a sangean HD tuner) they are all miles ahead of this Coby. Hopefully someone will produce a high quality portable HD radio-until then avoid this radio-i think you'll be disappointed. As someone who owns several HD units i hope you will take my opinion into consideration and avoid this radio.

It is an ok Radio. Thought I would get more HD channels. You don't. Not only that but I am constantly charging it. Not real happy with the product.

I like HD Radio and I really wanted this radio to be good. Unfortunately, it was a not to be. The radio would not work on its internal rechargable battery, even after several days of charging. I contacted Coby service and they exchanged it under warranty, but charged me $12 for the privilege! When I got the replacement radio I gave it a 24 hour charge, but it will still not play for more than 20 minutes before the battery dies! They obviously have a big problem with battery life, and the battery is sealed inside the unit so replacing it is not an option! Aside from that major complaint, here are a few more observations: the sensitivity is poor - when it works, the signal keeps dropping out, even though I am just 3 miles from the station's tower. Another model I have works fine on the same station. The big round dial on the front should be the volume control, but it's the station tuning. It takes about two minutes of spinning the dial to go from one end of the FM band to the other. You control the volume with two up/down button keys on the front panel, but you have to look closely at the radio to read the tiny lettering and figure out which button controls the volume. The speaker is small and so the audio quality is just OK. In short, if you want a better HD Radio table receiver, there are many other and better options to look at. And if you want something portable, get the little Insignia radio from Best Buy.

Comes with AC power adapter and internal rechargable battery . Very small but good quality , one speaker but sounds good with decent bass . Splash resistant so great by the pool . The only portable HD radio I know of and sounds decent . I think it's a quality little portable that can be taken anywhere . Hopefully someday they will make a small stereo boombox in an HD portable and I would never buy another radio that wasn't HD but for now it's a neat little radio .

This radio has poor antenna reception and often does not work unless pulled in most of the time. Display is nice, as well as sound quality. I use it outside and it sounds great as long as you can pick up a channel.

I bought one of these radios and it wouldn't power on, even after charging overnight. So I exchanged it for another one (same model). The second one would turn on, but never got past the "Please Wait" stage. I'm sure this is a faulty model, so I'm waiting until they (hopefully) iron out the bugs and start making ones that actually work.