- Design: The XDR-S60 makes a very chic impression!
- Housing: In both cases there is sufficient stability. When XDR-S60 you can see the buttons on the front to operate without having to hold the radio (slightly bigger Gehaeusetiefe, four rubber feet). For the RF-D10 has a foldable backwards carrying handle that is missing at Sony.
- Power supply (mains): The RF-D10 has an internal power supply, the network cable on the left side is inserted halfway up about 7 cm horizontally protruding. The XDR-S60 on the other hand comes with a power adapter, which is connected by a small, hardly protruding angled connector on the back of the radio.
- Power supply (battery / battery): Not tested. The Sony needs 3, the Panasonic 4 baby cells (type C). According to the manual, the Sony does not support "rechargeable batteries", the Panasonic batteries are not mentioned.
- Operation (configuration): Very clear, simple operating concept at Sony. At Panasonic we must ever play around what or look in the manual.
- Operation (normal operation): Here, the RF-D10 is top in the truest sense of the word: All frequently used buttons (on / off, analog / digital, 10 preset buttons for a total of 20 stations) are located on the top (XDR-S60: A / off + 5 preset buttons for 10 stations above, Shift digital / analog / external source on the front). Very ergonomic Lautstaerkedrehregler right above the RF-D10. As a rule, I can RF D10-handed use and it must not while holding with the other hand.
- Display: higher resolution and very bright at the Sony, but some smaller font. In standard mode, both devices show the current station, program information as scrolling text and the time (small). When Sony further display of the mode (DAB / FM), but the signal strength will be displayed permanently a small icon at Panasonic. The reading of both displays is winkelabhaengig: From too far left / right or top / bottom, you can no longer read the display. Both devices can be adjusted if the backlight is permanently on during operation, or whether it concerns only in the operation and then a few seconds later disappears.
- Standby: When Sony displays nothing on the screen, the Panasonic in net operating time and date. However, the backlight can not be switched permanently in this state; Only when you press the Display button, the lighting goes to 10 sec.
- Reception Capacity: I absolutely can not judge the reception power, since I live in a well-served area. Both radios receiving roughly the same digital and analogue channels in similar quality.
- Speaker sound: here the RF-D10 has the nose clear front, it reaches almost approached an old Sony ICF-904L. The Sony XDR-S60 has significantly fewer ups and downs. Very good at Panasonic: An equalizer with 5 settings (flat, sonorous, soft, clear voice), who an audible effect. When XDR-S60 of the sound, however, can not be influenced. Both radios sound very clear, it rattles nothing.
- Volume: At Panasonic the volume can be changed in 17 discrete steps 0-16, the dial has a corresponding soft grid. In the kitchen, I use the steps 5-7. At Sony, the volume can be continuously changed. The maximum achievable volume is significantly higher than the XDR-S60 in the RF-D10.
- Nebengeraeusch (RF-D10): The Panasonic is at the transition from the Lautstaerkestufe 0 to Stage 1 a Nebengeraeusch one that does not become louder in the following stages, and this is more pronounced in DAB mode as in FM mode. This sound can I hear the speaker only when I hold the ear on the radio. I use against sensitive in-ear headphones, I take the sound to mean sound level is towards consciously aware of, especially when language broadcasts. When Beyerdynamik headphones the effect is again less, I have to turn up the gain here. By contrast, Sony and even my little Sangean DPR-65 play even at low volume without any Nebengeraeusche.
- Sleep Mode: 15, 30, 45, 60 min at Sony; 30, 60, 90, 120 min in the Panasonic.
- Alarm Clock (RF-D10): There is a daily alarm. Is awakened by a buzzer, DAB or FM with pre-selectable transmitter and a pre-selected volume. Once any button or a knob is pressed, the radio goes out immediately, otherwise after 90 min. A snooze function does not exist. According to the manual of the alarm only works when plugged in.
- External audio source (only XDR-S60): Not tested. The Sony can play an external stereo signal via a three-pole 3.5mm jack.
- Memory: both devices have presets (no network connection, no batteries) remain almost completely without power. (The RF-D10 a set alarm will only be deleted.) The lost after an electroless phase previous time is set automatically when the radio mode. (When Sony only in DAB mode.)
Both radios is no possibility,
- To update the firmware.
- Adjust the screen brightness or the display contrast.
- Switch to mono reception.
- The balance on the stereo to regulate Kopfhoererausgang.
- When tuning to adjust the sensitivity.
- To level the volume in the DAB mode to better hearing in a noisy environment (DRC = Dynamic Range Control).
- Recharge batteries in the device (as with many Sangean radio), so the radio, anyway run with NiMH batteries.
Conclusion: Because of better operability in control mode and the better sound quality in speaker mode, I have decided on the Panasonic RF-D10.
Update 5/3/2014: Although the Nebengeraeusch the RF-D10 does not matter in my current application that I have the Panasonic Service contacted about it. The device was then free pick up and drop of DHL. The service has the device without comment swapped for another, which has the same problem.
Update 06/05/2015: After one year of regular use, I am very satisfied with the radio. As Kuechenradio I would buy it again.
