The WFR-29C is not a letdown, but: You have to wonder just how hard it is apparently now to build a decent radio, purely of housing and design forth. When unpacking, I was surprised at how small this radio is yet. No more pocket radio, but also far from a proper "suitcase radio" station. In the GDR, there used to SKR-700 Radio Recorder, which was quite small, but compared to the Sangean looks like a toy. Slightly wider (5cm) could have been there already do, then also significantly larger speakers would fit well (whose size is actually limited only by the width to small, up and down is enough space). The sound is indeed with heights MAX halfway satisfactory, but only if you set the size of housing and speakers in's ratio. Who ordered the glossy surface of the case? Is optimal only for fingerprints and scratches. (The top is indeed dull, it is so) The handle is practical, but both the antenna and the USB slot are arranged so that there can be mechanical conflict with him when using them (Tip to Sangean: USB socket Attach sunk to 90 degrees, which does not project the stick, but the housing sunk rests parallel). The color display is resistant to the usual monochrome displays a revelation, although it date from Handy & Co. also lags behind many years. The resolution is modest (still those ugly tickers), the ancient 5: 4 format wasting space but it can be endured. The operation with the 2 knobs is more pleasant than exclusively with fingertip control as elsewhere. In particular, the volume control by finely graded dial is a boon. Level 1 of 32 is really quiet enough, just audibly. From 25 the devices becomes overwhelmed. Apparently, a limitation of the chipset how many of the criticisms are the 5 preset buttons. This is really nonsense and might still be tolerable, but not at a radio with thousands of possible channels in a pure FM radio. Minor keys, but at least twice as many if you please! At least there is the "last station you listen to." The speed of the station selection is ok. Fast and comfortable operation would probably be only a modern chipset, because the problem of low reaction rate have felt all the latest digital radio (at least with the Silcon Frontier chipset). You can tell just that the subject of "Radio" today not particularly is the focus of the market, otherwise the development here would be much further down and the equipment is not felt forever unchanged in the market. Regardless of the APP, which is also exactly the same like in the rest of Technisat (ie specified by the chipset) I wanted an operation / configuration via web browser. If you enter the IP address of the radio, you can see only one side with technical information, you can use anything. With regard to the German translation of the menu I noticed some oddities: The Diplaybeleuchtung example is referred to as "tail light" and incorrect as a "backlight". The translation was probably left to a machine. Furthermore, the inquiry of the desired language should be the same for the initial setup of the Wizards. Praiseworthy is the ability to charge batteries in the device. Furthermore, snooze and alarm function available (even 2 alarm times, with distinction weekday / weekend!). In standby, the time is displayed in a pleasant color and brightness. WiFi even in the 5GHz band, WOW! This technical compromise would be desirable also at other points. The sound of a stereo system is excellent by the way. One can find huge differences in the sound of various Internet stations. FM and DAB reception are useful. Conclusion: Far from perfection, but useful, as long as in this form is not much better. Especially the stereo design in the way of previous boombox (which were of course much much bigger) I noticed very pleasant. I will never fall back into the MONO primeval. Although some prefer the sense of stereo with so little boxes-distance in doubt, the sound with 2 speakers is always much more sublime than with just one. My dream would be a digital radio and visually inspired by the sound of the old quality JVC and Sharp devices the early 80s with the technical possibilities of today. 5 stars because it far and wide is no better alternative. Correct would be a maximum of 4.5!
Update after a few days use: - The sound of the built-in speaker is the sound of an entire room unsatisfactory, they are simply too small and sound "topfig", the tone controls helps because not much, neither is "warm" Bass, yet brilliant highs. Sound via line-out and stereo is perfectly! - The display is very pleasant from the presentation here, especially the bright colors and good contrast. The small size and the black borders left and right but disturbing. - The speed of the channel switching is really satisfactory. - DAB scan takes place very rapidly. However, not all channels found are also played. - As long as Wi-Fi is available, all other plays no role. By DAB and FM radio but really always and everywhere universally. - The creation of favorites lists via the Internet works well. - The only 5 preset buttons repeatedly call forth shake of the head. - Can be made by Internet you play podcasts - very nice! Unfortunately, it is not thought through, because it is not possible to jump within the podcast, or at least to remember a place. These functions should be upgraded necessarily via software update! Podcasts - ie "radio on demand" would thus be a whole new dimension to radio listening. Technically it is not a problem because the PC it's all too easily.
