Sangean RS-330 AM/FM Clock Radio

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Title : Sangean RS-330 AM/FM Clock Radio
Author : Sangean
Release Date : 20000211
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $179.99
Amazon.com Price : $102.99 (43 %)
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Editorial Reviews :
Think clock radios are inherently boring? Think again. Sangean's RS-330, looking very much like a run-of-the-mill night-table fixture, is actually a compact and unusually well-designed dual-alarm clock radio with--no kidding--decent sound quality. Separate bass and treble controls let you tailor the sound quality while the auxiliary audio input and output offer flexibility in sound sources.
The RS-330 is a model of clarity: its fluorescent blue display is large and intuitively laid out, its two alarms are easy to set, and its sound focuses though a single, natural-sounding speaker. (If you want stereo, Sangean makes a slightly cheaper mate, the RS-332, which accepts an audio feed and alarm commands from the RS-330 through a supplied multipin cable and lets you hear each alarm through a different speaker.)

Conveniently, the RS-330's radio sets its own presets (12 FM and 12 AM) using Sangean's Auto-Program Setting (APS) feature, and reconfiguring those presets is a simple operation. Unfortunately, there are only six preset buttons, requiring a two-step process (and the equivalent of a shift key) to access presets 7 through 12 in either the FM or AM band. Sangean supplies an FM antenna, but we found the radio offered good reception even without it (though performance will vary with locale).

A large side knob handles volume adjustments (including balanced adjustments through the RS-332, if you wish). Individual bass and treble controls--rare beasts in the jungle of clock radios--rest below. You can crank the bass and treble to keep the frequency extremes from being lost at quiet listening levels, or you can reduce the bass output for more natural sound at higher listening levels. The speaker will distort if you turn the volume too high with the bass maxed.

Clock settings are a cinch, as the RS-330 uses a single button (just out of accidental reach) to toggle through the main clock time and the settings for alarms 1 and 2. You can set each alarm for either radio or beeper, and each alarm gets its own volume knob on the back panel. The alarm levels function independently of the master radio level, whether you've selected the radio or the beeper for your alarm. This brings a certain freedom in listening--you never have to worry about whether you've left the volume too loud or too quiet for the next day's wake-up.

For nighttime lullabies, the RS-330 offers a Sleep function. The default setting is one hour, but you can set it anywhere from one minute up to six hours by hitting Sleep and adjusting the duration with the tuning (up/down) buttons. Conversely, you can set a countdown timer for up to six hours using a Timer button. The beeper, but not the radio, sounds at the end of the countdown.

You even get to choose separate stations to fall asleep and wake up to, though both alarms must wake to the same radio station since the radio-alarm defaults to preset 1 of your last-auditioned band (FM or AM). (Linking with the RS-332 permits additional and differing presets.) The snooze bar, which gives you five minutes of sleepy reprieve with every smack, is easy to hit and appropriately wide.

A wonderful touch is Sangean's inclusion of an auxiliary audio input and output (both 0.125-inch stereo mini jacks), which lets you use the RS-330 as an amplifier/speaker for a CD player or a cassette deck (through the input) and as a facilitating hookup with an integrated amplifier, or a cassette or minidisc recorder (through the output).

For a winning combination of stylish appearance, alarm flexibility, and pleasing sound quality, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better choice than the Sangean RS-330. --Michael Mikesell

Buyer Reviews :
RS-330. (The name Sangean is nowhere to be found.)

This radio is the perfect solution for those who don't want to spend hundreds more on a Bose Wave, but find very little satisfaction from 'plasticky' clock radios with horrible sound, analog tuners, and controls unusable by humans. I looked at lots of 'junk' before I bought this. Add the companion RS-332 amplified speaker and you have an integrated stereo clock radio 'system' with independent alarms and controls for two sleepers. (Each sleeper is awakened by sound from the component on his or her own side, but in normal listening you have stereo.) In my opinion, the extra speaker is a must; without it, you have one speaker monaural sound.

The radio and companion RS-332 each contain a four watt amplifier and 5 inch speaker, together offering great fidelity. The case and controls are extremely well crafted with excellent look, materials, and feel.

Headphone out, power backup (not via battery but deep capacitor), ramp wake volume, light sensitive auto dim, digital tuning, auxilliary inputs, displayed wake time for two sleepers, sleep timer... etc. etc. etc.

FM reception is exceptional with the wire dipole antenna included. In summary, this thing works and sounds GREAT (especially with the RS-332 attached in stereo) as long as you do not expect to blow the walls out at high volume.

(by G W Parker)

Features/Technical Specs :
* Dual alarms and alarm settings
* 4-watt amplifier with single 5-inch speaker
* Auto-Program Setting (APS) stores stations by priority of signal strength
* 30-minute super-capacitor backup system retains all settings
* Can be linked to Sangean RS-332 for stereo sound

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