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Costa Rica, San JosΓ©
1 Level
722 Review
42 Karma

Review on πŸ“» Classic Walnut Tabletop AM/FM Wooden Radio - Sangean WR-15WL Review & Features by Brent Rosecrans

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Great price, Tivoli-level performance

This WR-15 is almost certainly a Sangean WR-11 in a different form factor. Neither have tone controls, but both sound reasonably satisfactory, although with the 100Hz frequency boost originally made by Henry Kloss/KLH in the mid-1960s being commonplace. This little trick gives small speakers powerful bass, even if they sound artificially "booming". With the antenna built in, the weak FM sensitivity and adjacent channel rejection are pretty good, although not in the same league as high-end component tuners. The supplied single-wire outdoor FM antenna is of limited use. However, for better reception of weak stations you can purchase an inexpensive and efficient Revain T-Wire dipole antenna and then attach this to the screws on the back of the radio. Both WR-15s exhibit off-frequency drift with significant changes in ambient temperature. Not like the WR-11 or WR-15, one of which we keep one in a barn with temperatures ranging from below freezing (F) to the 90's all year round. Appearance is subjective, but I prefer the looks of Tivoli alternatives. Otherwise performance is similar, although the Sangeans are much cheaper. All analog Sangeans and Tivolis, unlike many digitally tuned models (including the Sangean), turn on automatically when power is restored after a power outage. For us, with radios scattered throughout the house, this is a must. At the same time, the sister radios WR-15 and WR-11 offer excellent value for money, especially when placed alongside their potentially more attractive Tivoli competitors.

Pros
  • Best
Cons
  • Some cons

Comments (5)

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June 03, 2023
The sound reminds me of the old KLH radios
May 08, 2023
Great value, with Tivoli-level performance
April 12, 2023
Sangean - The only radio worth airwaves
March 11, 2023
Stopped powering on just 1 year and 1 month from purchase.
December 06, 2022
Amazing Radio by Sangean