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Review on πŸ“» Vintage Retro Wireless Bluetooth Radio Speaker - Premium Sound Receiver System with Built-in Stereo Speakers, USB, SD Card Slot, AUX, RCA, MP3, AM/FM Tuner - Pyle PUNP34BT by Matthew Goozmer

Revainrating 2 out of 5

Beautiful shape, terrible functionality

I was so happy to put this beautiful radio on my bookshelf until I turned it on. The quality of the radio is adequate, but only adequate. The tuner seems to need periodic adjustment with signal shifts and I couldn't find a noise-free connection. My iPod with a headphone cable works much better. The radio volume was "satisfactory" and I choose the word carefully. However, the Bluetooth feature is terrible. A few other reviewers noted that audio from Bluetooth-connected devices was low, but I'm still surprised at how bad it really is. Using a Bluetooth device resulted in the volume controls being turned almost to the maximum level, whereupon the system would emit an annoying electrical feedback hum. Worse, the connection often drops, hangs, or gets corrupted. But I use Beats Bluetooth headphones regularly and I just don't have this problem. The Bluetooth version of the system is 2.1 only. So if old technology causes problems, nothing can be done about it. I tried several connections at different distances (never more than 12 feet) and nothing improved the situation. I wouldn't use this Bluetooth connection if I had no choice (and that was the main reason I bought this shelving system). Unfortunately, the 3.5mm aux port still suffers from low volume too. Finally, the speaker's range is poor for its price, even slightly weaker than the snazzy but small shelf system. There's no bass, of course, but that's to be expected. But I'm surprised that some high frequencies and whispers disappear as well. I listened to NPR for about an hour, which was fine, but when the radio program switched to music or natural sound, I immediately noticed weak tonal coverage. I'm willing to admit that maybe my experience is related to a faulty device. But I don't want to risk it again (and pay extra shipping). All in all, this is a really nice box that even includes an inadequate music system. I'm surprised at how high this rating is. Is a beautiful cabinet so unusual that as a music system I should simply ignore its failure? It gets two stars from me because it's beautiful, but I firmly believe that form can't beat function.

Pros
  • New
Cons
  • Slightly torn