Sangean LB-100 "Lunchbox" Compact Industrial AM/FM Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A few months ago, I spent $104 on the Sangean U3 worksite radio and was, in spite of warnings about its bass-heavy speakers, exceedingly pleased with speaker sound and AM/FM sensitivity.'

Even before I bought the U3, I wanted the Sangean LB-100, which had been praised by many, but was unavailable in the US market until recently.

So for about $75 and free shipping on Amazon, I bought the LB-100. I fretted the possibility that the LB-100's AM might not be up to par with the bigger U3.
But a side by side reception comparison results in what appears to be close performance, and very impressive AM and FM. The LB-100's slightly smaller ferrite AM antenna produces a little less sensitivity but produces good overall AM sound. Just a shade less than the U3's.

'One thing I don't like about both the Lunchbox and the U3 is that the non-rotation screw-in FM antenna doesn't give you any option to perform fine-tuning when wanting to get in a troublesome station (all worksite radios have such an antenna built like this to be rugged). Not that you need to adjust the antenna much. The FM sensitivity is so good that such adjusting isn't necessary. However, for weak FM stations like 89.3 and 88.9 it would be nice to have a rotating FM antenna. As strong as the FM is on both radios, I can't grab the weakest FM station I know of, 88.9, on the U3 and the LB-100 like I can with the Redsun RP-2100 (CCrane CSW) or the Grundig S350.

Now for AM reception. Very sensitive. The sound is very appealing through the 5-inch speaker, just like on the bigger U3.'
Unlike the U3, which has a clock, headphone jack, and aux port, the LB-100 has none of these and is, in spite of being digital with 5 presets for AM and FM, a very bare bones radio, a sort of 1980 Ford Ranger truck, which didn't even come with a radio, ironically enough.
'
You might want to pay an extra $25 and get the added features of the U3 and enjoy a bigger ferrite AM antenna (though I personally didn't hear any difference in AM between the two).

One thing to consider is that the footprint on the LB-100 is not small at 8x8 inches. I was going to use the LB-100 in the kitchen but its size may make me change my mind and take it to the work office or use in one of the bathrooms.

I do want to commend Sangean on the battery compartment (takes 4 C batteries). This is not one of those latches that you snapped broken because you breathed too heavily on the hinges. This hinge uses a big screw and looks like it was built to last.

Conclusion: At the $75 price point, the LB-100 has a rugged look, a loud yellow color, excellent fidelity, and strong AM and FM reception. Recommended.

Update: Be aware that this doesn't take rechargeable batteries.

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Product Description:
Ruged, Industrial AM/FM Radio w/PLL Tuner, Backlit LCD Display, 10 station memory, Durable ABS Plastic

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Sangean PR-D7 AM/FM Digital Rechargeable Portable Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently read analysis of the Sangean PR-D5 vs. the Sangean PR-D7 radios.The reviews missed the point:These two Sangean radios target different market niches and needs.The PR-D5 is essentially a table radio while the PR-D7 targets folks that need a radio for domestic travel.I'm sure the engineers at Sangean see it this way.Why not buy both radios?

The Sangean PR-D7 has a clean crisp sound with very low noise floor on AM and FM bands, a great improvement over Sangean radios of similar size such as the ATS-505 or the ATS-909.BTW, I've tuned in all the major stations in the greater Phoenix area without a problem including the hard to catch 89.5, a classical station.

I have been very surprised at the overall performance of the PR-D7 radio and listen to this radio on a daily basis.The Sangean PR-D7 ($59) does 90 percent of what the Trivoli Songbook does at 25 percent of the Songbook's $200 price tag.

Still, the PR-D7 could use a multi-voltage AC adapter and a lock switch to be a complete global travel radio (like the Sangean ATS-606).Also, when traveling, cloth pouch would be a really nice touch.And while I'm making my wish list, the PR-D7 in a red or yellow case would be neat and easy to spot in a hotel room so you don't leave it behind.

One of the things I like about this radio are the controls, easy to learn and use, plus you can see the frequency and time on the display.

Update September 2008:I just recently purchased Sanyo's Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries for my PR-D7 giving me greater flexibility whenenjoying this wonderful portable radio.I highly recommend Sanyo's Eneloop batteries.

Last week, from my greater Phoenix location, I picked KNX 1070 Los Angeles about 10PM in the evening.

Update October 2009: After owning this radio for 2 years, my little PR-D7 fell off a second story balcony and is now in pieces, so I ordered a second PR-D7 this morning.I suffer from cancer and kidney disease, so I've been in and out of the hospital several times this year, each time, my little Sangean PR-D7 went with me.

One of the neatest features of this PR-D7 is the no hassle recharging of the AA batteries, the radio automatically does this for you!!!

BTW, I ordered this radio from Amazon on a Friday morning and received the radio the next Tuesday morning.How's that for service!!!

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Product Description:

An ultra-compact AM/FM digital radio, the Sangean PR-D7 weighs just under 1.5 pounds and measures 8 inches long by 4-1/2 inches tall. It features conveniently located and an easily readable display for frequency and current time. It offers excellent sensitivity and selectivity, and will surprise you at its ability to pull in distant stations.

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