Radio Reviews

Fast shipment, well packaged, highly recommend AAA+++

I need to listen to music at the gym while doing aerobics. For a long time I used a portable CD player to accomplish this. However, developments in technology have brought us the more practical MP3 players. After reading reviews on several of these, I opted to buy this one. For the most part I really enjoy it. The sound quality is great and I like the album feature as sometimes I want to listen to a completely different kind of music. It is amazingly lightweight, so much so that I don't even bother with the armband. I just put it in my pocket or attach it to my waistband.

The reasons I could not give this player a higher rating are the following:
1) Setting the preset FM stations was a lesson in frustration.
2) The display is pretty small and can be difficult to read.
3) The download software does not allow one to arrange the tunes other than the order (alphabetical) that they are in when you open the folder. In other words, if you want to download a CD's tunes in the same order as they are on the CD, you have to first download them to the player, then arrange them in the preferred order. For me, this is a significant drawback.
4) As another reviewer mentioned, the USB port on the player is not accessible with the cover on. So, everytime you want to download new tunes you have to unplug the earphones and take it out of the case then, reverse the procedure to get up and running again.

As long as you don't mind these inconveniences, this is a good little, player. It is particularly better than lugging around a CD player.

I owned a Nomad IIc and played with several other MP3 devices. This player is superior by far, in every respect.

Audio quality: Excellent. The sound is crisp and clear. I don't know the exact SNR, but qualitatively this player sounds great through average headphones. I think a lot of people ignore the differences in sound quality on MP3 devices. For instance, the Rio players sound shallow and distant by comparison.

FM radio: This little machine picks up stations better than my receiver at home. And it is clear. The preset and tuning navigation are intuitive. It also finds stations quickly. You can record radio directly (like the voice recording). Now, I don't record too much radio, but the option is very nice. I personally feel a radio is essential on these devices as I get tired of my songs quickly, or just would like a change of pace or to listen to the news.

Voice recorder: Decent mic pick-up. Has auto-level feature that will start recording only when it picks up a signal.

Ergonomics: perfect size. I wouldn't want it any smaller. Jog dials are very easy and comfortable to use. Can fit anywhere.

Memory: 128 Mb. Too bad it has fixed storage. Perhaps my only complaint.

Overall, there is no 128 Mb mp3 player that can compete with the iaudio cw200. If you are in the market, spend your money wisely and order this one.

Others had covered the features of this little wonder pretty well, so I expected to be satisfied with this product. I did not expect to be amazed and delighted with it. Unlike most who were looking for an MP3 player, I was looking for a digital voice recorder. The few others that I'd tried had poor sound quality, very little memory, and poor battery life. This iAudio gem is astounding in the quality of the microphone, the crystal clear sound, the roomy 128mb memory, and long battery life. The sound is much better than I expected, especially in such a very small, convenient device. The FM radio is far stronger than many I've heard on larger players AND recordings can be made from the radio! As an MP3 player the value for the money is excellent and the four folders are great for separating albums or making playlists. The manual is okay -- all the necessary info is there but rather minimalistic. The software is good and pretty intuitive. The iAudio is small! and made well, with one exception: the toggle switches move smoothly side to side but stick a bit when pressed in. Since I've had it one has loosened up and is fine, the other still catches occasionally. Everything else is top quality! I've actually gotten more than I expected to for my money.

I have the grey model and I have to say that out of all the boombox style portable stereos I have listened to (and I always check them out), this model KaBoom is by far the best. I mean if you want sound and bass this stereo has it in spades. But don't think that this is all it has. It also sounds great at lower volumes. I listen to everything from hip hop to reggae to Mozart to Machine Head to John Coletrane and it all sounds great. That's why it frustrates me to no end as to why JVC discontinued this model and replaced it with a ... underpowered smaller model that costs more to boot! Sure it was heavy, ate batteries (10-D cells and 4-AA cells) like it was going out of style, and the carrying strap wasn't the most robust (the swivels let go on me and I almost dumped mine on a concrete floor) but so what? I'd put up with all those short commings because of the sound. Please, please, oh please JVC bring back the RV-B model KaBoom!!!

The JVC kaboom box sounds very nice, at least for the $$ I paid for it. My only crticism of the unit is that the FM Tuner could be a lot more sensitive (for those of us who live in remote areas), and the ACS feature makes the music sound noticeably blotchy (very annoying). Apart from these problems, as well as its bulky size (which may be impressive to some), the Kaboom box is an awesome unit. Definitely worth the money.

My friend bught this model in 1998. I loved it so much that I searched for two years to have one. I found it in Colorado.
I paid 220.00 Dollars for this one. And over all sounds even better than the RVB99 Or the RV90 (assault) Mine is the RV-B90LTD
It packs 52 watts. My friends envey mind for the doubled impact
of sound that theirs have. I love thay way the bass booms and still have the full range as well. It never sounds destorted and
It loves to Eat Batterys! that is my only complaint. I recomend this Loaded Boom Box to every one ! If you can't find the
RV-B90LTD the RV-B99 is almost as good but only has 26 watts per channel. I love this Stereo for cammping and on the Boat And at the cabin. There is one more draw bock With the RV-B90LTD it it weighs 29 pounds without batteries And 32 pounds with. Compared to the RVB99 that weighs 24 pounds. It is discontiued But if you find A RV-B90LTD Get it you will love the heavy sound and clarity it will give you. And the full function remote will never make you get up to change to music ! unless the Batteries go dead in the remote. This one of the best products That JVC has come out with since 1998. Thanks JVC YOUR THE BEST !!!
Feb.21 2003

I've been very happy with this product, BUT recently my presets are lost every time I poweroff. At first i thought it was because the battery was running low, but now since changing it for a fully charged battery, it still returns to no presets level when i turn the unit off. This is becoming very annoying having to set the 5 stations i like to flip through during my workout at the gym. Haven't checked out the manual to see what it says. This might have started when I accidentally erased all the MP3 files on it, but still, i don't see why it would matter with the presets. Just something to be leary of before you buy.

I bought this device for Christmas 2002 after doing a lot of research on the internet, and I have been very satisfied so far. It had all the features I was looking for, including enough built-in storage so that removable media is not necessary. I also wanted something with a beltclip that I could use when exercising (the main use for this device). It can also receive FM radio and the reception is very good. And it can record voice memos. I have had no trouble with the software for managing audio files in the unit. The included Jet Audio MP3 player is OK, but I prefer using Windows Media Player because the update of album info is easier. The only thing sort of missing is the ability to play WMA files, but MP3 appears to be a more widespread standard. I got an MP3 plug-in for Windows Media Player. The sound quality of the unit is great. Output is plenty loud for me. I highly recommend this unit as a player to use for exercising. The iPOD has much greater capacity and may be the best unit to take all your music with you, but its movable parts (hard disk) makes it unsuitable to me for use while jogging or engaging in other vigorous exercise.

iAudio CW200 256Mb review

Pros: Incredible sound ! Light, minimal size but maximal reliability. Intuitive buttons and softwares. 256 Mb means about 90 songs and about 5 hours of continuous music. Voice recording works very well. FM radio works fine. Battery saving: 6h with 550MAh AAA batteries. Comes with all practical accessories. Firmware download. Support and service is great (thanx Francis).

Cons: My opinion would lead to nothing in this category. But I want to stay completely objective: no WMA support and FM reception could be a bit better...

Full review:

I've been now using the iAudio for about 2 months.
I tested only one before this one (the Nike one). I was convinced to buy this player when reading all the positive comments on Amazon...
Now I use it every day in the train and on the bike between my home and my office. This means about 3 hours/working day.

All I have to say is THIS PLAYER IS PERFECT :-)

Sound: the best I've ever heard. Also the clearest. The headphones included give very good sound quality. Basses are deep (it surprised me that so small headphones can give so loud basses) but don't hide middle or treble. I was wondering how it comes. I found the answer by switching headphones, using my Sennheiser (the very big ones). The basses there are too loud so it appears that the player sound settings have been adapted to the included headphones.
30 seconds to change equalizer settings and I had wonderful sound in my new headphones.
Do the test once: try connecting hifi headphones to the player. Adjust equalizer and you'll be surprised...

Size: With a size comparable to a chewing-gum packet, this player is the smallest and lightest MP3 flash player I've ever seen. When running (using the armband) you even don't feel it. Except maybe the headphones wires...

Package and menus: with only 4 functionnal buttons (including the hold button and REC button). The 2 other buttons are 2 jog dials commands (left right push). They're very easy to use and combination are possible to enable shortcurts of commands.
Menus are very intuitive and also very complete.

Voice recording: As far as I tried this feature, it fulfills completely my needs. I recorded a one hour meeting, by just letting the player in the middle of the table. The result was perfect. Even when 3 people are speaking, you can still understand correctly. This feature is ideal for this use (lectures recording or meeting recording)

FM radio: Works fine. Maybe reception could be a bit better sometimes. My main problem with it is reception when I move. For example, in the train or in the car don't use it. Except if the radio station is powerful and if it doesn't change frequency.

Memory: The iAudio comes with 3 different memory sizes: 64, 128 or 256Mb. I personnaly have the 256 version. And I recommend it. I can fill it with about 90 songs in 128kb/s format (CD quality). It means almost 5 hours of continuous music. So it means for me never twice the same song/day ... And using random play order it means that I keep the same songs for a long time without being bored..
A small comment to JetAudio: maybe for the next generation of the player try to include external memory expansions. I think new memory card format miniSD is light and small enough to fit in your player.

Screen: Blue backlight LCD. Very readable. MP3 tags are displayed. You can customize the iAudio logo animation during booting. Displays the battery status, mode, time and title of the song.

Batteries: Again a positive point ;-). iAudio uses 1 standard AAA battery so you can buy cheap AAA rechargeable batteries. For example, I use some 550MAh and they last for at least 6 hours. I bought 4 batteries like this one for about 15$. So with one set, I go for 24 hours...

Software included: Jetshell is the utility that comes with the player. It can be used to directly rip CDs to the iAudio. But its main feature is the maintenance and upload/download of the iAudio. I t also provides access to CDDB to directly find titles of songs. It's also very very easy to use. Transfer is done via USB port. Filling completely the 256Mb takes approximatively 5 minutes. Not bad :-)

Accessories: Another good point. The player comes with all accessories you can dream of. The most useful being without hesitation the white leather carrying case. It protects player against scratches and falls damages. It also provide access to buttons and LCD. It comes with a beltclip. I just got today the armband. I tried it on the bike. It fits perfectly on my arm and really doesn't move at all even when shaking your arm. You can also use the necklace (I use it in the train), it's also very useful.

Firmware download: I told this would be a minor advantage compared to the other players. But no, it's a big one. It seems that JetAudio permanenetly tries to ameliorate the embedded software. The last firmware doubles the FM presets and allows equalizer setting while in FM mode. I hope they will continue to improve it like that.

Support and service: 10/10 . I had some questions and I sent them to JetAudio. It took less than 4 hours to get an answer. An sth really relevant. Also I had a special request for them. They satisfied me completely... bravo ;-)

Got the radio for a family trip to the beach and it worked great. Didn't have a problem with too many other people using the frequencies, but appreciated the 38 sub channels. I especially liked the large talk button- made it easy to find when communicating. We had some other radios with us with small same size buttons which made it harder to find to talk. The range was fine, as we also used it in our cars on our way to the beach. Cheaper and easier than making cell phone calls to each other all the time. I also recommend getting the Aquapac waterproof cover. The covers are a little pricey but worth it. I can't tell you how many times I waded into the water to fish only to have a wave come up and drench me. The covers also keep out the sand and other junk from messing up the radio. No problem with hearing or speaking through the cover.

With two very young children, our outings can be very unpredictable. Time is tight too. The Motorola 280's have been a great time saver. Sometimes we split up in the mall. One of us goes to do some shopping while the other has fun with the kids. We don't have to worry about setting up a time and place to meet up. It's easy to ask a question or change/make plans from 1/2 mile away. We use it on hikes and while walking around the neighborhood. They're also great when you are travelling with more than one car.

The range is supposed to be about 2 miles. It can differ depending where you are.

Everything I've said is a good reason to by any 2-way radio. Why did I choose this model even though it costs a lot more than some of the other ones?

-They're compact. Even more compact than the the 280's that take regular batteries. Their size makes them easy to bring along anywhere. They also have a removeable belt clip. Clip them on your pants or belt or remove the clip and they slip easily into your pocket. -They're rugged. The 280's survived drops onto pavement and gallons of baby drool. -They have 14 channels and 38 privacy codes. If you go somewhere where there is a large crowd, you will run into other people with radios. The extra channels help you find a quiet channel. However, we rarely have to change channels.

We've had ours for almost 2 years now and they have been very useful.

Having read another customers review about the radios usefulness for skiing we purchased two for our most recent outing and we were not let down. Although we never tested the range to the full they provided excellent communication when in areas (such as the tree line)where the other members of the party are not always visable. I also found that the batteries lasted longer than expected. Although i would recommend changing the batteries when they get down to one bar as the reception became quite grainy. Other than that an excellent buy, the secure channel was very useful as is the call feature. Along with the radio we also tried out the PTT ear bud and talk activated mic boom. See my review of those in their section.

Got the radio for a family trip to the beach and it worked great. Didn't have a problem with too many other people using the frequencies, but appreciated the 38 sub channels. I especially liked the large talk button- made it easy to find when communicating. We had some other radios with us with small same size buttons which made it harder to find to talk. The range was fine, as we also used it in our cars on our way to the beach. Cheaper and easier than making cell phone calls to each other all the time. I also recommend getting the Aquapac waterproof cover. The covers are a little pricey but worth it. I can't tell you how many times I waded into the water to fish only to have a wave come up and drench me. The covers also keep out the sand and other junk from messing up the radio. No problem with hearing or speaking through the cover.

With two very young children, our outings can be very unpredictable. Time is tight too. The Motorola 280's have been a great time saver. Sometimes we split up in the mall. One of us goes to do some shopping while the other has fun with the kids. We don't have to worry about setting up a time and place to meet up. It's easy to ask a question or change/make plans from 1/2 mile away. We use it on hikes and while walking around the neighborhood. They're also great when you are travelling with more than one car.

The range is supposed to be about 2 miles. It can differ depending where you are.

Everything I've said is a good reason to by any 2-way radio. Why did I choose this model even though it costs a lot more than some of the other ones?

-They're compact. Even more compact than the the 280's that take regular batteries. Their size makes them easy to bring along anywhere. They also have a removeable belt clip. Clip them on your pants or belt or remove the clip and they slip easily into your pocket. -They're rugged. The 280's survived drops onto pavement and gallons of baby drool. -They have 14 channels and 38 privacy codes. If you go somewhere where there is a large crowd, you will run into other people with radios. The extra channels help you find a quiet channel. However, we rarely have to change channels.

We've had ours for almost 2 years now and they have been very useful.

Having read another customers review about the radios usefulness for skiing we purchased two for our most recent outing and we were not let down. Although we never tested the range to the full they provided excellent communication when in areas (such as the tree line)where the other members of the party are not always visable. I also found that the batteries lasted longer than expected. Although i would recommend changing the batteries when they get down to one bar as the reception became quite grainy. Other than that an excellent buy, the secure channel was very useful as is the call feature. Along with the radio we also tried out the PTT ear bud and talk activated mic boom. See my review of those in their section.

Great radio with all 14 channels and 38 privacy codes, yet you don't need a license. Unfortunately don't be fooled by the privacy "codes". Your conversations can still be monitored by other radios. Nice features like a backlit display lets you see the display in the dark and lock alows you to prevent accedental channel changes. Also includes an accessory jack for an optional hands-free (VOX) or push-to-talk headset. Bottom line, great 2-way radio with wonderful range and reception (up to 2 miles) except for the cons listed above and a incovieniently located talk button.

I want to start by saying that the Motorola TalkAbout 250 is the BEST two-way radio out there. I would rate it a 6 or 7, but that does not exist.

HERE ARE A FEW FACTS I HAVE FOUND:

1) The distance is great! I got about 1.5 miles, and there were many houses, trees, and power lines between myself and the person I was talking to. I am sure anyone could get AT LEAST 3 miles in an open area.

2) The sound quality is also great! It is 100% crystal clear. Motorola builds in a device to reduce unwanted noise and static. It really helps!

3) This model has features including: a scan button and a lock button (a must for people with kids).

4) The 14 channels AND 38 subcodes are a great thing to have. I went to a huge antique sale, and there were many people using two-way radios. I would not suggest a radio with only 2 or 14 channels unless you are willing to argue with another person about who can talk on the channel.

5) Having a volume control is also nice. Some brands have a device that electronically increases or decreases volume, and you can NOT manually ajust it.

6) The battery life is outstanding (as much as 30 hours)! Also, the Motorola models without a NiMH rechargeable battery seem to be better. As NiMH batteries gets old, they do not hold the charge as well and you will have to buy a new battery. When the battery doesn't charge well, the radio quality goes down and the sound is not always as clear. I suggest an Alkaline battery version!

7) The indicator light is also good, so you can vissualy see if the PTT button is pressed.

Hopefully you will decide to buy the Motorola TalkAbout 250. It only costs a little more than a different brand with the SAME features. Motorola also offers a wide variety of accessories including: headsets, remote speaker/microphones, and carrying cases.

A friend of mine has 13 year old twins and never knows where they have gotten off to. She mentioned to me she was thinking of getting some 2 way radios to try to keep track off them. So I bought her these for Christmas. She seems quiet pleased with them, the kids do not share her joy. These also work well inthe mall or when at a big outdoor event. They fulfill there pupose and are smallenough that they can go in a purse or knapsack with little bulk from them.

The Superadio lives up to the reputation it has for AM sensitivity so I will not repeat it here. It is a joy to listen to.

However the radio case and knobs are made of the cheapest possible material. The entire set looks like it was made in a bargain-basement Chinese factory. Handle it roughly and I suspect it will fall apart.

I wish that the manufacturer would have a better cabinet and build quality. Would not mind paying more for better quality!

I just purchased this radio. It has an excellent reception comparable to portable radios that cost over [price], and the quality of sound is very good.

Pros:
- reception quality on both AM and FM bands;
- has a built-in power cord, may use batteries as well.
- attractive price for the quality you get.

Cons:
- a bit heavy, I assume primarily due to speakers (it has two, one of which is quite large) and built-in power adapter;
- cavity in the back to hide the thick power cord can barely accommodate the cord; I managed to back it back after several tries.
- vernier (non-digital) tuning and no ability to pre-program stations; at the same apparently due to excellent reception, dial range for stations is very large, so tuning to a station is not a problem at all.
- built-in power adapter makes a constant humming noise that at lower volume levels can be heard within 2-3 ft form the radio; I assume this is not a problem when using batteries.

I have spent the last 2 weeks trying to get decent FM radio reception in the middle of an office building with significant EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). I tried three radios, including the Radio Shack (RS) Portable AM/FM Radio with Extended AM Range, Cat# 12-903, which is modeled after the GE Superadio. (The Superadio and the RS 12-603/12-903 are often compared out on various pages on the internet and have the exact same features.) My goal was to receive my favorite FM station, which is a weaker station sandwiched between two strong stations. The Superadio, with the help of a C. Crane FM Reflect antenna found at ..was the only radio/antenna combo that would bring it in for me. (I also tried 3 other antennas, including 2 amplified antennas) Another nice item is that I get excellent FM reception on almost every channel now. The ability to turn off the Auto Frequency Control seems to make all the difference for my needs. The RS 12-903 had the same switch, but I didn't notice a significant difference when I turned it on or off, like I do with the Superadio. The only thing the RS 12-903 had going for it was it's sturdier case, but it was more, even on sale. I haven't done much with AM, so I can't comment on that. I hope this is helpful.

This gadget is very well made. It is rugged and allows for a good grip. Its audio quality is quite good. However, there appears to be no volume control - so the 'call' becomes useless in crowded situations. However, the 'phone' like feature comes in handy in such situations. Range is acceptable - 2 miles in best of situations, but more like 1 mile for practical purposes. I wish the PTT (press to talk) button were a little bigger. Overall, I am very happy with the product - it is a steal for the price it is going for at this time.

This FRS radio has some nice features, like a flip out switch on the bottom to let you use the radio like a phone, by automatically reducing the speaker volume. This affords more privacy than the usual broadcasting-to-everyone-around method of the other radios. This could be simulated on other radios by just reducing the volume, but the transmit buttons are not usually placed for easy operation while holding it up to your ear.

The buttons are a bit smaller, which takes some getting used to. It has the usual lockout feature to prevent accidental changing of the channel and modes after you've set it up.

The fold up antenna makes for a smaller size when not using it, but it does give it a more delicate feel, giving some concern about breaking it off. The antenna is flexible to allow it to handle bending it the wrong way, so it shouldn't pose a problem with reasonable care.
The radio looks more like a little cell phone than a radio, which is nice at times, when you don't want to walk around talking into a bright yellow gizmo, broadcasting to everyone around you.

The transmission audio has a more tinny characteristic compared to the Motorola 250 and 289; it has a more 'electronic' sound which sometimes makes it harder to understand from the other end. I found the Motorola has a more natural sound to its transmissions. It has a lower number of steps on the volume control than some other radios, but it does the job.

The call tones on the unit are annoyingly long; they go on for a much longer time than is necessary to notify the other party of your incoming transmission.

These items are just minor problems, though; with the significant rebates that Panasonic offers on these radios, the value is hard to beat-

everyone like's all kinds of stuff if anything i trust panasonic,some like sony all i could say is find some thing u might really need but get something u can trust.

This gadget is very well made. It is rugged and allows for a good grip. Its audio quality is quite good. However, there appears to be no volume control - so the 'call' becomes useless in crowded situations. However, the 'phone' like feature comes in handy in such situations. Range is acceptable - 2 miles in best of situations, but more like 1 mile for practical purposes. I wish the PTT (press to talk) button were a little bigger. Overall, I am very happy with the product - it is a steal for the price it is going for at this time.

This FRS radio has some nice features, like a flip out switch on the bottom to let you use the radio like a phone, by automatically reducing the speaker volume. This affords more privacy than the usual broadcasting-to-everyone-around method of the other radios. This could be simulated on other radios by just reducing the volume, but the transmit buttons are not usually placed for easy operation while holding it up to your ear.

The buttons are a bit smaller, which takes some getting used to. It has the usual lockout feature to prevent accidental changing of the channel and modes after you've set it up.

The fold up antenna makes for a smaller size when not using it, but it does give it a more delicate feel, giving some concern about breaking it off. The antenna is flexible to allow it to handle bending it the wrong way, so it shouldn't pose a problem with reasonable care.
The radio looks more like a little cell phone than a radio, which is nice at times, when you don't want to walk around talking into a bright yellow gizmo, broadcasting to everyone around you.

The transmission audio has a more tinny characteristic compared to the Motorola 250 and 289; it has a more 'electronic' sound which sometimes makes it harder to understand from the other end. I found the Motorola has a more natural sound to its transmissions. It has a lower number of steps on the volume control than some other radios, but it does the job.

The call tones on the unit are annoyingly long; they go on for a much longer time than is necessary to notify the other party of your incoming transmission.

These items are just minor problems, though; with the significant rebates that Panasonic offers on these radios, the value is hard to beat-

everyone like's all kinds of stuff if anything i trust panasonic,some like sony all i could say is find some thing u might really need but get something u can trust.