Sony XDR-F1HD
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: XDR-F1HD
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Hailed by audiophiles as one of the greatest tuners ever, the Sony XDR-F1HD is arguably the best--and most affordable--way to add HD radio to any stereo system.
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CNET editors' review
Sony XDR-F1HD price range: $72.84 - $99.99
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 11/18/2008
The good: Budget-priced AM/FM HD Radio component delivers extraordinary sound quality and low-noise reception; small size; remote control; bright backlit LCD screen.
The bad: No digital output; weak HD signals cause the XDR-F1HD to switch back and forth between analog and HD; the memory doesn't retain station presets if the radio is unplugged from AC power.
The bottom line: Hailed by audiophiles as one of the greatest tuners ever, the Sony XDR-F1HD is arguably the best--and most affordable--way to add HD radio to any stereo system.
After years of being priced as luxury items, tabletop HD Radios finally dipped below $200 and even $100 in 2008. However, most of those models still didn't actually sound very good--either the tuner wasn't terribly adept at pulling in stations or the speakers were pretty cheap. That's where the Sony XDR-F1HD comes in. Instead of a table radio, the XDR-F1HD is an AM/FM HD Radio tuner component. You'll need to connect it to something with an auxiliary input (a stereo hi-fi, AV receiver, home theater system, or iPod speaker system) or even just a pair of powered computer speakers. The little Sony tuner receives analog AM and FM, as well as digital AM and FM stations that have adapted HD Radio technology to digitally broadcast audio and data in conjunction with their analog signals.
Sure, a lot of folks have abandoned AM and FM in favor of Internet radio and satellite radio; too bad the sound quality doesn't hold a candle to cleanly received FM. Getting that clean signal, however, can be problematic; FM is too often plagued with static, noise, and distortion. That's why the XDR-F1HD HD Radio is so impressive: so long as you're tuning in a local station, it's mostly immune to those forms of interference. The Sony pulls in hard-to-receive stations better than any high-end tuner we've ever used (and way better than the tuners built into audiovisual receivers). Some audiophiles believe the XDR-F1HD may be the best tuner available, regardless of cost, and we're inclined to agree. Best of all, we've seen the XDR-F1HD going for as little as $81 online.
Design
The XDR-F1HD is a basic black box that will blend in with the rest of the gear in your AV rack. The compact chassis is just 2.3 inches tall by 7.1 inches wide by 6.3 inches deep and weighs about 2.5 pounds. With the exception of a centered LCD screen and power button, the front panel is otherwise bare. A row of control buttons are found along the front edge of the top panel: "Display," "Band," "Scan," "HD Scan," "Menu," "Tune +/-," "Enter," and "Preset +/-."
The top-mounted controls could be problematic if you have the XDR-F1HD sitting in a darkened (or space-challenged) equipment rack. Thankfully, a small black plastic remote duplicates most of the tuner's controls and offers a numeric keypad for direct access to the 20 AM/FM station presets. We were happy to see that it's a "real" remote control with actual buttons, not a cheap credit card remote. A sleep timer (accessible only from the remote) completes the features set.
The XDR-F1HD comes with a wire dipole FM antenna and external AM loop antenna (or you can provide your own). There's no digital output--just stereo analog RCA output jacks. In other words, the XDR-F1HD is compatible with anything that offers an auxiliary line input.
This little radio puts out some heat, so it shouldn't be hidden away in an unventilated cabinet. Since the XDR-F1HD doesn't have an internal battery backup, the memory doesn't retain station presets if the radio is unplugged from AC power. Also, when the unit is in standby mode, it defaults to a clock display. However, the LCD can be dimmed but not completely shut off--that could be distractingly bright in a bedroom or darkened home theater environment.
Features
Before we discuss the performance of the Sony XDR-F1HD, here's a quick clarification for those unfamiliar with HD Radio. HD isn't a separate band--when you tune to an analog station that has a digital counterpart, the "HD" icon will flash, along with the cell-phone-like signal strength meter. After a couple of seconds, the radio will automatically switch from the analog to the digital signal, and the display should show additional data (usually the song and artist information, and station call letters) available on the digital stream.
In addition to the digital version of the analog stations you already receive, many stations also offer "multicast" or HD2 channels. These secondary channels are generally digital-only stations that offer alternative programming. Yes, many (but not all) of these are available online, and some HD2 channels are merely simulcasts of AM news or talk stations that you can hear elsewhere on the analog dial. However, the big selling point here is that--unlike satellite radio--the HD Radio content is completely free. You just need to pay for the hardware.
Performance
We fired up the XDR-F1HD, attached the provided antennas, and connected it to our AV receiver. Analog FM sound quality was superb, and the XDR-F1HD easily pulled in hard-to-receive stations with low noise. When tuning between HD stations the XDR-F1HD takes a few seconds to lock onto the HD signal, and that's when you can hear the difference between analog and HD sound quality. It is substantial. FM stations broadcasting in HD were dead quiet; there was no noise, hiss, fuzz, or distortion. The best HD stations delivered true CD quality sound. (As always, it's a "garbage in/garbage out" proposition; some HD stations severely compress the bit rate at the source, so they'll sound lousy even with the best hardware.)
Comparisons between our Sirius SR-H550 satellite tuner and the XDR-F1HD were revealing. The Sirius tuner's sound quality was reminiscent of very low-bit MP3s, with a "swishy" treble and a spatially flattened character. Even though satellite radio is noise-free, FM HD stations seemed quieter and much clearer overall. The Sony was dramatically better sounding than the best sounding Sirius channels. (Ironically, Sirius stations broadcast over the Internet actually sound better than the ones pulled straight from the orbiting satellites.)
Analog FM stations were also far superior to satellite radio sound quality, though with more background hiss. The XDR-F1HD pulled in difficult to receive analog college radio stations in the crowded New York City FM band better than any radio we've ever owned. Mind you, this performance was achieved using the included dipole (wire) antenna. In our Brooklyn apartment, we don't have access to the roof to mount a better antenna, but that didn't seem to adversely affect the XDR-F1HD's performance.
Analog AM sound quality was nothing special; AM HD was much quieter and cleaner, but still nowhere as clear as analog FM.
Our only real gripe with the Sony XDR-F1HD was how it dealt with difficult to receive HD stations, which sometimes failed to lock onto the HD signal. When that happens, the XDR-F1HD switches back and forth between analog and HD. We found it distracting to hear the noise level rise and fall. In those cases, it would be nice if you could manually turn off HD, and just listen in analog, but you can't (that feature is available on the
Caveats and conclusions
As avid radio listeners, we found a lot to love about the Sony XDR-F1HD. But read that sentence again carefully--"as avid radio listeners." We'll go ahead and state the obvious here: if you don't like over-the-air radio, the Sony XDR-F1HD isn't going to be of much use to you. Similarly, keep in mind that HD Radio isn't really a panacea for what ails standard radio: vanilla content and too many commercials. The multicast stations deliver content you can't get on the analog band, but the primary HD stations are merely simulcasts of the stations you can already hear, albeit with better clarity.
Also, the breadth of HD content varies by area. In New York City, for instance, there are upward of 50 HD Radio stations (including multicast stations); Houston also has 48 HD stations; Phoenix has 31, and so on. However, those living outside of densely populated urban areas will almost certainly have a more limited selection. Check the HD Radio Web site to see the stations available in your area.
Still, if you are a radio fan, and you have some worthwhile HD stations in your area, the Sony XDR-F1HD is highly recommended. It's been hailed by the audiophile cognoscenti as possibly one of the very best FM tuners ever built. We agree, and the HD Radio capabilities are a terrific bonus. Toss in its very affordable price, and you have a slam dunk for any radio lover.
User reviews
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Great tuner overall, minor qualms
by Applerod on January 22, 2009
Pros: Appropriately simple, sleek design. Sounds excellent given adequate reception. Relatively inexpensive.
Cons: Accessing preset stations should be slightly easier. Reception in certain areas is not miraculous.
Summary: First off, I bought this device for my father so I've had limited experience with it. He has about 4 favorite AM/FM stations and simply wanted better reception ...
Summary: First off, I bought this device for my father so I've had limited experience with it. He has about 4 favorite AM/FM stations and simply wanted better reception than could be provided by the tuner built in to his receiver. His house is in a valley in a mostly rural area. I spent some time tweaking the placement of the FM antenna (bearing in mind the aesthetic considerations of my mother) to find a consistent HD signal for his favorite classical station but when I found it I must say I was quite satisfied in going from classical music with significant static interference to classical music with no static.
The performance in our area was not *quite* the miracle I was hoping for in that several AM/FM stations of interest were plagued by interference and static as they are with conventional tuners, but overall the performance is very good. It was also necessary for me to explain to my parents that the device would occasionally stutter, echo, or delay when searching for an HD signal or alternating between AM/FM and HD -- unlike conventional radio tuners.
Beyond minor squabbles about its performance, the only other real gripe I have is with one facet of the interface. My father is a child of the 1930's and not a technophile. I'd assumed accessing preset stations would be as simple as assigning them a number and pressing that number (one button). The Sony XDR-F1HD requires a two-to-three button combination: 1) Press 'Band' to select AM or FM, 2) Press the assigned preset number, 3) Press 'Enter'. For radiophiles and/or technologically-minded people this is no problem, but I had to use a minor technical workaround in reprogramming our universal remote control to make things as simple as possible for the old man.
There isn't much to say about the design. I appreciate the ability to alter the content of the display, along with its brightness and contrast. This a relatively simple component that does not require extensive menus or excessive buttons and it has neither. The size of the device is proportional to its functionality, so it's small and fairly unobtrusive.
The Sony XDR-F1HD is a great option for those who listen to the radio on a regular basis and want a significant boost in quality for under $100. It still has the trappings of regular radio in that the clarity is directly affected by the environment and positioning of the antennae, but if you can find it for $80 or less (1/2009) the performance really matches the price.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Simple and decent quality HD radio receiver
by jmchien on December 25, 2008
Pros: 1) Easy to use and hook up
2) HD sound quality is much better than standard FM
3) Relatively low pricedCons: 1) Runs a bit warm
2) Lack of audio out options (RCA only)
3) No tagging or other special featuresSummary: The bottom line is that the Sony XDR-F1HD is a great and simple HD radio receiver (hook-up to your amp). It has a small footprint and even though it runs ...
Summary: The bottom line is that the Sony XDR-F1HD is a great and simple HD radio receiver (hook-up to your amp). It has a small footprint and even though it runs a tad warm, it's not hot like others have claimed; I suppose it mainly depends on where you place the unit. The sound can be near CD quality, but it really depends on your location. Like standard FM, if you're not in the vicinity of the radio station it's going to sound more static (you can go online to check for your location). To tell if you are receiving the HD signal a simple 'HD' symbol will show up.
Finally, the white LCD screen and black casing (with glossy front) makes it very attractive and fits well with my stereo system.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Spectacular Performance
by k6sti on December 2, 2008
Pros: Recovers degraded analog signals like no other tuner
Cons: Lacks comprehensive controls
Summary: http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/xdr-f1hd.htm
Summary: http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/xdr-f1hd.htm
3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Superior Performance at an Affordable Price
by w1895 on January 31, 2009
Pros: Fantastic performance. Picks up distant stations with easy using the supplied dipole antenna. Great price that makes HD radio something of a reality and less of a laughing stock.
Cons: Backlight remains on even when radio is off. The screen is hard to read from afar - could benefit from more contrast. 20 preset limit is too small. The lack of optical or digital output is frustrating.
Summary: After quite a bit of research, I decided that this was the best consumer-grade radio out there capable of receiving HD. Throw in the fact that it's less than $...
Summary: After quite a bit of research, I decided that this was the best consumer-grade radio out there capable of receiving HD. Throw in the fact that it's less than $100 and the value this radio offers is undeniable.
Please note this this is a tuner. It must be connected to a receiver or some similar device. It has no speakers. Hook up was straight-forward using RCA cables. (Note that cables and batteries for the remote are not included. Boo, Sony!)
I'm about 18 miles from Boston and it easily pulls in HD signals from Providence and Worcester (30+ miles away). The sound quality is superb and Its small size fits nicely into a cabinet or on a table. It runs circles around my receiver's tuner.
The backlight is kind of bright, even at its lowest setting. It'd be nice if you could shut it off entirely. Hardly a deal breaker, but a minor annoyance nonetheless.
I highly recommend this product. It's price should enable many more consumers to make the leap into HD Radio. I was skeptical at first, but the multi-channel offerings are nice to have.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent, with exceptional FM sensitivity
by mojomarley on December 27, 2008
Pros: Clean, undistorted sound. Excellent FM sensitivity. I live about 10 miles from downtown Boston, and pick up all the roughly 40 HD FM stations there. But I can also pick up WFCR, 90 miles west in Amherst. I do have a dedicated FM antenna in attic.
Cons: The output from the user is via RCA plugs to one of your receiver's audio inputs, rather than coax to the receivers antenna input. So you lose an audio input, and your receiver's tuner button won't select the Sony.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It's All About Reception and Station Quality!
by wdlee123 on December 31, 2008
Pros: Compact, Simple to Use , Easy to Hook-Up, Operates As Promised.
Cons: Availability Somewhat Limited
Summary: FM Radio sound is about reception and station quality - rarely FM tuner quality. And since HD Radio only delivers 96 kilo-bits per second it can never be CD quality. ...
Summary: FM Radio sound is about reception and station quality - rarely FM tuner quality. And since HD Radio only delivers 96 kilo-bits per second it can never be CD quality. HD Radio shines brightest with AM channels where most bothersome issues reside. Frankly, 98% of all conventional tuners are better than 99% of the listeners to differentiate them! If reception is the issue, and often it is, pop into some local Radio Shack type store for one of their many antenna solutions and most reception issues will fade away. The bottom line - this $80 Sony HD Radio Reciver thru B&H photo NYC is an excellent value and does HD Radio very well.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very Good Sound - much better than normal FM
by dlmiley on December 20, 2008
Pros: Excellent Detection and Reception of HD Signals
Excellent Stereo Sound
Compact Size makes placement easy
Very Good ValueCons: No Digital Output
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very disappointed
by xanpyzz on November 30, 2008
Pros: Reasonable price Nicely made
Cons: It runs very hot and smells like it is burning up! Not very sensitive even when connected to an outdoor FM only antenna.
Summary: If you go on Anazom and look at the low ratings - there is a mention of the burning smell. I think they took short cuts on the circuit design.
Summary: If you go on Anazom and look at the low ratings - there is a mention of the burning smell. I think they took short cuts on the circuit design.
3 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: XDR-F1HD
- Description: Experience more choices, crystal clear sound, and no subscription fees. Enjoy music the way it was meant to be heard with AM stations that can deliver FM sound quality and FM stations that sound like your favorite CDs. With static-free sound and an easy-to-read dot matrix LCD for viewing important information, the XDR-F1HD receiver is the perfect choice for adding HD radio reception to a home audio system.
General
- Product Type Radio tuner
- Width 7.1 in
- Depth 6.3 in
- Height 2.4 in
- Weight 2.4 lbs
Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Built-in Clock Digital clock
- Timer Sleep
- Built-in Display LCD
- Display Illumination Yes
Radio
- Type Radio / HD radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
- Preset Station Qty 20
Remote Control
- Remote Control Remote control
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 1 x AM antenna - Rear, 1 x FM antenna - Rear
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories AM antenna, FM antenna
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
