First Look: Sangean HDT-1 HD Radio tuner
Price: $200
What it is: The HDT-1 is the first component tuner for home audio systems capable of tuning in analog AM/FM radio and digital HD Radio
broadcasts from terrestrial transmitters. (There are a number of receivers--which combine tuner, amp, and preamp sections
into one unit--on the market that have HD Radio tuner sections, but more expensive audio systems use separate components for
each of those functions.) The HDT-1 can be plugged into any receiver through the conventional RCA audio left and right inputs.
HD Radio broadcasts are digital, like the satellite radio broadcasts offered by XM and Sirius. But unlike XM or Sirius, which are paid subscription services available nationally, HD Radio programs are transmitted by local radio stations, and they're free to anyone with an HD Radio tuner. Because the stations are local, the programming you'll hear on HD Radio will depend on where you live.
The digital setup allows FM radio stations to "multicast," or simultaneously broadcast, several digital programs--say, a few different music formats and talk shows--on the same frequency. HD Radio tuners, such as the Sangean HDT-1, can tune in all the programs offered on those multicasts.
Check out the HD Radio Web site, www.HDRadio.com, to find out which stations, if any, are broadcasting digitally where you live and what they're programming.
Here's what our experts found while testing the Sangean HDT-1.
HIGHS
Superior digital sound quality. Digital HD Radio has the potential to deliver better sound quality than the usual analog FM and AM radio, with deeper bass, more extended treble, more stereo separation, and greater dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds). The actual quality depends on what the radio station transmits and how good a job the tuner does with it.
In our tests of the HDT-1 tuner in the New York metropolitan region, the HD FM and AM broadcasts generally sounded clearer and fuller than analog content from the same station. All of the HD FM broadcasts, whether the main channel or the "side" channels multicast on the same frequency, were free of background noise--the hiss or crackle you occasionally hear with standard radio. The better-quality broadcasts had frequency response, detail, separation, and dynamic range that approached audio CD quality. HD AM programs were received in stereo with audio quality comparable to standard analog FM radio, minus the background noise.
Fine analog reception and sound quality. The tuner did an exceptional job when pulling in regular analog signals, even weak FM station broadcasts. Sound quality was smooth and well balanced, with low background noise for AM and FM.
Easy to use. Controls are well laid out and well marked. All functions could be accessed from either the remote or the console front panel. You can tune in stations directly by entering numbers for exact radio frequencies, choosing a preset (up to 20 FM and 20 AM stations can be stored), manually tuning through the frequencies, or automatically seeking standard and HD channels or HD channels only.
Informative display. The console display can show frequency band, station frequency, time, signal strength, or an audio frequency spectrum analyzer. When receiving an HD Radio broadcast or an analog broadcast from a station that uses the Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS, also known as RDS), the display can also show the station's call letters, song, artist, and other programming information.
LOWS
Lacks a display dimmer. The display is bright, which can be fine in a well-lighted room. But it can be annoying and distracting in a dim or dark room.
No analog-only setting. With digital broadcasts, if the signal is too weak, the HDT-1 will automatically switch to the analog version of the broadcast. That can result in frequent switches back and forth in areas where the strength of the digital radio signal is marginal. An analog-only setting would lock you into the regular version of the broadcast if switching back and forth became annoying.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Sangean HDT-1 opens the door to the promise of HD radio, enabling you to enjoy digital radio sound quality and expanded programming without the subscription fees associated with satellite radio. It's a suitable, modestly priced replacement for the analog tuner in a conventional home-audio system. The company also offers the HDR-1, a stand-alone tabletop radio that also contains an HD Radio tuner. It sells for about $250.
What it is: The HDT-1 is the first component tuner for home audio systems capable of tuning in analog AM/FM radio and digital HD Radio
broadcasts from terrestrial transmitters. (There are a number of receivers--which combine tuner, amp, and preamp sections
into one unit--on the market that have HD Radio tuner sections, but more expensive audio systems use separate components for
each of those functions.) The HDT-1 can be plugged into any receiver through the conventional RCA audio left and right inputs.HD Radio broadcasts are digital, like the satellite radio broadcasts offered by XM and Sirius. But unlike XM or Sirius, which are paid subscription services available nationally, HD Radio programs are transmitted by local radio stations, and they're free to anyone with an HD Radio tuner. Because the stations are local, the programming you'll hear on HD Radio will depend on where you live.
The digital setup allows FM radio stations to "multicast," or simultaneously broadcast, several digital programs--say, a few different music formats and talk shows--on the same frequency. HD Radio tuners, such as the Sangean HDT-1, can tune in all the programs offered on those multicasts.
Check out the HD Radio Web site, www.HDRadio.com, to find out which stations, if any, are broadcasting digitally where you live and what they're programming.
Here's what our experts found while testing the Sangean HDT-1.
HIGHS
Superior digital sound quality. Digital HD Radio has the potential to deliver better sound quality than the usual analog FM and AM radio, with deeper bass, more extended treble, more stereo separation, and greater dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds). The actual quality depends on what the radio station transmits and how good a job the tuner does with it.
In our tests of the HDT-1 tuner in the New York metropolitan region, the HD FM and AM broadcasts generally sounded clearer and fuller than analog content from the same station. All of the HD FM broadcasts, whether the main channel or the "side" channels multicast on the same frequency, were free of background noise--the hiss or crackle you occasionally hear with standard radio. The better-quality broadcasts had frequency response, detail, separation, and dynamic range that approached audio CD quality. HD AM programs were received in stereo with audio quality comparable to standard analog FM radio, minus the background noise.
Fine analog reception and sound quality. The tuner did an exceptional job when pulling in regular analog signals, even weak FM station broadcasts. Sound quality was smooth and well balanced, with low background noise for AM and FM.
Easy to use. Controls are well laid out and well marked. All functions could be accessed from either the remote or the console front panel. You can tune in stations directly by entering numbers for exact radio frequencies, choosing a preset (up to 20 FM and 20 AM stations can be stored), manually tuning through the frequencies, or automatically seeking standard and HD channels or HD channels only.
Informative display. The console display can show frequency band, station frequency, time, signal strength, or an audio frequency spectrum analyzer. When receiving an HD Radio broadcast or an analog broadcast from a station that uses the Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS, also known as RDS), the display can also show the station's call letters, song, artist, and other programming information.
LOWS
Lacks a display dimmer. The display is bright, which can be fine in a well-lighted room. But it can be annoying and distracting in a dim or dark room.
No analog-only setting. With digital broadcasts, if the signal is too weak, the HDT-1 will automatically switch to the analog version of the broadcast. That can result in frequent switches back and forth in areas where the strength of the digital radio signal is marginal. An analog-only setting would lock you into the regular version of the broadcast if switching back and forth became annoying.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Sangean HDT-1 opens the door to the promise of HD radio, enabling you to enjoy digital radio sound quality and expanded programming without the subscription fees associated with satellite radio. It's a suitable, modestly priced replacement for the analog tuner in a conventional home-audio system. The company also offers the HDR-1, a stand-alone tabletop radio that also contains an HD Radio tuner. It sells for about $250.
