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This radio is realy good it picks up all the stations that I need. and Sounds even better.No outlet on back.
The design is attractive, elegant, and functional. Successive pushes of the preset button cycle FM1 - FM2 - AM and back, always tuning in the preset associated with the button being pushed.The display is a very pleasing off-white characters on a blue background. So, in ordering the new Duo I also ordered a Terk high-gain FM antenna to use with the Duo.I set up the Duo using its own FM antenna initially (a mono-pole or single-wire antenna that is about five feet long). AM and FM reception is poor. The Terk is helping another radio.The sound quality is superb, better than many micro-stereos I have heard.
We frequently had to rearrange the FM antenna to improve reception. Three simple knobs control almost all functions - the mode, power/volume, and tuning knobs.The Duo replaced an old radio that was made by another manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. The old radio was connected to an indoor FM dipole antenna. The "sleep" control is the entire outer metallic rim of the front of the radio. It is easily the best I have ever seen.
The brightness automatically dims from maximum as the room darkens. The bass speakers port out the back of the unit. I am using the Duo's own external FM and internal AM antennas. Reception was OK but had some static.
The antenna was draped along and down the side of a table. Each successive touch gives you five more minutes.A full data sheet and a very well written user manual are on the BA website at:http://www.bostonacoustics.com/Duo-AMFM-Stereo-Radio--P208.aspxIt is available in a model with an iPod dock for a small increment in price. The Boston Acoustics Duo is an incredible clock radio. The bass and treble controls can further adapt the tone if needed.The radio has 3 sets of five presets - FM1, FM2, AM.The controls are very intuitive and well thought out. For example: Pressing a preset button on either the radio or the remote will turn on the radio if needed and tune in the preset. The maximum brightness is itself adjustable through the mode control.The clock and alarms are easily set and adjusted. NO static. The "trio" is the duo plus a CD player; it is considerably more expensive than the duo.
The location is about 25 miles from a major metropolitan area although in a valley. More than I was willing to pay. Reception with its own antennas on both AM and FM is incredible. The Terk antenna did improve weak stations a bit although it created too-strong a signal on already-strong stations. Touch it once gives you ten minutes. I recommend the duo with no hesitation.
Bottom-line: very solid product and good value - but I miss the sound of my Bose. Also, the Bose had a more tuneful bass - the BA borders on one-note (I am going to try stuffing the ports one of these days.
I did not want to buy another Bose because of price and the new models don't have controls on the radio - you have to use the remote. My seventeen year old Bose died and I probably should have sent it in for service but did not.
The tone is fine but the Bose sound was more spacious - the BA sound is more identifiable as coming from the speakers. After some research, I decided on this BA model - spent a little more to purchase it from Crutchfield for their return policy (free return shipping) and I live in NJ so would have paid tax with Expo.Anyway, the build quality of this radio is excellent, the controls are intuitive and have a great feel.
The sound, however, while good (and I don't believe I'm writing this) is not as good as the Bose table radio. Oh yeah, I did break the unit in for a week.
Delivery was prompt. This radio fills a large room with superb sound. For my admittedly unsophisticated ears and modest budget, a much better deal than Bose. The radio worked right out of the box. Very happy with purchase.
I had an old alarm clock which did not have digital tuning, and as result it was always drifting and it also had poor sensitivity. The old one has a great display (big green LED's), and the new one has a great radio receiver. The default settings proved to be a bit bassy for me, but it can be adjusted to my liking.My biggest gripe is the display.
I looked at the weird styling of some radios in the local Target and Best Buy, but didn't really see anything that pleased me. Its virtually impossible to read the display at night from any distance. My main criteria in the replacement was that it have digital tuning, and good sensitivity.
Its an electroluminesent display with a blue background, and the numbers are a creamy off-white. Based on the reviews I read, this Boston Accoustics seemed like a good choice. When I got it, the sensitivity, volume, and tuning proved to be very good.
The display is sensitive to the ambient light, but it still doesn't dim enough with the lights out in the bedroom, so its a tad too bright at night if you adjust the display for proper level with the lights turned on.My solution is that I now have 2 clock radios in the bedroom. I would have no problems recommending this for a living area, but for strictly a clock-radio function, you should be able to find something with a better display.
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