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The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
It's a pretty extensive list, and most of the picks do not feature digital tuning. It's not surprising to me that most of them come from Sangean, one of my favourite radio makers. This article was updated this week from an article originally published in 2025.
The Best Tabletop Radios
- Shorty Wave
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Re: The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
They all seem to be a good buy! I have two Tivoli table tops, one for over 23 years. They both have a warm sound but one of them can be fussy with AM signals. I do like some of the Sangeans in the review, maybe next time! Thanks for the post RA.
- mace
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Out of that bunch, I like the C-Crane EP PRO. From the reviews I have read, it is excellent for AM DXing.
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Re: The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
mace wrote:
Out of that bunch, I like the C-Crane EP PRO. From the reviews I have read, it is excellent for AM DXing.
I've never had a C-Crane product, although I hear they make great radios. But why is there always an analogue-only dial? Hard to I.D. where you are for DXing purposes if you have to guess exactly what frequency you're on.
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
Out of that bunch, I like the C-Crane EP PRO. From the reviews I have read, it is excellent for AM DXing.
I've never had a C-Crane product, although I hear they make great radios. But why is there always an analogue-only dial? Hard to I.D. where you are for DXing purposes if you have to guess exactly what frequency you're on.
It's a retro style thing that's in fashion to some degree. I've had some of these radio show up in hotel rooms recently, which was appreciated. They're largely decorative and just happen to be great radios too.
The $15 clock radios that used to be the norm in hotels were useless, especially in downtown areas.
- mace
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Re: The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
Out of that bunch, I like the C-Crane EP PRO. From the reviews I have read, it is excellent for AM DXing.
I've never had a C-Crane product, although I hear they make great radios. But why is there always an analogue-only dial? Hard to I.D. where you are for DXing purposes if you have to guess exactly what frequency you're on.
Well I bit the bullet and bought one yesterday. As if I don't have enough radios as it is. When it arrives, I will give it a daytime/nighttime, Toronto/Oakville workout. Oakville is a much better test for the Buffalo FM's. With taxes and shipping it cost $171 US. With the CDN dollar currently sitting at about $1.42 US, I will pay $240-$245.
- mace
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Well my new C-Crane radio arrived two days ago. I tested it out in my apartment first. You must turn the knob slowly down the AM dial to allow the station to lock in. A green light illuminates when station is tuned in. During the day pretty much all the local stations could be received. Interesting I could not get WHAM or WWKB. Major plus is there was no electrical interference at all. At night I took it outside. This is where the radio really shines. Very easy to lock in 650, 670, 1020,1030, 1040, 1060, 1140 and 1160 with minimal splatter from the locals. Radio has bass and treble knobs and a 5" speaker. Sound is rich and full similar to the GE Super Radio II. As for FM, most of the locals locked in well. Only Buffalo stations I could receive were 98.5, 99.5, 102.5 and 106.5. With headphones, the FM stereo is absolutely amazing. Overall an excellent radio. Only cons. 1. I would have preferred a digital to an analog dial. 2. At night on AM the blowtorches need volume at more than 50%.
- Shorty Wave
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Re: The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
Well my new C-Crane radio arrived two days ago. I tested it out in my apartment first. You must turn the knob slowly down the AM dial to allow the station to lock in. A green light illuminates when station is tuned in. During the day pretty much all the local stations could be received. Interesting I could not get WHAM or WWKB. Major plus is there was no electrical interference at all. At night I took it outside. This is where the radio really shines. Very easy to lock in 650, 670, 1020,1030, 1040, 1060, 1140 and 1160 with minimal splatter from the locals. Radio has bass and treble knobs and a 5" speaker. Sound is rich and full similar to the GE Super Radio II. As for FM, most of the locals locked in well. Only Buffalo stations I could receive were 98.5, 99.5, 102.5 and 106.5. With headphones, the FM stereo is absolutely amazing. Overall an excellent radio. Only cons. 1. I would have preferred a digital to an analog dial. 2. At night on AM the blowtorches need volume at more than 50%.
Where are you tuning in from mace?
- mace
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Re: The New York Times Picks The Best Tabletop Radios
Well my new C-Crane radio arrived two days ago. I tested it out in my apartment first. You must turn the knob slowly down the AM dial to allow the station to lock in. A green light illuminates when station is tuned in. During the day pretty much all the local stations could be received. Interesting I could not get WHAM or WWKB. Major plus is there was no electrical interference at all. At night I took it outside. This is where the radio really shines. Very easy to lock in 650, 670, 1020,1030, 1040, 1060, 1140 and 1160 with minimal splatter from the locals. Radio has bass and treble knobs and a 5" speaker. Sound is rich and full similar to the GE Super Radio II. As for FM, most of the locals locked in well. Only Buffalo stations I could receive were 98.5, 99.5, 102.5 and 106.5. With headphones, the FM stereo is absolutely amazing. Overall an excellent radio. Only cons. 1. I would have preferred a digital to an analog dial. 2. At night on AM the blowtorches need volume at more than 50%.
Where are you tuning in from mace?
Avenue Rd/401 vicinity. Next time I am in Oakville I will take a trip to Coronation Park down by the lake in West Oakville to give the FM a better workout. Almost all the Buffalo FM's are loud and clear there.