Sure it costs $300, doesn’t have a CD player and high definition radio probably isn’t available in your area, but who cares?! It’s HD capable, and what’s more important than being an early adopter?
This tabletop unit from Boston Acoustics is pretty barren, but it’s stylish face might be enough to woo some buyers. The system features two speakers, one in the head-unit and one satellite. It is capable of receiving HD2 Multicast programming. And there is an input jack for an iPod or whatever.
Product Page [via Uncrate]
A decade ago, HD Radio may have had a market, but now (or, rather, “any day now”)? I just don’t see it. I don’t think I even know anyone who turns to radio when they want to hear music… Well, other than the blue hairs, and I don’t see that demographic as the type to spend their hard-earned money for this “upgrade,” even if they could hear the difference.
Scott, I don’t have blue hair and am still in my 50’s, but I want a HD radio receiver because my local public radio station is now broadcasting multiple formats using HD technology. Your comments would sound more sophisticated if you didn’t write off entire groups of people (”blue hairs”, things to listen to on radio (anything other than music), or any other classification not in your immediate world view. Using the term “blue hairs” was not a good reflection on you. Surely you can use a term to describe a particular demographic that doesn’t employ negative stereotypes.
Yeah, I’m with Anne. I’m in my early 30s and listen to the radio all the time and not usually for music. Ever listen to a sporting event on the radio, Scott? Plus, radio stations are using it as a way to add foreign language broadcast channels and other types of music or programming that they weren’t able to before. Don’t think so narrowly.
And contrary to the post, the HD doesn’t stand for high definition. It actually doesn’t stand for anything anymore. In it’s infancy it meant “hybrid-digital,” but now it’s just a brand name.
Radio Shack has these right now, refurb’d, for $99.
I’m pretty happy with mine, which arrived today. I bought it for one main reason: the only classical station I can receive at my apartment in Boston is HD-only. I usually listen to NPR or the BBC via the web, but when I read I like to have classical on.
A bonus is that I’ll be able to set one speaker next to my bed, the better to wake me up in the morning, but the controls to shut it off are farther away and out of reach. :)