📻: Here’s one for the Rec Heads— I’m looking for a low-tech AM / FM radio to have in my studio so I can just turn on the classical radio station without touching my phone. Not too pricy, decent sound, great knobs. I know you know!

Question

Victoria · Answer

Victrola mini boombox: This is my ride or die in both my office and the bathroom - it plays the classical radio station 24/7 in the bathroom (gently drowning out any.. noises..) and his brother plays exclusively Gregorian chants and Dolly Parton tapes in the office. Can plug in or run on batteries!

Kate Lindello · Answer

Emerson K3662 AM/FM radio /cassette player: bonus tape player!

katherine · Answer

Vintage Penncrest Solid State FM/AM Radio Model #5353: I have one like this I got at a thrift store in high school that is great. Nothing beats genuine static.

Emily Padron · Answer

Victrola Willow Retro Wood Bluetooth Radio (Espresso): This is the one that I have on my kitchen counter. That’s how I listen to NPR. I’ve had it since 2022 and it still works great it’s super cute.

Sage Cattabriga-Alosa · Answer

WR-7 PLUS FM / BT / AUX Wooden Cabinet Radio│SANGEAN Electronics: This tiny speaker packs a punch! Amazing sound, retro looking, and is a FM radio but can also connect via bluetooth.

Eevin · Answer

Sangean WR-7WL Bluetooth Speaker / FM Radio: We have this and enjoy the heck out of it just listening to the radio. It may be available for less from other sellers…

Emily Teague · Answer

Tivoli Audio Model One BT: On the same wavelength as others recommending Tivoli radios, I have one in my studio for many of the same reasons you mentioned: rich sound, straightforward AM/FM tuning, and a design that strikes a fun balance between vintage and modern aesthetics. Admittedly, it is expensive for a radio, but you can often find them secondhand, and they are well made so my hope is it will  last a very long time.

Ellen · Answer

Sangean RCR-5BK AM/FM Clock Radio: I was looking for a good clock radio a few years ago and bought this one, six years later and it’s still going strong. It has great sound for being so small and you can preset a bunch of stations. I really love it, and I feel like it has a pretty low profile. I like how simple it is. No Bluetooth, just Radio.

RAD Furniture · Answer

Vintage Boom Box: 100% recommend finding an old boom box to bring back to life. Remember when you didn't have to go figure out pairing mode to listen to music? We're building up some inventory to get them on the floor at RAD...the more knobs and levers the better. Shout out to Jack Knife Records and Tapes our source for cassette tapes.

JZ · Answer

Tivoli Model One: Looks and sounds great and the knobs are perfection

JV · Answer

AM/FM Radio (with bluetooth!): We are resurrecting the radio in our kitchen and dining room, and I highly recommend this Bluetooth AM FM. It comes in black or white. Even if you have a smart speaker in your home, I say double , if for no other reason than that the presence of this radio settles my nervous system. This is for anyone who wants to recreate a 90s childhood, when we all had an analog identity.

Samantha Culp · Answer

Vintage Sony dial radio - works: Just spotted this on FB Marketplace and thought it looked chic

seán patrick john paul george ringo doran · Answer

WR-7 Wooden Cabinet Radio /// SANGEAN: “Though some may say the radio is a thing of the past, we believe that it remains a timeless medium that plays a part in every scenario.”

— SANGEAN, Our Vision

AVJ · Answer

Tivoli Audio Radios: Discovered these in the (rip) Getaway cabins and bought a used one for home. An absolute joy to roll over in the morning and turn the most satisfying knob to pump music into my morning. Whatever choice you make, your radio instinct is correct!

Very Carrie · Answer

Sangean WR-55 50th Anniversary Retro Wireless Tabletop Radio: This has been on my list for my pottery shed. It’s on the pricier side but that’s due to the legit materials (I’m looking at you brass knob!).

Colin McSchmitty · Answer

Advent 400 Radio: https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/8443-advent-400-table-radio/

Great sound, great knobs.