Sangean WR-12BT AM/FM/Bluetooth/AUX Analog Wooden Cabinet Receiver (Dark Walnut)

• AM/FM Stereo
• Built-In Bluetooth Wireless Audio Streaming
• 2.1 Channel System Uses Dual Stereo Speakers and Subwoofer
• Bass and Treble Controls
• I/O Jacks: AC-In, Aux-In, Headphone and FM F Terminal + AM ANT-IN

I have three Sangean radios: a WR-2, a WR-5, and small DT-240, and I've been happy with them all. I was pretty excited about this radio and its non-Bluetooth counterpart the WR-12. Initial reviews of the WR-12 were bad, citing poor sound and tuning, but Sangean assured us that they had fixed the problems. It seems that indeed they addressed the tuning issue, but unfortunately the sound is still muddled in the mid-range.

The positives are that this radio looks great and has a nice solid feel to it. The tuning in FM is sharp, and the Bluetooth functions works well. I was easily able to pair my phone to it and the audio stream had no hiccups or gaps. The radio is incredibly loud for the small size and bumps some serious bass.

The only negative is the sound, which is a big negative. The WR-12BT is very bass heavy, which I don't necessarily mind, but the bass isn't very clear or punchy. As for the highs, some parts will sound clear and great, but others are lost in the great murky middle. I tried adjusting the dedicated bass and treble knobs to bring out some clarity, but I could never get it to sound "right" or pleasing over extended periods. The stereo separation isn't very good either.

My theory is that the rear-facing sub-woofer speaker is the problem with this model. The Sangean WR-5 I have is a little smaller than the WR-12BT and uses a passive speaker on the bottom for bass. It sounds great, although it is a lot less powerful than the WR-12 the overall sound is much more balanced and clear. Perhaps if the WR-12BT had a larger cabinet it would sound more clear.

If you're looking for Bluetooth connectivity in a radio you might check out the Sangean WR-22 which is a Bluetooth version of the great WR-2

If this were a boombox I would be OK with it, but it is a handsome wooden cabinet radio that should sound much better. Better luck next time, Sangean.

Buy Sangean WR-12BT AM/FM/Bluetooth/AUX Analog Wooden Cabinet Receiver (Dark Walnut) Now

I was a bit worried after reading the WR-12 (non bluetooth) review which had several complaints. Being in love with my Sangean iPod Clock Radio, I decided to take a chance. Luckily, it appears they fixed all the flaws and then some with this model.

It looks spectacular. The wood box is spectacular, and makes what would otherwise look like a fairly cheap radio seem like a piece of art. Reception is great, was able to pick up quite a few stations even without attaching the included one wire antenna. Has both types of antenna connectors for any external antenna you might have. I also appreciate the FM and FM-Stereo setting, which allows for good sound even on those stations that you typically can't get on most radios, or tune in stereo.

The sound is great, deep bass tones that you wouldn't expect from something of this size. I have it in a bedroom/bathroom and it fills the fairly large two room space without even turning half way up. Other people had complained about drift, which hasn't been an issue for me, even leaving it on a station for several hours; stays tuned right on.

The bluetooth is the coolest part. Having an android, the iPod docks are useless. This is great for playing music from the phone and pandora without having to leave the phone sitting connected to the dock. Great for working around the house while keeping the phone easily available in case someone calls.

My only issue is that it's no longer a bargain. Buying my first Sangean, I felt like I got a fairly good deal, and was overly impressed for the price. Though it is worth every penny, it's no longer the spectacular value that Sangean products once were. If you're looking for a good radio that does AM/FM and bluetooth, this is a great and stylish choice.