COBY HD Radios (INCLUDING A PORTABLE!)

[RadioFixerCLE]

COBY is considered the "Ghetto SONY" here in New York City. They are our "local brand", along with Jwin, since their offices are in Maspeth and Port Washington (LI) respectively.

The HD Radios are actually rebranded units from a UK company called Revo, as I mentioned in a previous post on this forum.

K-Mart, Walmart and other big box stores WILL NOT touch Coby, however -- since many of their mains powered portable radios are not UL listed. Those companies instead market other wonderful brands like Emerson and Lenoxx Sound......and of course don't forget the quality name in electronics, Walmart's store-brand "Durabrand". ;D

Coby stuff is usually sold in little hole-in-the wall stalls, local "dime stores" and discount joints. Ohh....and of course AAFES PX stores have them. Only the finest for our military.

 

[wgliradio]

BUt according to Mr. Walker, Coby is mass market.

I doubt CVS or Walgreens will carry a $149 radio. Most of the electronics they move are $39 portable CD Players, $29 boom boxes or FM scan radios in that catagory. Or maybe a Coby DVD player for $45. I have rarely seen a $100 item, much less a $149 item in those stores that is a radio alone.

People don't go into Walgreens to spend $150 on a radio. Let's be real. Those that do are probably in the same mindset as the iBiquity marketing team thinking a 16 year old girl would get so excited about getting an HD radio that her dad picked up.

("Oh wow dad, this is a much better way of spending $200. I really didn't want that Zune/Ipod/Sansa MP3 player").

 

[BRNout]

A $149 Coby is the radio equivalent of a $20,000 Yugo!

 

[Mike Walker]

Stephanie NYC I'm sorry, but Coby and JWin are more widely distributed than you think. No less than J&R Music World, one of the biggies of mail-order electronics, sells both. I own a JWin Boombox that has a compact flash slot, and usb port. The damn thing is clean as a whistle, and makes a nice headphone amp for a bedside system. Even with a VERY sensitive, high quality headphone like the Sony MDR-7506, there is NO noise (when used as a headphone amp, or for playing mp3s).

Some of Coby's products are as good as the name brands. Others are just dreadful. But the Coby brand is EVERYWHERE.

 

[fybush]

I've been looking at the Coby portable (well, at the picture, anyway, the real thing being as yet unobtainable) and it looks like nothing so much as a knockoff of the Tivoli "PAL" (Portable Audio Lab) radio.

At the public radio station where I work part-time (WXXI in Rochester), we move a ton of PAL radios as pledge-drive premiums. Our listeners love the form factor of the little things, and we've been waiting for an "HD PAL" that we can offer listeners to tune in the services we're multicasting (our directionally-challenged news-talk AM is simulcast on our classical FM's HD2, with a separate new lineup of talk shows on HD3).

Maybe the Coby itself won't be it...but I'm certainly pleased to see new entrants in the marketplace, especially from the low-end manufacturers. (And before we get fixated on the "$149 Coby," aren't those MSRP prices that were quoted a few posts ago? Wouldn't street prices be substantially lower?)

 

[BRNout]

Perhaps you're right Scott. This is what happens when you make so many dreadful products - if they actually make a good one it ends up being a tough sell! Basically every Coby I've ever laid hands on has been really crappy.

Just to put my comments into context - unlike some here - I have mixed feelings about the IBOC technology. I think it's a big mistake (in its present form) on AM and hope it goes away. IMO - the whole thing should have been done differently, perhaps using an entirely different piece of the spectrum as they have in Europe. On FM it makes much more sense and I think that this portion of the technology shows promise. Only stating that so that you know I'm not just a hell-bent detractor when commenting about these radios.

So, all that being said, I keep waiting to see truly compact and interesting HD radios for sale. So far, they are boxy and clunky and large and expensive. Even the Coby "portable" is still not small enough to run around with. Let's just say that I don't see anyone dragging it along with them to listen to on the bus or train! In general, most of the designs I've seen are unwieldy. When folks like Sony/Panasonic/Sangean start coming out with pocket-sized HD radios for $100-$150, then I'm in. Nice little streamlined units that are similar (or at least comparable) in size to "Walkman" radios. Units that you can run around with. In fact, I'd probably buy a couple of them.

I would imagine that we really need to see these sorts of products on the shelves before HD goes mainstream. That and HD-compatible car stereos in new cars. I am not hearing much about the prospects of either type of product. It doesn't sound imminent.

 

[RadioFixerCLE]

Stephanie NYC I'm sorry, but Coby and JWin are more widely distributed than you think. No less than J&R Music World, one of the biggies of mail-order electronics, sells both.

Yup, I'm fully aware. They're slowly branching out and trying to go "upscale" (at least cosmetically).

As far as J&R, I would never have expected that store to stoop so low as to even deign to look at Coby products. While some of the Coby and Jwin stuff is surprisingly good -- I do own a a Jwin shortwave pocket radio that happens to be quite the performer -- the fact remains that their stuff is tainted by the notion (percieved or real) that their quality control and build quality leaves much to be desired.

Ever open up one of these "Brand X" radios or TV sets? Most of them look like they were assembled by a drunken monkey, with hot melt glue dripped all over the place to seal some electrical connections or hold wires into place. I've never seen things quite THAT bad with the reputable big guy brands.

Sony radios and Panasonic radios, for instance, have a consistent quality across the product line. You know that even if they're not paragons of sensitivity, the AM section for instance isn't going to be as wide as an airplane hangar door. And that the quality isn't going to vary from specimen to specimen from a given model number.

 

[R.F. Burns]

I understand your wish list. First it has to be restated that IBOC exists because the FCC refused to allow new spectrum for broadcast use. The request was made and denied a long time ago. Second, I realize you want pocket sized mini HD radios, Please tell me how many pocket sized mini satellite radios are out there for uner $100 and that technoogy is a lot older than HD technology. How many pocket sized wi-fi radios are available for sale?

Perhaps you're right Scott. This is what happens when you make so many dreadful products - if they actually make a good one it ends up being a tough sell! Basically every Coby I've ever laid hands on has been really crappy.

Just to put my comments into context - unlike some here - I have mixed feelings about the IBOC technology. I think it's a big mistake (in its present form) on AM and hope it goes away. IMO - the whole thing should have been done differently, perhaps using an entirely different piece of the spectrum as they have in Europe. On FM it makes much more sense and I think that this portion of the technology shows promise. Only stating that so that you know I'm not just a hell-bent detractor when commenting about these radios.

So, all that being said, I keep waiting to see truly compact and interesting HD radios for sale. So far, they are boxy and clunky and large and expensive. Even the Coby "portable" is still not small enough to run around with. Let's just say that I don't see anyone dragging it along with them to listen to on the bus or train! In general, most of the designs I've seen are unwieldy. When folks like Sony/Panasonic/Sangean start coming out with pocket-sized HD radios for $100-$150, then I'm in. Nice little streamlined units that are similar (or at least comparable) in size to "Walkman" radios. Units that you can run around with. In fact, I'd probably buy a couple of them.

I would imagine that we really need to see these sorts of products on the shelves before HD goes mainstream. That and HD-compatible car stereos in new cars. I am not hearing much about the prospects of either type of product. It doesn't sound imminent.

 

[wgliradio]

Yup, I'm fully aware. They're slowly branching out and trying to go "upscale" (at least cosmetically).

As far as J&R, I would never have expected that store to stoop so low as to even deign to look at Coby products. While some of the Coby and Jwin stuff is surprisingly good -- I do own a a Jwin shortwave pocket radio that happens to be quite the performer -- the fact remains that their stuff is tainted by the notion (percieved or real) that their quality control and build quality leaves much to be desired.

Ever open up one of these "Brand X" radios or TV sets? Most of them look like they were assembled by a drunken monkey, with hot melt glue dripped all over the place to seal some electrical connections or hold wires into place. I've never seen things quite THAT bad with the reputable big guy brands.

Sony radios and Panasonic radios, for instance, have a consistent quality across the product line. You know that even if they're not paragons of sensitivity, the AM section for instance isn't going to be as wide as an airplane hangar door. And that the quality isn't going to vary from specimen to specimen from a given model number.

Agree 100%.

Coby needs to be in the Best Buy's, Wal Mart's and Target's of the world to be taken seriously with this offering. J&R, a very nice store that does great business, is not enough. I would have given it a chance for $60-75... not for an MSRP of $149 which will probably put the price around $120-125.

 

[Chuck]

I understand your wish list. First it has to be restated that IBOC exists because the FCC refused to allow new spectrum for broadcast use.

If I recall my history correctly, that was done mostly at the request of large broadcasters who realized that a new all digital band would level the playing field. I think you will find that NAB, among others, opposed adding a new band for digital radio. The military chimed in saying the proposed spectrum was being used for their communications.

If broadcasters had wanted a new band badly enough, I think they could have been accommodated. There was a lot of politics inolved.

The request was made and denied a long time ago.

True

Second, I realize you want pocket sized mini HD radios, Please tell me how many pocket sized mini satellite radios are out there for uner $100 and that technoogy is a lot older than HD technology. How many pocket sized wi-fi radios are available for sale?

I don't know about stand alone wi-fi radios, but the ability is embedded into lots of pocket size devices right now. Think PDA's, etc. I have a Nokia that fits easily in any pocket and receives wi-fi just fine thanks. It gets about 8-10 hours on a charge when it is on all the time, and it runs for a couple of days in stand-by. It's about the same cost as most similar devices and does all kinds of things, including VOIP, Internet radio, FM Radio (imagine that!) and it’s also a computer. I've even posted on this board from mine. It's very handy. Since I multi-task a lot, I can listen to whatever I want and sort through my emails. Like it or not, that is the way things are headed. Not too many people sit down in their easy chair and switch on the radio to hear Flibber McGee and Molly. Admittedly, it is fun to do sometime, but so is driving an antique car. Most people wouldn't want to do it every day (Apologies to Tom).

 

[Play Freebird]

First it has to be restated that IBOC exists because the FCC refused to allow new spectrum for broadcast use.

I don't buy that excuse. If we put the digital carriers of AM stations in the 76-88 MHz range, rather than continuing on this ill-fated attempt to run IBOC in the medium wave band, no new spectrum would be required. AM licensees would simply share a portion of VHF spectrum which is already allocated to Broadcasting, in much the same way as the proposed translators of AM stations will share the existing FM band.

 

[Play Freebird]

If I recall my history correctly, that was done mostly at the request of large broadcasters who realized that a new all digital band would level the playing field. I think you will find that NAB, among others, opposed adding a new band for digital radio. The military chimed in saying the proposed spectrum was being used for their communications.

If broadcasters had wanted a new band badly enough, I think they could have been accommodated. There was a lot of politics inolved.

Just a clarification, Chuck: The 1452 - 1492 MHz band (which was originally considered for DAB in the US -- and is, in fact, allocated for that purpose in the remainder of the world) is not directly assigned to the military, but rather to the Mobile Aeronautical Telemetry Service. It is used during by contractors during test flights of both civilian and military aircraft. Anyone who is curious about this and wants to research frequency allocations further should start here:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/chp04chart.pdf

I agree that NAB could have had this portion of L-band re-assigned to digital broadcasting if the political situation had been different. However, a better approach would have been to coordinate the introduction of digital radio with the "DTV transition", simply allowing digital audio services to share or move into vacant TV channels. That's still not out of the question, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Mike Walker]

I think, though can't swear to it, that I've seen Coby in Best Buy. I KNOW it's in Radio Shack, which is in a helluva lot more markets than Best Buy or Circuit City. It's also in Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, and other national pharmacies. Why is that important? Because small radios are an impulse buy, and this is where the "impulse" occurs to "ordinary" people (as opposed to electronics geeks).

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Coby - are reference designs, cost reduced. They take what other companies have learned - plus what the manufacturers have learned over the years, and pinch pennies out of the design. Actually - if you are willing to open the unit and put some of those pennies back - like better antennas and better IF filters, you can end up with a real bargain!

But - with HD radio - sensitivity seems to be crucial. You can't take a unit with poor sensitivity (because of bad antennas, etc.) and expect any range out of it. Still - for hobbyists - it would be a way to break into HD radio on a budget. Buy the Coby for the decode circuitry, and soup up the innards. That and a decent antenna - and you are in business.

 

[RadioFixerCLE]

Coby - are reference designs, cost reduced. They take what other companies have learned - plus what the manufacturers have learned over the years, and pinch pennies out of the design. Actually - if you are willing to open the unit and put some of those pennies back - like better antennas and better IF filters, you can end up with a real bargain!

Coby is also one of those companies that go to a third party manufacturer in China, ask them to show what their model ranges are and have their name slapped on whatever they pick. They may design some stuff in-house but a lot of other items are just rebrands.

I've seen products sold under the Coby name in the USA being sold under other "domestic" brands in other countries. Radio cassette players are a prime example. And so were those little 5" black and white tote-along TV sets they used to sell.

I guess you could call them the Muntz of our time. Mad Man Muntz was notorious for pinching pennies out of a design (using fixed resistors instead of slightly more expensive pots; leaving "superfluous component" out, etc.), but at least his company manufactured everything instead of buying someone else's stuff and putting his label on it.

 

[Chuck]

Just a clarification, Chuck: The 1452 - 1492 MHz band (which was originally considered for DAB in the US -- and is, in fact, allocated for that purpose in the remainder of the world) is not directly assigned to the military, but rather to the Mobile Aeronautical Telemetry Service. It is used during by contractors during test flights of both civilian and military aircraft. Anyone who is curious about this and wants to research frequency allocations further should start here:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/chp04chart.pdf

I agree that NAB could have had this portion of L-band re-assigned to digital broadcasting if the political situation had been different. However, a better approach would have been to coordinate the introduction of digital radio with the "DTV transition", simply allowing digital audio services to share or move into vacant TV channels. That's still not out of the question, as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the correction. The real point is the frequencies could have been reallocated if someone wanted it to happen. They didn't. In fact, the lower VHF band could be reallocated if enough of a stink were made.

Remember, the FCC takes its directions from Congress. That is where the real "rubber meets the road."

 

[wgliradio]

I think, though can't swear to it, that I've seen Coby in Best Buy. I KNOW it's in Radio Shack, which is in a helluva lot more markets than Best Buy or Circuit City. It's also in Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, and other national pharmacies. Why is that important? Because small radios are an impulse buy, and this is where the "impulse" occurs to "ordinary" people (as opposed to electronics geeks).

"Ordinary people" aren't going to invest $149 in a radio on an impulse that is nothing more than a radio.

 

[Mike Walker]

I don't think these radios will actually sell at the 149 dollar price point. If so, they definitely will fail, because Coby's success has been from offering products DEEPLY discounted from the major brands. 149 dollars would be a typical price for an HD radio. Hell, you can buy an entire shelf system (that doesn't actually sound terrible) at Best Buy for that, complete with DVD/MP3/CD player!

I think (based upon no information, whatsoever...just experience with their line in the past) that it'll be a lot cheaper. Again, Coby does have a really good table radio, with some interesting features...including the ability to play mp3 and wma from an external USB device. I sent it back because there was no headphone output...a deal-breaker for me.

 

[nd2023]

My mom bought an auto scan radio from the Avon catalog. Of course, it only gets one station well