HD Radio roundup: what’s new and how much do they cost

Over the course of the past few months, electronics manufacturers have released a number of new HD radios. There are new tabletop radios, car radios, and even a new category: bookshelf systems.

HD desktop radios

The new desktop radios are from AGT, Directed Electronics, Dice Electronics, Polk Audio and Sony. In addition, Visteon has introduced a portable HD Jump receiver that, according to the company, goes easily from car to home and vice versa.

Polk Audio has two new units. One is called Executive HDX3 (TM) HD Radio and is priced at $ 299. This is roughly $ 300 less than Polk’s original HD offering, the iSonic Entertainment System which was registered for a hefty $ 599.99 and roughly $ 200 value. less than Polk’s new iSonic 2 system.

The AGT HD Pulse HDT200 radio comes in a beautiful natural cherry wood cabinet and has a six-line graphical display, backlit LCD display, manual tuning and search capabilities, 10 preset memories, and an analog and digital clock. AGT’s MSRP of the HD Pulse is $ 199.95

The Directed Electronics HD Desktop Radio has a large multi-line backlit display that shows the station, artist and song title, as well as other broadcast information. Directed Electronics says the normal MSRP for this radio is $ 199.95 but it is currently available for $ 149.95.

The ITR-100 from Dice Electronics, with an MSRP of $ 199, features HD station search, an alarm clock, an RCA auxiliary input, and an optional additional speaker.

Sony’s XDR-S3HD HD Radio comes in an attractive wooden cabinet and has a backlit LCD screen, 20 AM and FM presets, and a host of other good features. Sony’s suggested price for the XDR53HD is $ 199.95.

The hybrid of the bunch is the transportable HD Jump receiver. According to Visteon, HD Jump Radio allows you to enjoy the superior sound and diverse programming of HD Radio in your car or at home. Mounted to the base of the car, HD Jump uses your car’s existing radio and antenna to play HD Radio broadcasts. Dock HD Jump at home with the optional Home Dock Kit and listen to exclusive HD Radio content through your home stereo. The unit is priced at $ 177 with an in-car kit.

Shelving systems

A new entry into the HD Radio market is the Insignia Shelf System, which retails at Best Buy for $ 149.99. It is described as a complete component system with progressive scan DVD / CD / MP3 player, 2 speakers and AM / FM / HD digital radio tuner. Also plays DVD, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD + R, DVD + R DL, DVD-RW, DVD-RW DL, DVD + RW, DVD + RW DL, CD-R / RW, CD, Formats VCD / SVCD, JPEG, MP3 and WMA. The Insignia system comes with a remote control and has two audio inputs and outputs for composite video, S-video, component video, and digital optical output.

Tuners and car audio systems

The introduction of the new HD car radios hasn’t exactly kept pace with their desktop cousins, but there has been some activity in recent months.

For example, there are at least four new units on the board currently available. They are the JVC KDHDR1 50-watt CD rig with built-in HD tuner at $ 149.99; the Sony CDX-GT320 HD-ready CD deck for $ 99.99; and two dual radios.

Dual units are an XHD6425 50W x 4 in-dash CD deck with HD radio tuner and detachable faceplate at $ 149.99 and the XHD6420 50W x 4 in-dash CD deck with HD radio tuner and detachable faceplate. Lastly, Directed Electronics has a Direct Car Connect radio.

Dice Electronics has an external HD Radio receiver called HD Dice HD Radio that it says will be built into your car radio from the factory.

There are also HD tuners available that can be connected to existing in-dash units for HD Radio reception. In this area, Alpine has a TUA-T500HD radio tuner module that is compatible with all new 2007 Alpine head units. The T500HD has a MSRP of $ 250. Kenwood offers a KTC-HR100TR tuner for around $ 179 that can be connected to compatible Kenwood dash units. And Sony has a tuner, XT-100HD, with a suggested retail price of $ 99.95.