Panasonic RF-2400

Okay for music, disappointing for Talk Radio – I bought the Panasonic Portable Radio AM/FM RF-2400D from Good Guys based on the Panasonic website claims of a "New Tuner with AFC" and rave reviews. It looked like the perfect radio for home, camping, and workshop. Originally, I aborted the sale due to the horrible ON/OFF switch as it combines with the AM/FM setting. In effect, a cheap, substandard 4-way switch. This switch was so bad, it often overrides itself and instead moving from OFF to ON (FM) it easily passes to AM. If AM is what one wants, no problem but if not, the switch has to be pushed back a notch. My views remain intact in this regard.

However, after a lot of searching, it would appear the Panasonic Radio RF-2400D is one of the better of a zillion bad choices so a price drop down to $49.00 saw a second time purchase. For that price, it's okay, but not at the RRP of $79.95. Rave reviews should also be viewed with circumspection. Reasons being, I found that the sound quality muddy. Talk Radio announcer voices often sound muffled with a bass reverberation that reduces clarity. In short, a bloated bass that interferes with higher range frequencies. As a result, it's difficult to hear what is being said at times so overall, nowhere near as good as implied. This is one radio that could also do with a tone adjustment feature as the speaker appears too large for the hollow plastic casing. At very least, some inner casing damping may address bass distortion. One feature that really pleases is that this radio is easy to tune and does not drift off its set station. If your prime use is listening to Talk Radio you'll be disappointed. If your listening preference is music, the Panasonic RF-2400D will more than suffice - but only as good as one can expect from a small, budget portable.

Should be better – The AM stations drift meaning the radio needs to be frequently retuned. It happens on all three RF-2400's to the extent that the tuning LED also fades. Otherwise it is one of very few AM/FM portable radios available of a handy size and format that also takes universal AA batteries.