RCA RP7887 AM/FM Super Portable Radio by RCA
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Digital camera reviews of RCA RP7887 AM/FM Super Portable Radio
Digital camera Review: 2009 version - Not Super anymore. Lousy build quality and sound.
Summary: 1 Stars
Apparently they are sending a totally different version of this radio now compared to what was available when many of these reviews were written.
The radio they are sending now (8-2009) is a heavy but cheap piece of black plastic with the lowest quality components possible. The sound is fairly harsh (due to significant amounts of high frequency distortion at ALL volumes) and it breaks up completely into a blast of noise and distortion with the volume is set past 3-4 on FM. It's not the speaker distorting, the problem is the tiny amp rated at 1/4 to 1/3 watt. Those numbers are fairly accurate and based on actual electronic measurements I did with a quality true RMS Volt and watt meter. While being physically large, this heavy radio has less power than some tiny radio's that I have and only 1/10th the power of a decent, 4 watt mp3/clock radio setup. Due to it's size it gets loud enough to use in a typical kitchen or living room setting but it's easily surpassed in reception, sound quality and volume by pretty much any decent quality boombox and most amplified mp3 or computer speakers. The original GE SuperRadio woofer has been replaced with an equal size but lighter and more efficient speaker with a smaller magnet and a lightweight cone.
There is a separate tweeter for clarity but the radio as a whole is easily distorted by even modest volume levels due to the tiny internal amp. Yes, the batteries will last a long, long time because tiny amps don't take much power.
They should replace the amp with a better one or change the design over to AA batteries instead of D cells since it would still run a long time even on AA's and then the radio could then be built at half the size and weight and still sound better.
The AFC button (auto frequency control) has a design flaw in the circuitry that reduces the bass response by 3-4dB when enabled.
The rotary knobs have a large amount of slop in the mechanism even when new and feel like they wont last long.
Good tuner designs can be completely silent between stations but they didn't try much on this one. It has loud noise and distortion between FM stations and the noise is often louder than the stations themselves.
Even a tiny Sandisk $29 Sansa mp3 player that I tested gets more stations and is clearer.
I own an original GE SuperRadio and have realistic expectations so I felt inclined to let people know that this is not the same product. RCA is clearly not trying much with this model since it has no relation to the original GE SuperRadio that it's based on. After reading some reviews talking about the wonderful sound quality I felt obligated to provide more detailed information from an Audio Engineers perspective and let them know that this is not the real deal anymore. I returned it.
Digital camera Review: A Good Low Cost AM Radio
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are looking for a solid AM/FM portable radio with very good sound quality and ability to pull in weak stations, this model is worth looking at. Two speakers, one six inch and one two inch give you very good quality sound with excellent bass response.
The sensitivity is good. We listen to Chicago radio stations that are sixty to eighty miles away. We have no problem tuning them day or night. The tuning dial is analog with a moving dial pointer. The accuracy is not dead on but close enough not to be an issue. The dial scale is seven inches wide and includes a log scale. Tuning is smooth.
The FM sensitivity is excellent. A 36 inch whip antenna helps pull in weak signals. The (AFC) Automatic Frequency Control keeps the FM signals tuned in. With the two speakers, FM sound quality is very good.
controls are:
* volume
* bass
* treble
* wide band AM Wide/Normal
* band selection AM/FM
* afc on/off
Battery operation requires six D batteries. I have not used it in battery mode so I can not comment on battery life.
A head phone jack is located on the right side.
This is a great radio for the price. I have two.
Digital camera Review: A real winner
Summary: 5 Stars
The clean stylying and ease of tunning are definately a plus. Other radios I purchased paled in comparison to The RCA SUPERADIO. The sound is full,mellow,and truly compares with much more expensive ones.Also I had forgotten how good AM radio could be. As I said,The RCA Superadio is a real Winner.Digital camera Review: A super disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm wild about my Sangean portable and wildly disappointed in this so-called super radio. I was prepared for the cheap workmanship and ungainly size and appearance -- in the interests of its power to pull in distant stations. I live in the sticks. The ferrite antenna hasn't seemed to do a thing. I get better reception from my much smaller portable. I don't have a good thing to say for this radio. I'm just sorry I wasn't swift enough to send it back from whence it came.
Digital camera Review: AS GOOD AS THE POSITIVE REVIEWS SAY IT IS
Summary: 5 Stars
My Super Radio arrived today. I promptly installed batteries and WOW what a sound. This is the best sounding portable non-stereo radio I've heard. The bass and treble controls work quite well. Yeah, it doesn't seem all that sturdy, as other reviewers have indicated. And, as others have said, the tuning is not all that accurate. But for $40, who cares? This radio is a BARGAIN.
AM reception tonight is a real revelation. KGO in San Francisco is as clear as a bell and stronger than some local stations, and S.F. is 450 miles away! By slowly turning the dial, I can hear too many AM stations to count, maybe a hundred. FM reception is almost equally outstanding. I highly recommend this radio. No frills, but great sound.
WARNING!! Alco Electronics, which purchaced RCA's home audio and video product line, has informed me via email that, "Unfortunately these models, (the RCA Super Radio), have been discontinued. Any available stock would be available at our authorized retail centers."
If you want one of these radios, better grab one fast. It's the end of the line for these fine "retro" radios...