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Probably they get equal FM, but the stereo speakers on the Duo highlight background static more easily. My friend urged me to get the two-speaker Duo, so I finally capitulated and use it in the kitchen. The Solo is loud enough for big rooms as well and its speaker isn't as prone to static as much as the Duo's. This is only a problem once in a while when I listen to 89.3 KPCC.
FM Reception: The Solo wins. One is in the bedroom and the other is in the workout room. So on balance I think most people will be better served getting the $85 Solo, which I give an A grade. While I love the Solo's full high-fidelity sound, the Duo speakers really fill the kitchen with ease.AM Reception: I'd have to give a slight nod to the Duo. I'd still give the Duo an A minus grade on FM.Remote: The Duo has one and the Solo does not.Ease of use: The remote on the Duo allows you to bypass the toggle mode switch on the radio.
In the kitchen I had to rotate the Solo to fine-tune 570AM. This is fortunate because the size and shape of it make it impractical for rotating the radio to maximize AM reception from its internal ferrite antenna.
Some people don't like changing the mode by hand. But on the Solo you toggle your presets, whether they're AM or FM, in the same preset mode, so you don't really miss the remote.Conclusion: These are both great radios for their price point.
For a bedside radio, I'd go with the Solo because it takes up less space and you can rotate it easier to optimize AM reception. I already own two Boston Acoustic Horizon Solos, which I bought on Amazon for about $85.
I don't have to touch the Duo. My review will be based on my comparison between the $85 Solo and the $115 Duo.
Speaker Sound: The Duo wins. The $115 Duo gets an A minus because of occasional FM static on weak stations.
The LCD can be dimmed to neer off so sleeping should'nt be a problem. Great sound for such a small unit and the reception is very good. Very easy to use and set presets and bass & treble make a big sound difference.
The sound quality is excellent and the radio sensitivity is very good. The controls take some time to get used to (a lot less time if you read the instructions first.). You know that you bought the real deal right out of the box. The clock/alarm portion of the radio works well too with multiple alarms for those "hard to start" mornings.The only detail that I don't care for is the FM "antenna" - a piece of wire about 8 feet long that needs to be stretched out vertically to provide best reception. The antenana can be hidded behind a headboard but it's hard to hide it anywhere else.As a competitor to the Bose Wave radio, the Horizon Duo rates a grade of B compared to the Bose Wave's A rating. The shipping weight of this radio is 11 lbs with the bulk of that weight in the speakers. But at 30% of the cost of the Bose Wave, it delivers tremendous value for cost.
For a table radio this can't be beat. The sound quality is excellent and placing the volumn high to reach other rooms does not change that. I think this is far better sounding than the BOSE I almost purchased. Fantastic product. I am a retired Musician/Public School Music teacher witha lot of high end audio and electronic equipment. A visiting friend was so impressed with this product, that he ordered one the next day.
This is a common problem easily improved by changing from stereo to mono but this radio does not have that option. It makes a lot of heat when off, indicating it is not Energy Star compliant. Tech support says they cannot tell me how many watts it uses when off or on. Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo High Performance AM/FM Clock Radio (Midnight)I like everything about this radio except the FM tuner , the heat it makes, and the odor. It pulls in distant stations well but with static. And it has a strong chemical odor they say is excess adhesive.
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