Ok, so for various reasons my employer does not permit us to store music files or play them (ie stored on flash drive and plugged into computer) on our work computers . I also work in a bunker with limited cell phone reception (I usually get texts but my phone never rings...) and don't have much data on my cell plan so streaming services are out.
I am looking for an inexpensive AM/FM radio with a 3.5 mm auxiliary input to connect an old mp3 player (crappy Bluetooth) to so I can have some background noise/music at work. I want something that is meant to live it's life plugged in (cord or wall wart) not a battery powered portable speaker. I'd like to stay under $20 as the last one which cost $30 died after less than 1.5 years, but am flexible on cost . Used to have this one until it died last week... It pretty much sucked. Difficult to change modes, 0-10 volume so I could never get volume right and every different album required messing with the volume, buzzed once the music stopped so you either have to unplug the cord or turn the volume all the way off to stop that. Cord was like 18" long so it wouldn't reach far enough to put anywhere convenient to use.
Being an office, space is limited so I'd like something self contained in one fairly small object. It doesn't have to have anything other than AM/FM radio, aux input jack, an on/off switch, source selection switch, volume control (prefer knob or lots of levels so it can be varied in small enough increments that a comfortable level can be attained) switch, a speaker, and a power cord. Doesn't have to be audiophile quality. Really I just want something basic that works, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and won't die on me as soon as the warranty is over.
Searched Amazon, Wally World, Parts Express, B&H. See a couple of possibles on Amazon, but wondering what y'all can come up with.
In reply to secretariata (Forum Supporter) :
Streaming services aren't actually out.
Spotify premium is your friend here. If you have premium, on top of not having to deal with ads, you can download music to your devices. I keep my most listened to stuff on my phone downloaded at all times.
That's what I'd do.. but it's not the cheapest option.. since it's a monthly recurring cost.
In reply to spacecadet (Forum Supporter) :
I'm too cheap to pay for it...especially when I have like 800 CD's ripped to FLAC and/or MP3. I also like having it on a separate music player instead of my phone mostly because my phone has limited storage while my music player can take micro SD cards and allows me to carry a larger library.
Note that you don't necessarily need a 1/8" input jack. If it's got any sort of external input, it's most likely a pair of RCA jacks. You can easily find a 1/8 to RCA patch cable. This will probably open up your options quite a bit.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Had not thought of that. Now to figure out how to search for that. My prior search efforts were either too limiting or got so many "false" products that did not fit the search criteria that it was mind numbing. Doesn't help that the descriptions are very brief and half of them only show the front in any pictures provided.
When I think RCA jacks it brings component systems to mind and I don't have room for that in my cube sized office...
To add on to Keith's comment, this is the cable you're looking for: 3.5mm mini to rca stereo audio cable, 6 feet - Walmart.com - Walmart.com
That said, what kind of a phone do you have? Certain Android phones have FM tuners built in, so as long as your phone's got a headphone jack you could then just find any pair of powered computer speakers - use your phone for FM, and your MP3 player for your saved music library.
Basically, if your desired device has any sort of input you'll be able to find a cable to make it work so I'd just look for an input. RCAs are an old standard but they're a really common one.
They're a bit spendy, but the Muzen radios are small, have both bluetooth and wired inputs and sound surprisingly good. They're big believers in sales around holdays, so there may be some deals coming on Memorial Day. My wife has one of these but there are others:
https://muzenaudio.com/collections/featured-collection/products/green-metal-radio
It would not surprise me to hear there are half price knockoffs of Muzens.
I recommend searching the used market for Tivoli.
I have the PAL model in my bathroom. It was an employee incentive/gift from when I worked at AT&T in 2003-ish. Built to last so buying used should be fine.
The wood case version known as model one are awesome too. They have another model with a digital readout and presets called The Songbook.
$30 should get you a nice one.
New $150
$41 eBay sample
mtn
MegaDork
5/10/21 3:55 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:
It would not surprise me to hear there are half price knockoffs of Muzens.
And voila.
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Greadio-Fashioned-Enhancement-Connection/dp/B07L8CMPTL
In reply to Keith Tanner :
That last link gets me "Muffin"...
In reply to mtn :
Don't really have room for multiple boxes and don't want to hang speakers on the wall. I have some bookshelf speakers from Parts Express, but the Lepai amp I had them paired with died.
In reply to secretariata (Forum Supporter) :
And isn't Muffin a cutie?
Left off a trailing slash. I cannot comment on quality of this unit, only the Muzen.
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Greadio-Fashioned-Enhancement-Connection/dp/B07L8CMPTL/
In reply to John Welsh :
I was wondering about those Tivoli Model One's. Saw a couple used in a price range I could probably tolerate. Considering that things occasionally disappear from our offices, I don't want anything that looks to valuable and those look kinda plain jane...
Kinda plain but in person they have an air of quality.
https://tivoliaudio.com/
I forgot about Tivoli speakers. Thinking about getting one now for my home office...
And this one is not going to make the cut...WTF are some people thinking???
Decided to spend more than originally planned and got the last refurbished Sangean WR-11SE on Amazon. Spent the extra $8.xx for the 3 year extended warranty so it was only $6 less than new but the new one only had a 90 day warranty.
Linky
In reply to secretariata (Forum Supporter) :
Seems to be the Tivolia competitor/contemporary. I read some Amazon reviews that were very quick to compare it to the Tivolia. Those reviews seemed to consider them very similar. If you got a value on the Sangean purchase then it was probably a good choice. A table radio with one purpose and hopefully it strives to be very good at that one purpose.
Picture from those reviews. Same size and two attempts at a "classic" look.
Just a thought. Those bluetooth rechargeable speakers almost always have a 3.5mm audio jack, some sound pretty darn good, and they often get donated to a goodwill when the battery life gets crappy. Keep it plugged in to USB power and bob's your uncle.
I have a couple. One is an Anker Sound Core that sells for $28 on Amazon, but I got it at a thrift store for $5. I use it for camping and it lasts for days, but even if it didn't, I could leave it plugged in. The other one is a Billboard-branded speaker that I grabbed out of a "free" box at a yard sale. The battery only lasts about 20 minutes so I just leave it plugged in at the shop. I personally use the bluetooth at the shop, but it has a 3.5mm jack. I also find it super handy because the microphone is surprisingly good, so I use it for hand-free calls while I work. It looks like an energy-based life from from the original Star Trek, but it's great. It's about the size of a soda can. The Anker I linked above is about the size of two packs of cigarettes
I'm a dork.
You mentioned the need for AM/FM.
Apologies. My idea would be great if you didn't need the broadcast part.
