Sangean PR-D17 AM FM Stereo Radio Review for the Visually Impaired

The Sangean PR-D17 AM FM Stereo Portable Radio is Designed for the Visually Impaired. High Contrast Controls, Voice Prompts on All Modes, Symbols on the Buttons, and all built with High Performance Components. If you need a Radio such as this, you will not be disappointed.
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Features I like about the PR-D17:
Superior FM Reception.
Voice Prompts. Tells you Everything the Radio is Doing.
Built in Handle.
Basic RDS Information.
200mm Internal Ferrite Antenna for Amazing Medium Wave(AM) Reception.
High Contrast Controls.
FM Stereo Sounds Wonderful on the Speakers, and Headphones.
Includes AC Adapter.
Aux-In.
Twelve, or Twenty-Four Hour Clock.
9kHz - 10kHz Modes.
English/Spanish Languages.
Clean Design.
Superb Volume Control.
Sangean Quality.
Features that could be Added or Improved on:
Bass/Treble Control.
Ability to Turn Voice Prompts Off while Tuning.
Add a Tune Status Button.
1kHz Tuning for the AM Band.
Add More Presets.
Overall, the PR-D17 is perfect for those who casually use a Portable Radio, and have need for Assistance while they do. The seasoned Tuner with Visual Impairments may find the voice prompting while tuning to be an annoyance. The Reception this Radio provides is one of the Best I have Tested.
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[@todderbert]

▶ The Sangean PR-D17 at Amazon: amzn.to/3FI7PT1 (paid link) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

You got another blind subscriber! I got the radio from an organization in New Jersey, and I haven't regretted a bit. It is my alarm clock, and my lifeline.

[@todderbert]

An Excellent Radio, glad you are able to enjoy it.

[@joenerney]

what organization did you get it from in New Jersey?

[@jlichi1510]

I also like how the voice tells you the percentage of battery level. This is handy for someone who is not even visually impaired.

[@JohnGallant-dc1uq]

I'm totally blind and have been using the Sangean PR-D15s for awhile now. My wife bought me this one and this video helped me understand how to use this one. I appreciate you taking the time!

[@todderbert]

Glad I could help.

[@jlichi1510]

This is a perfect radio for the elderly or visually impaired who want to upgrade from a basic radio with simple ergonomics, such as a Sony ICF-19/506, Panasonic 2400D, or Retekess TR604. This may even be a good radio for people who are in the early stages of dementia.

[@lmorris1953]

I just bought the HDR 16 two days ago and I love the radio however, I would have considered purchasing this radio since I am visually impaired. I do agree with you. Bass and treble controls would be nice for a future upgrade.

[@daveconte9884]

I am totally blind and have been thinking about purchasing this radio for sometime; I don’t really listen to FM but the medium wave reception is definitely a bonus! My PL - 880 seems to have some sensitivity issues in the medium wave band, so you’ve definitely helped me make up my mind about this radio

[@jgstevens5169]

Thank you again for another fine & thorough review. Gotta be a first for me to witness a voice prompted radio. Sign of the times ahead.

[@edkochanowski2567]

Thank you so much for your review of this radio I plan to get it soon I never heard of a radio like this the closest one was an RCA Brower radio that was put out in the 70s

[@RJDA.Dakota]

It would indeed be interesting if a shortwave radio could be fitted with such software. 🤔

[@jgstevens5169]

Hahaha... ☺ Glad the word "interesting" was included in the comment. Though again, a visually impaired SWL'er just might think it to be surprisingly satisfying.

[@ladymunch0]

I'd love a shortwave radio with text-to-speech software like this for reading menus and freqs. I'm totally blind and the closest I come to a radio I can read everything on is a webSDR. I'd want the voice prompts to be a push-button thing rather than immediately blurting out freq info when I'm not even sure there's gonna be anything on that freq.

[@ladymunch0]

Hi Thanks for such a good review. I am totally blind myself so it's cool to see a mainstream YT channel cover something like this. To be honest it sounds like Sangean got together and thought "what would visually impaired people want in a radio" rather than asking those people what they would actually want, but it's quite a good start. I'd love to see this radio where the voice prompts happen when a button is pressed, rather than automatically. I am quite an impatient person so having to wait for it to stop speaking only to find nothing on that freq would be a massive drag for me. Other than that though it seems like a really cool radio. I also wish there was a button to read the RDS info too. I'd really love a shortwave radio with this kind of software, but the closest I've got to a fully operable radio is a WebSDR: They're really great, but don't fill that need to have something physical to tune in. ,

[@jjcoolaus]

I bought two of these, and yes I am vision impaired. Waiting for the voice prompt to stop before you can hear the frequency is an issue, offset by the excellent seeking capability in this radio, put it inn seek instead of manually tuning and you won't miss much

[@granttaylor3697]

You could add AM stereo to your list for improvements, as it is making a bit of a come back.

[@NTPTM]

Hej Todderbert thanks for the review interesting radio I must say a radio for those who are visually impaired I think it is very good that there is radios out there that have that features everyone should have the right to enjoy a radio. I like the colors on the buttons so this radio can make it a lot easier for everyone I'm going out in the woods this summer so a good camping radio I think it is, it can be a bit dark in the forest take care Todderbert and have a nice evening.

[@humbertorangel7523]

Excellent idea This radio is an excellent idea and you are a very good youtuber! Congratulations! PS: I’m going to buy the Sangean PR-D17 because I need it, so thank you for the info.

[@jeffk7734]

Thank you for the review. I had been debating as to whether or not I should get one, but I broke down and did it. I like the alarm clock because now I can turn off my phone when going to bed. My radio came on Friday, and I didn’t have that much trouble with the batteries, and it took me a few minutes to figure out how they go in the unit.

[@daveconte9884]

That’s the one thing I don’t understand about this radio; why have an RDS display and not have the ability for voiceover to actually read it out loud?

[@donmayer58]

Well hello there from Coplay, Pennsylvania. My name is Donald Mayer. I currently own the Sangean HDR16 and HDR18. While these radios provide good FM HD reception, I'm wondering if there is an Fm HD radio that might provide more FM sensitivity. Yes, I've been totally blind since birth and a radio with voice prompts sounds interesting to me. It sounds to me the radio described in this video does not provide FM HD reception. I would appreciate any information you could provide for me. Have a wonderful day!

[@todderbert]

I do not know of an assisted HD Portable Radio.

[@donmayer58]

@@todderbert Well hello there again and thank you so much for replying to me so quickly. I know I talked about HD radios with voice prompts. Now, I'm wondering if you could tell me what HD radio would give me the best HD reception. Again, thank you for your reply.

[@todderbert]

@@donmayer58 for Sangean the HDR-16. There may be a Sony that is good as well, I don't own one, but have heard they are excellent as well. They are more of a table top setup.

[@donmayer58]

@@todderbert Yes, I believe Sony makes good radios. Do you know who might be able to contact me concerning a Sony HD radio? A table top model would be fine with me as long as I get real good results. I feel I'm so close to getting the HD station I want. This station is located in Philadelphia. I remember contacting Sony and they told me FM HD radios are not available. I would be most interested if there's a Sony HD FM radio that is currently available. Thank you so much for contacting me again.

[@todderbert]

@@donmayer58 The ones I hear talked about are on the used market. No new HD radios from Sony as far as I know.

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

is there any simple to use good quality radio like this that also has dac onboard

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

is there external coax aerial input like the oak sangian w11

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

which is better quality sound this or the am fm sanium oak case single 3 inch spr w11.. are they both rds.. please reply

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

is ats25max better or worse as am fm radio than this.. it seems to have easy screen menu.

[@Gaalification]

Speaking of AM quality, how does this compare to the PR-D15? I would like to buy a D15 but I can't find it here in EU, but apparently I can find this one.

[@todderbert]

They are similar, the D15 lets you adjust Bass/Treble, and do 1kHz tuning. All without the Voice prompting.

[@Gaalification]

Thanks a lot. Since I cant find a D15, would you suggest me to buy this, or for example the PR-D18?

[@todderbert]

@@Gaalification A D5 if you can find one.

[@Gaalification]

@@todderbert thanks a lot for your reply. Sadly I can only find some oversea sellers for the D5, same as the 15. The shipping is rally high :(