HD Radio Gear: The Good and the Better

There's AM, FM, shortwave, satellite, Wi-Fi -- and now HD.

HD Radio is the broadcasters' answer to XMXMSR and SiriusSIRI -- digital streams of music and talk that are broadcast on the FM dial -- along with the stereo analog signals we've listened to for years.

(There's HD AM broadcasting too, but since the AM band is mostly for speech, and not music, HD AM doesn't really matter at the moment.)

HD was supposedly created to improve the quality of FM reception and give listeners a bigger choice, as well as give broadcasters a new way to make money. FM stations broadcasting HD signals alongside their normal stations can split the new digital signal into two or more programming/revenue streams.

Officially, the technology is called "In Band, On Channel" or IBOC.

But, squeezing multiple digital streams on a frequency could mean lower fidelity for each "station." You can split a digital signal only so many ways before each stream begins to suffer.

HD Radio is a U.S.-only broadcast standard. The rest of the world (including Canada) uses the Eureka 147 standard known as DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting).

HD stations sound different from their analog relatives. There is usually less background noise and much less interference that can be heard. That's because the receiver "locks in" on the station's digital component. In simple terms, just like digital TV broadcasts, a digital signal is either good or bad, on or off. If it's not tuned in properly, it's usually not enjoyable at all.

That said, digital HD radio signals can be more difficult to receive than their analog counterparts. Many listeners complain that they can receive their favorite FM station -- but can't "lock in" on the digital signal.

On the other hand, I live near WFUV-FM from Fordham University in the Bronx, which I cannot listen to at home because of interference. But, with an HD Radio tuner, it's received perfectly.

Overall, I've found that the sound quality of a station's digital signal can be slightly less full-bodied than the equivalent analog broadcast. Maybe it's because I'm used to an old-fashioned analog FM sound, but all three tested FM tuners (they plug directly into your home hi-fi system) highlight that difference. Not to the same extent, though.

Sangean HDT-1X

Sangean makes all kinds of radios, not only under its own name, but also for other well-known brands. This AM-FM tuner is actually the company's second try at an affordable HD tuner. The first, the HDT-1 (no X) was well received. But audiophiles -- and specifically tuner-philes -- played with the tuner and emphatically told Sangean what they liked and didn't like.

Sangean actually listened. There's now a digital output (so you can use your own digital processor) and a less obtrusive front panel display (it dims and turns off) and slightly better specs. The result is a better tuner. Sound quality is good. Especially for a component tuner that lists for $249.99 and can be found for around $200 if you do your homework on the Web.

The HDT-1X is a plain-looking black box, but it's a great way to add HD Radio to your hi-fi system. Recommended.

Rotel RT-1084

Next step up the ladder (and it's a giant step) is Rotel's sophisticated AM/FM/HD/Sirius tuner. The over-the-air tuner sections are standard equipment. You can add as many as three (optional) Sirius satellite tuner cards inside. There are separate analog and digital ins and outs for each section. Perfect for multiroom setups.