Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased my unit directly from the B & O URI list for $350, including shipping. (Thanks B&O Scottsdale!) It includes the full three year warranty, and has no visible signs of wear or use. These units are generally returns from showrooms or corporate placements, and have usually never even been used! This is pretty sweet when you consider that this radio sold for $850 when it was released, and now sells for $500. B&O Miami had some open box units for $399 when I emailed them a few weeks ago, which ain't bad either.
I have lusted after this radio for many years, and finally took the plunge, once I was offered the URI option. I've never been much of a music buff, and only own around 20 CD's. But after plugging it in and hearing it for the first time, I was blown away by the sound quality of this small device. It automatically picked up stations that I had never picked up on my old radio. Many come in just fine without the need to extend the antenna, but weaker signals will need it extended.
I did encounter one issue with the SD card. When ripping music files in Windows Media Player, be sure to choose the highest setting available. I initially left the bit rate at 64 kbs CD quality, and the unit would not recognize the files. A call to tech support (Thanks Ole!) solved this issue. I transferred all files at 320 kbs, and am now hearing details in my music I never heard before, which includes CD's I've listened to for years.
I've read other reviews in which people describe this radio as being good for background noise, and also fault the single speaker. I will say that this single speaker sounds better than any stereo speakers I've owned and listened to-outside a B&O or home theater showroom. I live in a townhouse, and previously could not hear my radio playing unless I was in that room with it. I can easily hear this radio in every room, without the need to crank the volume. But with the handle and built in battery, I can also carry this unit with me from room to room. I keep it by my bed at night, and then carry it downstairs for breakfast.
I find the controls very responsive and intuitive. The volume is adjusted on the top, via the click wheel. There are no external buttons, so you just press and hold your finger to the area indicated for selecting radio or memory card playback. The selections make a slight click noise if you push them, like the click wheel, but I find that I can also just touch and hold for a moment for the same effect. It's so neat to raise the antenna this way. It extends without any sound!
The alarm has to be set daily, which I don't care for. I guess it encourages you to think about it, rather than taking it for granted and accidentally not setting it. I also wish I could listen to music from the card for a set time while going to bed. You can do this with the radio, but not the memroy card. The alarm, however, can be set to wake you using the radio or the memroy card files. Perhaps I can figure out how to do this with another call to tech support. A buzzer option would have been nice, but I suppose it's too prosaic for B&O.
The owners manual is far from comprehensive. It would have been nice if it had mentioned the bit transfer rate requirement, which is a minimum of 128 kbs by the way. I wonder what else it isn't telling me!
I am happy with my purchase. I love the simple and elegant design of it. IT has a few minor flaws, but so does everything else. It's like marrying a supermodel, and then being disappointed that she only make peanut butter stew. You'll get used to it!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 3 Portable Music Player with Radio and SD Memory Card Playback
Anything - anywhere - anytime
Relaxing in the garden? Heading for the beach? BeoSound 3 lets you take your audio experience with you. Listen to incredible FM radio sound ? or load up a memory card from BeoSound 4 or your computer - and take your favorite albums with you. A rechargeable battery allows for up to 10 hours of listening, while the oversized handle makes for easy carrying. And because you can also use BeoSound 3 as an alarm clock, we have given you a specially developed bracket for wall mounting. No cables, no plugs. Just exceptional Bang & Olufsen sound.
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