Sangean DT-180 AM / FM Pocket Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)(** Edit 04/2008 - in the time since I wrote this review I have picked up a well-reviewed Sony analog tuning AM/FM radio (SRF-59). I will say that it does pick out stations very well, and is a nice radio for the price, but - for me at least - the frustration of trying to find specific frequencies on the AM or FM dial using the analog tuner outweigh any possible advantages of the "superior" tuner. Though I have kept the Sony, I find I use the Sangean almost exclusively.)
I've had the Sangean DT-180V in my hands for a few days, I was able to test it against my Sony M37. (Sorry, but I don't have access to the Sony M97 or any of the highly rated Sony analog models for comparison.)
Location note: I am located in southern New Jersey, within 9 miles of three 50KW FM transmitters. Philadelphia is about 60 miles NW, and NYC over 100 miles due North. There are no AM stations in the area broadcasting at over 1 KW.
FM reception: The Sony M37 is the slightly more sensitive radio of the two; there were a few Philly FM stations that the M37 could get and the Sangean DT-180V could not. However, this is mitigated by two factors: (1) the stereo/mono switch aids in the 180V reception of weaker stations, where the Sony does not have this feature; (2) multiple weaker signals in the M37 are overridden by images once you start moving around and changing the position of the headphone cord / antenna. The poor image rejection of the M37 is it's biggest weakness; there are numerous images around the dial, and these can obliterate weaker signals. In contrast, when moving around with the 180V the signal might fade in and out, but I seldom lost a station to interference.
My preference is for the 180V - I'm willing to give up a bit of sensitivity for much better image rejection. Those for who sensitvity is the overriding concern may prefer the M37.
FM sound: Edge to the Sony M37. The highs are a bit livelier on the M37, giving it a more "open" sound than the 180V.
(edit - another user comparing the sound of the M37 with a high-priced home tuner considered the M37 treble unnaturally boosted; so perhaps the DT-180V is the more "natural" sounding of the two. YMMV.)
AM reception: Almost identical, but I give an ever so slight edge to the 180V; there were a few weak AM stations which were a tinge less noisy than the same station on the M37.
AM sound: Edge to the 180V. The Sony had a pronounced midrange and mid-bass boost which I disliked; the Sangean may have a bit less in the low bass but the overall sounded more natural to me.
Features: Both have 10 FM presets and 5 AM presets. The M37 has a weather band the 180V lacks. 180V defaults to a 90-minute turn off, but this can be overridden easily. The M37 has no tones controls; the 180V has a "Deep Bass Boost" which IMHO goes *way* overboard and is to be avoided with most headphones.* The 180V is smaller than the M37, and weighs in at 2.2 vs. 3.4 ounces (including battery). The M37 includes a belt clip; there is no clip for the 180V, but there is a small hole on the top for a lanyard. The Sony comes with full-size open-air headphones; the Sangean comes with ear buds; I'd advise purchasing a better set of headphones (full-size or in-ear) for either to get the best sound.
For those in suburban / urban areas who don't need every last bit of sensitivity and want a tiny digital radio, the Sangean DT-180V is a great choice. I've give this 4.5 stars if that was an option (due to sensitivity and FM sound quality a bit below comparable Sonys), but the small size and weight, good FM reception, and stereo/mono switch push this gem to five stars.
* - after trying some super cheapie Sony earbuds, I guess there are some cases where the DBB is useful. But for any decent full-size headphones or IEMs, the DBB is probably better left OFF.

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