I bought an internet radio

[FunkyHiFi]

What the hell is that? It's basically a single-purpose computer that does one thing: stream audio via the internet. They can look like a regular radio with built-in speakers, or a separates component (i.e. an internet tuner) that fits into a rack along with a dvd player and a surround sound receiver.

This is what I bought: Pure ONE Flow portable radio (http://www.pure.com/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61558#/One%20Flow/Portable%20Digital,%20FM%20and%20Internet%20Radio) (it's designed by a British company; I bought mine from Amazon).

Here in the States, to me anyway most commercial rock-n-pop radio stations are awful, playing mostly bland/focus-grouped/formulaic music or "classic" rock using a playlist that consists of seemingly only about 30 tired/overplayed hits.

But with an internet radio you can listen to all kinds of music literally from all over the world. This includes the better commercial stations, but most of the best ones to me are the listener-supported ones because they play the music their *listeners* want, not what some marketing department wants you to hear.

FYI you can do the same thing of course with a PC and a media player like Winamp, iTunes or Windows Media player, but this isn't usually nearly as convenient as a standalone net radio or component tuner.

Three of my favorite stations so far (I've got about 12 picked out so far) are somafm's Indie Pop Rocks! (http://somafm.com/), BBC's Radio 6 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/) and Luxuria Music (http://luxuriamusic.com/) in California. I'm a quarter Irish and am currently checking out some stations in Ireland.

Fun times!

[Pres Zount]

So I saw this program on Japan the other day, and it had an invention where if you want to eat potato chips/crisps, and you don't want to get bits of food or flavouring on your fingers, you use this little mechanical hand to clasp the chip in its fingers, and then you pop it into your mouth.

A specialised internet radio reminds me of that invention.

[FunkyHiFi]

So I saw this program on Japan the other day, and it had an invention where if you want to eat potato chips/crisps, and you don't want to get bits of food or flavouring on your fingers, you use this little mechanical hand to clasp the chip in its fingers, and then you pop it into your mouth.

A specialised internet radio reminds me of that invention.But would you want to drag your Dell or iMac to the kitchen counter while you fry your morning eggs while listening to a Japanese music station? ;):D

[Pres Zount]

Right, you're saying "drag" as if my laptop actually weighs anything resembling heavy, or as if I would move it from where it is anyway, and not just turn the volume up slightly if I wanted to listen to radio in a different room.

[FunkyHiFi]

^ I was actually referring to a desktop PC. But I also wouldn't want to bring my laptop into the kitchen: grease in the air from frying, splatters from the ketchup bottle trying to get that last blob out of there for the onion rings, etc etc. And my own kitchen is nowhere near where I usually use my laptop and 95% of all laptop speakers sound really substandard to me, tinny & shrill. Call me an audio snob, but I think speakers like that do a real disservice to a musician's art.

[FunkyHiFi]

Another feature that is usually found on all internet radios is the ability to use your computer's hard drive as a music source. After you set this up, a.k.a. a "media streaming" system, you can use the radio to choose tracks or entire albums & play them (I haven't done this yet with my own radio). One thing that bothers me a little about this is that because IIRC you have to activate the "share folders" option on your computer, if you use wi-fi there is the possibility of someone else having access to your music files.

Also like most portables, my own radio includes a headphone jack so I can use better speakers with it if I wanted (there are powered computer speakers that sound nearly as good as a true component audio system).

[M|X|Y]

if its easy to use
if it can get MOST internet audio content
if it costs no more than a regular radio

why not

[yeahwho]

I checked out the stations you listed, pretty good. That radio looks pretty big, is that because the speaker has great sound? I think I'll hold out until they are a smaller pocket size.

I have speakers mounted in 4 rooms now at my house and the M-Audios (http://www.m-audio.com/) I bought just kick ass hooked up to my desk top. Eventually I would like to but 2 more pairs to replace my kitchen and garage speakers.

Anyway I think the principle is cool and internet radio/blogs/music is an obsession of mine. I'm just not ready to buy something bigger than an ipod for playback...

Radio 6 is pretty fucking awesome

[FunkyHiFi]

if its easy to use
if it can get MOST internet audio content
if it costs no more than a regular radio

why notI've only played around with a few net radios, but I thought they were pretty easy to use, though the vtech IS9181 had the best operating controls (I actually owned one for two days but sent it back because its built-in subwoofer was very boomy and in turn most drums and male voices sounded rather hollow). Youtube has lots of demo videos for many net radios, including mine.

I have yet to run into a station I couldn't listen to but there's lot of stations out there, so that could change.

Cost? Remember, these are actually computers, sort of similar to a low-grade smartphone and paired up with wi-fi circuitry, so are much more complicated than a conventional radio. Anyhoo.......mine cost $122. There's some that go as low as $80 and a handful pushing $300, though the better ones usually feature better speakers+amp systems or iPod docking ability. A decent FM/AM radio of the same size usually goes for @$25 (I own a Sony ICF-38 that cost me that much three years ago) to more than $100.

Also, more and more surround sound receivers and a few stereo receivers now include built-in internet tuners, though they almost always only include an ethernet connection i.e. no wi-fi (ethernet is usually more stable anyway).

[TurdBerglar]

my reciever(Onkyo NR609) has a built in internet radio that can connect to most popular internet radio websites(Last.FM, Spotify...). but i don't use it. it has a real nice GUI that shows up on the TV/Monitor. real easy to use. i have more than enough of my own music that i don't need internet radio. but the large majority of my music consists of illegal downloads(sorry... but not really). i guess if i were morally opposed to downloading music internet radio would be pretty fucking neat to me.

[ms.peachy]

Make sure you put WFMU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WFMU) into rotation.

[FunkyHiFi]

I think I'll hold out until they are a smaller pocket size.Here ya go (http://www.amazon.com/Mutant-MIG-PIR-1-Portable-Pocket-Sized-Internet/dp/B0032CI80W/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340671160&sr=1-12&keywords=Internet+Radio) (y)
Radio 6 is pretty fucking awesomeYep, lots of wide ranging/interesting music and knowledgeable DJs.

That radio looks pretty big, is that because the speaker has great sound?It sounds pretty good, but lacks a lot of low bass or "tinkling" highs, but at least it doesn't have irritating sound like some truly cheap radios (I wouldn't have kept it if it sounded that way). Logitec sells a internet radio called a Squeezebox & is about the same size as mine and I think it definitely sounds better, but it also costs nearly $30 more.

[FunkyHiFi]

my reciever(Onkyo NR609) has a built in internet radio that can connect to most popular internet radio websites(Last.FM, Spotify...). but i don't use it. it has a real nice GUI that shows up on the TV/Monitor. real easy to use. i have more than enough of my own music that i don't need internet radio. but the large majority of my music consists of illegal downloads(sorry... but not really). i guess if i were morally opposed to downloading music internet radio would be pretty fucking neat to me.Maybe I don't get out enough :D but one of the biggest reasons I listen to internet radio is to discover *new* music. I also read this site and a few music-oriented online mags too.

[FunkyHiFi]

Make sure you put WFMU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WFMU) into rotation.I'm checking it out right now - thanks!

[TurdBerglar]

Maybe I don't get out enough :D but one of the biggest reasons I listen to internet radio is to discover *new* music. I also read this site and a few music-oriented online mags too.

last.fm monitors what you play from your pc and offers suggestions based on similar artists and genres. it's really amazing all the great music it suggests.

[TurdBerglar]

http://www.last.fm/user/Rootdown4594

[FunkyHiFi]

Lastfm looks like it works similarly to Pandora (not a problem, just making an observation). I have an account with Pandora for three years now and like it but unfortunately my Pure radio doesn't include the capability to stream it, though several other brand's radios do. I think it has something to do with licensing expenses.

Btw one neat little feature of my net radio I haven't seen other brands offer is their "sounds" streams. These are streams like ocean waves, windchimes, white noise, bird songs, rain storms and other ambient sounds but also a bunch of other choices & no I'm not making these up: vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, oscillating fan, skateboard, snoring man, motorcross racing circuit and driving in a 1994 Toyota Supra (there is a total of 140 different sounds). No Pandora but this helps ease the pain. :D

[FunkyHiFi]

http://www.last.fm/user/Rootdown4594Nice playlist.

Btw if you like that category of music you might like one of my favorite tracks from back then: Bachman-Turner-Overdrive's "Closer To Home" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzA9ii4KWjo&list=FL86Kkz2Ok05TC61uVSU86mQ&index=78&feature=plpp_video). We used to move a lot and that song and especially the video makes me feel kind of weepy eyed, but in a good way.

[Helvete]

I want an internet radio, that doesn't need the internet. So like a regular radio, but not just with regular stations, with internet stations from around the world. The sooner they make this radio, the better.

[FunkyHiFi]

I want an internet radio, that doesn't need the internet. So like a regular radio, but not just with regular stations, with internet stations from around the world. The sooner they make this radio, the better.:D The closest you can get to that is a shortwave radio!

From the "Look What I Made!" department :): I built one of those when I was a kid, from a kit sold by Radio Shack.* I thought it was fun to use, but admit having to fuss with up to three tuning knobs to be able to clearly hear a station could get kind of frustrating (though part of the problem was the fact the radio only cost $35 - it was a beginner's design). But still, listening to people that could be located literally across the planet from my house was, and still is, very interesting to me, and you don't have to pay for an internet connection!


* page 137 (http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalogs/1979/), upper right-hand corner - use mouse to enlarge/move page (if a page gets "stuck", manually turn it with your mouse then use the buttons or drop-down box again). Yes, Radio Shack used to sell a lot more than just cell phones!! I also built that little AM radio with "leatherette" case. I still have both radios and both still work perfectly, though the volume controls on both can be a little scratchy.

[FunkyHiFi]

Make sure you put WFMU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WFMU) into rotation.It's now in my radio's and Winamp's favorites. Great stuff, thanks for the recommendation. Reminds me of Austin where we would walk down the streets downtown past the clubs and every 30ft would hear something different that would grab your attention.

[na§tee]

i bought an apple airport express a couple of weeks ago, so just use my laptop/iphone to beam music over to that, which is connected to whatever amp i'm using (i should really get one for each set up).

way cheaper than buying all the separates.

[Freebasser]

I am opposed to all forms of radio and instead whistle show tunes to myself to pass the time while I polish my collection of waffle irons.

[ms.peachy]

It's now in my radio's and Winamp's favorites. Great stuff, thanks for the recommendation. Reminds me of Austin where we would walk down the streets downtown past the clubs and every 30ft would hear something different that would grab your attention.

Yeah it's a pretty amazing entity. I've been listening to them for about 20 odd years now, since they were actually a college station, and the evolution has been fantastic, in that they've been able to retain their unique identity and be masters of their own fate as it were. A nearly unsung national treasure, really.

[FunkyHiFi]

If anyone wants to know a significant reason why so much commercial radio (in the U.S.) has gotten so bad, check out this wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996). Music is a form of art and imo trying to mix any type of art with Big Business just doesn't work very well.

Here's one of the first types of radios I used to listen to as a kid (they were already outdated by the time I used them - I'm not THAT old!): http://www.flickr.com/photos/memphistikihead/2701574879/

They could easily weigh 150-200lbs but they sure could be beautiful to look at. And some people use them now as flatscreen TV stands and use the internal speakers & amps instead of a flatscreen's typically crappy internal speakers. Unfortunately they are getting pricey now on the used market since people are discovering that while they aren't nearly as accurate as a modern component system, they can still sound very good (they usually have an auxilary input so a MP3 player or computer can be hooked up to them).