Eton E1XM AM/FM Shortwave XM-Ready Radio

Eton E1XM AM/FM Shortwave XM-Ready Radio
Manufacturer: Eton
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Eton's popular E1 portable shortwave radio now lets you tune into XM signals in this new version! The E1XM is the world's first radio to combine AM, FM, Shortwave, and XM Satellite Radio technology into one ultra-high-performance unit. The finest port-a-top in the world, the E1XM offers powerful reception through its digitally synthesized PLL tuner with synchronous detector, passband tuning, and selectable bandwidth filters. Offering rich sound, the latest in radio technology, (up to) 1700 station presets, and memory scan function, the E1XM is designed without compromise, giving you direct access to news, sports, and music from around the world. Dual Conversion Superheterodyne Circuit - results in minimized interference through superior selectivity. High Dynamic Range - allowing for detection of weak signals in the presence of strong signals. Superior Audio Quality via a bridged type audio amplifier, providing high output power with battery operation Calibrated LCD signal strength meter Separate, continuous bass and treble tone controls Headphone Jack Stereo Line-Level Input - allows listening to other devices such as a CD or MP3 player through the E1XM Stereo Line-Level Output to another device such as a home stereo Dual-Event Programmable ON/OFF Timers - can be used for recording or alarm clock function Variable-rate tuning knob, direct keypad frequency entry, up/down pushbuttons and auto-tuning Power Source - 4 D Batteries (not included); AC Adapter (included) Unit Dimensions - 13?W x 7-1/2?H x 2-1/2?D (333 x 188 x 66 mm); Weight - 4 lb 3 oz. (1.9 Kg)
Amazon.com Review
If you're a shortwave radio enthusiast, you've probably heard of the E1XM from Etón. You've heard all the hype about how it's the first radio to combine AM, FM, shortwave, and XM satellite radio reception into one device. You've heard it's a major step up from the Satellit 800, the E1XM's worthy, but behemoth predecessor. Well, it's all true. The ten years of development that went into producing this tabletop radio was worth it; for a radio this size, the E1XM currently wears the crown when it comes to tuning accuracy, quality of reception, and features.

The numeric keypad allows for direct frequency entry, while a row of soft keys below the screen provide contextual controls depending on radio mode. View larger.

While subtle ghosting is present, the screen is bright, with a logical layout. View larger.

A trapdoor conceals the reset button, screen brightness control, and battery compartment.

The all-important manual tuning dial has a smooth, progressive feel. View larger.

Design and Controls
While the E1XM couldn't be called compact, it is perfectly portable. Dimensions of 13.1 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches and a weight of four pounds, three ounces make it perfect for taking along. The entire case is coated in a durable, slightly rubberized finish that offers good grip and scuff resistance. Indeed, there's nothing cheap or chintzy about the E1XM; construction is solid throughout.

The front of the radio is dominated by the speaker and the 5.7-inch LCD display. Although it offers only mono sound-- which is all you need for shortwave and AM -- the four-inch speaker offers rich, full sound, even at high volume levels. Fortunately, there's a stereo line-out jack for delivering audio to your home stereo or other amplified speaker system.

To the left of the speaker, you'll find knobs for controlling squelch, bass and treble, and volume. Meanwhile, a large tuning knob is placed on the opposite side of the radio, just above a smaller knob for controlling PBT (passband tuning). All the knobs on the E1XM offer a smooth, progressive feel with just the right amount of resistance, which is especially important for the tuning knob.

A nine-digit keypad is placed below the LCD screen for direct frequency entry, as well as menu selection. Other controls, including those for scan and seek tuning, up/down tuning, memory programming, and DX mode are arrayed to the right of the numeric keypad. The top of the radio features a big snooze button for sleepy hands, as well as a control for the LCD's backlight. The E1XM's very long telescoping antenna is housed in the top, too. It's worth noting here that the E1XM does not have an internal ferrite AM antenna, relying instead on the telescoping antenna.

Dials and connectivity options on the left side of the device. View larger.

The LCD also provides access to a menu system that controls alarm, timer, radio, XM, and audio settings. The menu system is deep and quite intricate, but a little practice will have you navigating them with ease. Fortunately, menus are set up very much like the on-screen menu of a television or a DVD player -- familiar territory for most folks.

We found the LCD's backlight to be very useful in low light situations, and it intelligently shuts itself off after a short time, thus saving power if you're running off batteries. A contrast control is provided for the LCD but, curiously, it's hidden behind a door on the front of the unit that covers the E1XM's battery compartment. Our only issue with the LCD was that it had a tendency to display slight ghosting -- we'd expect something a little crisper from a radio this advanced (and expensive).

Tuning Options
This is where things start to get interesting -- and a bit complicated for newcomers to advanced shortwave radio operation. First, it's important to note that the E1XM features a digitally synthesized tuner, which enables the E1XM to reach new heights of tuning accuracy. When turning the tuning knob, you get the "analog feel" of stepping through frequencies in a precise, controlled manner.

In addition to XM satellite radio, the E1XM tunes a wide array of signals, including FM, longwave, shortwave, medium wave (also known as AM), and single sideband (SSB). Of course, the E1XM tunes FM and AM broadcasts with aplomb, but having a radio like the E1XM just to tune those frequencies would be akin to delivering the mail with space shuttle -- this unit is capable of much more.

Of course, our main interest was in testing out the E1XM's shortwave capabilities. If the idea of listening to far-flung radio broadcasts intrigues you, this radio is the ticket to the best reception possible. Tuning is virtually effortless. After scanning the E1XM's manual, we were quickly able to select the appropriate meter bands for the time of day of our listening session. First, we manually tuned known broadcasts from China and the United States. We were delighted that the E1XM allows one to set the manual tuning knob to tune in 10 Hz steps, which lets you hone in on difficult-to-tune stations. 100 Hz and 1 kHz steps are selectable, too. Next up, we turned to the radio's seek function, which scans stations in 5 kHz steps. We soon made new discoveries, although our limited language skills made it difficult to always know exactly to whom or what we were listening! Seek tuning is further enhanced by the handy squelch knob, which will negate reception unless the received signal achieves a preset quality. This way, you don't have to listen to a bunch of static and other oddities while searching for a good signal.

Much of the accuracy and precision of the E1XM's tuning in shortwave and other modes is owed to the unit's superior electronics and high dynamic range, which permits the detection of weak signals in the presence of strong signals. Other enhancements include a DX mode, which provides preamplification of distant or weak signals; a passband tuner and knob, which allow the E1XM to selectively reject interference from nearby signals; and selectable automatic gain control (AGC), which provides automatic leveling of volume and distortion across a wide range of signal types. Controlling these and other features of the E1XM fall into the advanced category, to be sure, but if you're a newcomer to shortwave and other types of reception, it's nice to know that this radio provides you with capabilities into which you can grow.

XM Radio
Once you've plugged in an XM Connect-and-Play antenna and switched the E1XM into XM mode, you're ready to go with satellite radio (of course, you'll also need an XM subscription). When in XM mode, the receiver suddenly becomes a conduit for truly incredible, commercial-free radio. The LCD acts as a complete XM digital readout, offering song and composer information, as well as a scrollable station seletion menu.

Connections
With the exception of the XM antenna, all of the E1XM's connections are made on the left side of the unit. A line-in jack allows you to connect an external device and listen to it through the E1XM's speaker. As mentioned, a line-out jack is provided, too. Most serious radio users will appreciate the inclusion of a KOK-type external antenna port for connecting more advanced AM, FM, and shortwave antennae. Meanwhile, in addition to a stereo headphone jack, there's a jack for connecting an additional speaker to the E1XM.

Pros

• Incredible tuning accuracy
• Easy to use; just read the manual!
• Compact (for a unit with these capabilities)

• No XM reception right out of the box
• Slight LCD display ghosting

Design and Controls
Weighing in at just a hair over four pounds, the E1XM's sleek, modern cabinet is 13 inches across and just 2.5 inches deep. A built-in antenna on the top of the device handles AM, FM and shortwave reception. The front of the unit is dominated by a massive 240 x 320 pixel, dot matrix display that measures 5.7 inches across, and clearly shows all the radio's modes and selected functions. An evenly lit backlight enables display viewing under all lighting conditions, and the LCD's calibrated signal meter gives you a clear view of signal strength. A keypad below the screen allows illustrious shortwave listeners to directly enter their shortwave band of choice, allowing instant access to known broadcasts. Meanwhile, a selectable automatic gain control (AGC) offers fast and slow modes.

Tuning options abound; you can choose from a variable-rate tuning knob, the aforementioned direct keypad frequency entry method, up/down buttons, or automatic seek tuning. And when you have your station locked in, you can tweak the sound quality with separate, continuous bass and treble tone controls. A bridged type audio amplifier provides high output power, even when the radio is operating on battery.

Tuning and Bands
The E1XM is designed to receive a broad range of signals in the 100-30,000 KHz range, which includes shortwave, medium wave AM broadcast band and longwave. FM reception is robust, with tuning available in the 76-90, as well as the 87-108 MHz ranges. The unit can be set in one of four reception modes: AM, FM-stereo, single sideband (selectable USB/LSB) and CW. While you make your broadcast discoveries, you can add them to the E1XM's programmable memory, which features 500 frequency entries, as well as 1200 user-definable country memories. A memory scan function lets you quickly browse your programmed entries.

Precise tuning resolution and drift-free frequency stability is one of the E1XM's key advantages, thanks to technologies like digital phase lock loop (PLL) synthesized tuning with direct digital synthesis (DDS). Tuning is further enhanced by a dual conversion superheterodyne circuit that results in minimized interference and superior selectivity when tuning tightly-spaced frequencies. In fact, the unit offers selectable bandwidths (7.0, 4.0, and 2.5 kHz) for excellent selectivity. And to top it all off, the E1XM's high dynamic range tuner allows for detection of weak signals in the presence of strong signals.

For those who enjoy tuning into far-flung AM stations, the E1XM features a single sideband synchronous AM detector. The unit also offers the ability to select USB/LSB or double sideband, which minimizes adjacent frequency interference and fading distortion of AM signals.

XM Ready
And let's not forget that the E1XM is ready, right out of the box, to accept an optional XM Connect and Play antenna for satellite radio reception. By connecting the XM antenna and activating an XM Satellite Radio subscription (both sold separately), the receiver suddenly becomes a conduit for truly incredible, commercial-free radio. Featuring a full array of programming -- from talk shows, comedy programs, and live Major League Baseball broadcasts to just about every musical genre from bluegrass to jazz -- XM Radio is the fastest growing satellite radio network in the world. All XM metadata is displayed on the E1XM's front panel display, including full song title and artist name.

Connections and Power
The E1XM is packed with connectivity options, including a stereo line-level input that enables you to listen to other devices such as a CD player through the E1XM. A stereo line-level output is provided for recording or connecting the unit to a home stereo. There's also a headphone jack for private listening.

For the truly dedicated, the E1XM offers vital external antenna connections. Take your pick -- professionally engineered shortwave antennas, long-wire shortwave antennas, specialized AM broadcast band antennas, and FM broadcast band antennas can all be connected. The unit can be powered with the included AC adapter, or via four "D" batteries.

Extras
Etón thought of everything, so they've included dual programmable clocks that can auto-set themselves using the WWV time broadcast. You also get a dual-event programmable timer that can be used for timing a recording or as an alarm clock.

What's in the Box
E1XM radio, AC adapter, and user's manual.

Average customer rating:

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