Rating:  -
Most highly recommended! This is the last alarm clock you'll ever need to buy.
Pros:
The radio is sensitive - much better reception than the radio it replaces. The sound is loud and clear, the tone control helps. The AM and FM channels are easy to set - the tuning button allows for up and down and you just push one of the top located buttons until the channel is memorized. There's both a nap button which allows you to nap a bit before the alarm goes off. There's an auxiliary jack on the back to plug an iPod in but there is no charging provision. There is a headphone jack for private listening. It automatically scans the AM and FM bands and sets the channels to the strongest stations in your area. You can override them simply.
The clocks are easy to read. The LCD display up on top and the big and clear analog down below. They're locked together so that setting one sets both. The clock sets itself either manually or automatically picking up the WWV signal from Colorado. One button changes daylight savings time on and off.
The alarm uses the Human Waking System which gently rises in volume on both the buzzer or radio. There are four separate alarms that you can use. I work a 9/80 schedule so one is set for five days a week and another is set for four days a week. The alarm light glows to tell you which is in affect. The snooze button is large and located on top. When the alarm goes off the clock comes to full brightness and the analog face glows a nice orange. Otherwise the display's brightness can be adjusted with a knob on the bottom. When the alarm goes off the brightness is enough to act as a nightlight to maneuver around the room - a nice touch. There's two buzzer alarms and two radio alarms - you can set the alarm to go off with any memorized radio station. If the radio station's signal isn't strong enough the clock will sound the buzzer.
The build is solid. It doesn't feel cheap at all. The buttons are easy to use.
Cons:
To silence the alarm you can tap the large top mounted snooze button but to shut it off you have to tap the small power button on the face. I suppose this makes sure a sleeper who might drift off back to sleep is fully awake to find that small button. There is no battery back-up for the clock.
Overall this is a fine clock radio with a modern design and features.
Rating: -
Nearly everything I would ever want. US Naval Observatory radio time, digital radio tuner, analog display, multiple alarms, gradual volume increase on alarms, and it looks great. The only changes I would request include a better manual and HD Radio tuner.
Rating: -
If you're looking for an alarm clock that looks great, has (at least) 2 alarms and doesn't wake you like an F16 is going through your bedroom, this clock is perfect. The adjustable brightness of the face and the "Humane Waking System" are fantastic features. I didn't think the very gentle beeping of the alarm set low would wake me; however, it has only gone beyond the initial volume one time. It took just at one hour for the time to set when I intially plugged it in. I plugged it in, walked away and finished setting it up when the time had set. Changing the setting to my time zone was very simple and I've had absolutely no problem figuring out any of the features. I highly recommend this alarm clock. This clock should be able to accommodate what anyone is looking for in a higher end alarm clock.
Rating: -
Ever since the 90s I have owned an alarm clock with one vitally important feature: two or more alarms. To me, whether it is a $10 travel alarm or a $300 internet radio boom box, if it only has one alarm, it is not in the reckoning. I set my alarm clock for 4:50 am on the weekdays and I sure don't want to be woken up at that time on weekends. Also, Sunday is Church so that typically merits a different wake up time to Saturday. The SANGEAN RCR-3 is one of only two clock radios I have found that have more than two alarms. (The other is the NeverLate, which is good, but not quite this good).
This device has four alarms, two can be set to wake to the radio and two can be set to wake to buzzer. Actually all four alarms can be set to buzzer if you wish, simply by not assigning a radio channel to the radio alarms. Each alarm can be set to ring on any combination of days. I have one set for weekdays, one for Saturday, one for Sunday, and one spare for special events that I can set without disturbing the other three.
This device also has the atomic radio clock set feature, so it should always be accurate and always take DST into account. I really like this feature as it contributes to the overall "set and forget" experience. When I first plugged in the Sangean, sure enough, no automatic set. I was expecting this as the time signal normally cannot be received during daylight hours. Sure enough, around ten p.m. the analogue clock hands started spinning and set the clock to the correct time. I had remembered to previously set the four position selector switch on the bottom to central time.
There as a FM/Radio that works well. The signal lock and sound quality is better than my Sony shower radio. There is both a tone control and volume control on the right of the unit, which are well positioned and easy to use. They have a functional rubbery feel and are easy to use in the dark.
The buzzer is a high pitched beep that varies both in volume and in pattern. Another really nice feature with the Sangean is that both radio and buzzer alarms gradually increase in volume. The buzzer also increases in number of beeps in its sound pattern. One feature missing here that I would like to see is a variable snooze length. The Sangean is fixed to five minutes. But then the only clock radio I have seen that does have this is the NeverLate.
I don't normally go for analogue clocks, but I have to say the Sangean looks nice. The finish is like a pearl white gloss which is a vast improvement to your average clock radio. A lot of small touches reflect impressive attention to detail, for example, the infinitely variable clock dial and LCD display brightness. The brightness may be switched between full and variable dimmed setting by a single button touch. When in alarm or snooze mode the display lights up amber as opposed to the normal blue-grey. Each alarm has its own little button which lights up 24 hours before the corresponding alarm is due to sound. I noticed last night that the buzzer alarms light up amber and the radio alarms light up green.
Four alarms, always correct time, good radio, good ergonomics, good looks. All in all a class act.
Now Sangean, combine it with an internet radio and a sound soother...
Rating:  -
After spending nearly one hundred dollars for what I thought would be a top notch electronic product I am ready to send my second one back. I still have not been able to set the alarm so that it goes off at the right time. I am not an idiot when it comes to electronics, but this product has set out to disprove that thought. I live in Arizona where we do not have DST but the alarm doesn't know that even though the analog clock does.So off goes the alarm one hour early---if at all. The direction booklet could not be less informative. You have to go by "guess or by golly" Mine doesn't give either the country of origin nor a telephone number for customer service--thus no help in solving one or two other problems either. I will try one more time to master the "three" and "four" radio alarm settings--if "no go" then back for a refund it will go!
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