Some of you know I’ve been working on a review of the Sangean WFR-39 WiFi/Internet radio. I’ve placed that review on hold as I’ve just learned that Sangean is working on updates to address a number of the issues I discovered while evaluating this unit over the past three months.
Besides an overly sluggish CPU, there are distracting audio artifacts present in the audio amplification chain when in Internet radio mode.
I’ll plan to publish a full review once they have updated and tested the new WFR-39 firmware. I think Sangean is an excellent radio manufacturer so I’m happy they’re addressing these issues in what would otherwise be a capable portable WiFi radio.
Stay tuned!
It’s almost September ’23. Any sign of updated / new WFR-39 firmware?
I haven’t heard anything from Sangean yet.
Hi John, I assume, they didn‘t proceed a software update, but built a modified firmware. I recently bought one of the new ones. Works quite fine, but sometimes the stored favourites can‘t get find. After rebooting everythings fine. Can‘t understand, why the WFR 39 uses another data bank than the WFR 27c. The data bank, used by WFR 27c, is the best.
Kind regards
Andreas
Thanks! Is there any way to distinguish between the old and the new WFR-39? You’d think Sangean would want to get the word out. I also wonder if the European DAB+ version of the WFR-39 might be built in a different plant?
Though it’s hard on batteries, I have been impressed and happy with my WFR-27C, and I like using the UNDOK app with it. My C.Crane WiFi 3 uses Skytune, which I’ve found less intuitive to add stations to.
Hi,
no, as far as I see, there´s no difference between old and new WFR 39. Don´t know much about DAB+. The new european version uses these DAB blocks: 5A – 13F. Yes, the battery is quite poor. Well, Sangean WFR 27c with Frontier is best, I assume, Frontier is the best datatool, actually.
Best
Andreas
Hi, @Connor,
Hi all,
I bought an WFR 39, too, and face the inteference issues too. The internet stream interrupts. There´s no update on my radio version, yet. I read here, that the issue could be fixed by isolating the board where the WIFI chip is housed (behind the screen). I would be happy, if someone could describe how to isolate.
Thanks a lot from Germany,
Andreas
@Andreas I am sorry for your troubles! The isolating is too skilled for me but perhaps someone else can advise. @Andrés, this looks like an in-demand mod, maybe Sangean might copy your technique 😉
For the noise, I found it is less obvious if you set the equaliser to ‘flat’, but still there.
And the dropouts seems to have become more frequent for me recently. However one note on updating the software is that it seems to need to be plugged into a power supply to make it work.
It really feels like an overpriced radio – 14 years ago I bought my first Revo internet radio for about the same price, but smartphones have since changed our expectations.
Hi Connor,
thanks a lot. A manager from Sangean Europe once wrote me, the technicians are planning an fixing update. But who knows, maybe Sangean just built a new series of wfr 39. Lets see ?
Best
Andreas
@Connor
Indeed, today I plugged the radio into the electricity and the update started automatically. Apparently it is small, since it takes about 30 seconds to download and another 30 seconds to install. I have not noticed any changes either, I was hoping for improvements in the FM, but this did not happen.
Regarding internet radio interference, I solved it some time ago, Isolate the board where the Wi-Fi chip is housed (behind the screen) with this I had no more problems.
I’ll keep an eye out if there are any changes with the update.
@Andrés:
1. How did you isolate the board?
2. What material did you use and how did you apply it to the board?
3. Do you happen to have some photos of the changes you made?
4. Maybe you could post the photos to e.g. imgBB.com or postimage.org?
Many thanks in advance 🙂
@Andrés
Yes the update come through this morning, accessible via the AirMusic app. It requires the radio to be plugged into power, I think. So far I haven’t noticed a big change but early days. Same station list, same FM tuning, but no distortion that I’ve noticed just yet.
Nice to greet you Connor,
Indeed, at this moment, plug in the radio and skip the update. Apparently it is small, since the installation takes less than a minute. So far I haven’t detected any changes.
I solved the interference situation some time ago by isolating the part where the screen is housed, which is the circuit where the radio’s Wi-Fi chip is located.
I’ll keep an eye out if you notice any changes with the update.
Mike and others
Since my comments above about the FCC and the NAB there has been a development.
Now the NAB are asking the FCC for a second switch over for TV. The first was the analog NTSC to ATSC 1.0 Now the second will be from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0 so that stations can transmit Ultra High Definition TV. https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/broadcasters-ask-fcc-to-help-move-nextgen-tv-along. If that is successful, will they repeat the process for radio ie switch over AM/FM to HD Radio. Switchover 2 HD Radio to pure digital using Band 1 Digital Radio Mondiale?.
This will drastically reduce electricity consumption and a drop in transmission costs.
Mike, if you go to the FCC.gov website and look at the background of the Commissioners, they are all lawyers, with a background in 5G telecoms! There are no broadcasters in upper management. If you then look at the Engineering branch organisational chart the top jobs are vacant or acting. https://www.fcc.gov/general/office-engineering-and-technology-oet-organization-chart
Not being from the USA, I cannot understand how a Government Department can force broadcasters to pay a private company for the use of a legally enforceable transmission standard!
The National Association of Broadcasters (TV & Radio) claims ‘Innovation
Whether it’s the new possibilities created by mobile digital television or FM-enabled mobile devices, NAB is helping broadcasters seize opportunities in the digital age. Advances in technology are giving broadcasters opportunities to find better, more innovative ways to deliver the high-quality content and services that local communities expect and deserve.’
Look at their CEO, another lawyer.
https://www.nab.org/about/departments/technology.asp look at their bios. You have to go to a Vice president before you get any engineering skills.
The Chief Diversity Officer is at the same level. Obviously career path diversity is does not include many areas of broadcasting, not only engineering, but other jobs in broadcasting….
It is not the lawyers I am complaining about but the lack of engineering in the halls of power. So I don’t see any hope for a TV style digital startup and then analog shut down to a pure digital high power non-interfering radio standard. This standard will also drastically reduce the carbon dioxide generation to help keep another Government pledge on climate change.
I have been searching the Sangean Global site, EU and USA sites for this radio and it was only google which found the UK manual, the flyer on the US model does not have technical specs.
The interesting thing is that Sangean SFR series european models contain DAB+/
FM tuners and Wifi, but the USA models are without AM, FM or HD tuners.
Their flyer for the USA version says ‘Internet Radio/Internet DAB/HD (Wi-Fi)/AUX/Bluetooth’ in other words If you wish to listen to any radio program you must stream it via WiFi or Bluetooth from your phone.
The Airmusic app is actually a remote control using your phone.
Lastly I hope the listener in North America is not within a disaster, as the internet often fails due to blackouts. All the warnings come from radio stations which requires a tuner.
It’s on their head office site in Chinese.
Connor,
file:///C:/Users/AlanHughes/Downloads/WFR-39_en_manual%20(3).pdf shows it is a European model where DAB+ broadcasts are widespread.
This is a DAB’DAB+ and Wifi radio. It does not use the AirMusic app if you are in an area with DAB+ transmissions. This radio is not on the USA website.
What is is the WFR32FCC which is a different radio. It does as you say because there are no DAB/DAB+ broadcasts allowed in the USA because the FCC has selected HDRadio® for digital transmissions.
Since the FCC has banned DAB+ from the USA internet radios can access the streaming output of DAB+ stations which is just compressed audio, For example does the AirSpy app have the web addresses of the Australian DAB+ stations?
Have you tried a new Wifi modem connected to the internet. and put the radio near but not close to the radio? I want to ensure that the problem is not at your end.
Yes the noise over Wi-Fi varies according to which router, irrespective of the distance. Using Wi-Fi extenders is unreliable on it, sometimes working and sometimes giving us no presets etc.
On the DAB, the Sangean Taiwan website shows two versions, with different body colours between the EU and FCC versions. I have the FCC version (grey as in the photo, with FCC part 15 text on the back). That the AirMusic app dupes it into accessing the DAB functionality is one of the few bonuses of the radio as it stands. I hope the firmware updates give it less audio noise, less distortion, faster startup, useful FM tuning and button functionality, dims the screen enough to work as a clock radio…
Thanks for your comment! As you say, the FCC ( in the USA & CRTC, in Canada) has banned DAB+ & DRM, and allowed IBOC HD radio to exist, yet there is no mass movement of radio transmitters nor radios on the market, which can receive the above mentioned signals. So, allow why such archaic, 120 year old analog systems in N. America, when everyone else is moving forward?
The radio looks superb in the photo. Hopefully the bugs will get sorted!
Hello. Any news with the firmware update?
The radio was launched on the market several months ago, I think the update takes too long.
My Sangean WFR-28 is still going strong and the directory server works well
https://youtu.be/I5b8YU4fjzQ
Very glad to hear this! I got one in December, the FCC spec rather than CE/EU, and the issues with it still big me. Painful startup, painful FM tuning, DAB appearing via the AirMusic app, frequent loss of Wi-Fi and memories, and self-interference at low volumes on some wi-fi networks. I agree, Sangean are so good, it hurts to have such a crummy radio with that brand. Especially since you can get basically the same thing branded Technisat for half the price! Bravo Sangean for addressing the issues!