CNET editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 07/27/2005
- Updated on: 04/07/2006
- Released on: 06/15/2005
At 7.2 ounces, the AirWare feels a little heavy, and it's twice as thick as a svelte iPod. The 'Pod influence is most evident in this XM Radio's brilliant, 2.5-inch white LCD. The entire keypad is backlit, so the radio is easy to use under low-light conditions. The numeric keys provide direct channel access, though we usually used the side-mounted scrollwheel to search for our favorite stations. You can store as many as 30 of your favorite channels as presets, as well as check stock quotes and sports scores on the screen. Programming these functions is a fairly straightforward deal. Pioneer rates the rechargeable lithium-ion battery for as much as 5 hours of use--and our AirWare matched that claim almost to the minute.
The ability to timeshift your audio listening is one of the AirWare's prime highlights. You can record as much as 5 hours of programming to the unit's 128MB internal flash memory, though the programming chores remind us of setting up a VCR to timer record. Fortunately, if you want to record what you're hearing live, the one-button record feature couldn't be easier to use. Just be aware that after you've maxed out the AirWare's five-hour capacity, it records over the oldest tunes and shows. Furthermore, it won't let you save a tune, fast-forward, reverse, or change the songs' order; all you can do is erase the entire memory and start over. The recorded sound quality is more or less on a par with the live XM sound. That said, XM sound doesn't approach CD quality or even iPod standards; it's more like a low-bit-rate MP3, through stereo separation was pretty good.
We were disappointed that the AirWare didn't include some obvious extras. With digital recording already built in, adding more or expandable flash memory and MP3 functionality would seem to be an easy addition. Furthermore, as good as XM's programming is, we would've preferred to have the option to switch to our local AM or FM stations as well. On the design front, the AirWare is not without its quirks, either: its recessed headphone jack won't accommodate fat plugs and rebuffed our Etymotic ER-4P, Grado SR60, and Sennheiser HD-555 headphones. Our Shure E4c's jack fit, however, so compatibility appears to be a hit-or-miss proposition. Pioneer includes a set of emaciated-sounding ear buds that will do in a pinch, but we imagine most AirWare buyers will want to upgrade to something better--just make sure the plug fits the AirWare's recessed jack or invest in a short extension cable.
Otherwise, connectivity covers a range of applications at home, in the car, and on the go. In any case, you won't be forced to buy any extras to hook up your AirWare. You get a home antenna, a charging cradle, RCA cables, and a remote control; at home, you can either use the RCA outputs or the FM transmitter. We went for the latter approach and appreciated the ability to hear XM, wire-free, over any FM-enabled audio device; any home stereo, boombox, and tabletop radio worked perfectly. The automotive connectivity suite includes a car cradle, a 12-volt cigarette-lighter power adapter, and a magnetically attached XM car antenna; you listen in the car via the FM transmitter or a cassette adapter.
Volume capability over headphones was more than adequate; we cranked our tunes to a comfortably loud level on New York City's noisy subways. Reception indoors and out was inconsistent, but that's not unusual for satellite radios. That said, the AirWare's internal antenna performed as well or better than separate XM antennas inside our apartment. Out on the streets of Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan, we enjoyed mostly strong reception, but there were places where we'd turn a corner and get zilch. In those dead zones, we listened to the tunes and news shows we had recorded at home. The included belt clip/storage case's clear, soft plastic front offers access to nearly all of the AirWare controls without removing the radio from the case.
Despite our nitpicks, we came away with good feelings about Pioneer's AirWare--its nimble size, decent sound quality, friendly ergonomics, and recording capabilities make for a mighty attractive package.
Most helpful user reviews
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 19 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 3 of 19 user reviews
-
17 out of 17 people found this helpful
"Great product ... don't hesitate if considering getting one"
-
11 out of 11 people found this helpful
"This is the start of somthing great , but it has its limits"
-
7 out of 7 people found this helpful
- See all 19 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
%20Satellite%20Radio%20Tuner%20reviews%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/satellite-radio-tuners/pioneer-airware-xm/4505-7873_7-31423012.html){kind=small}