I evaluated solely on FM reception of two channels of interest, WEMU 89.1 (jazz and NPR, a very strong signal) and WUOM 91.7 (NPR, a moderate signal). Ann Arbor sits in a valley and has notoriously poor FM reception. (Even my high-end receiver with an indoor Terk antenna struggles.)

I tried at least 5 other units within a short period of time of purchasing the SRF-M35. These units are:

RCA RP1667 ($20) - Meijer
Jensen SAB-50 ($25) - Target
Koss PP260 ($30) - Meijer
Panasonic FR-SW200 ($50) - Meijer
RCA RP1876 ($20, with cassette) - Walmart

I have little doubt that among the 6 I tried, the SRF-M35 unit is the best with regard to tuning sensitivity. Sound quality was also very good, but of course very much a factor of the strength of signal.

I did not expect that the Sony would be my first choice. I thought that there was a good chance Sony was trading on its reputation and name. I was wrong. The Sony was the best of the bunch (and the list above is in order of my other preferences).

The SRF-M35 has no mono switch, instead uses a blend-to-mono circuit. This works pretty well on music. However, for talk radio, e.g. NPR (generally a mono program), I would have preferred a mono button to further reduce background noise. The RCA did have a mono switch that I used, and I liked this feature. However, the headphones I use have a mono switch, and this essentially reduces background noise as effectively as if the mono switch on the RCA tuner (I'm not sure I understand why, but that's what I observed.) You could also get a mono mini-plug converter from radio shack to go on the end of your stereo headphones, although this is less convenient.

The Jensen was a very good performer. I disliked its smaller buttons and preferred the one-button-one-preset approach that Sony uses. It also has a bass boost that cannot be disabled. It sounds good on music, but is a little annoying on talk. However, it did hold stations well, was the smallest of the bunch, and has a cool arm-band. If I was a jogger, I might have picked this one instead.

The RCA was a good performer as well. See my review of it. Before I tried the Sony, it was my first choice. It didn't hold stations as well as the Sony, and I wish it had a lock button. Also, there is no clock. It was a good performer, and I think I would have been very happy with it.

I cannot speak to long-term durability of the Sony, as I've only had the unit a week. Also, I am less likely to subject it (or me) frequently to the rigors of jogging.

In short, Sony provided the best in this class. I tried several comparably priced units, and was expecting Sony to be no better than the rest. I was surprised by the improved performance of this unit as compared to its peers. It is slightly more expensive, and in my view, justifiably priced.


Excellent Product   November 3, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Was looking for a small radio for outdoor listening. This was the best that I found. Works great and is small enough to fit in your pocket.


Reviews don't do this radio justice!   October 1, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have owned a number of portable FM radios and this unit ranks up there among the best. You will not find a portable receiver with much better reception (Sony manufactures the best tuner IC's for portables). I have heard of the "hissing" problem discussed by other reviewers, but it appears to have been a problem with earlier models. In the unit I purchased, hissing is not a problem. I also own the Sangean DT110 and it's no less "hissy" than the Sony. I was surprised to find, given the raves about the Sangean's reception capability, that in comparison, the SRF-M35 has better (less noisy) reception. Sony radios typically have a "blend to mono" circuit so when a station signal starts to get too weak for stereo it will become mono. The goal was to keep the noise level down, even at the expense of loss of stereo which actually makes this radio more "listenable". Units with a physical stereo/mono switch don't do this and you will tend to have a poorer listening experience as a station degrades. Also, compared to the Sangean, I prefer the programmable station buttons on the Sony. In Atlanta, which (IMHO) has the worst radio stations of any US city I've been in (NPR not included), you need to jump easily between stations and the buttons are easier than Sangean's scrolling system. As with most portable electronics you need to basically throw away the headphones that come with them and listen using some decent 'phones to get the best sound quality. Battery life seems fine although because of the position of the power switch, this radio will turn itself on easier (e.g. in a pocket or when thrown in a bag) , so use the lockout button. Also I use "in ear" Sony canalphones (modified MDR-ex70) which block outside sound, so I don't have to turn the radio up loud. If people are using the "open" type headphone that comes with the unit, volume cranked to overcome all the other ambient sound this will shorten battery life. I've had no problems with build quality or unit failure.


Sturdy little radio, just perfect   June 16, 2003
Katie (Lansing, MI)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I got my little sony radio 2 years ago and it's still going strong. I have used it nearly every day for 2 years and I have never had a problem with it. I have dropped it probably a dozen times, had it kicked and stepped on accidentally, had it fall in a lake and sit in the sun for many hours. I wouldn't be surprised if it stopped ticking after all of this abuse but it still has the same wonderful sound quality as it did when I first got it. It's super small and can fit in your pocket very easily which make it a great workout buddy. A lot of people who see it confuse it for a tiny MP3 player but it's just a simple radio. I cannot sing its praises enough... it was well worth the $$ or so I paid for it!


Just Incredible   July 2, 2003
SONY SRFM35 redefines sweetness in the sound and significantly embodies a sophisticated technology, which gives truly world class feeling of frequency modulation reverberation..It looks cool for the shape given and the preset buttons along with the digital display panel give music lover, a feeling of possessiveness of a great asset....