Sony SRF-M97 Radio Walkman

The Good...
-Its small size and weight (the smallest I could find for AM/FM digital tuning) along with the clip on the back makes it an excellent radio for cycling/ running etc as well as just walking around.
-The digital tuner with presets is worth the extra money over a radio with an analogue tuner being quick and easy to change station. It is easy to preset a station as long as you know its frequency in the first place as the radio won't tune automatically.
-Battery life. I have used this radio a lot (through headphones and powered speakers) and changed the AAA battery only once. The battery life indicator will warn you in plenty of time so that you don't run out of battery life in the middle of a football match!
-Reception. FM reception is good - my powered speakers cause a lot of background noise unless the radio is placed as far away as possible. AM reception depends on the orientation of the radio of course but it is usually possible to position the radio while cycling and running to get reasonable reception. In the hills on a gold D of E training expedition FM radio was non existent so it was nice to be able to listen to MW radio – and the Man U vs Newcastle match!

The Limitations - considerations for getting a different radio...
-This radio does not have LW capability. If you are wanting to listen to this (cricket comes to mind on these frequency’s), you may consider getting a larger radio with long wave capability I would recommend considering the Roberts R9988 radio for LW (its about the same price and is a very good radio) – my Dad uses it.
-The cost. I bought this radio as soon as it came out for £80 and for me it was worth this as I use it a lot. If you do not want to listen on AM frequencies (I listen to football and F1 on this mostly – radio 5) then it will be far cheaper to get an FM radio. Otherwise at £50 I think this radio is worth the money!

Oh yeh... i think it looks cool too!


Good   December 28, 2005
Steven Probert
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

Great little radio here from sony. The station presets (15 FM and 5 AM) have been a huge help because you don't have to tune all the time like I had to with my old radio!

Only two (little) jibes at this.

1. The headphone earbuds that come with it are rubbish so invest in a decent pair.

2. If you do use you own earphones with a jack plug that is at 90 degrees to the wire then the volume dial isn't easily accessable which means twisting the headphone connection. This may result in loose conections. This is only speculation but I have had no problems.

All in all a great little portable radio, great sound quality on both bands. :-)


COOL but fiddly CONTROLS   February 26, 2006
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

A quality product as you'd expect from Sony. However, if you've big hands you might well find the controls fiddly, and consider investing in decent headphones (I'd recommend the Sennheiser PX100 if you don't like in-the-ear-style).


Sony SRF-M97 Radio Walkman   December 2, 2006
David Rose (u.k)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Lovely quality ,very compact and reasonably easy to programme in fixed
channels.
Reception as good as expected,even 5 live is better than previous radios I've owned.
Earphones are average but good enough.
Good value for money.


Good if you can hear it   April 7, 2006
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Nice and compact personal radio that looks like an mp3 player. Very easy to use but major problem was the poor reception. Everywhere I went around the house my reception was very poor. I've never had this problem with other stand alone radios. Even main FM stations were crackly and very difficult to listen to. Have sent it back.