Matt
Are there any women on this board?
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2001
- Posts
- 973
- Likes
- 12
Hello, all.
I foolishly sold my Fixup.net modded SRF-M35 a week or so ago with the promise of Sony SRF-M37V glory, since according to Dr. Xin Feng of Fixup.net, Sony had increased the values of the capacitors over the M35 to the proper values, etc., with the implication being that the sound would be better.
I sold my M35 here way too cheap, bought an SRF-M37V from Amazon, hated it, had Xin Feng finally get back to me to directly tell me he's not modding the M37V because they suck, returned it to Amazon and got a current "highly recommended" (by Dr. Feng) Modded SRF-S84. Here's what I hear...
[size=medium]Modded Sony SRF-S84 Pros & Cons:[/size]
[size=small]Reception:[/size]
Pros: the S84 has higher selectivity, and therefore can lock in stations a bit better with less "fussiness" about the orientation of your antenna (your headphone cord) or the unit itself. Cons: the higher selectivity means lower fidelity and this is noticeably the case with this unit. You get a rolled-off sound, far less of that gorgeous high-end sparkle, etc. You have to turn it up higher to hear M35-like detail, but you never really get there. (Furthermore, this ability to "lock stations in better" assumes you are precisely "hitting the spot" of the station frequency on the analog turn dial; this is hard to do in many cases.) Winner? Since I prefer sound quality and can deal with mild orientation adjustments, M35.
[size=small]Sound quality:[/size]
Pros: The sound has that general Fixup-modded'ness to it: in other words, nice and musical. The enhanced bass increases realism in a way. Cons: though the modded S84 kills the stock M37V, it does not reach the heights of the modded M35 in these areas: soundstage is relatively constricted, extreme highs (gorgeous, dynamic and real on the M35) are rolled, wooly and slow, vocals have less realism. AM radio is even more rolled off than usual, leading to a sibilant-free, wooly sound. Winner? M35 again.
[size=small]Bass:[/size]
Pros: The unit has a defeatable (thank God) "Mega Bass" feature, which I would never, ever use (as expected, it sounds like crap). However, in non-"Mega Bass" mode, there is more prominent, rich and pounding bass than the modded M35. As above, this leads to an increase in "chest" of voices and some forms of realism. (Note: this very much reminds me of the two types of realism presented by dynamic cans vs. electrostatics: dynamics give you the fully-chested, rich bass with plenty of amplitude, while electrostats give you that uber-refined extreme top end, both presenting aspects of realism in their own way. I happen to prefer the electrostatic sound, and that's what I use at home. To this end, I am instantly biased towards the relatively bass-thin but highly realistic mid- and high-end of the M35). I'll be the first to admit that I did derive occasional mild annoyance from the M35 due to "thinness" and the S84 all but fixes that. Cons: the significantly heavier bass may contribute to the rolled, heavier and less detailed sound. I cannot, however, say the S84's bass is as controlled as the M35's bass. Bass texture less detailed than M35. Winner in the bass category? Both: S84, because overall tonal balance is a bit more pleasingly balanced to what I imagine to be the average ear. In terms of sheer detail and realism of tone (my preference), M35.
[size=small]Size:[/size]
Pros: It is tiny and light, like a Zippo only...well...lighter (ha ha, no pun intended), therefore great for portable use. Probably a forth the size of the M35. Cons: none, in terms of size. Winner of this low-priority-for-me category: S84.
[size=small]Tuning:[/size]
Pros: (if you can call it that) you can fine-tune stations with the analog tuning dial (I had a hard time making this one up...I really don't care about it) Cons: (plenty) Cannot program stations for no-fuss, super-quick access to your favorite stations like M35 and no super-precise digital tuning. No clock. Winner?M35.
[size=small]Sensitivity switches:[/size]
Pros: the Stereo/Mono switch is awesome: it's actually useful for enhancing reception where bad reception is a problem. The M35's "DX/Local" switch was just about as useless as it gets: the only time it would "work" is if you were standing across the street from the darn transmitter. Cons: none. Winner? S84
[size=small]Distance reception:[/size]
Pros: it gets certain distant stations well enough, far better than the dodgy M35 reception on distant stations. Cons: none. Winner: S84.
I have to say that even though this receiver is less fussy with stations and reception, I really don't care, because I hate fooling around trying to find an "exact" lock on a frequency, especially when the only feedback acknoledgement you have is the sound.
I'd much rather have the digital tuning of the M35, where any hit in reception was worth the precision tuning, ease of use and convenience of the station preset memory.
Turning this dial is driving me crazy. I really don't like it, especially after being spoiled by the M35. My thumb aches, as I like to switch often. I now wish I hadn't sold the M35.
Everything is less realistic. In fact, I used to be able to hear how cheaply compressed the local hip hop/rap stations and pop stations were, now they sound "pleasing" relative to other stations. This may partially be because their main "exciting" element, namely the bass, has been elevated to higher prominence in the tonal balance, but it's also because the good-sounding stations have been mid-fi'ed down a notch or two.
One of the best sounding stations in town, the "easy listening" station, still sounds fine, but that wide, romantic, realistic soundstage has sucked in and the high-end extension has decreased.
The one "superior sound quality" bone I can throw the S84's way is that the solidity of imaging is mildly enhanced in a pleasing way. However, not so pleasing enough as to over-ride the rest of it's deficiencies in the face of the M35's competition. I would gladly sacrifice the useable distant station switch, slightly superior imaging and the selectivity for the better sound of the M35.
As you can tell, I am of two minds about this radio. Put it this way: a baseball player who hits the ball a few meters over the wall vs. one who hits it a few feet before the wall. That esential magic and heroism is, in the final, black-and-white cut, lacking. Though the M35 did have that hiss to blur details out a touch, low level detail was much better on it.
The decision between the two really depends on what you value. I mean, you fool around with the M35 (positioning the unit or the antenna just right) and you fool around just as much or more with the S84 (trying to get the damned tuner right on the spot, which apparently takes either skill or time...or both).
Bottom line: it's great, just not as great in absolute sound quality over the M35. If you would like to fuss less with reception troubles and would like to hear distant stations and don't mind switching to mono or screwing around with a stupid analog tuning dial, get the S84; it's awesome for those purposes.
Think of it this way: S84 = great Redbook CD playback (convenient, good enough sound), m35 = great vinyl (magically musical).
EDIT: I have to be perfectly fair and say that if you like pop music stations that are heavily compressed, bass boosted, etc. then this is the portable radio for you. They really slam on this radio and sound better/more euphonic overall, considering their shortcomings. And, of course, if you are an idiot and want mind-numbingly wooly, exaggerated bass, this is also the radio for you, owing to the Mega Bass switch.
The tiny form factor is starting to tickle my fancy, as well. So, I am realizing some benefits.
I paid $10 more for this over the SRF-M35 ($59.99 vs. $49.99) and while I wouldn't say this one is better, it does have certain nice things about it that I am beginning to really like. It's sound is close enough to the M35 and I do like that tiny form factor and light weight, so I'm sticking with it.
Hope this helps someone out there.
Regards,
Matt
I foolishly sold my Fixup.net modded SRF-M35 a week or so ago with the promise of Sony SRF-M37V glory, since according to Dr. Xin Feng of Fixup.net, Sony had increased the values of the capacitors over the M35 to the proper values, etc., with the implication being that the sound would be better.
I sold my M35 here way too cheap, bought an SRF-M37V from Amazon, hated it, had Xin Feng finally get back to me to directly tell me he's not modding the M37V because they suck, returned it to Amazon and got a current "highly recommended" (by Dr. Feng) Modded SRF-S84. Here's what I hear...
[size=medium]Modded Sony SRF-S84 Pros & Cons:[/size]
[size=small]Reception:[/size]
Pros: the S84 has higher selectivity, and therefore can lock in stations a bit better with less "fussiness" about the orientation of your antenna (your headphone cord) or the unit itself. Cons: the higher selectivity means lower fidelity and this is noticeably the case with this unit. You get a rolled-off sound, far less of that gorgeous high-end sparkle, etc. You have to turn it up higher to hear M35-like detail, but you never really get there. (Furthermore, this ability to "lock stations in better" assumes you are precisely "hitting the spot" of the station frequency on the analog turn dial; this is hard to do in many cases.) Winner? Since I prefer sound quality and can deal with mild orientation adjustments, M35.
[size=small]Sound quality:[/size]
Pros: The sound has that general Fixup-modded'ness to it: in other words, nice and musical. The enhanced bass increases realism in a way. Cons: though the modded S84 kills the stock M37V, it does not reach the heights of the modded M35 in these areas: soundstage is relatively constricted, extreme highs (gorgeous, dynamic and real on the M35) are rolled, wooly and slow, vocals have less realism. AM radio is even more rolled off than usual, leading to a sibilant-free, wooly sound. Winner? M35 again.
[size=small]Bass:[/size]
Pros: The unit has a defeatable (thank God) "Mega Bass" feature, which I would never, ever use (as expected, it sounds like crap). However, in non-"Mega Bass" mode, there is more prominent, rich and pounding bass than the modded M35. As above, this leads to an increase in "chest" of voices and some forms of realism. (Note: this very much reminds me of the two types of realism presented by dynamic cans vs. electrostatics: dynamics give you the fully-chested, rich bass with plenty of amplitude, while electrostats give you that uber-refined extreme top end, both presenting aspects of realism in their own way. I happen to prefer the electrostatic sound, and that's what I use at home. To this end, I am instantly biased towards the relatively bass-thin but highly realistic mid- and high-end of the M35). I'll be the first to admit that I did derive occasional mild annoyance from the M35 due to "thinness" and the S84 all but fixes that. Cons: the significantly heavier bass may contribute to the rolled, heavier and less detailed sound. I cannot, however, say the S84's bass is as controlled as the M35's bass. Bass texture less detailed than M35. Winner in the bass category? Both: S84, because overall tonal balance is a bit more pleasingly balanced to what I imagine to be the average ear. In terms of sheer detail and realism of tone (my preference), M35.
[size=small]Size:[/size]
Pros: It is tiny and light, like a Zippo only...well...lighter (ha ha, no pun intended), therefore great for portable use. Probably a forth the size of the M35. Cons: none, in terms of size. Winner of this low-priority-for-me category: S84.
[size=small]Tuning:[/size]
Pros: (if you can call it that) you can fine-tune stations with the analog tuning dial (I had a hard time making this one up...I really don't care about it) Cons: (plenty) Cannot program stations for no-fuss, super-quick access to your favorite stations like M35 and no super-precise digital tuning. No clock. Winner?M35.
[size=small]Sensitivity switches:[/size]
Pros: the Stereo/Mono switch is awesome: it's actually useful for enhancing reception where bad reception is a problem. The M35's "DX/Local" switch was just about as useless as it gets: the only time it would "work" is if you were standing across the street from the darn transmitter. Cons: none. Winner? S84
[size=small]Distance reception:[/size]
Pros: it gets certain distant stations well enough, far better than the dodgy M35 reception on distant stations. Cons: none. Winner: S84.
I have to say that even though this receiver is less fussy with stations and reception, I really don't care, because I hate fooling around trying to find an "exact" lock on a frequency, especially when the only feedback acknoledgement you have is the sound.
I'd much rather have the digital tuning of the M35, where any hit in reception was worth the precision tuning, ease of use and convenience of the station preset memory.
Turning this dial is driving me crazy. I really don't like it, especially after being spoiled by the M35. My thumb aches, as I like to switch often. I now wish I hadn't sold the M35.
Everything is less realistic. In fact, I used to be able to hear how cheaply compressed the local hip hop/rap stations and pop stations were, now they sound "pleasing" relative to other stations. This may partially be because their main "exciting" element, namely the bass, has been elevated to higher prominence in the tonal balance, but it's also because the good-sounding stations have been mid-fi'ed down a notch or two.
One of the best sounding stations in town, the "easy listening" station, still sounds fine, but that wide, romantic, realistic soundstage has sucked in and the high-end extension has decreased.
The one "superior sound quality" bone I can throw the S84's way is that the solidity of imaging is mildly enhanced in a pleasing way. However, not so pleasing enough as to over-ride the rest of it's deficiencies in the face of the M35's competition. I would gladly sacrifice the useable distant station switch, slightly superior imaging and the selectivity for the better sound of the M35.
As you can tell, I am of two minds about this radio. Put it this way: a baseball player who hits the ball a few meters over the wall vs. one who hits it a few feet before the wall. That esential magic and heroism is, in the final, black-and-white cut, lacking. Though the M35 did have that hiss to blur details out a touch, low level detail was much better on it.
The decision between the two really depends on what you value. I mean, you fool around with the M35 (positioning the unit or the antenna just right) and you fool around just as much or more with the S84 (trying to get the damned tuner right on the spot, which apparently takes either skill or time...or both).
Bottom line: it's great, just not as great in absolute sound quality over the M35. If you would like to fuss less with reception troubles and would like to hear distant stations and don't mind switching to mono or screwing around with a stupid analog tuning dial, get the S84; it's awesome for those purposes.
Think of it this way: S84 = great Redbook CD playback (convenient, good enough sound), m35 = great vinyl (magically musical).
EDIT: I have to be perfectly fair and say that if you like pop music stations that are heavily compressed, bass boosted, etc. then this is the portable radio for you. They really slam on this radio and sound better/more euphonic overall, considering their shortcomings. And, of course, if you are an idiot and want mind-numbingly wooly, exaggerated bass, this is also the radio for you, owing to the Mega Bass switch.
The tiny form factor is starting to tickle my fancy, as well. So, I am realizing some benefits.
I paid $10 more for this over the SRF-M35 ($59.99 vs. $49.99) and while I wouldn't say this one is better, it does have certain nice things about it that I am beginning to really like. It's sound is close enough to the M35 and I do like that tiny form factor and light weight, so I'm sticking with it.
Hope this helps someone out there.
Regards,
Matt
