Just as tapes transitioned to CDs, and TV is available in digital format, radio has taken a similar step and is now also available in digital format as well.  HD Radio actually means "hybrid digital", not high-def as some may deduce.  HD Radio offers better audio quality due to reduced multipath interference, multicasting, and slightly better reach distance-wise.  HD Radio broadcasts are also free of charge, unlike satellite radio providers who are considered the closest competitors of the technology.  As with any "free" service, the true cost is in advertising through commercials. 

Those of us who like listening to audio content but do not care to pay for it, use our PC to listen to streaming audio.  That's fine for talk shows and high bit rate streams, but the typical 96k stations just sound too harsh and just not enjoyable anymore.  This is where HD Radio can really make a difference.  Its free, its much better than 96k, and is available in nearly all major metro areas.

Radiosophy is a pioneer in HD radio land.  Their MultiStream HD sold out so fast, we couldn't get one in time.  So here we have their 2nd-generation product, the HD100:

Behind, we have AM antenna terminals, a 3.5mm AUX input jack, and the DC power input DIN-style connector.  The FM antenna is a removable telescoping type, which connects with a standard F-type antenna terminal.  Only the DC input connector is non-standard and external, very unusual for a tabletop radio.  No battery compartment.

The HD100 has a shiny plastic chassis, with silver buttons and knobs.  Two speakers sit on either side of the radio.  A linear power supply plugs into the back.  The LCD display is nicely backlit with blue light.  It shows time, station info, and also signal strength.  The seek button can be set to seek only HD stations, or all stations.  A blue LED in front lights up when the currently playing station is HD.  It blinks as the radio tries to lock onto the HD signal.  There are the typical band, and memory preset buttons, and a big analog volume control in front.  A 3.5mm stereo headphone jack is also on the front panel.  Signal strength can also be shown on the LCD through a bar graph, very useful. 

Performance was expected for a radio of this build quality, type, and price range.  It pulled in a couple FM HD stations from our lab location which is about 45 miles away from the transmitters, and surrounded by hills possibly causing multipath interference.  Once locked on an HD station, sound was clear and static-free.  AM HD was a different story.  It could not lock onto any AM HD station.

Audio quality was average for a tabletop radio, which means it was awful for discerning audiophiles.  The headphone jack provided a way of piping audio to a better amp/speaker setup.  Other features such as the clock and alarm worked as expected. 

The HD100 is only a 2nd-generation product, but sure does deliver great, static-free audio.  Radiosophy should make this a more user-friendly product, include a battery compartment (at least for clock backup), internalize the power supply, and use better speakers.  Most of all, they should improve the radio's input stage so as to make it more sensitive to weak HD signals. In the end, we have to give the Radiosophy HD100 a less-than perfect score.  But for its rock-bottom price, it's a great deal for any avid radio listener.