The XHDATA D-328 Full Band AM/FM/SW MP3 Radio: Review

The XHDATA D-328 is a mini-sized AM/FM/SW radio which I happened to lay my hands on due to a craving for listening to some real broadcast radio at home. It comes in a portable 12.5 x 3.8 x 7.5 cm slim and ultralight (160 gm) plastic case and a foldable telescopic receiver aerial on the top. There is a slot for a microSD or TransFlash card to play MP3 files. The 3.5 mm headphone jack provides an option to redirect the audio output. The back of the device doesn't contain any label with the serial number or standards certifications though the country of origin is mentioned as China.

The XHDATA D-328 MP3 Radio

The one that I will review here was purchased in June 2020 when it was retailing in Amazon India for ₹1,626 before taxes and was selling at ₹1,919 after 18% GST. The delivery was fairly quick, and I had the device in my hands in two days. It comes in a hard cardboard box which includes the radio receiver, a generic BL-5C lithium-ion rechargeable battery, a mini-USB charging cable, a lanyard or hand strap, a user's manual and a contact card. This 2023 review is based on my experience in the last 3 years.

For those seeking a radio to reliably tune into local AM and FM stations while also playing MP3 files, the XHDATA D-328 performs commendably well. Despite its size, the audio quality is surprisingly good. Personally, I'm not a big fan of analog-style tuning DSP radios, as I find them less graceful when navigating between stations. However, for most users who simply tune in and listen, this radio is more than sufficient.

Setup

Setting up the device is simple. Insert the BL-5C battery into the slot on the back of the radio and just turn in on using the shuttle on top by selecting either the radio or MP3 mode. If the battery needs to be recharged, then plug in the provided USB charging cable with an appropriate power source.

Radio

The radio tuner supports the FM, AM and SW reception based on a DSP demodulation chip in a Silicon Laboratories Si4825A10 integrated circuit. An analog thumbwheel dial on the side of the unit helps tuning the radio to receive signals. The FM and SW are distributed into 2 and 9 bands respectively to make up for the small dial width and provide near-precise calibration. The supported frequency ranges are below:

• FM: 64~106 MHz
• AM: 520~1620 kHz
• SW: 4.75~22 MHz

Whether you're listening to your favorite morning talk show or catching up on the latest hits, this radio does a commendable job. My FM listening experience has been satisfactory, particularly when using headphones.

Radio Reception

The XHDATA D-328 fared well in processing FM signals in Pune, a city in the state of Maharashtra in India. In the AM and SW bands there was hardly any reception though that could be due to the my location. These are the only channels that it could play.

1. Band: FM, Frequency: 91.1 MHz, Name: Radio City
2. Band: FM, Frequency: 93.5 MHz, Name: Red FM
3. Band: FM, Frequency: 94.3 MHz, Name: Radio One
4. Band: FM, Frequency: 95.0 MHz, Name: Big FM
5. Band: FM, Frequency: 98.3 MHz, Name: Radio Mirchi
6. Band: FM, Frequency: 101.0 MHz, Name: Vividh Bharati
7. Band: FM, Frequency: 104.2 MHz, Name: Radio Mirchi Love
8. Band: FM, Frequency: 107.8 MHz, Name: Puneri Awaz
9. Band: AM, Frequency: 792 kHz, Name: All India Radio (AIR) Pune

MP3 Playback

The MP3 playback support is through a microSD or TransFlash card slot on the top of the device which seems to work well even with large storage like 32 and 64 GB. Listening to MP3 music files on this radio is surprisingly enjoyable. The audio quality is quite impressive, given the price point. However, it lacks a screen to display song information, and there's no shuffle function. Instead, it plays songs in alphabetical order of the file titles. You can skip ahead by 10 files if needed.

Audio Quality

The built-in 5.5 cm speaker provides a maximum 5 watts of mono audio output. Considering the small form factor, there is not much space for high bass response variations though the sound is clear when the reception is good.

Battery

The radio is powered by a removable 3.7V BL-5C 1020mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. A generic manufactured battery is included in the device which in my experience bloated and became unusable within a year. The device runs without the battery though, if the USB cable is plugged in providing live power.

Warranty

The product comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty on the device.

Reviews

On Amazon the radio is rated 4.3 out of 5 based on 1,500 customer reviews.

Conclusion

In summary, the XHDATA D-328 is a decent radio for its price, but for a bit more, you can find radios with more features. It's compact, offers decent audio quality, and handles local stations and MP3 podcasts effectively. It's a solid choice, especially if you're on a tight budget, but there are other radios in the same price range that provide even better value. If you're interested in small and affordable radios, there are various options from manufacturers like Tecsun, Tivdio, Degen, and others, so it's worth doing some research to find the one that best suits your preferences. While it may not excel in all areas, its affordability and features make it a compelling option for radio enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

The D-328 product page at xhdata.com.cn

The product page for the D-328 is here

The user manual is available here at TEKLIB.