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

The XHDATA D-328 is a mini-sized AM/FM/SW radio I picked up during a nostalgic craving for real broadcast radio at home. Compact and ultra-lightweight, it measures just 12.5 x 3.8 x 7.5 cm and weighs around 160 grams. The unit comes encased in a slim plastic shell with a foldable telescopic aerial on top for better reception. A microSD (TransFlash) card slot is also included, allowing you to play MP3 files directly from the device. For more private listening, there’s a 3.5 mm headphone jack to reroute the audio output. One minor downside: the back panel lacks a serial number label or certifications—only a “Made in China” marking is present.

The XHDATA D-328 MP3 Radio

The model I’m reviewing here was purchased in June 2020 from Amazon India, priced at ₹1,626 before tax and ₹1,919 after 18% GST. Delivery was prompt—the radio arrived within two days. It came packaged in a sturdy cardboard box containing the radio unit, a generic BL-5C lithium-ion rechargeable battery, a mini-USB charging cable, a lanyard, a user manual, and a contact card. This review, written in 2023, reflects my experience using the device over the past three years.

For those in search of a reliable radio that can tune into local AM and FM stations while also offering MP3 playback, the XHDATA D-328 holds up remarkably well. Despite its small size, the audio quality is surprisingly decent. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of analog-style tuning on DSP-based radios—I find them a bit clunky when trying to precisely navigate between stations. But for the average listener who simply wants to tune in and enjoy, this radio more than delivers on expectations.

Setup

Setting up the XHDATA D-328 is quick and hassle-free. Simply insert the BL-5C battery into the slot located at the back of the radio, and power it on using the mode selector shuttle switch on the top—choosing either Radio or MP3 mode depending on your preference. If the battery runs low, recharging is just as straightforward. Use the included USB charging cable and connect it to a suitable power source, such as a wall adapter, power bank, or even a laptop. Within moments, you're ready to enjoy your favorite stations or MP3 tracks with minimal fuss.

Radio

The XHDATA D-328 radio supports FM, AM, and shortwave (SW) reception, all handled by a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) demodulation chip built into the Silicon Laboratories Si4825-A10 integrated circuit. Tuning is done via an analog thumbwheel dial located on the side of the unit, offering a tactile and intuitive experience. Given the compact form factor and limited dial width, the FM and SW bands are cleverly split into 2 and 9 sub-bands, respectively, allowing for more precise calibration across the frequency range. This band segmentation helps users fine-tune stations with surprising accuracy for an analog-style interface. The supported frequency ranges are listed below:

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

Whether you're tuning in to your favorite morning talk show or catching the latest chart-topping hits, this radio delivers a commendable listening experience. In my usage, FM reception has been consistently reliable, and the audio clarity noticeably improves when using headphones. The built-in speaker does the job for casual listening, but plugging in a decent pair of earphones really enhances the sound quality, making it a more enjoyable experience overall.

Radio Reception

During June-July 2025, the XHDATA D-328 successfully processed these 32 FM stations in Perrysburg in Ohio:

Band: FM, Frequency: 88.9 MHz, Name: 88.3 FM WXUT, Format: Alternative Music, Call Sign: WXUT, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 88.9 MHz, Name: WBCL, Format: Contemporary Christian Music, Call Sign: WTPG, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 89.3 MHz, Name: Yes FM, Format: Christian Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR), Call Sign: WYSZ, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 89.7 MHz, Name: EWTN Radio, Format: Catholic Religious, Call Sign: WNOC, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 90.3 MHz, Name: Family Radio, Format: Christian Religious, Call Sign: WOTL, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 91.3 MHz, Name: WTGE Public Radio FM 91, Format: Public Radio, Call Sign: WTGE, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 91.7 MHz, Name: Michigan Public Radio, Format: Public Radio, Call Sign: WUOM, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 92.5 MHz, Name: 92.5 KISS FM, Format: Top 40 (CHR) (Contemporary Hit Radio), Call Sign: WVKS, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 92.9 MHz, Name: NewsRadio 1370 AM & 92.9 FM, Format: News/Talk, Call Sign: W225AM (WSPD-AM), Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 93.5 MHz, Name: 93.5 WRQN, Format: Classic Hits Music, Call Sign: WRQN, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 93.9 MHz, Name: 93.9 Virgin Radio, Format: Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR), Call Sign: CIDR, Website, ~~FCC Public Files~~, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 94.1 MHz, Name: Relevant Radio, Format: Catholic Talk Radio, Call Sign: W231EF (WPAY-AM), Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 94.5 MHz, Name: 94.5 XKR, Format: Classic Rock Music, Call Sign: WXKR, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 94.9 MHz, Name: 94.9 The Beat (HD2 channel of WVKS), Format: Urban Adult Music, Call Sign: W235BH, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 95.7 MHz, Name: Mix 95.7, Format: Urban Adult Contemporary Music, Call Sign: WIMX, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 96.9 MHz, Name: K-Love, Format: Christian Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR), Call Sign: WNKL, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 97.3 MHz, Name: HOT 97.3 FM, Format: Hip Hop and R&B Music, Call Sign: WJZE, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 98.3 MHz, Name: Nash Icon 98.3 FM, Format: Country Music, Call Sign: WMIM, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 99.5 MHz, Name: CSN Radio, Format: Religious, Call Sign: W258BT, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 100.7 MHz, Name: ESPN 100.7 FM: The Ticket, Format: Hot Adult Contemporary Music, Call Sign: WQQO, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 101.5 MHz, Name: 101.5 The River, Format: Adult Contemporary Music, Call Sign: WRVF, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 102.3 MHz, Name: Proclaim FM 102.3, Format: Contemporary Christian Music, Call Sign: WPOS, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 102.9 MHz, Name: W4Country, Format: Country Music, Call Sign: WWWW, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 103.3 MHz, Name: Smile FM, Format: Contemporary Christian Music, Call Sign: TBD, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 103.7 MHz, Name: Buckeye Country 103.7 CKY, Format: Country Music, Call Sign: WCKY, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 102.9 MHz, Name: 104.7 WIOT Toledo's Rock, Format: Mainstream Rock, Call Sign: WIOT, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 105.5 MHz, Name: Q105 Toledo, Format: Hot Adult Contemporary Music, Call Sign: WQQO, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 106.1 MHz, Name: We Act Toledo Radio WAKT 106.1, Format: Variety, Call Sign: WAKT, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 106.5 MHz, Name: The Truth Toledo (OH), Format: Christian Talk, Call Sign: WTOD, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 106.9 MHz, Name: Son Life Radio, Format: Christian Radio, Call Sign: W295DB (WJYM-AM), Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 107.3 MHz, Name: The Juice 107.3, Format: Contemporary Music, Call Sign: WJUC, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator
Band: FM, Frequency: 107.7 MHz, Name: 107.7 The Wolf Country, Format: Country Music, Call Sign: WPFX, Website, FCC Public Files, Radio-Locator

In November 2023, I tested the XHDATA D-328 in Pune, a city in the state of Maharashtra, India. The radio performed well when it came to processing FM signals—stations came through clearly, and tuning was relatively smooth. However, its performance on the AM and shortwave (SW) bands left much to be desired. In my experience, there was hardly any reception on those frequencies, rendering them practically unusable in this location. FM turned out to be the only reliable mode of listening on this device during my testing.

Band: FM, Frequency: 91.1 MHz, Name: Radio City
Band: FM, Frequency: 93.5 MHz, Name: Red FM
Band: FM, Frequency: 94.3 MHz, Name: Radio One
Band: FM, Frequency: 95.0 MHz, Name: Big FM
Band: FM, Frequency: 98.3 MHz, Name: Radio Mirchi
Band: FM, Frequency: 101.0 MHz, Name: Vividh Bharati
Band: FM, Frequency: 104.2 MHz, Name: Radio Mirchi Love
Band: FM, Frequency: 107.8 MHz, Name: Puneri Awaz
Band: AM, Frequency: 792 kHz, Name: All India Radio (AIR) Pune

MP3 Playback

MP3 playback is supported via a microSD (TransFlash) card slot conveniently located on the top of the device. Impressively, it handles larger storage capacities like 32GB and even 64GB cards without issue. Listening to MP3 files on this little radio is surprisingly enjoyable—the audio quality exceeds expectations for a device in this price range. However, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. There’s no screen to display track info, and no shuffle mode either. Instead, songs are played strictly in alphabetical order based on their file names. On the plus side, you can skip forward in batches of 10 tracks, which helps when navigating larger playlists.

Audio Quality

The radio features a built-in 5.5 cm speaker capable of delivering up to 5 watts of mono audio output. Given the compact size of the device, there’s naturally limited room for deep bass response or rich audio dynamics. That said, the sound quality is surprisingly clear and crisp—especially when reception is strong. While you won’t get room-filling sound or punchy lows, it performs well enough for casual listening, news broadcasts, or talk radio, making it a solid choice for on-the-go use or small spaces.

Battery

The radio is powered by a removable 3.7V BL-5C 1020mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. It comes with a generic, factory-included battery, which—at least in my experience—didn’t hold up well over time. Within a year, the battery had bloated and become unusable, a common issue with lower-quality Li-ion cells. Thankfully, the device doesn’t rely solely on battery power. It can operate just fine without the battery installed, as long as it's plugged in via USB and receiving live power. This makes it convenient for stationary use or when a reliable power source is available, even if the battery fails.

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.