Since it's quite easy for just about anyone out there to set up their own Internet radio station, while most FM stations are also streaming their broadcasts onto the world wide web, it's no wonder that the popularity of Internet-enabled radio receivers has also increased. And this is exactly the type of device we'll talk about as follows, namely the Sanyo R227 Internet/FM Stereo Radio, launched back in October 2008, a device that really brings together the best of two worlds: classical, FM radio and digital, Internet radio.



In order to access Internet radio stations, the R227 sports an easy network key entry when used on secured wireless networks. It enables search by country or genre, with eight Internet station presets, and carries out automatic, regular updates of internet station database.



It also has an FM stereo digital tuner with eight station presets. Loaded with clock radio functionality, including wake-to-internet or FM radio, the R227 boasts good stereo audio with dual 90 mm diameter stereo speakers, which offer an overall power of around 4 W. The clock doesn't really need any manual adjustments, since it automatically sets itself from the Internet.



Furthermore, the device works with a wide variety of file formats, including here AAC, AIFF, MP3, RM, WAV, WMA and playlists (M3V), which can be streamed from a networked computer.



Besides the Wi-Fi module, the R227 also sports an Ethernet socket, input for MP3/WMA players, headphone jack, and output to connect to an external audio system, as well as a lighted LCD display, used for viewing important information and controlling the device. Additionally, it can be controlled from a distance via the remote control provided in the package and won't even occupy too much space around the house, since it measures 215 x 140 x 110 mm.



The Sanyo R227 sells for around 173 US dollars, which makes it quite an affordable product, especially taking into account its extended level of versatility.