PRUNUS J-160 Review – In-Depth Overview, Pros, Cons, FAQs, & More

We know it can be difficult to find high-performance retro radios. Even with such a wide variety, you can find this task time-consuming. 

Because of this, our team has decided to review PRUNUS’ J-160 radio. Along with that, we’ll highlight various pros and cons. 

Quick Summary of PRUNUS J-160

When it comes to radios, most people have retro designs in their minds. PRUNUS has taken inspiration from that idea to combine old-school design and new features. 

We noticed that these features made it suitable for people of all age groups. You can use it as a personal radio and place it in your kitchen, lounge, or even bedroom. 

What modern features does it have?

After a close inspection, our team members found that this radio has a bunch of useful features. You can even connect your phone through various ports.

Moreover, it has a built-in battery. You can simply recharge it with an AC adapter and carry it anywhere.

Does it have an antenna?

We must also mention that PRUNUS J-160 comes with a built-in antenna. You extend or retract this antenna for radio purposes. 

On top of that, the antenna seamlessly disappears in the external shell when fully retracted. This further compliments the overall aesthetics of this radio. 

Check out the complete review on PRUNUS J-288 with FAQs, pros, cons, and more.

Features and Benefits

Design

First of all, we must discuss the body design of PRUNUS J-160. In terms of aesthetics, the overall body features a simple design. 

All the features you need are present on the front and right side of the radio. Moreover, the speaker is also placed behind the front side. 

Is this radio compact?

Other than that, our team found this radio to be quite small in size. You can place it anywhere inside your home. 

We also discovered that PRUNUS provides two unique colors for this radio. You can get either one to match the aesthetics of your living room or bedroom. 

Connectivity

Next up, our team found three different ways to play digital media. You can use a USB cable, an AUX cord, or an SD card. 

We tested this radio with each source and found no difference in the audio quality. However, you can only use one media port at any given time. 

Which cables can I use with the ports?

Furthermore, you can use a USB 3.0 cable for the USB port and a 3.5mm jack for the AUX port. As for the SD card slot, you can use any micro SD card.

We must also mention that this radio has Bluetooth. You can connect any Bluetooth device that has a 3.0 version or newer. 

Build Quality

Another aspect that surprised our team members is the build quality. Despite its old-school design, all the materials used are up to current market standards. 

We tested it under multiple weather conditions and found it to be quite durable. You can even use this radio in moist weather conditions like rain without any worries. 

Which material is this radio made from? 

Our team members found that it uses a combination of plastics and aluminum metal. The front and the back plate are made from plastic while the rest of the body is made from metal.

Other than that, every single rotary dial is also made from plastic. The reason behind this is to avoid any unwanted interference with the audio output.

Battery Life

As we have already mentioned, this radio features a built-in rechargeable battery. After a series of tests, our team concluded that it can easily perform for up to 8 hours off a full charge. 

You can either use the USB port to charge or the conventional AC port. However, we found the AC port to be faster in terms of charging. 

Is there a warranty on this battery?

Our team members also discovered that the battery comes with a 2-year warranty. If there is a malfunction with the battery, you can replace it with a new one without any overhead cost. 

Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy PRUNUS J-160 

Sound Quality

The first factor you need to keep in mind is the audio quality of this speaker. Even though it is small in size, we found its speaker to be quite powerful. 

Moreover, multiple tests showed no signs of audio distortion. You can listen to audio media at high volumes. However, the audio quality does drop as the battery gets lower.

Price

Next factor on our list is the price. Despite its modern features, our team discovered that it is relatively cheaper. Furthermore, you don’t have to buy anything extra with it. 

We must also mention that you can get it at even lower prices during seasonal sales. 

Signal Reception

Lastly, we must mention the radio reception. After multiple quality tests, we found that its FM and AM reception is identical. 

Although you’ll have to adjust the antenna a bit to find the optimal angle for AM reception. On top of that, the reception is significantly better if you are near a window. 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Retro design
• Highly portable
• No AC outlet required
• Dual-band radio
• High-quality exterior finish

Cons

• No headphone compatibility

Social Proof

Once we completed our tests, the team decided to check some online reviews. We were surprised to find that most reviews were highly positive. 

Many customers praised the Bluetooth feature of this radio. They mentioned how easy it was for them to use their digital devices as a media source. 

Some users also praised the audio quality of this radio. They stated it was pleasant to listen to audio without any distortion or static.

We also found multiple reviews that praised the overall design of this radio. Many customers were pleased by how easy it was for them to adjust this radio in their house. 

Prunus J-160 Alternatives (Recommendations)

#1: Best Bluetooth-Enabled Radio – Victrola FSC6 Review

Our team picked Victrola’s FSC6 as the first alternative. The main reason for it is the Bluetooth feature. Unlike most radios, it comes with a 3.0 version.

You can easily connect your Android or iOS devices and use them as an audio media source. Moreover, we found it to be compatible with Spotify and SoundCloud.

What is the design of this radio?

On closer inspection, we found that it features a vintage design. Besides the front and back sides, the entire body is covered with a wooden layer. 

You can use it as a personal radio for your home, office, or small outdoor gathering. However, you’ll need an AC outlet to power it. 

Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Victrola FSC6

Sound Quality

After a series of elaborate tests, we discovered that the sound quality of this radio is up to mark. You can even listen to audio at max volume without any distortion. 

Moreover, we noticed that the speaker can project all types of audio effects effectively. You can easily differentiate between the bass and the treble. 

Price

Next factor we must mention is the price of this radio. After a thorough comparison, we found it to be moderately priced. 

This is mainly because of the design of the radio. Since it uses a combination of high-quality materials, it is more expensive than some of its counterparts. 

Signal Reception

Last factor you need to keep in mind is the signal reception. We found that it has no built-in antenna for FM and AM reception. 

You’ll have to buy a separate antenna for better reception. As for the Bluetooth reception, you can easily play music if your connected device is within the room. 

Pros

• Sleek body
• Wooden finish
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Optimal sound quality
• Audio tuning rotary dials

Cons

• No built-in antenna

Best Bluetooth-Enabled Radio

The best Bluetooth-enabled radio is the Victrola FSC6 because it comes with a Bluetooth 3.0 feature. You can easily connect your digital devices to listen to your favorite tracks. Moreover, it has bass and treble adjusters as well. 

#2: Best Personal Radio – Studebaker SB2000RB Review 

For the second alternative, our team picked a compact radio from Studebaker. It features a conventional design with all the necessary features you need in a radio. 

You can use it indoors or outdoors for picnics and other activities. We must also mention that it comes with a dual-band radio feature. 

Does this radio have an antenna?

On further inspection, we found that it has a rotary antenna. You can extend it or retract it to get the optimal reception. 

Moreover, it has a rotary dial that you can use to tune FM and AM radio channels. 

Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Studebaker SB2000RB

Sound Quality

We ran multiple audio tests and found the quality of this speaker to be sufficient for personal use. This is mainly because it comes with a mono speaker instead of a stereo speaker. 

You might get some signs of distortion at high volumes especially if you are using an AUX cord.

Price

As for the price, we compared multiple market options and found it to be quite cheap. This is mainly because it is designed specifically for personal use. 

On top of that, you have the option to choose from 3 different variations. We noticed that these variations are unique in terms of color. 

Signal Reception

Our team conducted multiple reception tests and found its reception to be average. You’ll have to extend the antenna completely to avoid static. 

Furthermore, we noticed that it requires open space for optimal reception. If you are in a closed environment, the antenna might not catch the signals. 

Pros

• Lightweight body
• Foldable handle
• AUX port available
• Budget-friendly
• Available in 3 colors

Cons

• No stereo speaker

Best Personal Radio

The best personal radio is the Studebaker SB2000RB. This is because it is lightweight and quite easy to carry. You can virtually take it anywhere. Moreover, it comes with an AUX port for connecting phones, laptops, and other devices. 

Check out more radio brands with in-depth guides, pros, cons, FAQs, and more.

Buyer’s Guide 

Let’s take a look at some important aspects you need to keep in check.  

Sound Quality

While most radios have a stereo speaker, it is good practice to double-check your radio before any purchase. This is because stereo speakers are significantly better in audio quality. 

We also recommend that you check your radio for any distortion or static. This can impact the quality of your audio even at low volumes. 

Price

Next aspect you need to keep in check is the price. While it is good to get an expensive radio, you can still find cheaper options with the same level of performance. 

We suggest that you compare multiple options before making a final decision. This way, you’ll get a better idea if a radio is worth your money. 

Signal Reception

Lastly, you need to keep the reception in check. Otherwise, you’ll experience a lot of static for FM and AM channels. 

One easy way to do so is to get a radio with an antenna. This way, you can change angles to find a channel with optimal reception.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For our next section, we’ll answer some of the commonly asked questions on the internet.

Does PRUNUS J-160 come with a manual?

In order to operate this radio, you won’t need a user manual. This is mainly because every single control button is clearly marked. However, it does come with a user manual that states many things including the battery life and power consumption. 

Can I charge PRUNUS J-160 with my laptop?

You can charge your PRUNUS J-160 radio with a laptop. However, you’ll need a USB 3.0 cord with identical ends. You cannot use a micro USB cord to charge it. Other than that, it is better to use a wall charger because of the AC source. 

How long does PRUNUS J-160 take to charge?

If your radio is fully drained of charge, it will take approximately 2 to 5 hours to completely charge. You can significantly reduce the charging time by using a 5V or 2A wall charger.

Does PRUNUS J-160 have a stereo speaker?

Even though the speaker is quite small in size, it still has a stereo speaker inside it. You can use it to listen to music with distinctive bass and treble effects. Moreover, these effects don’t distort even at high volumes.

Can I use Bluetooth headphones with PRUNUS J-160?

As of now, PRUNUS has no compatibility with headphones. You cannot use Bluetooth headphones as well. However, you can listen to music on your headphones through a Bluetooth transmitter but it is a tedious task to set up.

How do I play music through AUX on PRUNUS J-160?

Once you connect your AUX port, the radio will automatically detect signals and switch to AUX mode. If it doesn’t do that, simply restart it with the AUX cord plugged in. This will start the radio with AUX as your primary source. 

Is the reception for PRUNUS J-160 affected by metal?

Since it uses an extendable antenna, the reception might be worse around metallic objects. You can avoid this by using the radio away from metals. If there aren’t within the 10-20 feet range, the reception will be fine. 

Is the PRUNUS J-160 overcharged if I leave my charger on?

We found that PRUNUS has equipped its radio with an overcharge protection feature. Even if you leave your charger on, the radio will automatically stop charging once it is fully charged. 

How do I switch PRUNUS J-160 to Bluetooth?

You can simply turn the knob to Bluetooth mode and it will turn on the Bluetooth feature. After that, simply find the radio on your digital device and connect it. If it demands a code, you can refer to the user manual for it.

Does PRUNUS J-160 have a warranty?

PRUNUS offers a one-year warranty for its J-160 radio. It covers any malfunctions with the internal and external features. You can simply contact the customer service hotline in such a case.

Can I use PRUNUS J-160 while charging?

You can use the PRUNUS J-160 while charging. However, it can affect charging time significantly. It is recommended that you turn off the radio completely and then charge it. This way, it will charge faster.

Wrapping Things Up…

With this, we come to the end of our review for PRUNUS J-160. We hope you can use this information to your advantage.

PRUNUS J-160 provides all the modern features you need to play digital media. It also comes with dual-band radio reception that you can use to listen to FM and AM channels. 

Which vintage radio is your favorite? Do let us know in the comments below. 

Our experts have tested and reviewed the latest and old radios, check them out before buying a radio of your choice.