The world of radio is undergoing a massive transformation. While traditional over-the-air broadcasts still hold a special place in the hearts of hobbyists, digital streaming has opened up a world of borderless, noise-free listening. For years, radio enthusiasts had to make a choice: buy a traditional multi-band receiver for shortwave listening (DXing) or invest in a dedicated internet radio for global streaming.
The CHOYONG LC90 Mini Multi-Band Smart Internet Radio bridges this gap. Priced at $199, this innovative device is a hybrid powerhouse designed to bring you the best of both worlds. By combining modern 4G cellular and Wi-Fi streaming with classic FM, Mediumwave (AM), Longwave, and Shortwave (with Single Side Band) analogue tuning, the LC90 aims to be the ultimate all-in-one receiver.
In this comprehensive, honest review, we will dive deep into the specifications, performance, user experience, pros, and cons of the Choyong LC90. Whether you are a seasoned shortwave DXer, an expat looking for a taste of home, or a casual listener who appreciates high-fidelity sound, this review will help you decide if this unique radio deserves a spot on your nightstand or in your travel bag.
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Product Overview
At first glance, the Choyong LC90 makes a strong impression. It arrives in a premium gold and black box that immediately hints at its high-quality construction. The unit itself features a classic form factor—roughly the size of a paperback book—making it highly portable while still offering enough physical space for a substantial speaker cavity and easy-to-use physical controls.
The front panel is dominated by a clear, vibrant 2.5-inch diagonal IPS LCD screen. Unlike many cheap radios, the viewing angles on this display are excellent, making it easy to read from any angle on your desk or nightstand. While the screen is not a touchscreen, the radio is operated through a series of tactical buttons, shortcut keys, and a smooth-turning physical tuning knob on the right side.
Key Technical Specifications:
- Internet Radio Access: Over 40,000 global stations and millions of podcasts categorized by continent, country, province, and genre.
- Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 4G LTE nano-SIM card slot, and eSIM capabilities (allowing for cellular internet streaming without a local Wi-Fi connection).
- Analogue Bands: FM, MW (AM), LW, and SW with SSB (Single Side Band) capability.
- Audio Configuration: 15-watt multimedia speaker setup featuring a mid-bass speaker, silk dome tweeter, and a low-frequency passive bass radiator. Integrated with a two-stage audio amplifier and Low Noise Amplifier (LNA).
- Smart Features: GPT-powered voice search, direct URL station adding, alarm clock, sleep timer, and key backlighting.
- Media Player: Bluetooth connectivity (to use as a portable speaker) and a Micro-SD (TF) card slot supporting MP3, AAC, and m3u8 audio formats.
- Battery: Built-in 2500mAh rechargeable lithium battery (non-replaceable).
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Pros: The Advantages of the Choyong LC90
Phenomenal Sound Quality
The absolute standout feature of the Choyong LC90 is its audio performance. Most portable radios suffer from thin, tinny sound due to their small plastic chassis and basic speakers. Choyong solved this by implementing a dual-speaker configuration consisting of a mid-bass driver, a silk dome tweeter, and a dedicated low-frequency diaphragm. Backed by a 15-watt amplifier, the sound is exceptionally rich, warm, and room-filling. Whether you are listening to a jazz stream on internet radio, a local FM station, or an audio podcast, the audio clarity is outstanding, offering deep bass and crisp highs that rival high-end dedicated Bluetooth speakers.
True Global Portability via 4G and Wi-Fi
Most internet radios are restricted to your home Wi-Fi network. The LC90 breaks these boundaries by incorporating both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and a 4G LTE nano-SIM card slot. This means you can take the radio to your backyard, the local park, or on a camping trip, and continue streaming over 40,000 international stations. Cellular data usage for audio streaming is remarkably low, making this an incredibly practical feature for outdoor enthusiasts who want more than what local analogue stations can offer.
Sensitive FM and Shortwave Performance
Despite its heavy focus on internet connectivity, the analogue radio side of the LC90 is highly capable. FM reception is excellent, with strong station acquisition and fully integrated RDS support that displays station details directly on the IPS screen. For shortwave listeners, the 9-stage extendable whip antenna offers good sensitivity out of the box. The inclusion of Single Side Band (SSB) tuning—complete with upper and lower sideband options—is a major plus for radio hobbyists who enjoy monitoring amateur radio operators and utility broadcasts.
Smart Voice Search Functionality
Navigating a directory of over 40,000 global stations can easily become a chore on standard internet radios. Choyong tackles this with a dedicated voice search button. Powered by an intelligent AI assistant, you can simply hold down the button and speak the name of a country, city, or specific radio station (e.g., “BBC World Service” or “Jazz stations in France”). The radio searches its vast online database and tunes in within seconds, dramatically simplifying the user experience.
Seamless Web Integration and Custom Streams
If a specific internet station or podcast is not preloaded in the Choyong directory, you are not out of luck. The radio allows you to add custom URLs directly through the device or by searching on the Choyong website and pushing the station straight to your logged-in radio. It supports various digital audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and m3u8, ensuring that almost any web stream can be played with ease.
Diverse Multimedia Utility
The LC90 is much more than a radio; it is a versatile audio hub. Short-pressing the Bluetooth button instantly transforms the radio into a high-fidelity external speaker for your phone, tablet, or computer. Additionally, you can plug the radio into a PC via its USB-C port, and it will function as an external computer speaker. The built-in Micro-SD (TF) card reader allows you to load up gigabytes of your own music and podcasts for offline playback when no internet or cellular signal is available.
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Cons: The Disadvantages of the Choyong LC90
Sub-Par Mediumwave (AM) Reception
While FM and Shortwave perform admirably, the Mediumwave (AM) band is a weak spot on this radio. Due to the dense internal electronics, the large IPS LCD screen, and the active Wi-Fi receiver, the AM band is susceptible to internal electromagnetic interference (EMI). Even when turning off the Wi-Fi module as recommended, the AM reception is mediocre at best, especially in indoor environments. If you primarily buy radios to listen to local AM talk radio or engage in AM DXing, this is not the ideal device for you.
Awkward External Antenna Jack Placement
The LC90 features a 3.5mm jack on its right-hand side for connecting external antennas, which is great for boosting shortwave and FM signals. However, the designers placed this jack extremely close to the physical tuning knob. If you use a standard, thick 3.5mm connector or an adapter, it will physically block or scrape against the tuning dial, making it awkward to adjust the frequency. Users have to search for slim-profile elbow connectors or specialized cables to circumvent this layout oversight.
Slow Boot-up and Minor Interface Quirks
Operating a hybrid smart radio requires patience. When you turn on the Choyong LC90, it does not instantly play music like a simple analogue radio. It takes roughly 20 to 30 seconds to boot up its system and connect to your local Wi-Fi network. Additionally, the user interface can feel slightly clunky. The favorite-station button takes a moment to respond when pressed, and the tuning knob sometimes scrolls in inconsistent directions depending on which menu list you are browsing.
Mono-Only Headphone Jack Output
Despite the radio’s advanced stereo capabilities when functioning as a Bluetooth receiver or playing digital files through its built-in dual-speaker system, the 3.5mm headphone jack does not output true stereo sound. The internal circuitry merges the audio into a mono signal and duplicates it to both the left and right channels of your headphones. While it is perfectly fine for talk radio and general listening, audiophiles seeking deep stereo separation through high-end headphones will be disappointed.
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Customer Reviews Analysis
With an average score derived from 33 Amazon reviews and active discussions in major radio hobbyist communities, the sentiment surrounding the Choyong LC90 is overwhelmingly positive, with a few highly specific caveats.
What Customers Love:
- The “Room-Filling” Sound: A significant majority of buyers rave about the audio performance. Reviewers frequently mention that it sounds like a much larger, premium bookshelf speaker, noting the impressive depth of bass and clear vocals.
- The Power of Internet Radio: Expats and travelers are absolutely hooked on the internet streaming feature. Users love being able to pull up clear, static-free feeds of local stations from their home countries with a single click.
- Voice Search Accuracy: Many older users and technology novices praised the voice search button, noting that it made searching through the vast directory of global stations completely effortless compared to typing on tiny screens.
Common Customer Complaints:
- Initial Setup Hurdles: A few users experienced difficulties connecting to Wi-Fi out of the box. Some discovered they needed to insert a Micro-SD card to properly update the device’s firmware before the internet connectivity functioned seamlessly.
- Lack of AM Sensitivity: Traditional radio amateurs noted that while Shortwave and FM are highly sensitive, the AM performance was disappointing compared to standard low-cost pocket radios.
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Who Should Buy This Product?
The Choyong LC90 is a highly specialized piece of gear. You will get the most value out of this $199 radio if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Global News and Music Enthusiasts: If you enjoy listening to news, talk programs, and music from different cultures and countries, the massive 40,000+ station database and the voice search function make this device an absolute joy.
- Expats and International Travelers: If you live far from home and miss your local broadcasts, this hybrid radio keeps you connected through seamless Wi-Fi or 4G data streaming without needing to drain your phone’s battery.
- Bedroom and Workshop Listeners: The high-fidelity 15-watt speaker makes it perfect as a bedside alarm clock or a companion in your home workshop. It fills spaces with rich audio and acts as a Bluetooth speaker when you want to stream from your phone.
- Casual Shortwave DXers: If you like the novelty of tuning into analogue shortwave signals and SSB ham radio chatter, but also want a reliable digital fallback when radio propagation conditions are poor, this hybrid approach is a game-changer.
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Final Verdict
The CHOYONG LC90 Mini Multi-Band Smart Internet Radio represents a bold leap forward in radio technology. It is one of the very few devices on the market that successfully merges traditional over-the-air analogue bands (including Shortwave with SSB) with modern, portable internet streaming via Wi-Fi and 4G.
For $199, you are getting an incredibly well-built device that sounds phenomenal, looks great, and keeps you connected to the global airwaves wherever you go. While it is not perfect—suffering from sub-par AM reception, an awkwardly placed antenna jack, and slightly slow boot-up times—the outstanding audio quality and seamless internet capabilities more than make up for these design quirks.
If you are looking for a versatile, premium audio device that celebrates the past while embracing the future, the Choyong LC90 is highly recommended.
