iBiquity Digital announced the all-important $100 price point for HD Radio receivers has been smashed. The new under $100 HD Radio devices from Coby, iLuv, JVC, Pioneer, Radiosophy and Sony will soon be available for home, office and automotive uses. The latest prices represent a 30% reduction compared to a year ago.
"This price point brings the superior performance of HD Radio receivers with attractive functionality to a much broader audience," said Bob Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity Digital. "Having world-class device manufacturers throw their support behind HD Radio broadcasting, and bring devices of this outstanding quality to the retail market at such an affordable price is yet another signal of the mainstream interest in the technology."
Many of the same top manufacturers are offering home, office and automotive units for under $200. Coby, Dual, iLuv, Insignia, Jensen and Sony have new receivers between prices of $119 and $179.95, some of which include iTunes Tagging, iPod docks and iPhone compatibility.
RBR/TVBR observation: Hopefully what’s coming next are battery-powered portable radios/boomboxes at the low price point. It’s a bit of a hurdle still, as HD chipsets and circuits require a lot of processing power, but it still needs to be offered soon. We hear some are currently in development.
