TERK Amplified AM/FM Stereo Indoor Antenna (TOWER)

works well in the suburbs

I had the basic Terk FM antenna, not amplified before this purchase. It did a fair job pulling in the local stations, however the signal was weak, and just walking around the room interfered with the reception. I had to keep it at the window to get anything decent. I was able to "A-B" both antennas using the same equipment. This unit made a clear difference. The signal was 20% stronger based on my tuner meter. There was no deterioration when moving about the room. Clarity was improved, and bass was palpably stronger and fuller. If you have a very strong signal, the basic Terk antenna will likely be adequate, but for just a small amount more, you'll be sure you're getting the best out of your tuner.

This antenna is destined for a handicapped family member who lives outside of Philadelphia and I'm confident that he'll be satisfied with the coverage it provides. In my limited FM testing in Central New Jersey (~35 mi straight line from NYC), this antenna worked decidedly better than the Terk AM/FM+. Signal strength and clarity of FM stereo was improved as was the ability to receive HD Radio broadcasts (Full disclosure: I am an engineer for iBiquity Digital and work on HD Radio receivers). I also tested this antenna with the amplifier power disconnected and the performance suffered noticeably. The 2x cost of the Tower vs the AM/FM+ is definitely worth it for a user looking to improve performance from a stationary indoor installation in an area with decent coverage. As for complaints of "no better than the included antenna:" none of these small indoor antennas will perform as well as a properly installed, permanent outdoor antenna; bigger is simply better - and directional better still - for pulling in distant FM stations in the middle of nowhere. Rural users unfortunately will not see any improvement without an attic or roof mounted antenna. I use the Stellar Labs Outdoor Omnidirectional FM Antenna for camping and it is probably a good inexpensive first step for a rural user to try and would likely only improve from an amplifier. I use the Terk AM Advantage for AM, but did not compare Tower vs Advantage due to a lack of proper connectors for any of my AM radios. Advantage is a great antenna though for the serious AM listener (in my case, no cable TV so AM radio is my source for Mets baseball). I can't see how this non-tuneable, powered antenna could have comparable performance, but I could be wrong. I will update if I get the right widgets to compare the two antennas.

There are some cheap products out there that do not perform very well, but I have never had a product that was worse than not having anything at all like this one. I have a nice $500 Pioneer Stereo system. During a move, I lost the AM and FM antenna wires that came with it. I could still pick up local stations without them, but there was a little static, so I thought I would buy this to improve the signal. I thought WRONG! But that is not the whole story. Read on. The first unit I got was clearly a return that someone had returned to Amazon, even though I paid for a new unit. It was missing the power adaptor so I contacted Amazon.com for a replacement. I told them that they had sent me a used unit and that I wanted a new, non-opened unit. So Amazon sent me another unit. Guess what? Yep! It was also a previously opened return. But this one had the power adaptor, so I thought I would try it out. I hooked it up and turned on my stereo, BUUZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!! the was super loud static. I thought I had connected it wrong and so I turned it off and reversed the wires. BUUUZZZZZZ!!!!!!! So I left my stereo on and just unplug the wires, the buzzing stopped and the was my local station loud, with just the normal tiny bit of static. I plug the wires back in BUZZZ!!! I tried moving the antenna base to every possible position, but it was just a huge buzzing sound. WARNING! Evidently many people have bought and returned these units and Amazon.com is selling them as NEW and not Open Box. Save your money and do not buy this product. It is utterly worthless and will actually do worse then if you had no antenna at all. I have a $5 dollar store radio that can pick up stations with no problem, so I know it is not a reception issue. It is this antenna. Since I received two returned items, that tells you a lot of people are having the same problem with this product and returning it.

I would give this a 5, if going from no antenna, but not if you have an existing quality antenna. You do get both AM and FM. Really tall too. I read so many reviews they were all confusing. I think this review can clarify. I am a big fan of TERK antennas, I have 4 to be exact and all work great. But this seems like the latest and greatest so I figure let me upgrade. Comparing this to a receiver with no antenna you will get ok reception but for great reception need to plugged it in. Let's say you have another TERK and want better sound quality, better reception, and no hiss sound. Well you will not with this one. If you have a decent signal with a quality antenna this will not make any difference. I'm an audiophile and have installed numerous home theaters and a lot of people like myself like to listen to a human ,emergency info, etc. To get the best reception for frequency type radio signal, you must run an outdoor antenna to the receiver. These indoor antenna cannot and will not amplify a signal only capture it. Only the station can amplify a signal. Regardless, in all fairness to TERK, this antenna works excellent. Also, you do need an electrical outlet to get power. But when I compared it to another TERK antenna without a power supply, there was no difference and now another wire to hide. The unpowered squarish antenna by TERK is good enough.

Excellent reception. And quality build that can doesn’t need to be hidden like most antennae’s. Increases reception significantly from a basic “t” type wire antennae.

Terk always gives great FM reception

Nothing happens only disturbance occurs. Not happy, unsatisfactory purchase.

Not works very well.

使いやすい

Pas de prises Européennes pas pour la france! oubligé de commander une fiche adaptateur ! Et surtout des informations en français, et des renseignements pour l'installation.

Hardly got signals before. Works great and easy to set up