2/13/2026

Internet Radio Directories for Listeners (Google Gemini)

 Top Directories for Listeners- These platforms offer the best user experiences for discovering and streaming global content. 


  • Radio Garden: The most immersive way to find radio. It features a 3D interactive globe where you can rotate the earth and tune into live broadcasts from thousands of cities. It is excellent for finding niche community and independent stations.  

    TuneIn: The industry heavyweight. It has the largest collection (100,000+) of AM/FM and internet-only stations, including major sports networks and news outlets like CNN and BBC

    Radio.net: A clean, straightforward directory with over 60,000 stations. It’s particularly strong for European stations but has a massive global reach and excellent mobile apps.

    Online Radio Box: A favorite for listeners who want to know what’s playing now. It provides live playlists and historical logs of tracks played on each station.

    Streema: Highly organized by city and genre. 1 It is one of the most stable directories for finding local AM/FM stations that have moved to a web stream.

    Source: Google Gemini


    Niche & Specialized Directories

    If you are looking for something specific, like indie music, high-quality audio, or accessibility, try these:

  • SomaFM: A listener-supported, commercial-free directory of over 30 channels of underground/alternative music (chill, lofi, indie, electronic).

  • Filtermusic: A directory specifically focused on electronic and dance music radio stations, updated daily.

  • Radio-Locator: A highly technical search engine for U.S. and international stations. It provides detailed info on signal range and transmitter locations.

  • BlindRadio: Designed specifically to be accessible for the visually impaired, focusing on ease of navigation.

  • NTS Radio: A global platform for artist-run radio, perfect for discovering experimental or avant-garde music.


Internet Radio Station Directories (chatgpt)

If you're looking for directories that list Internet radio stations, there are a few reliable websites and services where you can explore different stations by genre, location, or popularity. Here are some popular ones:



1. TuneIn

  • Description: One of the most well-known platforms for streaming live radio from around the world. TuneIn offers both music and talk stations, and you can search by genre, location, or specific station.

  • Features: Has a mobile app, podcasts, and news alongside radio streams.

2. Radio.com (now Audacy)

  • Description: A comprehensive directory of live radio stations, offering everything from news to music, sports, and talk shows. The website's directory allows users to search by city, genre, or station.

  • Features: Popular in the U.S. with a vast collection of stations.

3. Radio Garden

  • Description: A unique and interactive radio directory that lets you explore live radio stations worldwide using an interactive globe. You can zoom into cities around the world to listen to local stations.

  • Features: Geolocation-based, interactive interface.

4. Shoutcast

  • Description: A popular platform for streaming and hosting internet radio stations. Shoutcast allows you to search for stations by genre, location, and other filters.

  • Features: Provides a free directory of live stations.

5. Live365

  • Website: https://live365.com/

  • Description: A service offering thousands of live internet radio stations across many genres. It's a platform where many independent creators and broadcasters host their stations.

  • Features: Broad genre diversity, from niche hobbies to mainstream music.

6. Radionomy

  • Description: This platform lets users create their own internet radio stations, and it also offers a large directory of community-driven radio stations. You can search by genre and language.

  • Features: Allows station creation, streaming, and discovery.

7. Internet Radio (dir)

  • Website: https://www.internet-radio.com/

  • Description: A simple, no-frills directory that categorizes stations by genre, country, and popularity. It’s easy to navigate and offers quick access to a wide range of stations.

  • Features: Straightforward, easy-to-use interface.

8. iHeartRadio

  • Website: https://www.iheart.com/

  • Description: Offers a wide selection of live radio stations, podcasts, and on-demand content. You can discover radio stations by genre, city, and station.

  • Features: Includes popular stations and exclusive podcasts.

9. Radio.co

  • Website: https://www.radio.net/

  • Description: While primarily a platform for hosting internet radio stations, Radio.co has a public directory where you can find a variety of stations that are broadcasting live.

  • Features: Allows for station management and offers a directory of radio stations.

10. FMRadioFree

  • Website: https://www.fmradiofree.com/

  • Description: A directory of free FM radio stations, including both traditional FM and internet radio. It categorizes stations by genre and location.

  • Features: Free streaming with easy access to stations.

These directories should give you plenty of options to explore a wide range of internet radio stations, whether you’re into specific genres or just curious about discovering stations from around the world.

Source: chatgpt


Posted by at

2/12/2026

Best Internet Radio Stations of 2026 - Listen for Free

By John Draper

Whether it’s music, talk, news, podcast, sports radio or just some tunes to set the mood, the best internet radio stations are just a click or download away.

With so many platforms providing free access to internet radio stations around the world, your head might spin faster than the records. 

Let’s dive right in and explore the endless ocean of internet radio! After digging through the web and trying many Internet radio websites, I can say these these are the best online radio platforms.

Go ahead and try everything and let us which is your favourite and which one do you think is the top internet radio station.


Topics Covered - Index [Show]

#1. TuneIn

TuneIN internet Radio station

TuneIn is the swiss army knife for all your listening needs. If it’s local radio stations you’re after, they’re available from their website or app no matter where you are. The service is easy to navigate whether you’re looking for sports, news, music, or podcasts. 

TuneIn is built into a handful of devices and can be accessed on over 200 of them including Smart Tv’s, gaming consoles, tablets, streaming devices like Roku and Firestick, and more. 

TuneIn has:

  • 120,000 Live radio stations
  • 400m monthly hours clocked
  • 75M Listeners
  • 197 countries tuning in
  • Free mobile app
  • Ad-free for a 9.99 one time fee 

TuneIn also has an upgraded premium monthly subscription that grants access to live NHL games, and more than 600 extra commercial-free music stations for 9.99/month.  TuneIN website is probably the top internet radio station out there.

#2. Pandora

Pandora Internet Music Radio Station

Pandora is one of the most used free online radio station according to the Similarweb traffic data. Pandora.com allows you to curate your own experience by selecting your favorite music and offering suggestions based on your preferences all for free, all you have to do is sign up.

If you’re the kind of person who wants their music to keep on coming non-stop this is a great service to do so. 

What sets Pandora apart from competitors is they use a music genome constructed by 30 music theory specialists that groups music together based on 400 Different attributes, including rhythm, harmony, composition and lyrics. Their genome learns your tastes and does a great job of recommending new content to you.

While mostly geared towards music, you can also find podcasts in over 20 categories.

Pandora has:

  • 40M Songs
  • 250 Station Limit
  • 60M Listeners
  • Free mobile app (40 hour monthly limit)
  • Premium services starting at 4.99/month

Even though Pandora internet radio offers a free radio, that comes with commercials. They offer a basic ad-free service for 4.99/month or an unlimited premium service that allows unlimited offline listening and the creation and sharing of playlists for 12.99/month.

#3. iHeartRadio



iHeartRadio is similar to Pandora, but offers sports, news, music, talk radio, and podcasts as well on their free app. It’s almost like Pandora and TuneIn had a baby. You can still curate your experience by selecting your favorite artists and genres and the service will continuously play songs that match your taste. 

iHeart has a larger music library than Pandora and is preferred by many for it’s easy accessibility, so if you want to jump right in and listen to some of your favorites without jumping through any hoops, iHeartRadio is for you.

iHeart Radio has:

  • Estimated 275M Monthly listeners
  • 15M Songs
  • 850 Stations
  • Premium subscriptions starting at 4.99/month

The Plus version allows you to play any song, unlimited skips, creation of playlists for 4.99/month and the All Access version provides unlimited playlists, songs, and offline listening for 9.99/month. iOS users will have to pay an extra service fee but can be bypassed by signing up for web billing through this link.

#4. vTuner – Best Commercial Free Internet Radio Station



vTuner online platform offers access to radio stations around the globe. Its simplistic browsing feature allows you to select music, sports, talk, news, and podcasts by location, genre, or language. The services’ functionality is built into hundreds of home audio devices to offer a hands-free experience.

vTuner is the best commercial-free internet radio station. No premium services, no ads–just simple listening! If you only want to listen everything for free then vTuner is For you

SavenetRadio.Org

vTuner Commercial Free Online Radio Features:

  • Tens of Thousands of stations
  • Millions of songs
  • Hundreds of thousands of shows
  • Ad-free stations

If commercial radio isn’t your thing and discovering awesome new music is, check out these unique internet radio stations. Although they may not tip the scales on the monthly listener count, you’re sure to find awesome music you’ve never heard before.

#5. Spotify



Spotify offers an extensive collection of playlists, artist stations, and podcasts. It pairs well with Google home devices offering a hands-free experience. Simply pick an artist and it’ll play songs based on your preferences. 

The premium version allows you to play albums from top to bottom as well select specific songs. You can create and share your own playlists and allows you to see what your friends are listening to with its Facebook integration. 

Spotify has:

  • 320M active listeners
  • 144M premium subscribers
  • 60M tracks
  • 1.9M Podcast Titles
  • Premium service for 9.99/month

Spotify also offers sweet discounts for students, families, and a duo package for you and a friend to get your own accounts and split the cost of 12.99/month. As a bonus Hulu is included with your premium subscription.

#6. Soma Fm



Soma Fm has been broadcasting since 2000 and has to be one of the coolest internet radio stations out there. Who doesn’t love a commercial free experience that’s supported by the users and listeners. 

If you’re looking for alternative, electronic, or chill vibe tunes you’ve never heard before Soma Fm is the station for you. Don’t be shy to donate while immersed in the uninterrupted underground jams.

Soma Internet Radio Features:

  • Completely free listening
  • Displays artist played in the last two weeks
  • Lets you save tracks to a playlist 
  • Ad-free

#7. LiveXLive



LiveXlive formerly known as Slacker Radio has an awesome user interface that lets you navigate it’s over 1100 curated stations. If you are as heartbroken as I am about missing festival season last year they have playlists featuring artists from Bonnaroo, Coachella, Lollapalooza and more to help fill the void. 

If you happened to be so lucky to attend some of the drive-in live music events that popped up at the end of summer, then fear not, they have virtual tickets available for these shows as well as a few upcoming virtual shows on their lineup.

LiveXLive Internet Radio Pros:

  • Live show streaming
  • Premium Subscription starting at 3.99/month

#8. Worldwide Fm

Worldwide.fm features a culturally diverse lineup that broadcasts in London, Berlin, New York, Tokyo, Istanbul, and Melbourne to name a few. Their passion for inclusivity provides a unique listening experience for the vast subcultures that exist within music. 

The service is completely free, but you can support them by subscribing to their premium service for only 2.99/month and all the proceeds go back into the platform. 

Worldwide.FM Online FM Features:

  • Original Content
  • Global Artists
  • Award Winning Station
  • Chat feature to connect with Dj’s

#9. KEXP



KEXP is a Seattle based radio station that showcases rising talent in the alternative/indie scene. They are a non-profit organization that is fueled by donations, volunteers, and government funding. 

Their expert DJs spin eclectic mixes that offer a professionally curated experience and all you have to do is visit their site or download the app and hit play. If you’re a live music fan or if you’re looking for emerging artists, KEXP Sessions has you covered. 

KEXP has:

  • 200,000 Weekly listeners
  • 45 Professional DJs
  1. Best Baofeng Radio 2021
  2. Best Ham Radio 2021
  3. Best CB Radio 2021
  4. Best ham Radio for beginners
  5. Best NOAA Weather Radio
  6. Best Am Fm Radio
  7. Best Police Radio Scanners
  8. Shortwave Radio Reviews
  9. CB linear Amplifier
  10. Best Tabletop radios to buy
  11. Best AM FM Radio Headphones
  12. Jobsite Radios for sale
  13. Rabbit ear antennas for TV

The Best Internet Radio Stations

Now that we’ve covered a wide array of the best internet radio stations both big and small, global and local, it’s time to find the one that works best for you. Let’s recap with a quick rundown of all the stations we’ve covered to help you on your internet radio journey:

  1. TuneIn – Biggest and broadest selection of all your radio needs.
  2. Pandora – Professionally curated music using an expertly designed algorithm.
  3. iHeartRadio – Simplistic portal to the music and stations you love.
  4. Spotify – Just ask Google to play your favorite songs, albums, and podcasts.
  5. vTuner – Music, sports, talk, news, and podcasts from all around the world.  
  6. Soma Fm – Listener-supported ad-free alternative/ electronic powerhouse.
  7. LiveXLive – Live music lovers rejoice!
  8. Worldwide Fm – Cultural blend of global musical standouts.
  9. KEXP – Where emerging artists ascend to stardom, catch them here first.

Citations

 

Posted by at

2/11/2026

What will happen to AM and FM broadcasts in the future? It's a tech question that needs to be answered.

AM radio has been around since the beginning of broadcasting. FM was invented in the 1930s and surpassed AM as the band of choice in the 1980s. Both bands have had an excellent run. But how much longer will we be using them?

I am NOT talking about the death of terrestrial radio. It will survive just fine. But the distribution channels will change.

Here in North America, we have AM, FM, satellite radio, streaming, and HD-Radio. Let’s go through them.

AM faces the biggest challenge, not only because of its inferior audio quality but because signals cannot penetrate the electromagnetic fields generated by electric vehicles. If you can’t be heard in the car, you’re dead. A new survey says that 73% of people listen to radio in the car. Some AM stations are moving to FM, but government regulations and dearth of open spots on the dial are big roadblocks.

FM continues to do well despite pressure from other audio options like smartphones and streaming. Its biggest disadvantage is that it’s not interactive, something that younger generations demand.

Satellite radio serves a listening niche, although there’s just one provider in North America. While it offers a huge variety of programming, it’s not free. That’s a big barrier to a lot of people.

Online audio streaming of radio continues to grow. That same survey says that 70% of Americans stream AM/FM radio and audio content weekly.

HD Radio (the brand name of In-Band On-Channel or iBOC) is based on tech developed in the 1990s. It has never taken off in a big way even though many, many markets have stations that broadcast in HD Radio. And if your car is less than seven years old, chances are it can receive HD Radio broadcasts, although most infotainment systems don’t make it easy.

Nothing stands still, how will radio be distributed in the future?

Things are evolving in other parts of the world. Norway, Switzerland, and a few other countries are in the process of shutting down the legacy bands (i.e. AM and FM) in favour of digital radio (DAB). That’s never going to happen here.

We in North America had a chance to get on board with DAB more than 20 years ago, but the US kiboshed the whole thing for a couple of reasons. First, the broadcast frequencies required by DAB were apparently too close to those used by the US military. Second, the US is just too big and no one wanted to spend the necessary money to build transmitters and repeaters. HD Radio was seen as a compromise, but no one seems to care.

And third, Canada actually adopted DAB more than two decades ago but ran into technical issues. At the time, though, VHF frequencies were being used for over-the-air analogue TV (not a problem anymore). The other issue was that because DAB used microwave frequencies around 1200 MHz, lots and lots of transmitters would be required to have extensive and smooth signals. Like the US, we’re just too big (although Australia and Russia seem to be interested in solving this problem.)

Okay, so where do we go from here? There are big predictions about the connectivity possible with 5G and 6G networks. That, however, requires a LOT of technical infrastructure upgrades. It’ll also take a long time for the majority of the population to transition from whatever type of network they’re using now. This will also require changes to infotainment systems in cars, something that won’t happen quickly.

Broadcasters will have to figure out how to adapt, too, but are very, very wary of moving too quickly in this direction. We in radio remember the early 2000s when we went all-in with online offerings. But by the time we were able to roll out the new platforms, the tech had moved on and we were stuck with an outdated and buggy online presence. Radio now tends to use off-the-shelf products (e.g. building websites on WordPress platforms instead of creating something from scratch). At this point, there are no off-the-shelf solutions for 5G and 6G connectivity.

We will move on eventually. But what will happen to that spectrum now occupied by AM and FM? Will they be repurposed? Unknown.

Old-school VHF radios once used by taxis and other fleet vehicles have pretty much disappeared in favour of apps on a smartphone. Is that the direction of AM and FM? Possibly. Will these frequencies eventually empty out? Could they be used for low-power very specialized micro-broadcasting? Maybe.

To be clear, “radio” is not going away. It will be with us forever. It just needs to be redefined away from sounds that come out of box that you tune to a specific frequency. “Radio” will become something that can be enjoyed digitally both in real time and on-demand. How we receive those broadcasts is still very much TBA.

To get a little more into the weeds, go here.

Source: https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/what-will-happen-to-am-and-fm-broadcasts-in-the-future-its-a-tech-question-that-needs-to-be-answered/


Below are some vintage high quality FM tuners that are sought after by audiophiles:








The Kenwood KT-815 Tuner- below








Inside the Kenwood KT-815 Tuner - below


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Streaming Radio Station Locator

Lately I have been rediscovering local FM radio stations for news and music. FM, AM, SW, and Ham radio broadcasting stations have been moving to online Internet streaming for years. But the selection of FM radio is sometimes hard to find in your area. For those unable to locate a local AM/FM station to stream, the Radio Locator search tool link (below) is available to locate stations that broadcast on the Internet.

There are even more Internet radio only stations around the world. Many people today also stream Internet and FM radio from their cell phones in their cars from iHeart radio (128 kbs), Pandora music radio (64 kbs), Amazon Music (320 kbs), and SiriusXM satellite radio (256 kbs) formats. Enjoy.


https://radio-locator.com/




This is how I used to listen to FM radio. Old memories from the past.





Posted by at

1/13/2026

Best Stereo Accessories 2025: Top 13 Picks

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1/12/2026

Class A, AB, or D Amplifiers — The Truth Audiophiles Won’t Tell You

 

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Sony STR-DA2000ES Receiver -with Class D Amplifer

Although all the models in Sony's home theatre line feature multi channel Class D amplification. Below are details on an older model I had for a short time. Audiophiles have to balance the cost of vintage Class AB amplifiers vs. the more efficient current Class D amplifiers. In most cases, the older vintage models offer similar performance for a fraction of the cost, although they run warmer.

I found this older Sony  STR-DA2000ES receiver on eBay to complement my PC/Stereo music center. It can now play FLAC/MP3 files from my HP i7-4790 desktop using an 8 TB internal SATA drive, or stream Internet radio. The DAC in the  HP i7-4790 desktop is the Realtek ALC221 chipset. The ALC221 chipset supports 16/20/24-bit output at 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rates, which is in excess of CD quality 44.1khz audio.

The STR-DA2000ES will fill your room with rich, dynamic, incredibly precise 7.1-channel surround sound! This receiver's high-end Sony ES construction and circuitry includes an innovative Digital Drive amplifier that delivers a whopping 120 full-bandwidth-rated watts x 7 channels of home theater power. Combine that brawn with some serious brains — dual 32-bit processors equipped with Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, DTS 96/24, and Pro Logic® II decoding — and you've got a 360°, wraparound soundfield that plants you squarely in the middle of the movie action! You can even set the 'DA2000ES to automatically transform 5.1 and 6.1-channel Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks into thrilling 7.1 sound.

Dual-room/dual-source output lets you enjoy 7.1 surround in your main room while a housemate listens to a different stereo source in a second room (receiver, amplifier, or powered speakers required in second room). Wide-range frequency response and analog multichannel bass management let you make the most of high-resolution music sources like SACD and DVD-Audio. The learning/multibrand LCD remote gives you easy control of all A/V gear, and features macros that you can program to execute a series of system commands with a single button-press.

The 'DA2000ES offers loads of connectivity for system-building, too, including component video switching with 80MHz bandwidth for flawless HDTV transfer, 5 digital inputs, 5 A/V inputs, and more! It's also got two multichannel inputs, including a 7.1-channel input to keep you prepared for future formats. Front-panel A/V and optical digital inputs allow quick and easy hookup of camcorders, game systems, and portable audio players.

This receiver's beefy construction is ES all the way, featuring an ultra-sturdy frame-and-beam chassis, an anti-resonant aluminum front panel, and dual power supplies. This meticulous attention to every aspect of the 'DA2000ES's build allows it to deliver consistently excellent A/V performance every time you turn it on!

Product highlights:

  • 120 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.6% THD
  • Digital Drive Class D amplifier
  • Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, and Pro Logic II
  • Sony Digital Cinema Sound modes
  • dual 32-bit processors
  • dual-room/dual-source audio capability (line-level stereo output with volume control for 2nd room)
  • digital and analog multichannel bass management
  • composite-to-S-video conversion
  • two multichannel analog inputs (one 7.1, one 5.1)
  • component video switching: 2 in, 1 out (80MHz bandwidth)
  • digital inputs: 4 optical (including 1 front-panel), 1 coaxial
  • optical digital output
  • 4 audio (including phono) and 5 A/V (including 4 S-video & 1 front-panel) inputs
  • learning/multibrand LCD remote with macros
  • on-screen display
  • Control S, for simplified operation of compatible Sony gear
  • 2 sets of main speaker outputs
  • 20 FM/10 AM presets
  • 16-15/16"W x 6-5/16"H x 16-1/8"D
  • warranty: 5 years

    Source: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-t0dAe6OjSI6/p_158STRDA2K/Sony-ES-STR-DA2000ES.html

 










 




Posted by at

1/09/2026

Sony STR-D650Z AM-FM Receiver with 5.1 Channel Surround -Class AB amplifier

This is one my favorite older vintage Sony receivers. It dates back to 1996 and is relatively  simple to operate and very powerful offering 120 watts/channel in stereo mode. These units can be found on eBay for under $100. They do not suffer from the old 70's vintage receivers noisy pots and controls. The volume control is motorized and offers a remote control. Add a blue tooth streaming adapter and you have a streaming powerhouse on the cheap. Full specs below:


















Sony STR-D650Z AM/FM A/V Stereo Receiver 120 watts/channel

POWER OUTPUT AND TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION
With 8-ohm load, both channels driven, from 20 -20,000 Hz, STR-D650Z rated 120 watts,  per channel minimum RMS power, with no more than 0.3 % total harmonic distortion from 250 milliwatts to rated output. 

Specifications:

Tuning range: FM, AM
Power output: 120 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Surround output: 120W (front), 120W (center), 50W (rear)
Frequency response: 10Hz to 50kHz
PHONO: RIAA equalization curve ±0.5 dB
CD, TAPE, DAT/MD, VIDEO 1, 2,: +0 10 Hz - 50 kHz –1 dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.3%
Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 200mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 75dB (Phono MM), 82dB (all other line level)
Output: 150mV (line)
Video Connections: composite
Accessories: remote control
Muting– 20 dB
BASS LOUDNESS BOOST+10 dB at 70 Hz
TONE Contols:  Bass and Treble: ±8 dB at 100 Hz and 10 kHz

Includes Dolby Logic surround modes for video and audio enhancement.

Dimensions 430 x 157 x 355 mm (17 x 6 1/4 x 14 inches)
Mass (Approx.) STR-D650Z: 10.0 kg (22 lb 1 oz) 
STR-D550Z: 9.7 kg (22 lb 7 oz)

Posted by at

1/08/2026

Top 5 Hi-Fi Class D Amplifiers for True Audiophiles

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