Boston Acoustics Solo XT review

The Solo XT is a simple tabletop DAB/FM radio: solidly built and easy to use, it delivers bags of bass and will easily fill a room with sound Tested at £150.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Solidly built and easy to use, the Solo XT is worth considering provided that hefty bass doesn't put you off

Pros

  • +

    Premium feel and design

  • +

    intuitive interface

  • +

    lots of features

Cons

  • -

    Not the strongest tuner

  • -

    only mono design

  • -

    lacks some refinement

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

The Boston Acoustics Solo XT is a tabletop DAB/FM radio. Yep, just a DAB/FM radio – no iPod dock, no internet radio, no wireless streaming.

Still, it's a well-made, solid piece of kit. The main unit is available in two finishes with a choice of four coloured grilles. The radio sits vertically or horizontally, so fitting it in to your bedroom, kitchen or living room shouldn't be a problem.

Boston reckons the bedroom might be a safe bet, so provides clock, alarm, sleep and snooze settings – the entire circular trim is a slappable snooze button – with the tuners. Elsewhere there's a 3.5mm-minijack audio input and an output, plus a headphone connection for private listening.

The display is clear and easy to read, with the three knobs providing efficient guides to the radio's menus. The Solo XT doesn't match the best in terms of tuner sensitivity, but with decent radio reception, this shouldn't be a big issue.

We were big fans of the Solo XT when we first heard it a few months back, and while we still think it has plenty to offer – not least for bass fans – it has been caught on its heels a touch by some new competition.

Up and running, the mono design provides a surprising amount of weight and really fills a room. That bass does become a little tiresome, and the Solo XT doesn't have the refinement of rivals, but it's still worth considering.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test