Roberts likes a radio beginning with the letter ‘R’. There’s the Revival, the Rambler, the Reunion, and even an alarm-clocked shaped radio called the Rest – it’s Jonathan Ross’s worst nightmare.

The Roberts Reva continues said tradition, but unlike its stablemates, we’re not quite sure what that moniker actually signifies. A quick Google search reveals that Reva is a female name of Sanskrit origin that means "one that moves”, although that’s a touch confusing considering that this categorically is not a portable radio. In Hebrew the name can refer to a rain or shower, whereas in Swedish, it means a split, tear or rift.

Nominative conundrums aside, the Reva fills an attractive niche in the radio market. Below it is the tiny Roberts Revival Petite 2 (£100 or so), while more premium specimens, such as the superb Ruark Audio R1S, are available if you’re willing to spend around £300.

At £199, this Roberts DAB radio sits nicely between the two, making it a tempting proposition if you seek considerable radio pedigree that, while not cheap as chips, won’t leave you penniless, either. Plus, if performance is up to snuff, Reva might well come to mean “radio we recommend”.

Build & design

One of the major selling points of almost any Roberts digital radio is its design, and the Reva is no different in this regard. Its substantial trapezoidal form won’t necessarily appeal to potential buyers who can’t resist the cutesy charms of the small, adorable Revival Petite 2, let’s say, but there’s no denying just what an attractive and well-realised product the Reva is when placed on a kitchen counter or bedside table.

The mid-sized radio comes in a choice of three finishes – Cherry, Pastel Cream or Black – with our test sample decked out in that black finish with a classy metallic trim, giving off a calm, almost brooding elegance. If wireless speakers are too utilitarian for your tastes, the snazzy looking Reva may well appeal to your more artistic eye.

Style, happily, is married seamlessly with ergonomics, making the Reva a pleasure to use. The rectangular digital display is bold and easy to read from afar, displaying the time and date if left in standby mode and then switching to key track or station specifics when called into action.

Flanking that display are two metal-fronted dials, with the left-hand dial taking care of volume and its right-hand counterpart used for selecting inputs and adjusting tuning. Running in a row beneath are Mode, Dimmer, Alarm, Info/Menu and Mode buttons, as well as a power switch adorned with a slender horizontal LED.

The text on those buttons could be a touch easier to discern, but that shouldn’t be an issue for the majority of users.

We’re always looking for a way to catch a test product out, or scanning for ways it could, inversely, catch out a prospective user, but we struggled to find a task that wasn’t easy to execute via the Reva. Setting presets is easy to perform (you can have up to 40 – 20 for DAB, 20 for FM), as is finding your favourite radio station, pairing a source device via Bluetooth or setting either one of the radio’s dual alarms.

It’s the little touches, though, that make using the Reva a real delight. The LED surrounding the source dial, for instance, changes colour depending on which input you select, moving from a tasteful blue glow when pairing via Bluetooth to a rich red when selecting FM radio.

The volume control, meanwhile, is adorned with a ring of individual lights which are illuminated as you move the dial from sensible to ear-splitting. Those control dials have weight to them as they turn, while the metal used for the buttons beneath feels more rewarding than any cheap plastic alternative.

Features

As you’ll likely have gathered already, Roberts’ handsome radio does a good deal more than just read out the shipping forecast. Standard DAB/DAB+ and FM radio tuners are joined by Bluetooth streaming from a compatible source, and if you like to keep things a bit old school, you can always use the rear-mounted 3.5mm aux input to connect external devices physically.

The Reva is fitted with two dual alarms with snooze functions, as well as an adjustable sleep timer to set, when the Reva will automatically power down. When you consider that lots of users will have their radio playing in the background as they drift off to sleep, that’s not a bad facility to have.

Perhaps even more useful for modern users is the Reva’s USB-C port which, as you might find on a JBL Charge 6, say, is capable of juicing up your smartphone or other compatible device without the need for an in-wall power outlet. You can’t play music from the USB-C port – that’s the gap the aux is filling – so owners of more modern smartphones may need to dig out an adapter or rely on Bluetooth instead.

You also get a 3.5mm headphone socket if private listening is your thing, with the Reva offering a solid on-head performance that correlates with the speaker’s general sonic performance.

Sound

If you’re planning on getting your paws on a Roberts Reva, you will get quite a lot of radio for your £199. It’s a reasonably large unit, dwarfing the more expensive Ruark R1S by a considerable margin.

With that size comes a decent helping of power (a total output of 15 watts), something which the Reva harnesses to considerable effect. Even if this isn’t the subtlest performer you’ll ever encounter, it has plenty of clout, especially at the lower end, bringing the bassy brawn when tracks require it. The Reva suffuses music with spaciousness and weight, anchored by a hefty, powerful bass that grants tracks plenty of musical authority.

We don’t feel starved of detail or clarity, either. At this level, Roberts’ retro radio is able to tease out admirable levels of information, with voices in particular coming through with poise and precision. Human speech over the airwaves is clear and articulate as we switch from the soothing sanctuary of Classic FM to the more anarchic indie rockers over on Radio X.

When it’s time to crank things up a notch, the Reva has enough attack and propulsion – it’s not quite a ravenous Rottweiler, but this Roberts is no pampered Poodle, either. Muse’s You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween offers an effective blend of snappy drum rhythms and zippy synth stabs, whereas Dr. Dre’s Forget About Dre is big, bold and easy to nod along to.

What’s interesting about the Reva is that many of its greatest strengths could also be classed as its more frustrating limitations. We’re never afraid of a bit of burly bass, but the Reva radio can get a little carried away in this regard, with that lower end riding the line between being fulsome and weighty and just downright boomy. A touch more articulation and refinement, we feel, wouldn’t go amiss.

Further, the sound the Reva produces is admirably spacious and open, but those qualities slightly come at the expense of overall cohesion. Sometimes, the music from the radio can sound slightly mechanical and pulled apart, as though sonic elements are working distinctly from one another rather than all coming together to form a unified, cohesive whole.

Despite its many admirable qualities, the Reva overall lacks the fluidity and subtlety to make it a five-star listen, shortcomings that we find are highlighted when we listen to the admittedly more expensive Ruark R1S in comparison, where everything feels as though it clicks more neatly into place. The R1S is smaller and leaner, yes, but it’s also more graceful, cohesive and natural sounding – elements that we wish the Reva had a little bit more of for a fully satisfying listen.

That said, the Reva is still a fun, rewarding listen, and if you want a radio that sounds full-bodied, spacious and pleasingly detailed, Roberts has fulfilled that brief confidently.

Verdict

The Roberts Reva has unquestionable allure. It’s versatile, a pleasure to use and fills a nice gap in the radio market, all while delivering a performance that, while not the most refined or fluid, has enough power and scale to make it eminently listenable at this price level.

As a convincing blend of style and substance, it’s a fine addition to the Roberts family.

Review published: 12th November 2025

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Build 5
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Ruark Audio R1S

Also consider the Roberts Revival Petite 2

Best DAB radios: the best-sounding digital radios we've tested and highly recommend

Roberts has revealed the latest addition to its considerable radio roster, the Revival Mini 2. Roberts says that the original Revival Mini is one of the brand's most popular products, citing a huge demand for its comeback as part of the push behind the reimagining of one of its "most beloved radios".

The new Revival Mini 2 promises to blend "timeless 1950s styling" with user-friendly portability, along with refinements to the design and sound. The DAB radio aims to deliver a "detailed, balanced sound" with talk radio and music, which comes courtesy of its improved acoustic performance.

We're told the drive unit in the Revival Mini 2 was carefully selected by Roberts' in-house engineering team, after hours of listening and careful tuning and EQ adjustments. Roberts says the Mini 2 should deliver a more open and balanced sound compared with its predecessor.

The compact radio features DAB, DAB+, and FM tuners, with stations being reproduced in "crystal-clear quality" – provided you get a strong signal, of course.

The Revival Mini 2 lets you store up to 40 station presets (20 DAB and 20 FM), which makes jumping to your favourite stations quick and easy. You can access these presets using three buttons on the top panel.

Bluetooth streaming is also available for streaming music, podcasts and more from your mobile device, and there's also a 3.5mm aux input if you want to plug in your source device via a wired connection. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack for late-night private listening.

The Mini 2's top panel interface has had a fresh redesign, with a new colour LCD screen displaying information such as the current time, source, station and track being played. Roberts promises an intuitive experience with the updated design when playing music or setting alarms, while the top-mounted buttons manage commands such as mode, menu and alarm selection. There are also two dials for controlling volume and tuning or selecting radio stations.

The radio runs on mains power, but you can make it portable by using four AA batteries, with up to 11 hours of battery life claimed. There is also a built-in battery recharger.

The Roberts Revival Mini 2 is available now in three "leatherette" finishes – Duck Egg, Pastel Cream and Midnight Blue – and costs £149.

While we haven't reviewed the original Revival Mini, we have plenty of experience with other Roberts radios, such as the bigger, five-star Stream 94L, and the tiny, Award-winning Revival Petite 2 – both of which impressed us with their style, user-friendliness and great sound. If the Revival Mini 2 can showcase similar talents, Roberts could be on to another winner.

MORE:

These are the best radios we've tested

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Heading to uni? Here are 7 affordable audio products every music-loving student should have

Sometimes, all you want is something that does the job. In a world that seems to get smarter, faster and more bewildering by the day, there’s still a place for the simpler things in life.

Nobody is denying the convenience of multi-channel streaming or voice-activated smart home hubs, but there’s an old-school charm to a classic, no-nonsense DAB radio that, when it isn’t dodging splatters of paint from hard working builders, can sit in the corner of the kitchen happily pumping out Radio 1.

Named after a small village in Cambridgeshire, UK, Majority’s Little Shelford is charged with such a purpose. Billed as a portable, affordable and hassle-free FM and DAB radio, it could be ideal for anyone who just wants a fuss-free digital radio that will have you riding the airwaves at the touch of a button.

Build & design

Considering the low price of £45, the Little Shelford is a smart and well-made unit. No, it’s not as adorable, stylish or well-built as the dinky Roberts Revival Petite 2 (which is double the price at £100), but the standards of construction and finish don’t have us worrying that the buttons will start malfunctioning or the extendable antenna will snap in half if you so much as look at it.

Be it the stitching of the leather carry strap or the tactility of the metal front grille, there’s little here that stands out as being poorly finished or potentially susceptible to breaks or wear.

That carry strap adds to the Shelford’s portability credentials, but considering no IP waterproof rating is provided with the unit, we’d steer clear of taking it outside unless the skies are clear and the garden hose is switched off.

If we’re being less charitable, the speaker’s top panel isn’t made from a particularly premium-feeling plastic, and those control buttons don’t set the heart aflutter when pushed.

Still, everything is easy to use and logically laid out, with a top-mounted LCD display that’s easy to read and nicely illuminated if you’re using your radio in low light. You’d be pushing your luck asking for much more at this price.

The radio is compact and light enough to easily carry with you indoors and outdoors, and looks at home perched on a kitchen counter or on a desk.

The top panel of the Little Shelford houses a centrally mounted control dial flanked by buttons for skipping playback, a dimmer switch and controls managing radio modes and presets alongside a handy information button.

At the rear base, meanwhile, you’ll find a power port sitting alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as a rather cheap-feeling slideable on/off switch.

Features

For a low-cost modern radio, the Little Shelford has enough tricks up its sleeve to keep us satisfied. Standard Bluetooth connectivity is a big plus, and getting connected to the Little Shelford is a breeze. Choosing Bluetooth as your source will automatically prime the Majority to pair, whereas saved devices will easily re-establish a connection by revisiting the radio’s Bluetooth mode.

The Little Shelford will plug into the mains, but you can also take the portable radio on your travels with you thanks to a solid 15-hour battery life. In what feels like an anachronism in these days of built-in power packs, the back of the radio houses a rear panel into which you can slot four AA batteries for portable playback.

It’s a useful feature, but given the potential cost of replacing four AA batteries a week, you might end up spending more than you’d bargained for if you’re planning to regularly use your radio as a portable companion. A pack of 12 Duracell AA batteries will set you back £12 in the UK, and those numbers can easily ratchet up if you’re not careful.

Let’s not forget that this is primarily a radio that we’re dealing with. The Majority offers FM and DAB/DAB+ tuners, with ten presets for saving your favourite stations available at the press and hold of a button.

You can also set dual alarms via the ‘info’ button, and though it took us a while (and a little research) to figure out how to do it, once we’ve nailed down the procedure, it’s a surprisingly intuitive experience.

In fact, there are very few functions that have us stumped when operating our given test unit. In a world of companion apps and smart controls, more old-fashioned analogue designs can be tricky to navigate, but we struggle to find a procedure – be it changing the date and time or saving Kerrang! Radio as our seventh go-to preset – that we can’t figure out.

Sound

Considering it costs little more than a dinner for two at Pizza Express, we’re hardly expecting the Majority to move mountains when it comes to its sonic performance. We’re always open to being pleasantly surprised, but we make sure to keep our expectations somewhat realistic as we settle down for a session with the Little Shelford radio.

And you know what? It’s not bad. Keep your caveats about the Majority radio’s price in the back of your mind and you’ll find it to be a competent operator that fires out a sound that hangs together reasonably well.

While we don’t detect a veritable host of sonic layers, all neatly stacked on top of one another like a sandwich in an episode of Scooby Doo, it would be wrong to call the Little Shelford disorganised – textures and instruments stay in their respective lanes, and rarely do we fret that our music is sliding around on an unstable foundation.

The super-cheap radio manages to keep a reasonably firm grip on your music, doing its level best to keep Björk’s Army Of Me from collapsing into a sloppy, cacophonous mess. Heaven forbid.

The clarity on display won’t knock you for six – there’s a hint of muffled muddiness to each track and station we select – but instrumental details aren’t omitted from the equation either. Voices are nicely communicated, so that whether we're listening to the presenters on Classic FM or Radio X, speech comes through with discernible personality.

Simpler tunes fare well, so that Waxahatchee’s vocals and accompanying guitar on Right Back To It are communicated with surprising nuance and delicacy. The guitar genuinely does sound like a real instrument, and for this sort of money, that was never going to be a guarantee.

There’s some excitement to be found, too. The Little Shelford isn’t soft and it certainly isn’t backward in coming forward, exhibiting a robust, if slightly hard-edged character that sometimes strays into sounding rather mean and industrial.

The smaller, more costly Roberts Revival Petite 2’s sonic signature is easier to digest thanks to its sweeter, more natural tone, qualities the Majority trades for a more unforgiving character.

Tricker sonic elements do fall by the wayside somewhat. We don’t discern a great swell of dynamics on, say, Hans Zimmer’s Up Is Down, nor do we find ourselves swept along by the propulsive momentum of Wolfgang Gartner’s Illmerica.

These characteristics depend somewhat on the format or station you choose. Bluetooth provides a stable sound signature, as does digital radio, but we find the quality of the FM stations, with their slight background fuzziness, to be trickier to listen to.

Still, for nailing the essential ingredients to make your music sound passable for under £50, we don’t feel short-changed by the modestly priced Majority.

What about that 3.5mm headphone jack we mentioned earlier? We connect a pair of Austrian Audio Hi-X20 to our test unit, noticing that the lean-sounding over-ears retain much of their signature character. It’s not a bad performance by any means, and the Hi-X20’s detail, clarity and nuance still remain when paired with the Little Shelford.

Verdict

The Majority Little Shelford fulfils its brief admirably. You’ll have to pay a good deal more if you want a more sophisticated performance from the likes of the adorable Roberts Revivial Petite 2.

If all you want is a solid-sounding radio with handy Bluetooth capabilities and a reasonably solid build, all without emptying your bank balance in the process, the Majority does what it sets out to do.

For this price, it would be cheeky to ask for much more.

Review published: 9th June 2025

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Build 4
• Features 4

MORE:

Read our review of the Roberts Revival Petite 2

Best DAB radios: the best-sounding digital radios that we highly recommend

7 tracks we've been enjoying in our test rooms over the past month

Ruark Audio’s smallest, entry-level radio has a strong history at What Hi-Fi?, with a slew of five-star reviews praising its stylish design and impressive sound quality that belies its compact dimensions.

The Ruark Audio R1S is an evolved version of this standard radio: while a fourth-generation R1 FM/DAB+ radio exists (at £239), the new R1S smart radio has built-in wi-fi for the first time and includes music streaming support to cater to today’s listening habits and demands.

At £299, this R1S is a fair bit pricier than the £160-£180 asking price of the R1 Mk2 from back in 2010 (the R1 Mk3 went up to £200 in 2015), but it’s no secret that the cost of products has risen across the board. Ruark, to its credit, justifies this price tag with a smart design, intuitive controls and stunning sound.

Build & design

Elegant, stylish, gorgeous – we have used many superlatives to describe the lovely Ruark R1 radio over the past decade or so, but this current generation’s design is even more elegant and premium than before. While the compact dimensions remain – small enough to perch on kitchen counters, work desks or bedside tables – the front panel boasts a sleeker fascia that hides the driver and looks classy in any environment. The full-colour display is larger and crisper, with a strong contrast that makes the text legible from a distance. It doesn’t try to cram the screen with too much information, but there’s enough space when scrolling through the station presets and sub-menus.

The radio’s build quality is of a high standard. The acoustically damped cabinet is smooth and solid with nicely rounded edges, and the slatted wood grilles (hand-crafted, fused walnut, just like on the more premium R410 system) look sophisticated.

The mid-grey lacquer finish as seen in our review sample is smart if a little unexciting. Ruark has since added two more colour options: light cream and satin charcoal. Regardless of which finish you pick, the R1S blends in when placed on desks at home and in the office.

As always, the ensemble is topped off with Ruark’s customary RotoDial controller on top of the unit. It remains responsive and easy to use for changing volume, selecting music sources, recalling saved presets (eight per radio source), controlling playback and scanning radio stations. You can also access the numerous menu options, including changing display brightness, setting alarms, timers, searching for specific stations and more.

The third-party Oktiv iOS/Android app is available and you can even buy a separate remote control for £15, but we don’t feel the need for it. The on-unit dial is more than enough to control all aspects of the Ruark radio, but it is handy to have the free app to access stations and favourites more easily.

Features & connectivity

Whether you view the R1S as a radio with streaming powers, or a wireless speaker with radio functions, the fact remains that this Ruark is a versatile unit that gives you enough options to be able to play music in a variety of ways.

Love radio? FM, DAB/DAB+ tuners are built in, and a telescopic aerial comes fitted as standard. The R1S also has internet radio thanks to the built-in wi-fi – so once you’re connected to your home network, you have access to thousands of global stations at your fingertips. Scanning for stations (digital or analogue) is easily done, and while a radio’s quality always relies on the signal strength and proximity to a transmitter where you live, the Ruark has no problem accessing all of our local Berkshire FM and popular digital stations.

Want to stream from your mobile devices? Easy. Also integrated are Spotify Connect, Amazon Music and Deezer, which are the popular music streaming services that are typically built into smart internet radios (seen also in the Award-winning Roberts Stream 94L and more expensive Ruark R2 Mk4). You won’t find any sign of Tidal Connect or Apple Music (or any hi-res capabilities), but those wanting to play any other music source from a phone, laptop or tablet can easily connect to the R1S using Bluetooth. Pairing is swift and stable, and switching between the sources is a breeze.

Around the back you’ll find a handy USB-C port that charges your smartphone and plays MP3 files from compatible devices, a 3.5mm aux input for connecting other audio sources (such as an MP3 player or a phono stage-equipped turntable, for instance) and even a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug in your favourite pair of wired headphones for personal listening. There are more premium wireless speakers we’ve tested that aren’t quite so generous with physical connections, so we are fond of how friendly and resourceful this little Ruark is.

There is also space to add an optional battery pack to make the R1S portable. This battery pack costs £69 extra, but it could be a worthwhile investment if you want to enjoy the R1S’s talents in the garden or want more flexibility with its placement in your home.

Sound

Under the hood is a single full-range driver powered by Class A/B amplification – it’s a set-up we’re familiar with from Ruark.

What we aren’t familiar with is the sound. We’ve often described Ruark’s products as having a rich, full-bodied sound with a strong, lush midrange. These are ideal sonic characteristics for a radio, especially a small one.

The R1S is different. It sounds so articulate, neutral, precise and authoritative. It takes us a while to get used to it when we first start listening, but after a while we start to appreciate just how talented this radio is.

It’s surprisingly clear and crisp, with plenty of detail revealed. Its timing is terrific: precise and agile, with ample solidity underpinning every note to sound satisfyingly tethered and natural. There are physical limitations to how much bass you can eke out of a small cabinet (with a downwards port) but the R1S delivers just enough bass that is pulled deliciously taut to land with impact and drive a song’s momentum.

We play a variety of music genres and stations, from Agnes Obel and Waxahatchee to Disturbed and Run The Jewels, from Kerrang! to Scala Radio, and the radio’s punctuality combined with a good sense of authority is unusual to hear. We play Skinny Love by Birdy (an old test track favourite) and her breathy vocals sound crisp, authentic and nuanced. From DJs and presenters to podcast hosts and radio play casts – voices are all projected clearly and sound characterful.

Moreover, instruments aren’t pushed to the background in favour of putting the spotlight on the midrange, as many radios tend to. It’s all more democratic and cohesive through the R1S. There’s dynamism and emotion in spades, all delivered with a confidence and organisation that is really rather impressive for a product of this type.

Waxahatchee’s breezy Americana tunes sound natural and fluid, Disturbed’s heavy metal tracks are raucous and muscular, but it’s with piano that the R1S really delights. Even more impressive is when we switch to a more classical piano piece such as Erik Satie’s Gnossienne No. 1 that we marvel at how solid, how resonant and how real the piano notes sound. It’s more akin to the kind of maturity and subtlety that separates hi-fi products deliver, rather than humble radios or wireless speakers. And we’re not even listening in hi-res here…

The R1S is designed to occupy small spaces, so this is a radio that performs at its best when placed close to a wall or in a corner. Out in free space, that solid, controlled sound starts to feel untethered, with the top end of the frequency sounding a little thin as it struggles to fill a larger room. If you want a bigger, more spacious, room-filling sound, you’ll want the bigger R2 Mk4 sibling. The Ruark R1S’s closest rival, the Roberts Stream 94L (£200, now discounted) also sounds bigger but is softer around the edges and not as defined and articulate as the R1S.

The radio is fairly evenly balanced, but if you find the top end starting to shimmer then you can tone down the treble just a touch, as we did. We’d leave the bass control and unsubtle Loudness mode alone, though.

Verdict

From its elevated design to the broad spread of music-playing options available, the Ruark R1S is a long way removed from the humble radio of its origins. Appealing aesthetics and versatility aside, the sound quality is so sophisticated, nuanced and precise – it’s a level of quality we’re surprised to hear from a product of this size and price. If you’re after a talented do-it-all internet radio that has modern streaming talents, this is one you should consider.

Review published: July 2024. Review updated: November 2024.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Features 5
• Build 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Roberts Stream 94L

If you want a bigger sound, also consider the Ruark R2 Mk4

Best DAB radios: portable, Bluetooth and digital radio systems tested

Remember pocket radios? Smartphones, app-based internet radio and wireless speakers may have killed this once-popular accessory, but small, pocketable DAB/FM radios (like this old Pure) still have their place in today’s connected world.

There are plenty of people who favour local radio, and want to be able to listen to talk radio or keep up with football scores when on the move (or at work). Many might not have access to internet and connected devices as easily, either, so access to radio can be a lifeline for news headlines, music and sports.

Majority Petersfield Go is one such pocket radio, featuring FM and DAB/DAB+ tuners and comes bundled with a pair of earphones. It costs just £30.

Build & features

Yes, it’s only £30 (about $38 / AU$58), and for that super-affordable price tag, you get a neat little portable radio that does what it says on the tin. It is made of plastic, but what else do you expect at this price? The little Petersfield Go is well put together for the price, though, and doesn’t feel like cheap tat. It’s about the size of a pack of cards, the compact build is robust enough, the rounded corners mean you can slip it into pockets and bags without any snagging, and the buttons all work responsively. There is a sturdy clip at the back for clipping the radio to your pocket or belt, and it stays on securely.

You also get a pair of wired in-ear headphones bundled in, which is a nice bonus. They’re not the best pair of earphones, mind you; they don’t come with extra earbud tips, nor do they have left/right markers on them. They’re about as good as the cheap buds you get on an aeroplane – which is to say, not very good – but there is an essential reason they are included: the FM/DAB radio uses its cable as the antennae, so you always need to plug in a pair of buds to get a sound. The bundled in-ears can be swapped out for any other pair of wired headphones you have; we used the excellent SoundMagic E11C in-ears (about £40) for the majority of our testing.

We found the Majority pocket radio easy to use straight from the box. There are large buttons for accessing and saving presets and scanning available stations, which also do double duty for scrolling through the settings and selecting various options. Small but easy-to-press buttons on one side let you switch between FM and DAB/DAB+ modes, bring up the menu and cycle through additional station information; while on the other side, you have dedicated up/down volume buttons and the power button. The radio can scan for stations automatically, or you can use the buttons to fine-tune the station frequency yourself. We’d highly recommend saving your favourite stations as presets for ease: you get 10 presets for FM and 10 for DAB. The included instructions are clear and easy to follow, too.

We found that the quoted 10-12 battery life runs largely true, even with the LCD screen set to its highest brightness setting. That screen is tiny but jam-packed with information including the time, radio mode, station name, what’s playing, and icons for battery life, radio signal strength and volume. The only niggles from us are the juddering we see when text scrolls past and we can see the imprint of other text behind the main text, like ancient Tamagotchi screens. Regardless, the screen is still legible, so these are small complaints. 

The Petersfield Go uses the older micro USB port for charging, which means it will take a bit longer to charge up compared with current USB-C-toting models. The charging cable is included, which is another nice bonus at this price level.

Sound

Radio, earphones, charging cable – all that bundled in for £30 sounds like a pretty good deal to us. But does the Majority Petersfield Go actually sound any good? The answer is a surprisingly effusive yes. Again, we have to temper our expectations here, not just for that low price tag but also for what this little radio is and what it offers, but our time with the radio is positive.

There’s no Bluetooth or other streaming options here; you only have FM and DAB radio tuners, and the stations you do get access to depends on your region and proximity to a transmitter. We lucked out with strong signals for local Reading/Berkshire and national BBC stations during testing, although a train trip to London shows how any patchy or non-existent signal can stutter playback.

With all that considered, the Majority Petersfield Go does two essential jobs very well for a radio: voices are projected clearly, and there’s enough solidity, detail and punch to make music enjoyable to listen to. The included earphones are poor-sounding and make everything sound thin and harsh; swap them out for a pair of SoundMagics (or another, better pair) and you’ll get a much cleaner, fuller sound.

Presenters’ voices have a decent amount of heft and richness to them, with Craig Charles’ lush, deep voice sounding nicely textured, with ample detail and satisfying weight to our ears. The unit purposely pushes the midrange forward, making news items and match commentaries – crucial during this summer of sport – clear and easy to follow.

Listening to songs on BBC 6 Music or Absolute Radio, whether it’s Beyonce’s Texas Hold 'Em or Nirvana’s Lithium, we’re treated to a zippy, agile sound that doesn’t sound sharp, lumpy or muddled. The frequency range is fairly restricted – don’t expect wide-ranging dynamics or soaring highs or deep lows – but what this Majority radio does really well is deliver music with a good dose of rhythm that you can tap your foot along to.

It’s tuneful. We spent a lovely hour or two listening to Classic FM, with the music flowing smoothly and instruments having decent space to flourish. Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango is delivered with a great deal of energy and zeal, with the strings gliding fluidly and rising in intensity as the tango reaches its crescendo, full of conviction and momentum. It’s a fun, enthusiastic listen, and it can go pretty loud too.

Verdict

Pocket radios like this Majority Petersfield Go may not be in vogue, but just because it isn’t on trend, isn’t packed with features or stands in the shadow of online streaming doesn’t mean it can’t be useful. For those looking for a super cheap and basic but good, portable pocket DAB/FM radio for the summer, this little unit is worth checking out.

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Build 4
• Features 4

MORE:

Also consider the Roberts Revival Petite 2

Our pick of the best DAB radios

And the best internet radios

Sometimes, a product will come through the What Hi-Fi? test rooms that makes everyone in the team go: “Yes.” The Roberts Revival Petite 2 radio is one such product. It is a dinky DAB radio with Bluetooth powers, but really, just look at it. It’s tiny, it’s cute, and we want it. 

Even as wireless speakers and music systems are getting smarter and more multi-functional every day due to increasing demand, there is something universally appealing about the humble radio, especially one with such a compact form and such lovely retro looks.

Build & design

Roberts has form here, with its Revival line of DAB and smart internet radios long delivering an attractive, stylish retro design that is hugely appealing to both look at and hold. 

The Revival Petite 2 follows the same blueprint as the original five-star Petite: it’s so tiny it can fit onto the palm of your hand and perch in any corner, narrow windowsill, bookshelf or cluttered desk. There genuinely isn’t anywhere this petite portable radio isn’t able to find a place to sit pretty and regale you with music. It’s shorter than a can of fizzy pop, its footprint is narrower than a paperback book, and it’s just a bit wider than an AirPods Pro 2 charging case. Wherever you can put your smartphone down on a surface, the Petite 2 will occupy the same amount of space.

The build quality is reassuringly solid and oozes high quality, and we love the rounded, smooth corners, soft but sturdy leather-like covering and colour-matched grille. It’s available in seven attractive hues: sunburst yellow, duck egg, pastel cream, pop orange, dusty pink, midnight blue and black. The contrasting bronze trims, metal buttons and Roberts logo complete the look. Compared with the first-gen model, the Petite 2 is ever so slightly shorter but deeper, and lighter by six grams.

The OLED display screen is tiny but it is clear and has a strong enough contrast that you can read the text in any light. The screen is dimmable, with 10 steps on the brightness scale (tip: turn it up to max 10 when in bright sunlight). What’s more, Roberts manages to pack a whole lot of information into that small screen without it looking cramped. The radio station name, track/artist name, current source, signal strength, battery level icon and the time are all displayed neatly. It’s informative and easy to read at a glance. You can push the control dial to see additional radio station details, such as bitrate, genre and the date, and use it to pause and skip songs when playing music through Bluetooth.

The four large buttons for power, selecting source and volume up/down respond swiftly, while the multi-function control dial in the middle handles station tuning, selecting presets, scrolling through menu options and more. We occasionally find ourselves instinctively reaching for the dial to turn up the volume when Absolute Radio kicks out a ’90s banger, but it takes only a while to get used to not using the dial to change volume on this radio.

Features

It may be small and you might be wondering why on earth you’re paying £100 (approx. $126 / AU$190) for a little radio, but there are so many features packed into the Petite 2 to make it more than worth it. You get the essential radio tuners – analogue FM and DAB/DAB+ digital radio – as well as Bluetooth for streaming from any source. We’re not expecting high-quality codecs here, but the standard Bluetooth connection pairs well and retains a good signal throughout. 

There are 20 presets you can save in total: 10 for DAB, 10 for FM. It’s easy to save and recall stations using the control dial, and it’s useful to be able to save so many of your favourite stations so you don’t have to scan all the time. You can long-press that same control dial to access the many menu options, which include the brightness level, timer and new alarm clock settings.

The radio’s long battery life of 20 hours returns, and you can charge it up to full using the USB-C port, which has replaced the micro USB port of the previous model. 

Also new in this second-generation model is the 3.5mm headphone port, which replaces the 3.5mm aux input. We think it’s a fair swap, as being able to plug in your headphones to listen to music or podcasts at night or without disturbing others is a great bonus (and we imagine not many people would be plugging yet another source into this small radio). Another useful addition is the telescopic antenna included in the box, which is better for getting a consistent signal.

Sound

If all that wasn’t enough, we are pleased to say that the Roberts Revival Petite 2 radio also sounds very, very good. Under the hood lies a 40mm driver with a passive radiator that provides this titchy unit’s sound, but there is nothing tiny or diminished about the presentation.

Naturally, the quality of sound depends on your location/proximity to a radio transmitter and the quality of the station’s streams, but once you get a strong signal, the Roberts delivers a consistent sonic presentation across radio and Bluetooth. 

It’s a lively, rhythmically engaging sound that has a surprising amount of weight and punch to it, given the unit's size. The way it handles voices is a highlight, sounding clean, solid and detailed. The voices are admittedly given centre stage compared with the rest of the musical arrangement and instruments, but it’s a balance chosen for talk radio – one that Roberts will have intentionally chosen. Voices have a natural warmth that is appealing, and enough detail and nuance to communicate each presenter’s different personalities and inflections well.

This translates well to songs played through the Roberts, regardless of source, as the Petite 2 bops along merrily with everything we play through it. Waxahatchee’s Right Back To It sounds fluid and dynamic through the Petite 2, and we are too caught up with the song’s melody to care about things such as stereo separation or outright resolution.

We aren’t expecting huge helpings of bass weight or a wide, expansive soundstage from such a small box, but the Roberts is no wallflower. Whether you’re listening to BBC Radio 3 or Heart FM, the sonic balance is judged well to ensure it sounds confident and dynamically interesting, with the right amount of solidity and richness underpinning the midrange and upper bass to sound satisfying. Even heavy metal tracks that usually require far more wallop and impact, such as Disturbed’s Down With The Sickness, sound entertaining through the Roberts. There’s momentum and drive, you can tap your foot along to songs, and the warm, engaging presentation and standout vocals make it a joy to listen to. 

The Petite 2 even reaches an impressive volume for its size, but be aware that when going past 15 (out of 20) on the volume scale, the sound can start to get too unruly. It remains a sweet listen even at lower volumes. Plug a good pair of wired headphones – such as the Grado SR80x or Rode NTH-100 – into the radio, and you’ll be rewarded with the same lively, solid and engaging sound signature.

Verdict

For £100, you get quite a lot from this petite portable radio, and it’s an utter delight to use, hold and look at. Happily, it’s a lot of fun to listen to as well, so we have no problem recommending the Roberts Revival Petite 2 to anyone, especially if they are very short on space.

Whether it’s for your teenage kid, a friend or sibling, or your grandparents, we can see the stylish, versatile, enjoyable-sounding Petite 2 appealing to anyone who still values the humble wireless radio – and wants all the added extras, too. All that’s left is the matter of deciding which colour to choose… 

Review published: May 2024. Review updated: November 2024.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Features 5
• Build 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Roberts Revival Uno BT

Also consider the pricier, bigger Roberts Stream 94L

Best internet radios: modern radios with streaming smarts

British audio manufacturer Pure has unveiled not one but three new affordable radios. The new Classic Series comprises three new models – the Classic H4, Classic C-D6 and the Classic Stereo, each one looking to blend timeless style and charm with more modern audio connectivity options and features. 

The new Classic H4, which takes influence from the popular Pure Evoke H4 DAB+ unit, is conceived as the "ultimate kitchen companion" thanks to its handy built-in kitchen timer. Boasting 10W of power and the capacity to store up to 40 presets for DAB+ and FM channels, not to mention Bluetooth connectivity, the H4 is the most diminutive and affordable model in the new Classic range. 

Moving up the price scale brings us to the Pure Classic C-D6, designed as a more versatile, flexible system that (obviously) CD player functionality alongside Bluetooth, USB-A and Aux connectivity. There's also 2x15W stereo sound and a handy sleep timer if you're planning to place the C-D6 onto your bedside cabinet.

Last up is the Classic Stereo, the most premium and well-specced member of the family and, according to Pure, "the gateway to refined hi-fi sound wrapped in a comforting, familiar setup". The do-it-all system packs in 100W of power for an "immersive audio performance", while a choice of listening options come via standard DAB+/FM radio, internet radio, Bluetooth streaming and Spotify Connect, not to mention the capacity to play discs via a built-in CD player. For physical connections, there's a choice of USB-A, optical and aux ports to suit your needs.

The Pure Classic Stereo is only around £30-£40 cheaper than the Revo SuperConnect and the Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 respectively, two smart radio systems that bowled us over during testing last year. The market may not be heaving with competitors, but it's certainly not short on quality rivals for the Classic Stereo to compete with.

The new Classic line is available now in black and walnut or white and oak finishes at the following prices: 

- Pure Classic H4: £89.99 / €99
- Pure Classic C-D6 £179.99 / €199
- Pure Classic Stereo £449.99 / €499

MORE: 

Best DAB radios: portable, Bluetooth, streaming systems

10 of the best internet radio stations for music

12 of the best podcasts for music lovers

Established German audio brand Loewe has unveiled its new portable DAB+ radio to commemorate the company's humble beginnings a century ago. Designed in part as a tribute to the brand's very first radio unit, the OE 333 radio receiver, the new Loewe radio.frequency (yes, that's its name) commemorates 100 years since brothers Siegmund and David L. Loewe founded the company as Radio Frequenz Gmbh in Berlin in 1923. Time flies.

The new unit comes equipped with a host of radio listening options across FM, DAB and DAB+. Using what Loewe describes as "state of the art technology", the radio.frequency boasts 28 watts of power driving two full-range speakers and a passive bass radiator for "first-class clear, precise and well-rounded sound". 

A streaming radio capable of playing your favourite tracks over Bluetooth, the latest Loewe radio also comes equipped with a wake-up alarm and snooze function so you're never late for work. In theory, at least.

It looks suitably classy, too, with a subtle, understated design that you feel would nestle comfortably into almost any home or environment without ever seeming out of place. Constructed from high-quality materials and boasting a central 66mm LCD display, the radio.frequency has a few subtle nods to the original Loewe OE333, with attractive oak wood inlays atop basalt-coloured acoustic fabric. It's portable, too, and can provide up to 14 hours of listening time on the go.

It's been a while since we properly reviewed a Loewe-designed radio, but with the new radio.frequency returning the German company to its roots, that could be about to change. If it sounds as good as it looks, the century-celebrating portable could certainly be one to watch.

The Loewe radio.frequency is available now at a price of £199 (further prices pending), putting it in competition with the likes of the Roberts Revival Uno BT (£150) and the Roberts Stream 94L (£200).

MORE: 

Tivoli brings back the boombox with stylish designs for its striking wireless music systems

10 of the best Björk tracks to test your hi-fi system

Best DAB radios: portable, Bluetooth, streaming systems

Yamaha has announced not one but two products at IFA 2023: the R-N600A network receiver and MusicCast 200 multimedia system.

The R-N600A is the brand’s entry-level network receiver (or streaming amplifier), sitting beneath the R-N800A and R-N1000A models that were launched at High End Munich in May. The R-N600A combines amplification, physical connections and network streaming into one unit, meaning it can play music from your favourite streaming services as well as turntables or other sources.

The receiver delivers 80 watts-per-channel amplification and features a range of inputs and outputs. It also features a moving-magnet phono stage, as well as a built-in headphone amplifier.

On the analogue side of things, the R-N600A features four line-level inputs and one phono input. On the digital front, it features two optical and two coaxial inputs. The receiver features terminals for two pairs of speakers, along with two line-level outputs, one headphone and subwoofer output apiece.

The R-N600A is compatible with streaming services such as Spotify and Amazon Music HD, too, while AirPlay 2 and DAB/FM radio are also onboard. It’s also compatible with other Yamaha MusicCast devices, allowing sources hooked up to the R-N600A to be broadcast throughout your home for a multi-room system.

Support for DSD 11.2MHz native playback and up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM files means that you can enjoy high-resolution audio too. Yamaha states that this new streaming amp has been fitted with an ultra-precision crystal clock to improve signal accuracy. 

The MusicCast 200 (above), meanwhile, is a one-box desktop audio system that allows playback from a range of wireless sources via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It also features newly designed two-way coaxial built-in speakers, a CD player, DAB/FM radio, auxiliary and USB inputs, headphone out, as well as an ethernet port for wired network connectivity. And you can even set alarms.

The Yamaha R-N600A Network Receiver will retail for €799 / £699 / AU$1199 with stock expected in October, while the MusicCast 200 Multimedia System is set to cost €699 / £599 / AU$999.

Both new products from Yamaha will be on show at IFA 2023 in Berlin this weekend, alongside the upcoming premium Yamaha HA-L7A headphone amplifier we got our initial preview of during the High End Munich show in May.

MORE:

IFA 2023: news, highlights and all the key launches from Europe's biggest tech show

Denon’s new stereo receiver promises 8K video support and a world of wireless and hi-res streaming

Yamaha trickles down 2000 Series engineering to two affordable streaming amps (and there's more)

Denon has announced the imminent arrival of the DRA-900, a new stereo network receiver, supporting 8K video, high-resolution audio and a range of wired and wireless connections.

The company says that this new all-in-one is positioned to bridge the gap between legacy hi-fi systems and modern AV tech. 

The DRA-900 looks to expand on the DRA-800H, which came out in 2019 and supported 4K video. The 900H now looks to offer even more power and support higher-resolution video should you have access to it. 

It's a 2.2-channel receiver, providing up to 145-watt-per-channel, an increase from the previous model’s 100-watts. 

Three of the six HDMI inputs and its single HDMI output support 8k video alongside eARC connectivity. There are also CD, Phono, USB, and TV Audio inputs to accommodate a wide range of external sources in your setup plus DAB+/FM.

The receiver also allows users to connect two pairs of speakers for convenient A/B switching, parallel playback, or bi-wiring, and you also have twin subwoofer outputs to take advantage of.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the DRA-900H supports ALAC, FLAC, and WAV at up to 24 bit / 192kHz via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2.  

The DRA-900H features HEOS built-in technology, allowing it to stream music from services including Spotify, Amazon Music HD, and Tidal across compatible components and other HEOS-enabled speakers.

Denon has had a busy couple of days in the world of AV tech. If full-on surround sound is more your thing, we’ve also recently covered its new AVR-X18000H AV receiver, with both products scheduled to go on sale at the end of September.

The DRA-900H will cost £799 / €899 and we've reached out to Denon for US and Australian pricing.

MORE:

Denon AVR-X1800H 8K AV receiver could deliver an Award-winning recipe – for less

Denon's new trio of AV receivers have 8K, Dolby Atmos, and a surprisingly low price tag

Denon's new wireless earbuds are Bose and Sony rivals that can measure your hearing

FiiO has launched its flagship DAC and headphone amplifier, the K9 Pro ESS. It's packed with features for hi-res digital audio and a wide variety of headphones, along with an array of connections, offering MQA support and Bluetooth 5.0 streaming

The K9 Pro can handle a wide range of file types, supporting hi-res audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM plus DSD256 and MQA files from high-fidelity services such as Tidal.

There’s a vast selection of audio inputs to choose from, too. The FiiO K9 Pro ESS expands on the choices offered by its more budget stablemate, the K7, providing line level RCA input on the analogue side, and coaxial, optical, USB-B and USB-C inputs on the digital side. There’s also compatibility for external devices thanks to line level and XLR outputs, while headphone users can plug their cans into the 6.35mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced or 4-pin balanced XLR headphone connections.

As a DAC and headphone amplifier, the FiiO K9 Pro ESS should be a dab hand at driving all kinds of headphones as well as promising enhanced audio quality. FiiO’s latest provides dual THX AAA788+ amplification, which it claims can “effortlessly” power headphones with a wide impedance range of 16 - 600 ohms. You can also manually select low, medium and high gain levels to adjust for your headphones’ own impedances or sensitivities.

Bluetooth 5.0, meanwhile, allows for pairing of devices such as smartphones, portable music players and PCs, and even supports streaming for hi-res wireless codecs including aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and LDAC.

The K9’s twin ES9038 Pro DACs promise to deliver “an impressively musical, detailed, and expressive sound, whatever the source.” Timing shouldn’t be a problem, either, thanks to the dual-clock management of the model’s XMOS XUF208 decoding chip, promising “incredibly accurate handling of all digital audio files”.

That isn’t the end of it. Audio output from the K9 Pro has been carefully handled by the company’s engineers with a “partitioned layout” of the circuit board. What this means, they claim, is that not only is the power supply kept separate from the audio signals, but analogue and digital audio are separated from each other to ensure each signal’s integrity. Audio signals coming from the right and left channels are also processed separately by the unit in an effort to reduce crosstalk and preserve high-quality audio fidelity.

Weighing around 2.75kg, the FiiO K9 Pro ESS is available now for £699 / $859 / AU$1349. It also comes as standard with its own Bluetooth antenna, USB-B to USB-A cable, 3.6mm to 6.35mm adapter and a vertical stand for placement. 

MORE: 

Check out our five-star FiiO M11 Pro review 

The FiiO R7 hi-res desktop player puts everything in one place

Here’s our guide to the best DACs for every budget 

 It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Revo, but the digital radio brand has announced the release of its new SuperConnect Stereo, the next generation of its excellent Revo SuperConnect internet radio that we first reviewed back in 2014. A fresh take on Revo’s five-star original, the Stereo promises stereo sound, more than 36,000 radio stations from across the globe, as well as streaming support for Spotify Connect, Deezer and Amazon Music.

Inside the SuperConnect Stereo lies a 30W Class-D amplifier powering two 3.5in balanced mode radiator (BMR) speakers. Revo claims the stereo BMRs deliver “wide dispersion and an expanded sweet spot” for better sonic performance. Proprietary EQ configuration, meanwhile, sees Revo seeking to deliver a “warm open sound with clarity, detail and a rich, deep bass.”

As well as internet radio, DAB/DAB+ radio and standard FM tuner, there’s also an optical digital output, an aux input, a pair of RCA connectors, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This new generation is also equipped with WLAN technology, allowing for wireless audio playback from connected devices over your home wi-fi network, plus Bluetooth 4.2 streaming from tablets and smartphones. 

The Stereo and its many features can be controlled via the included remote, the on-unit controls or the new dedicated UNDOK app that’s available for Android and iOS devices.

The original SuperConnect’s funky, retro styling returns for the Stereo, with Revo teasing high-quality construction from premium materials including a “hand-crafted” cabinet made from “furniture-grade American walnut.” Naturally, the large OLED display now sits in the middle, flanked by the stereo speaker grilles.

The original SuperConnect (tested at £250) won our best radio over £200 Award four years in a row, so we’re keen to see the return of such a well-made, fully-featured radio/streamer back in stores. 

Available now in walnut and silver or walnut and black finishes, the Revo SuperConnect Stereo will cost a hefty £489 ($599 / AUD $899) - that’s nearly double the cost of its decade-old original, although it’s worth noting that the older SuperConnect is still being sold now for a higher price of £389. We’re intrigued to hear if the new Stereo model lives up to the promise when we get it in for review.

MORE: 

These are the best internet radios you can buy

Read our Award-winning Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 review

Not into radio? Check out our guide for the best wireless speakers instead 

There's no surprise why DAB radios remain popular today: compact designs, hundreds of free stations, easy to use – it's a great way to listen to music, news and sports while going about your day.

In this guide, we are focusing on the DAB/FM radios that deliver the best audio performance, but note they also do the crucial alarm clock job, too.

Modern DAB radios today increasingly boast features such as Bluetooth, wi-fi and even Spotify integration to widen their appeal to all listeners. Their essential objective is still attractive: easy to use and fit into your home, and, for many, a lifeline to the outside world thanks to accessible, free radio stations to keep you updated with news, sports events and all genres of music.

There's nothing quite like your favourite BBC 6 Music programme keeping you company in the kitchen or home office, while a seasoned radio DJ's handpicked curation will delight and inform better than most AI-powered playlists.

Below you'll find our pick of the best DAB radios that we've tested and have impressed us with their features, ease of use, design and overall sound quality for the price. You can read more about our radio testing process here, or scroll below to see our pick of the best-sounding DAB radios you can buy today.

Best overall DAB radio

Ruark's smallest, entry-level radio is more than just a DAB radio. Packing internet radio, Bluetooth and wi-fi streaming, including integrated Spotify Connect, alongside the traditional FM/DAB+ tuners, the R1S is a smart, versatile and feature-packed wireless speaker for the modern era that can play from nearly any source. There are even physical inputs for plugging in your smartphone, MP3 player or wired headphones.

The compact unit looks classy and elegant, with a larger, full-colour screen displaying crisp, clear text that you can easily read from a distance. It's easy to use thanks to the on-unit controller; you can set alarms and timers, and save eight presets per radio source. There was only one finish at launch, but now it's available in three chic finishes.

We were expecting that rich, full-bodied sound we've become accustomed to hearing from a Ruark radio, but the R1S is much more articulate, precise and mature-sounding. It's evenly balanced, there are subtleties in detail revealed effortlessly, and the timing is spot-on. Voices sound natural and are projected well, and there's ample space and organisation for instruments to thrive.

It sounds engaging and dynamic, and it's impressive just how much bass weight and definition you can get from such a compact unit. No matter what kind of music you're listening to – classical, pop, rock, hip-hop – or enjoying podcasts, the R1S delivers a wonderfully solid, nuanced and organised sound.

If you're after a classic DAB radio that can also handle modern streaming smarts (and more), this Ruark is hard to beat at this price. It's such a terrific radio, it not only gained a What Hi-Fi? Award, but also ran away with the coveted Product of the Year Award for radios – two years in a row! Highly recommend.

Read our full Ruark Audio R1S review

Best budget DAB radio

Costing just shy of £100 and boasting 20 presets (10 DAB and 10 FM), Bluetooth connectivity and a 20-hour portable battery, the tiny Revival Petite 2 offers an abundance of features for the money. The updated model adds USB-C charging, alarm and timer settings, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, while the small but bright OLED screens pack in a whole lot of information.

We couldn't be more effusive about its incredibly compact, almost palm-sized form (check out the gallery above to see it placed against other objects) and how well-built and lovely it is to hold and behold. No matter how small your space is, this Award-winning Petite 2 (in its many colourful finishes) will be able to perch anywhere.

Despite its mini dimensions, the Petite 2 delivers a surprisingly big, detailed and weighty sound. Roberts has judged the sonic balance beautifully, recognising it won't be able to relay true bass or a wide soundstage, but delivering just enough richness to the midrange and a lively presentation so it's an entertaining and satisfying listen.

Voices are clear, solid and have natural warmth, while music, regardless of source, is dynamically and rhythmically engaging. There's drive and momentum, and it's fun to listen to.

In the Petite 2, Roberts has made a terrifically stylish, entertaining and versatile radio that is an utter delight in every way.

Read our full Roberts Revival Petite 2 review

Best premium DAB radio

Oh, what a lovely thing the Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 is. We rarely find audio products that achieve the Holy Trinity of sounding fantastic, looking sublime and being so easy to use that a toddler could probably find its way around the navigational menu, but the Ruark R2 (now in its fourth generation) has managed it, and in some style.

The beautifully made Ruark stole our hearts pretty much as soon as it was out of the box, and things only got better once we'd fired it up and started listening. It's a good thing, too, considering the R2's rather high price tag. It has a rich, detailed sound that doesn't sacrifice any musicality or timing, with a particularly nuanced, natural way with voices that make a great radio truly great. The Ruark is an engaging, vibrant listen no matter the genre or playing method you're using.

It's also, as you'll have guessed, a wonderfully made unit, sporting that stunning wooden slatted front, a clear, crisp display and a high-quality cabinet build that screams of a product made with care and precision. Why doesn't everything look like this?!

It supports Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer over wi-fi, while all other music can be streamed from your device over Bluetooth. Whether you're streaming, playing FM, DAB, or internet radio, the radio is easy to use thanks to the built-in controller or by using one of two third-party apps.

It's priced at the premium end for a radio, but you get what you pay for with the Ruark R2. A wonderfully complete radio that truly deserves your consideration.

Read our full Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 review

Best DAB radio system

The modern radio/streaming system has to be a jack-of-all-trades while still holding onto that signature look, function and feel of a classic piece of tech, and while that's a lot of different requirements to juggle, Revo's SuperConnect Stereo delivers across all fronts.

It's classically handsome (more Rex Harrison than Timothée Chalamet), with its “retro with a dash of modern” aesthetic winning us over in an instant. Only the Ruark R2 Mk4 could be considered better-looking.

It's also made to a gratifyingly high standard. While slightly on the large side for a radio, the SuperConnect Stereo packs in a host of streaming features that will let you play music from popular streaming services to even picking up music stored on your network. Add some glorious sound into those dimensions, and this is a bona fide hi-fi system in its own right.

Speaking of sound, the Revo gets the balance just right, offering fullness, weight and body alongside detail, space and an appreciation for the music it plays. The Ruark (above) gives you a bit more spark, but the Revo is not lacking in weight and heft.

Easy to use, great to look at and a joy to listen to, the Revo SuperConnect Stereo is a genuine alternative to a modern hi-fi system, that just also happens to offer DAB radio as one of its many talents.

Read our full Revo SuperConnect Stereo review

Also consider

Majority Petersfield Go: After a simple, pocketable DAB/FM radio to tune into sports and news on the move? This little clip-on radio costs just £30, but you get lots of radio features (DAB/FM tuners, scanning, presets) and even a pair of nondescript wired earbuds thrown in. Swap them out for a better pair and this does the basics well.

Roberts Reva: While the Ruark rivals offer a more natural, fluid and subtle sound, the new Roberts Reva radio is a powerful, spacious performer that sounds good even at loud volumes. It's easy to use and we like the handsome new design, too.

Revo SuperConnect: The standard SuperConnect is still going (it delivers mono sound compared with the newer model's stereo output) and remains a smart, slightly more affordable choice for anyone wanting that excellent Revo sonic pedigree housed in an attractive, well-made package.

How to choose the best DAB radio for you

While all of the radios on this list give you access to hundreds of digital radio stations, some models include a number of useful extra features to boot, such as Bluetooth streaming and integration of your favourite music streaming service.

Size and features
Most importantly, when deciding which digital radio is right for you, you need to figure out whether you want something small and portable or larger and mains-powered, or if maybe you want a radio you can install in your car. Then, you'll have to decide if you just want to listen to the radio or if you're interested in wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ and streaming support, or even CD player functionality.

Price and expecations
Price will of course be a factor as well, but it's important to set your expectations depending on the budget. DAB/DAB+ tuner integration should be standard for any digital radio, but it's worth checking whether the addition of Bluetooth streaming, FM radio tuner and/or the ability to set presets is important to you.

Our round-up above includes budget and premium options, featuring standard DAB digital radio and even various music-streaming goodies. Perhaps you want something tiny and ridiculously cute; perhaps it needs to fill a larger room – we have the best digital radio options across all shapes and sizes on this list.

Sound quality
But most importantly, all radios have to sound good, both with voices and with music. Whether you opt for a tiny radio or a full-blown radio system, each model recommended here offers the best performance and best value in its price category.

How we test DAB radios

At What Hi-Fi?, we independently review hundreds of products each year, including DAB radios, and always test as a team. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency across our reviews and our impartiality. To this end, we have state-of-the-art testing facilities located in London and Reading, where we conduct most of our reviews.

We test DAB radios in these test rooms but also take them home, especially to test out the quality of the DAB or FM tuner's reception. We also test how easy and intuitive the radio is to use in everyday situations, and how easy it is to find stations and set presets.

Regardless of whether the radio is placed in a permanent place or if it's portable, we use the radio in the way most people would when living with it. Naturally, we try out a variety of stations and programmes to test out the radio's sound quality during our testing period.

With DAB/DAB+ radios, we test not just the radio functionality itself (including the FM tuner) but every feature included in the product, from any wi-fi streaming to Bluetooth connectivity to global internet radio and even setting the alarms and presets. We evaluate all aspects of a product in the context of its price to ensure it offers value for money.

All radio products are tested against rivals in the same price category where possible, to ensure we get a good sense of their sound-per-pound value compared with the best-in-class, and that we are recommending the best radio at any given price point.

From those reviews, we choose only the best products to feature in our Best Buys. There's no input from PR companies, brands or sales teams, either. At What Hi-Fi? we are proud to have been delivering honest, unbiased reviews for over four decades. Our goal? To help you to find a product you'll be over the moon with.

FAQ

Recent updates

• January 2026: Added the recently reviewed Roberts Reva to our Also Consider list.
• September 2025: Updated Ruark R1S entry with new finish options available.
• June 2025: Removed the Roberts Stream 94L from the also consider section due to lack of availability.
• April 2025: Checked all product prices and availability.
• February 2025: Checked all information is correct and all products are still available and remain our top choices. Added more FAQs.
• December 2024: All 2024 What Hi-Fi? Award-winners are labelled, including the new radio Product of the Year for 2024.
• October 2024: Added more FAQs about DAB, DAB+ and internet radio.
• July 2024: Added the Ruark R1S as a new top entry, swapped out the Roberts 94L as it's no longer available, and included Majority Petersfield Go into our also consider section.
• May 2024: Added new Roberts Revival Petite 2 entry as best budget DAB radio following five-star review.
• March 2024: Replaced the Revo SuperConnect with the newer, five-star Revo SuperConnect Stereo. 
• February 2024: Added FAQ section to help with buying decisions and answer common queries.
• November 2023: What Hi-Fi? Award winners labelled after the 2023 Awards Best Buys and Product of the Year announcements.

MORE:

Check out the best internet radios we've tested

Here are the best music streaming services for you to play

If you’re fed up with streaming algorithms and miss the human touch, I have the perfect solution

Perhaps the best thing about internet radios is the great amount of listening possibilities they offer from one unit. You can stream a host of live FM and digital audio, choosing from global radio stations, a plethora of podcasts, and even access music streaming services like Spotify.

Those who like the combination of a classic alarm clock along with modern streaming functionality may also prefer them to even the best wireless speakers. Interned radios still feature AM/FM and DAB tuners for local stations, but the inclusion of wi-fi means you can connect it to your home network and access web-based radio stations from all over the world, and at no extra cost!

Here at What Hi-Fi?, we've tested all kinds of internet radios in our dedicated testing rooms over the years, and below we've highlighted the best three options that we've personally tested and would recommend to suit various budgets and listening preferences.

Two of our three favourite picks are current What Hi-Fi? Awards winners, but rest assured, all three are quality pieces of kit with an excellent sonic performance, ample features and well-made designs at their respective price point. They're essentially all-in-one sound systems, too, with built-in streaming services and a variety of connections, so there's a lot more on offer than just listening to the radio.

All our verdicts are agreed upon as a team, with multiple reviewers using the internet radio at home – just as you would – to ensure we give the best advice. For more on our testing process, check out our how we test section lower down this page.

Best overall

This is another winning entry in Ruark's entry-level line of radios – literally, as it picked up a What Hi-Fi? Award at the most recent ceremony. It's the first with wi-fi and music streaming support, and while it's pricier than its predecessors, it's comfortably the best internet radio for most people.

Just look at it. It's gorgeous. It's small enough to sit on a desk or bedside table, yet manages to cram in a decent-sized screen whose text is never too cramped.

And the build quality is second to none, with an acoustically damped cabinet, slatted walnut wood grilles (just like on the more premium R410 system) and three stylish finishes to choose from: mid-grey, charcoal and light cream.

Ruark's RotoDial controller is also present and correct, and as reassuringly solid and responsive as ever.

Internet radio is on board, of course, along with Bluetooth, streaming via the most popular music services and a USB-C port for charging your mobile. There are even physical connections for plugging in an MP3 player and wired headphones.

And while the sound quality is a bit of a departure for Ruark, it's one we welcome – it foregoes the usual rich, full-bodied sound in favour of a more articulate, precise and authoritative profile. There's plenty of detail, the timing is immaculate and it generates a surprising amount of bass for a unit this size.

All of which make it the best internet radio currently available.

Read the full Ruark Audio R1S review

Best premium

We called the last model “gorgeous”; the new Ruark R2 Mk4 is even more elegant and elevated, so much so that we gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award.

So much of the Ruark R2’s appeal lies in its stylish, sleek design that exemplifies the modern-retro trend so prevalent across hi-fi products today.

This sturdy unit is made for sound quality as well as beauty, with its damped polymer cabinet acoustically tuned. The R2 comes in two finishes: light cream or espresso, with ash or walnut grilles respectively.

The rounded edges of the cabinet, the new handcrafted slatted wood grille on the front, and the bonded glass display are all are made to a very high quality.

The R2 has that naturally rich, weighty and expressive sound signature, and features plenty of functionality and connectivity options.

Style and substance, it's got the lot.

Read the full Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 review

Best system

We loved the original Revo SuperConnect internet radio, but nearly a decade later, the stereo upgrade has taken things to new heights. The SuperConnect Stereo is a certified five-star performer in pretty much every department, serving up superb sound alongside sleek retro-modern looks and a whole raft of features and connectivity options.

In fact, the SuperConnect could well be your go-to alternative to a traditional multiple-box separates hi-fi system, such is the raft of functions on display and the level of sound produced.

The range of physical connections is substantial, while wireless options and various music streaming services are supported, along with access to the usual options that you would expect from a radio. Plus, you can even stream tunes from connected devices on your home network.

Hi-fi quality sound is the SuperConnect Stereo’s real trump card, though. It now has two 3.5-inch BMR drivers powered by a 30W Class D amplifier. Tracks feel balanced, weighty and properly substantial, with far more depth and subtlety than you’d normally associate with a single radio unit.

Whether in our listening rooms or at home in the kitchen, Revo’s latest always feels balanced, in control and immensely enjoyable to listen to.

When we first heard that Revo was planning to charge £489 / $599 / AU$899 for its latest internet radio, it felt a tad steep. Having tested and lived with the SuperConnect Stereo for a number of weeks and experienced its class-leading sound and effortless usability, we can confirm that it’s worth every penny.

Read the full Revo SuperConnect Stereo review

Also consider

• Roberts Stream 94L: With a great array of playback options, unfussy nature and excellent sound, this model is a previous Award winner. It's getting on a bit now, so might not be around for much longer.
• Revo SuperConnect: It lacks the stereo sound of its successor, but this previous Award-winner is still a great internet radio. And that design is timeless. Another oldie, so keep a look out for a bargain.

How to choose

Internet radios don't just bring you internet radio. The best models offer all sorts of extras, like Bluetooth, FM and DAB radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack and streaming from music services like Spotify and Amazon Music.

Think about whether you would use these, or if other devices in your home already have them covered – there's no point paying for features you're not going to use.

On the subject of paying, prices vary considerably, but you don't always need the most expensive option. Our pick for best overall is the cheapest from our selection.

You should also consider its design and build quality. A radio is on show at all times, and is often positioned prominently to get the best sound. If you're going to see it every day, make sure it's not something you hate the sight of.

And while voice controls are often standard, if you are going to be pressing buttons, you want ones that feel satisfying to use.

How we test

We independently review hundreds of products each year, always as a team, at our state-of-the-art testing facilities. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency and of course, impartiality, while making sure no opinion goes unheard from our team of audio experts.

All radio products are tested against rivals in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.

We test not only the raw audio quality of internet radio (and FM and DAB) but all its advertised features from Bluetooth connectivity to streaming support to the alarms and presets.

Performance is important but only in the context of a radio's value. A much more expensive radio might come with lots of bells and whistles, like various streaming service support and lots of connectivity options, but if you're only ever listening to the same four radio stations, you might be better served by a more focused radio that caters to your needs.

Equally, if your internet radio is doing double duty as your main audio system, it needs to be up to the task (and your budget).

And if you're not getting outright audio enjoyment, it's not exactly great value. A five-star product both performs great and is excellent value.

We choose only the best products from all of our reviews to feature in our Best Buys. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict. At What Hi-Fi? we are proud to have been delivering honest, unbiased reviews for decades.

You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.

F.A.Q.

What’s better: internet radio or DAB radio?

Internet radio gives you access to tens of thousands of radio stations from across the world, so you get far more choice than DAB radio.

DAB is perfect if you're happy to listen to local and national stations.

Internet radio is your portal to world music but remember, you will need a wi-fi/internet connection.

Sound quality? Again, that depends on the radio station and the strength of your connection. It isn't necessarily true that one always sounds better than the other.

Is it worth buying an internet radio?

We think so, which is why we put together this guide.

It is worth remembering that a smart speaker will also give you internet radio, though its feature set may well differ from a dedicated internet radio.

What is the difference between internet radio and online radio?

Nothing really – they are one and the same. But the terms may be used differently.

Online radio generally refers to radio listening through a browser, as then you're online and so able to open other browser tabs and windows.

Internet radio usually refers to listening through a device that's connected to the internet (like a radio), but that you don't use for more general online purposes.

What Hi-Fi? radios coverage

Buying guides

• Best DAB radios
• Best wireless speakers
• Best hi-fi systems
• Best Bluetooth speakers
• Best stereo amplifiers

Reviews

• Majority Little Shelford review
• Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 review
• Roberts Revival Petite 2 review
• Ruark Audio R1S review
• Revo SuperConnect Stereo review

Advice

• Here are 7 affordable audio products every music-loving student should have
• 10 mistakes to avoid with stereo speakers
• Technics SC-CX700 vs KEF LS50 Wireless II: which streaming system is better?
• 10 of the best internet radio stations for music
• 14 of the best Grand Theft Auto radio songs to test your headphones or hi-fi system

Recent updates

• January 2026: Updated the intro, added new colourways to the Ruark Audio R1S entry, checked page copy and prices of all entries.
• December 2025: Wrote a new intro, checked and edited copy throughout.
• September 2025: No major changes, but edited copy throughout and added a new intro.
• June 2025: General update with a new intro.
• April 2025: Updated intro. Added new Facebook headline.
• January 2025: Rewrote the intro. Added more star ratings and retailer links, and 'Also consider' section.
• October 2024: Added mention of Award-winning status to both Ruark entries. Rewrote intro. Deleted duplicate headings in 'The Quick List'.
• July 2024: Deleted Jump Menu. Added 'Recent updates' section. Replaced Roberts 94L with Ruark Audio R1S. Added gallery images for Ruark R2 Mk4.
• May 2024: Converted to new Best Buy format. Added author bio, 'How to Choose' and 'FAQ' sections.
• December 2023: Replaced Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 with Ruark Audio R2 Mk4. Added mention of What Hi-Fi Awards 2023 winners.

Today's best internet radio deals

Despite the rise of music streaming, 50 million adults in the UK still to listen to the radio. In an effort to capitalise on this, McIntosh has unveiled a brand new AM/FM tuner.

The new MR89 AM/FM Tuner promises to "maximise sound quality from AM/FM broadcasts" with a slew of fine adjustments, ranging from sensitivity and separation to signal-to-noise ratio. 

Much like the current MR87, the new MR89 boasts the US hi-fi giant's proprietary radio frequency (RF) circuitry. McIntosh reckons the tech can receive ultra-strong FM signals from nearby stations – something that can overload lesser tuners. The result? Extremely low distortion.

Placement of the (wired) RAA2 AM antenna should be a doddle thanks to the advanced signal-quality monitor, which displays detailed multipath noise levels. Useful info when standing on a chair, waving the antenna around in search of that elusive 'sweet spot'.

There's no DAB here, and no option to stream internet radio stations, meaning the MR89 is strictly for the AM/FM enthusiast (in the UK, anyway). It does, however, offer the ability to store 20+ preset stations, plus the usual analogue and digital outputs.

Design-wise, it's all very McIntosh, with a black-glass front panel and a stainless steel chassis. This time around, the famous green-lit power meters have been tweaked to show the radio signal being delivered. Clever.

McIntosh has an impressive track record when it comes to tuners, making some of the best models of the 1970s, so we've high hopes for the MR89. But at £6800 (around $8300 / AU$12,000), it doesn't come cheap.

McIntosh dealers are taking pre-orders now, with shipping expected to begin later this month in the US and Canada. The rest of the world will follow "shortly thereafter".

MORE: 

See our pick of the best SACD/CD players

Check the best hi-fi and audio deals: amplifiers, CD players and speakers

And the best stereo amplifiers

AirPlay 2 was on the Naim Uniti range’s ‘coming soon’ list when we reviewed the Award-winning Uniti Atom and five-star Uniti Nova and Uniti Star at the tail end of last year - and now it has finally arrived.

The formidable trio are receiving the necessary firmware update today, following the Apple functionality becoming available on Naim’s Mu-so wireless speaker systems in November.

• Apple AirPlay 2 – everything you need to know

Apple’s technology allows owners of the supporting systems to play music directly from an Apple source - either individually, or in a multi-room capacity with other AirPlay 2-compatible products.

Other benefits of AirPlay 2 include improved audio buffering, integration with Siri voice control and multiple control access across iOS devices (a useful touch for multi-room streaming).

Naim has also introduced a good ol' optional DAB/FM module for the Uniti Star and Nova systems... because apparently having internet radio, UPnP (network streaming), built-in Spotify, Tidal and Chromecast support, aptX HD Bluetooth and a generous spread of analogue and digital inputs wasn’t enough! 

From today, existing Uniti Star and Nova owners can have their players fitted with the module through a retailer for a sum of £150/$199, while future Uniti buyers can choose it as an optional extra with their purchase for the same price.

MORE:

Naim Mu-so 2 promises complete update to a classic wireless system

Best hi-fi systems 2019: micro, hi-fi, vinyl

The best hi-fi and audio deals - May 2019

Best DAB radios

The+Radio DAB+ Stereo may have an awkward name, but the FM/DAB radio with Bluetooth streaming aims to be as straightforward as possible.

Well, sort of. The single unit is easy enough to use, but it has a trick up its sleeve: a second passive unit that, once connected, can transform into a stereo speaker set.

Build

The wooden, aluminium and plastic cabinet is well made, and we like the simple retro design. The circular OLED display is neat and clear to read, but we’d like a brighter, stronger contrast.

The control dials are responsive and easy to turn, although the included plastic remote is far easier to use when navigating through the menu.

There, you can pick different equaliser modes, set two alarms and pair Bluetooth devices. Pressing the info button repeatedly shows you bitrate, frequency, signal strength, and more when playing DAB radio.

Another neat trick is that the remote magnetically attaches itself to the right hand side of the radio, so you’ll never lose track of it.

Features

The wireless sources for the radio are FM, DAB (DAB+ for mainland Europe) and Bluetooth. You can also plug in a music player into one of the two 3.5mm inputs at the front, while the second one is for headphones.

Around the back, you’ll find a USB port, the antenna socket and a balance control for adjusting the stereo image if you use the add-on speaker, which connects via a supplied wire, and has no controls or display.

MORE: Best DAB Radios 2016

Sound

The clarity and strength of the radio’s sound depends on your room’s reception, but make sure you don’t fold up the ribbon antenna – it crackles when the wires cross.

We prefer the metal antennae usually found in most radios; not only does it pick up better reception, it’s also not as frustratingly fiddly. You’ll need to wave this radio’s ribbon about and use Blu-tack to keep it in the perfect position to receive the best signal.

The radio sounds decent enough when playing BBC 6 Music over DAB. Radcliffe and Maconie sound clear and direct, although we wouldn’t mind more nuance and solidity to flesh out their voices.

It’s not quite as rich and weighty as the Revo SuperSignal (£180), which offers a subtler, more dynamic presentation. The treble on the DAB+ is a touch coarse, and the overall sound is on the thin side.

FM stations take a small dip in quality, but it’s still listenable.

MORE: Revo SuperSignal review

The sound quality is more solid and detailed when streaming songs over Bluetooth from your smartphone. Blues Traveler’s Hook sounds lively, although the interplay between the instruments and vocals isn’t as cohesive as on the Revo rival.

The drums stick out, the harmonica sounds a little lonely, and we want a snappier rhythm to keep the rhythm moving along.

Put the radio in stereo mode with the add-on speaker, and the sound gains weight and solidity. It’s a far more enjoyable listen – although you still can’t shake the spiky edges of the treble.

Verdict

The more pressing problem is the price. On its own, the DAB+ is £280. The five-star Revo SuperSignal is our preferred listen at £180.

Combined with the add-on speaker, the total price goes up to £360 – which seems expensive for what The+Radio offers.

The stereo mode is a neat idea, but you can get far better sound and similar features from something like the Geneva Model S Wireless DAB+ at £330, which outshines The+Radio on subtlety and musicality.

We really like the retro design of the DAB+ radio, but the inadequate antenna and sky-high price for its middling sound quality isn’t enough to compete with the best.

UPDATE: The Pure Evoke C-D6 has now been discontinued, although there are some deals still around. Check out our guide to the best internet radios and best hi-fi systems for alternative radio/microsystems, or scroll down for the original Evoke C-D6 review.

We were somewhat conflicted prior to testing the Pure Evoke C-D6. On one hand, we wanted to be able to recommend it; we don’t see many decent one-box systems at this price, so it would be nice if this one could fill the gap.

On the other, perhaps we don’t want a one-box system at this price. There’s a reason you can’t purchase a £250 house for example. You see, conflicted.

Features & build

We certainly aren’t short on features. Nominally, the Evoke C-D6 is a combination DAB and FM radio, CD player and Bluetooth speaker. It also has an aux input and headphone jack, room enough for 20 radio presets, and a radio or CD alarm.

It’s an arsenal largely uncompromised by the price tag; for example, our current all-in-one Award winner, the £400 Ruark R2 Mk3, offers more extensive streaming features, but is without a CD drive.

The Evoke C-D6’s facial symmetry, setting to its edges a pair of 7.6cm wide-range drivers, is neat, and we’re pleased to find a substantial and well-built remote, which shouldn’t be, but has become, a rarity.

Inside, its digital amplifier is pushing a claimed 20W of power output, so we’re expecting a performance as stout as the box itself.

Sound

We begin with a CD, The National’s High Violet. There does seem to be plenty of power here; Terrible Love is allowed to open the record with its alternately plodding then racing rhythmic motion, never feeling lightweight or feeble.

It times well enough, too, to make enough sense of the top of the build, with its sometimes confusing, crashing percussion. We don’t get scalpel-like precision, but enough capability to be relatively pleased with what we hear.

A somewhat forward presentation also shines a light on Matt Berninger’s vocal, from which the Evoke C-D6 benefits. His isn’t always an easy voice to render, many of the deeper harmonics lost either because a speaker can’t reach deep enough to give it full body or because it can’t separate those tones from other instruments working in the lower frequencies.

For a product at this price, this is a decently coherent performance.

It benefits from its forward presentation mainly, however, because spaciously it is cramped. Sections with thinner arrangements – the more fragile Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, for example ­– aren’t so much affected, but as textures become busier, such as in Terrible Love or Bloodbuzz Ohio, space between instruments is compressed to become close to claustrophobic.

It leads to little discernable background detail, which is a shame given that when we plug in our headphones we can hear that the Evoke C-D6 is not incapable. (This in particular may be less alarming to those who listen mostly to stripped back arrangements or talk radio, of course.)

MORE: best hi-fi systems 2016

What remains our major concern, even when listening with headphones, is the quality of the treble. The general balance is fine, we don’t find the treble to stick out because there is too much, but there is coarseness, fizziness even, to the top end, to which after a while it can become difficult to listen – more so the higher the volume at which you play.

This character is unchanged as we switch between radio, Bluetooth and aux input. With a track such as Lazarus from David Bowie’s Blackstar album, for example, the snare has a relentless fizz that it’s difficult to get over, the saxophone is unconvincing, sounding unreal, and there’s a hard edge to Bowie’s vocal that we find is incongruous with enjoyable listening.

Verdict

So what we have here is an all-in-one which, for its price tag, is okay. If you’re expecting the sound quality of the Ruark but on the cheap, you’re out of luck.

We’d suggest upping your budget if that is the case, or if you don’t absolutely need a one-box solution, trump both with an all-in-one system such as Denon’s Award-winning D-M40DAB.

But if £250 is a concrete ceiling to your budget, and not being one-box is a deal breaker, the Evoke C-D6 will do the job just fine, but really no better than that.

See all our Pure reviews

See all our stereo system reviews

Cyrus has revealed full details of its new Lyric streaming systems, a new streaming range which is set to launch with the Cyrus Lyric 05 and Lyric 09.

Designed to meet the needs of consumers who want to listen to music from a variety of sources, the Lyric systems sport an exhaustive list of features and a completetly new glass and aluminium casing.

The systems offer wireless network and Bluetooth streaming, CD playback, DAB, FM and internet radio, a host of analogue, digital and USB connections, and more besides.

Cyrus claims the systems have a slick new control interface, as well as being compatible with the existing Cyrus Cadence remote control app for Apple devices.

Naturally, Cyrus insists the same high standards that the company aims for with its separates systems have been applied to these new all-in-one streaming systems: "The audiophile approach to everything," as Cyrus says.

The Lyric 05 is the more affordable of the two models, yours for a cool £2250 and delivering 80 watts per channel of power in to 8 ohms and featuring a 24-bit/192kHz DAC.

Step up to the Lyric 09, £3000, and you get a claimed 170 watts per channel of power and an integrated DAC capable of upsampling to 32-bit/192kHz.

Cyrus Lyric features

So, about those features. The Cyrus Lyric products are UPnP devices, so can stream from any compatible device over your home wireless network. The free Cyrus Cadence iOS app acts as your control and gives you access to your full library, plus artwork and track metadata.

The stream engine from the Cyrus Stream XP2-QX, a winner in the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards 2013, takes care of streaming duties inside the Lyric systems.

If you'd rather stream directly from your device then there's Bluetooth connectivity, the Lyric 05 and 09 systems supporting A2DP and the superior aptX Bluetooth codec, so streaming from compatible smartphones, tablets and computers is available.

TuneIn Radio is integrated inside for access to 70,000 internet radio stations, while you'll also find DAB and FM radio tuners.

Lest we forget, CD playback – arguably Cyrus' biggest strength in recent years – is present and correct, too. The Lyric systems employ the SE CD system used in the £700 Cyrus CD T transport.

You'll also find one analogue stereo input, twin coaxial and optical digital connections, and a selction of USB inputs. Two 'Made for iPad' USB A inputs (front and back), can charge your iPad or play music from an iPhone, iPad or USB drive. A solitary USB B input allows you to connect and play music directly from a computer.

Last but not least is a Class A 3.5mm headphone output, which Cyrus claims incorporates a high capacity power supply and a high quality headphone amp.

Inside the Cyrus Lyric systems is Cyrus' new "hybrid" power amplifier, which is also set to be part of the forthcoming £1500 Cyrus Stereo 200. Both the Lyric 05 and Lyric 09 feature Cyrus' propietary automated speaker analysis system, which senses the impedance of connected speakers and adjusts the output accordingly.

The Cadence iOS app gives you remote control from any iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, with full access to your library of streaming music. A standard remote is also supplied, while the two Lyric products also have a new touch control system on the units themselves.

The new displays on the Lyric products also feature proximity sensors, which can be set to fade off and then back on when you come back in the room. All this is technology is housed inside a hand-finished aluminium chassis.

We have seen a pre-production model of the Cyrus Lyric 09 and we're hoping to get our eyes and ears on a finished product very soon, so look out for our full review.

So, interesting times. What do you think of the new Cyrus products? Let us know in the comments below.

by Joe Cox

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The original Revo AXiS wowed us last year – and picked up an Award into the bargain – thanks to its huge feature list, great performance and classy design. The new XS clearly has a lot to live up to…

New for this Revo Axis XS version is an updated design, the ability to stream content via Bluetooth, a side-mounted USB port for charging your device (be it iOS or Android) and a remote (the original’s was an optional extra).

You still get the first Axis’s features too, of course: FM, DAB/DAB+, Last.fm, network streaming, iPod dock and an internet radio tuner. There’s also the obligatory clock-radio functionality.

Revo Axis XS: Sound quality
As with the original, we’ve no complaints with the XS’s sound. Like its predecessor, it’s punchy for its size, keeps a firm hand on midrange and ensures that treble frequencies never become hard or unruly. It’s a mono design, though, so don’t expect a huge soundstage.

The touchscreen interface, meanwhile, is cracking. It’s logical and provides plenty of info.

The XS really is a pleasure to use. Feature-packed and displaying a fine facility with sound, we really can’t recommend it enough.

MORE: Best DAB digital radios

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The Revo Pixis is the little brother to Revo’s Axis XS. While the larger unit sports FM, DAB/DAB+ and internet tuners, plus support for network streaming and Last.fm, the Pixis keeps things simple with FM and DAB/DAB+ tuners only.

The Pixis’s design DNA is clear to see, with it retaining the large, clear display and tactile control wheel of the XS, but doing away with the adjacent speaker, instead having it firing out of the top.

The interface is painless to use, but we did find the touchscreen a tad inaccurate with our finger-jabs.

On the plus side, though, it’s easy to access the stations you want – we particularly like the retro FM dial and the ability to drag your finger along the screen to tune in to your broadcasts.

Revo Pixis: Sound qualityWith the lovely tones of BBC Radio 2, though, the Pixis offers a pleasing sound, with some qualifications, however.

It certainly has beef, and that bass weight belies the unit’s size, but with it comes a touch of fizz to higher frequencies and a hollowed-out quality to the midrange. But with a bit of EQ tweaking, the overall the sound is likeable.

And that’s why the Pixis gets four stars to the Axis XS’s full five. We aren’t taking into account the feature list here – you’d expect the bigger unit to have more to it – but it’s definitely worth a listen.

As a step up on the bedroom radio, though, the Pixis is pretty good value.

See all our radio reviews

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A Pure Contour system without a built-in radio is like a Wimbledon fortnight without Sir Cliff – unthinkable. But that’s exactly what you get with the Pure Contour 200i Air.

A Pure Contour system without a built-in radio is like a Wimbledon fortnight without Sir Cliff – unthinkable. But that’s exactly what you get with the 200i Air.

Pure has stripped out the DAB and FM tuners you find in its Contour and Contour 100Di. Instead, the company is nudging consumers down the Internet radio route via the company’s Pure Lounge music streaming service for iOS and Android devices.

Once it’s installed, you can stream popular songs, podcasts and live radio feeds from around the world through your smartphone. Of course, this is in addition to playing music straight off your devices’s hard drive.

Pure Contour 200i Air: AirPlay compatible

Of course, as the model name suggests, the 200i Air does feature AirPlay functionality: in fact, it’s the first ever Pure product to be AirPlay enabled. Connecting the unit to your network is simply a matter of docking your iDevice and hitting the wi-fi setup button on the rear of the Pure.

Press ‘accept’ on the prompt screen and Contour hops on your network straight away. The Contour can operate wirelessly, or you can hardwire via the Ethernet connection on the back of the unit.

If you don’t have an iOS device but still want to use iTunes, you can turn the Contour into a wireless access point and use the designated web page and setup manager to get it paired with your network.

The 200i Air has been designed to work with iPods, iPhones and iPads. The speakers have been positioned so they’re not in the way should you want to play whilst an iPad is docked.

Pure Contour 200i Air: Technical specs

On the rear you’ll find a 3.5mm aux input and digital coaxial output should you want to hook the radio up to a stereo amp and listen through your own speakers. They accompanying remote is on the small-side, but it’s intuitive and responsive enough, allowing you to switch inputs, alter volume, etc.

There’s an LED on the front of the unit, hidden beneath the fabric cover, which glows a different colour depending on what you’re doing e.g. white when using AirPlay, blue for when you’re using a docked device and pink when using the auxiliary input.

Software updates can be done automatically while the unit’s in standby or sleep mode, so it doesn’t interrupt your listening.

Pure Contour 200i Air: Sound quality

Factor in the cost of implementing AirPlay and sound quality is fine for the money. The Pure does sound coarse, but the general level of detail is good and the speaker system sounds lively and keeps a decent tempo.

Vocals and dialogue sound clear enough and although not the weightiest of sounds, lows avoid coming across as malnourished. The switch from a docked iDevice to AirPlay does result in a slight drop in sound quality, but it’s still listenable.

Streaming using Pure’s own Pure Lounge app proved more of a stumbling block. Our iPhone 4S had no problem selecting and streaming live radio stations and on-demand programming.

But every time we tried to stream a song or album, it crashed and closed the app. This happened a few times, even after uninstalling and reinstalling the app, so there’s obviously some work to be done in this department.

Pure Contour 200i Air: Verdict

What we have here is a relatively affordable first step onto the AirPlay ladder. Sound quality isn’t perfect, and Pure’s own app could do with a few refinements, but the 200i Air is still worth investigating.

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Bose has upgraded its Wave radio and music system, adding DAB/DAB+/T-DMB tuners and improved FM/AM radio.

Artist names and song titles provided by broadcasters are now displayed on the screen, and there's a new touchpad on the top of the unit for on/off control and alarm snooze.

You also get dual alarms so different wake-up times can be set to dfferent volumes and different sources.

The Bose Wave Music System III includes a front-loading CD player, and costs £600, while the Bose Wave Radio III (without CD player) is £450.

Both include an aux input for hooking up a smartphone, iPod, TV or computer, as well as a BoseLink input for connection to optional accessories such as the Wave Bluetooth adapter (£130), Wave Connect iPod/iPhone dock (£130) and Wave multi-CD changer (£300).

You can buy the Bose Wave Music System III in silver, white or grey and the Wave Radio III in white or grey.

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The push towards a retro-radio aesthetic is helped along by Sony in the shape of the XDR-S16.

Just because the S16 packs DAB and DAB+ reception alongside FM, that doesn’t mean it can’t have the looks or the real-wood feel of a transistor radio from the ’50s.

It includes a headphone socket and, tiny two-line display aside, is simple to use. And, when supplied with a broadcast of acceptable quality (BBC Radio 3, for instance), the Sony serves up a solidly weighty stereo sound.

It’s a driving listen, loaded with momentum, and the more attacking and dynamic the source material the happier the XDR-S16 becomes. It’s punchy at the bottom end and agreeably detailed in the midrange.

Spiky treble frequencies are a trade-off, and the Sony doesn’t quite tie the frequency range together as smoothly as some rivals, but it’s an appealing device nonetheless.

See all our DAB/FM radio reviews

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Marantz has released further details of its forthcoming M-ER803 Blu-ray in a box system, due on sale in September for £800.

It delivers 2 x 70W into 6 ohms RMS, has a built-in Blu-ray player with Full HD 1080p/24fps support via HDMI, a USB input with iPod digital interface, a new GUI (graphical user interface) and M-Xport.

The latter can be used with the optional RX101 wireless Bluetooth audio module.

We saw a mock-up of the M-ER803 yesterday (shown above), and will bring you a full review as soon as we can get hold of a finished production sample.

Published 08.05.10

Marantz is translating the success of its M-CR502 CD receiver into AV with its M-ER803 system, which combines a Blu-ray player with a 2.1-channel receiver in a single box.

It's just one of the new products being previewed here at the High End Show in Munich, part of a 15-strong line-up on the way this year, and also offers Bluetooth connection of portable music devices and computers.

Computer-based music is also in the forefront of the company's NA7004 media player, and the first of the company's next-generation AV receivers, the SR7005.

The former allows streaming of music from computers and iPod/iPod Touch and iPhone, has FM/DAB/DAB+ reception and also access to internet music services such as LastFM and Napster, as well as internet radio.

It also uses established Marantz technologies such as the company's Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules, or HDAMs, and inputs include USB, Bluetooth and optical/electrical digital.

The SR7005 receiver is HDMI 1.4a/3D-compatible, with no fewer than six HDMI inputs. It has 7x125W output, and network audio capability, including streaming/internet radio and DLNA compatibility.

All the Marantz products are due to be revealed at a press event early in June – we'll be there, and should be able to give you more details of UK pricing and availability then.

Click here for our Munich High End Show video report

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The manufacturer claims the C725BEE delivers the performance of separate high-end components in the convenience of a one-box receiver, at a more affordable price.

Edvardsen is responsible for the analogue design of the new receiver, which also incorporates several of his other developments such as PowerDrive, Distortion Cancelling Circuit, the BEE Clamp and a new circuit layout.

PowerDrive automatiically adjust the power supply settings to best cope with a speaker's impedance characteristics.

Based on the same type of high-current Toroidal transformer used in NAD's separate components, the C725BEE delivers 50W of power.

DAB module is optional
The FM/AM tuner has 30 presets, supports RDS and there's a socket on the rear panel for connecting NAD's optional DB 1 DAB module.

Audiophile features include multi-way speaker binding posts, gold-plated input sockets and an output for adding a powered subwoofer.

A line level zone 2 output with independent source selection lets users add an amplifier in another location and listen to all audio sources connected to the C725BEE.

There are also seven high-level inputs, a front panel mini jack for connecting portable devices, an IR remote control and two-line fluorescent display.

For custom installation, there's an RS-232 port compatible with Crestron, AMX and Savant system controllers and a 12v trigger input and output.

The NAD C725BEE is available now in graphite or titanium finishes. It's distributed in the UK by Armour Home Electronics.

The CS-525UKD CD receiver includes a DAB/FM tuner, a USB port for MP3 playback from portable audio devices, a discrete amplifier circuit for high-current drive, two-way bookshelf speakers finished in gloss black and comes in in silver or black. It can be bought for £250 without the speakers.

The CD player can handle MP3 files recorded to CD, as well as CD-R and CD-RW discs. The DAB/FM/AM tuner has 40 presets, and the new model has an improved DAB tuning system plus auto-tuning and RDS on FM channels.

If you want to connect an iPod, there's a choice of compatible Onkyo docks, and you can send yourself to sleep or wake yourself up using the built-in timer and clock

A comprehensive spec list
Additional features include bass and treble controls, a subwoofer preout, optical digital output and gold-plated speaker terminals.

Power output is a claimed 2 x 26w and the system uses Onkyo's WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology), originally developed for the company's AV receivers, to help keep a grip on the speakers while reducing amplifier distortion and enabling a wider frequency response.

The magnetically-shielded speakers incorporate a 3cm 'Ring Drive' tweeter plus a 13cm A-OMF (Advanced Onkyo Micro Fibre) mid/bass driver made from a pure cotton weave.

If the CS-525UKD model is slightly above your budget, then Onkyo has a new entry-level micro system, the £200 CS-325UKD (pictured above).

The price includes a DAB/FM tuner, a pair of D-T1X speakers, Onkyo's WRAT amplifier technology and an Onkyo DS-A1XP iPod dock. All the aerials, interconnects and speaker cables are included as standard.

"Rarely has so much been delivered for so little," says Onkyo.

There's a full review of the Onkyo CS-325UKD in the September issue of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, on sale from July 24th.

As Pure's original Chronos clock radio has grown up, becoming the Chronos II and spawning the Chronos iDock variant, so the Siesta has slotted in below it,as an entry-level model. The Siesta doesn't have the Chronos II's quality of finish, its display is less bright, and it doesn't have such helpfully large buttons. Yet we think it's better value, because it sounds just as good as its pricier sibling.

Oh, and it also doesn't skimp on features – as well as DAB tuning it has FM RDS,three alarm settings and various trick text features, and comes in a choice of silver, black or white.

If broadcasts are of suspect bit-rate, it protests, but then you do have the FM tuner to fall back on. In all other circumstances it's a coherent and focused listen, with a particularly well-judged midrange.

MORE: Best DAB digital radios to buy in 2014

With radio now available via Sky and Freeview, not to mention streaming onto a PC near you, the hi-fi tuner might seem an endangered species. Or maybe not: there's no shortage of high-quality hi-fi tuners on the market.

Hybrid tuner
The NAD's a hybrid tuner, with three aerial inputs – for FM, AM and DAB – and 40 presets for the analogue stations as well as favourite station memory on digital. Optical and electrical digital outputs are available from DAB, and there are analogue outputs from all bands, while the digital-to-analogue conversion used for DAB is based on that in NAD's C521BEE and C542 CD players.

This tuner is is good – very good, in fact – with a decent outdoor aerial delivering plenty of signal. Pop and rock stations are their usual slightly hard-edged selves – compressed to the point of breathless excitement – but find a decent Radio 3 concert or Radio 2 music special, and you'll enjoy what this tuner can do with its well-weighted bass, expressive midband and fine treble detailing.

Dodgier on DAB
Things are a bit ropier on DAB: not the tuner's fault, but many stations now sound rather thin and artificial in digital form. Stick to FM for the quality stuff and DAB for non-FM stations – TalkSport and Radio 5 sound better on DAB than AM – and you'll be fine.

In fact the NAD's only real problem is the presence of rivals which do the same job for less. And with the money you save, you could buy a good FM aerial.

Not content with ruling the roost at higher price bands, Pure has models to take care of the budget section of the digital radio world, too. The One is its entry-level DAB radio, and its performance means it should sell in shedloads.

However, don't think you're getting £100-plus radio performance – you're not. Though the One offers good clarity and class-leading levels of detail, it lacks the authority, bass-reach and richness of some pricier rivals. True, those superior-sounding sets cost double the money, but if you plan lots of radio listening, they're probably worth it. The One is a good listen, though, and if you struggle to pick up digital signals (as you occasionally might, due to its diffident tuning), there's FM as a back-up.

Features

The One hosts a couple of nicely innovative features: when listening to digital stations, you can pause the scrolling text (handy to note down info), and you can also store text data and read it later. Power is either via mains or battery – 20 hours from the bespoke £30 Pure battery unit, or 35 hours from six C size batteries – meaning the One is truly portable, and the build, though lightweight, is fine for the money.

Pure doesn't seem to build anything but competitive digital radios – the One is no different.

MORE: Best DAB digital radios to buy in 2015

We have a third certainty in life: to the inevitability of ‘death' and ‘taxes', you can now add ‘you can afford this Goodmans'. Yes, this CD/digital radio micro costs just £75, and it actually manages to look stylish with it.
It also feels solid, and the supplied glass stand provides a neat little base – ideal for use on a kitchen worktop. And a bedroom or kitchen is where we see this compact system living – as does Goodmans, judging by other extra features such as a clock and alarm.

There's more good news: the 1104HDAB sounds great for the price. The machine benefits from a decent warm-up, which eases the initially bright treble, even if the Goodmans' sonic character always remains slightly spiky. Another constant is the discernable hiss at very low volume, but that shouldn't be a major problem during normal use.

DAB reception is fairly robust – fix the supplied aerial to the wall for best results – and radio delivery is fine. The Goodman's lacks the rich sound of Pure's excellent Evoke-1XT, but that £100 portable doesn't play CDs, nor does it include stereo speakers.

Switch to CD, and the 1104HDAB maintains composure even at high volumes, happily pumping out the musical genre of your choice. There are various sound settings, and the ‘rock' choice adds a bit of weight, but the options tend to increase our minor concern with the treble.

Let's jump back into perspective: this micro system costs just £75 and offers DAB reception, CD replay and very decent performance. All that makes the Goodmans a certainty for five stars.