Goodmans 1104HDAB review

Goodmans offers an awful lot for not much money with this cool-looking and adequate-sounding DAB-equipped CD micro system - how do they do it? Tested at £75.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A lot of micro for not much money

Pros

  • +

    Price

  • +

    DAB radio

  • +

    decent sonic delivery

  • +

    diminutive dimensions

  • +

    neat looks

  • +

    respectable build

Cons

  • -

    Sonic character is a little bright

  • -

    slight hiss at very low volume

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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.

What Hi-Fi?

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

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