What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Not a bad effort from Roberts, but the same money can buy you better sound
Pros
- +
Solidly made, logical menus, pause/rewind functions
Cons
- -
Poor sound, whichever tone setting you choose, oddball looks
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi?
Despite its slightly oddball styling – it's another one of those Roberts Radios that looks a bit too much like a prop from UFO or Space: 1999 - the Gemini 55 gets most things right.
It works off batteries or the mains, and offers plenty of flexibility: USB input, SD card reader, and mini-jack in and out. It's well made and has big, logical menus, along with pause/rewind functions to let you listen back to something you half-heard.
But its sound lets it down. It has two ‘tone' settings: ‘news' (pretty much just midrange) and ‘music' (everything bar midrange). We prefer the ‘news' setting for all types of listening, but your money can buy better fidelity than this.
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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.