GH Institute

All Digital radios

• 
  Review of Sony XDR S10DAB digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; output: 8 Watts per channel; mains powered; headphone socket; 10 DAB and 10 FM presets; 140 x 270 x 112mm (HxWxD); available in light or dark brown

  Comments

  Good points: With a good-looking facade and a chunky case, this radio will look smart on a bookshelf - particularly as the power cord's kinked jack means you can push it right back. Better than average FM reception in our test area.

  Drawbacks: The output lacks bass and sounds a little thin, and with no equaliser there's no opportunity to improve it. It had some trouble tuning to national DAB stations in our test area where others did not, including Smooth, Absolute 80s and Traffic.

  Rating: 63/100

  Price Range: £67 - 79

  Stockist: 08705 111999 - http://www.sony.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Revo Heritage digital radio

  Features

  DAB, DAB+, FM and Internet tuners; wireless streaming from home computers; iPod dock; output: 7 Watts; mains power; headphone, external speaker, video (for iPod), line in and digital line out sockets; wireless and wired Internet connectivity; 10 presets each for digital and FM; remote control; 175 x 260 x 98mm (HxWxD); constructed of walnut and aluminium

  Comments

  Good points: The Heritage sports a clear, high-resolution display that makes set-up a breeze. A built-in 11,000-station directory makes short work of tuning in to stations around the world over a wired or wireless Internet connection. DAB+ features offer a degree of future-proofing, so this is a radio with a long life. Sound quality is excellent, and it has looks to die for.

  Drawbacks: FM performance was slightly disappointing.

  Rating: 90/100

  Price Range: £220 - 230

  Stockist: 01555 66 6161 - http://www.revo.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Pure Evoke-1S Marshall digital radio

  Features

  DAB, DAB+ and FM radio; output: 7 Watts; mains power and optional ‘ChargePAK' battery; headphone, line out, line in and external speaker sockets; 30 presets shared between digital and FM; 175 x 210 x 110mm (HxWxD); black casing

  Comments

  Good points: Excellent FM and DAB tuners deliver a rock-solid signal, while the bright, lively speaker does justice to both music and speech in equal measure. Space for 30 presets and although the screen has only two lines, it is bright and, thanks to well-structured menus, easy to use. An eco-conscious choice, it draws just 0.9W in standby and 2.48W in use (industry averages are 2.64W and 5.49W respectively).

  Drawbacks: Very individual styling may not appeal to all.

  Rating: 87/100

  Price: £119

  Stockist: 0845 148 9001 - http://www.pure.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Vita Audio R1 MkII digital radio

  Features

  DAB, DAB+ and FM tuners; output: 9 Watts; mains power plus optional rear-mountable ‘BackPack' battery; headphone, line out and line in sockets; 5 station presets each for digital and FM; 170 x 130 x 135mm (HxWxD); available in rich walnut veneer, dream white and high gloss midnight black

  Comments

  Good points: The R1 MkII's speaker is more powerful than you'd expect from such a compact device. Its rich tones are reminiscent of a traditional valve radio set. A top-mounted rotary dial controls power and volume, surrounded by the station selection and preset buttons.

  Drawbacks: Unusually long aerial spoils its clean lines. FM performance could have been better.

  Rating: 76/100

  Price Range: £159 - 180

  Stockist: 01702 601410 - http://www.vitaaudio.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

  
  

• 
  Review of Dualit DAB Kitchen Radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; output: 8 Watts; mains power and built-in rechargeable battery; headphone, external speaker, digital out and line in sockets; 5 presets each for digital and FM wavebands; 180 x 275 x 135mm (HxWxD); chrome and rubber finish

  Comments

  Good points: The retro 50s chrome case is a perfect match for Dualit's industrial-chic toasters. It has excellent sound quality to match. Reception is strong on both digital and FM wavebands.

  Drawbacks: The case is prone to attract fingerprints, and Dualit warns that the battery will run down when unplugged and on standby if you don't switch it off fully using a switch at the back.

  Rating: 74/100

  Price Range: £149 - 150

  Stockist: 01293 652 500 - http://www.dualit.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Roberts Sound 66 digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; iPod dock; output: 2.5 Watts per speaker; mains powered; headphone, line in and line out sockets; 10 presets each for digital and FM tuners; remote control; 91 x 277 x 213mm (HxWxD); dark wood casing

  Comments

  Good points: Excellent sound quality. The iPod dock is more useful than a built-in CD player as it puts a library of up to 40,000 tracks on your desktop depending on your iPod model.

  Drawbacks: The dated, unattractive screen spoils this radio's otherwise good looks.

  Rating: 72/100

  Price Range: £135 - 149

  Stockist: 01709 571722 - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Roberts SolarDAB 2 digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; output: 1 Watt; mains, solar and battery powered; headphone and line in socket; unlimited station presets; 130 x 202 x 64mm (HxWxD); available in black, green, red or white

  Comments

  Good points: This tiny radio is a true eco champion with a wide solar panel on top that keeps the bundled rechargeable batteries topped up. Keep it on a sunny windowsill and you'll never be short of power.

  Drawbacks: Output is thin because it only has a single watt speaker, although fine for garden listening and perfectly good enough for speech radio.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price Range: £72 - 79

  Stockist: 01709 571722 - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Pure Oasis Flow digital radio

  Features

  DAB, DAB+, FM and Internet tuners; wireless streaming from home computers; output: 10 Watts; mains and battery powered; headphone, line out and secondary speaker sockets; 30 digital, 10 FM and unlimited Internet station presets; 230 x 155 x 140mm (HxWxD); white plastic and aluminium casing

  Comments

  Good points: Internet connectivity lets you listen to radio from around the world, and if you have more than one compatible Pure radio they will each synchronise your presets through Pure's Lounge site. The Oasis is designed for use in the bathroom, so sockets and controls on its rugged case are rubber-coated to keep out the damp.

  Drawbacks: Large case may be difficult to accommodate. FM reception disappointing which isn't helped by the fact that the aerial can't be tilted or repositioned.

  Rating: 65/100

  Price Range: £170 - 179

  Stockist: 0845 148 9001 - http://www.pure.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Philips AE5200/05 digital radio

  Features

   DAB and FM tuners; output: 300 mWatts; mains or battery powered; headphone socket; 20 station presets; 16-character, 2-line display; 104 x 200 x 45mm (HxWxD)

  Comments

   

  Good points: The smallest radio on test, this is the best choice for listening on the move. Build quality is faultless, and it feels like it could withstand being thrown into a suitcase for a holiday flight. Innovative design means the corners of the LCD display double up as buttons for tuning and changing the volume, further saving space without adding complication. A pull-out stand at the back keeps it upright.

  Drawbacks: The only downside is the rather ‘thin' sounding speaker. The Roberts solarDAB sounds better.

  Rating: 68/100

  Price Range: £57 - 59

  Stockist: 0906 1010016 - http://www.philips.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Sony XDR-S10DAB digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; output: 8 Watts per channel; mains powered; headphone socket; 10 DAB and 10 FM presets; 16-character, 2-line display; 140 x 270 x 112mm (HxWxD); available in light or dark brown

  Comments

  Good points: Sony has put a lot of thought into the look of this radio - at least at the front - which is classy with well-integrated buttons and satisfying ratcheted dials.

  Drawbacks: Around the back it's ugly grey plastic. The speaker is loud, but the sound it produces lacked a little bass for our liking for a slightly unsatisfying result. It's bulky and lacks a handle, so isn't one you'll want to be carrying from room to room.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price Range: £55 - 79

  Stockist: 08705 111999 - http://www.sony.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Dualit DAB Lite digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; output: 6 Watts; mains power and optional rechargeable batteries; headphone socket; 10 DAB and 10 FM presets; 16-character, 2-line display; 155 x 225 x 90mm (HxWxD); available in chrome, black or cream

  Comments

  Good points: We love the aerial recess, which looks like a toaster slot, so this radio fits well in a kitchen. It has large, easy to use buttons and ratcheted dials so you won't skip past what you're selecting. Its hidden feature is a rechargeable / alkaline switch around the back that lets you use it as a battery charger, making it as portable as the Evoke Mio. It also has a built-in egg timer function.

  Drawbacks: We were disappointed by the plastic finish, which picks up fingerprints easily.

  Rating: 77/100

  Price Range: £77 - 85

  Stockist: 01293 652 500 - http://www.dualit.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Tivoli Model DAB digital radio

  Features

  DAB, FM and AM tuners; mains powered; headphone socket; five DAB presets; 16-character, 2-line display; 114 x 212 x 133mm (HxWxD); available in beige or silver

  Comments

   

  Good points: We love the traditional look of this desktop radio, where the speaker is set into the top of a solid wooden case. The sturdy build lends it great sound quality, and the FM tuning dial is well-geared and satisfying to turn. All of the controls are to the front, so it benefits from being positioned slightly raised to facilitate easy use.

  Drawbacks: The FM dial slightly inaccurate as the frequencies and numbers were offset on our test sample, and the snooze button is rattly and spoils the unit's good looks.

  Rating: 82/100

  Price Range: £149 - 206

  Stockist: 0844 800 8528 - http://www.trivoli-audio.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Roberts solarDAB digital radio

  Features

  DAB tuner; output: 1 Watt; mains, solar or internal battery-powered; headphone socket; 10 station presets; 16-character, 2-line display; 110 x 190 x 80mm (HxWxD)

  Comments

   

  Good points: A large solar panel on the top charges an internal battery, so if you leave it on a sunny windowsill while it's not in use, it'll be topped up and ready for action whenever you need it. The fact it charges a battery rather then running directly from the panel also means you won't miss reception when a cloud comes past, as you did with an older solar radios. Despite being small, the speaker is surprisingly good.

  Drawbacks: There's no FM, so you will miss some local stations.

  Rating: 84/100

  Price Range: £63 - 78

  Stockist: 01709 571722 - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Teac SR-2DAB digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuner; 4 Watts output per channel; mains powered; headphone and auxiliary sockets; video out socket; iPod / iPhone dock; remote control; 30 station presets; 16-character, 2-line display with indicators and clock; 112 x 322 x 188mm (HxWxD)

  Comments

   

  Good points: Like the Pure Evoke Mio, this is a leather-wrapped beauty, and like the Tivoli it's a desktop radio, with its controls split between the front and top. Also on top is a dock for an iPod or iPhone, which is controlled using the controls on the radio itself and the large screen on the front. It tunes to DAB and FM, and has an auxiliary option for other external devices.

  Drawbacks: We found the aerial to be underpowered in our test region when compared to the others in this test.

  Rating: 85/100

  Price: £159

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Boston Horizon Solo XT digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners; mains powered; headphone socket; 20 station presets; rotatable high contrast display adjusts automatically to ambient light; 134 x 210 x 159mm (HxWxD); available in onyx or mist with chili pepper, Spanish moss, caramel, olive, glacier, rose bud, chocolat (sic), pearl gray or onyx grilles

  Comments

   

  Good points: This radio sounds great: the speaker is loud and clear, and there's good control over treble and bass. The controls and display rotate so you can use it in portrait or landscape mode, and the trim is a snooze control for the two alarms. The display is bright, clear and easy to read, and the menu well structured and easy to navigate. The front grille is interchangeable, so you can tailor it to match your décor.

  Drawbacks: The looks are somewhat industrial.

  Rating: 91/100

  Price Range: £79 - 148

  Stockist: 02890 279830 - http://www.bostona.eu

  GHI Test Report - November 2009

• 
  Review of Pure Evoke-3 digital radio

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  DAB and FM reception plus MP3 playback from memory cards and connected players. Mains or battery powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 3.5mm input jack. USB connection for software updates. 8-line LCD display. 123 station presets. Alarm function with sleep and snooze. Bundled power adaptor cable and remote control. Scheduled recording of radio programmes plus live pause and rewind of up to 40 minutes. Dimensions: H210 x W120 x D90mm

  Comments

  The Evoke-3's killer feature is a large LCD screen that shows a full programme guide for national stations, allowing for one-touch recording to a removable memory card. Sound quality is excellent, thanks in part to its beautiful solid wood case, but the menus, while comprehensive, can be a little confusing at times. An excellent, environmentally-friendly choice, it has been designed to minimise power consumption both in use and standby. For anyone who plans on recording radio, this is the only choice here among those tested for December 2008, and it easily justifies its price.

  Rating: 91/100

  Price Range: £125 - 213

  Stockist: 01923 277488 - http://www.pure.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Bush TR04 digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception. Mains or battery powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 2-line LCD display. 10 station presets. Bundled power cable. Dimensions: H175 x W312 x D86mm

  Comments

  GH GOOD DEAL. This radio's retro casing is in sharp contrast to the touch-sensitive controls found on the top. Everyone who came into contact with it was impressed, and with no moving external parts it's somehow quite magical to use. As such there is only a ‘standby' switch on the top, with the power switch hidden out of the way. Sound quality is good on both DAB and FM, and the menus are logical and easy to use. The whole package easily justifies its price.

  Rating: 89/100

  Price: £49.97

  Stockist: 0845 300 1111 - http://www.albaplc.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Grundig Legacy digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception. Mains powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 2-line LCD display. 20 station presets. Bundled power cable. Dimensions: H303 x W175 x D89mm

  Comments

  This wonderful retro radio comes in a solid wooden case that you'll want to keep on display. The speaker takes up the whole of the front, with only a thin slice at the bottom given over to controls. They are hidden behind a smoked plastic cover through which you can read the LCD display and use the bundled remote. The headphone jack is awkwardly tucked around the back. Set-up and control is simple, and sound quality is good, although a slight background hiss on both FM and DAB spoils things.

  Rating: 79/100

  Price: £43.25

  Stockist: 0871 230 1777 - http://www.grundig.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Sony XDR-C705DAB digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception. Mains powered. 2-line LCD display plus clock. 20 station presets. Alarm function with sleep and snooze. Bundled power adaptor cable. Dimensions H192 x W93 x D88mm.

  Comments

  Despite a single small speaker and a stringy wire aerial, sound quality is good and tuning is strong on this DAB radio alarm clock. A large screen showing programme information and the time dominates the face, while the top is home to controls for the radio and alarm. There is no headphone jack or option for battery operation. It's very easy to use, as you'd expect of something you have to tackle first thing in the morning.

  Rating: 79/100

  Price Range: £59.13 - 69.99

  Stockist: 08705 111999 - http://www.sony.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Pure ONE mini digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception. Mains or battery powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 2-line LCD display. 16 station presets. Bundled power adaptor cable. Available in black, white or pale pink. Dimensions: H135 x W130 x D60mm.

  Comments

  Tiny, attractive radio with a smart tuning knob that doubles as the volume control, although this must be pressed horizontally to confirm selections, which can be fiddly. Despite the small speaker, sound is surprisingly good for both music and talk. An excellent choice for the kitchen or desk where space is limited and, like the Evoke-3, it is designed to minimise power consumption.

  Rating: 79/100

  Price Range: £38.79 - 49.95

  Stockist: 01923 277488 - http://www.pure.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Roberts Revival RD-50 digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception.  Mains or battery powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 2-line LCD display. 1 station preset. Bundled power adaptor cable. Live pause for up to 14 minutes. Dimensions: H155 x W250 x D100mm

  Comments

  This metal-bodied DAB and FM radio evokes an air of 50s elegance, which perhaps explains why it has only one station preset. Live pause, allows you to stall broadcasts for up to 14 minutes if you have to answer the phone or door. Sound quality is good, but it couldn't get a good fix on as many stations as its rivals. Would look great in a kitchen alongside steel kitchen gadgetry.

  Rating: 75/100

  Price Range: £173.99 - 199.99

  Stockist: 01709 571722 - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Panasonic RF-D5EB-K digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception. Mains or battery powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 2-line LCD display. 20 station presets. Sleep timer function. Bundled power adaptor cable. Dimensions:  H270 x W152 x D76mm.

  Comments

  This unattractive, dated-looking radio is redeemed slightly by its large, simple controls. A good choice for anyone baffled by technology, we like the way you can flick through available stations without having to confirm your choices. However, while sound quality surpasses the Intempo TRS, it could still be better, and the FM auto scan is slow. Consider the Bush TR04 or Pure ONE mini instead.

  Rating: 72/100

  Price Range: £56.61 - 60

  Stockist: 0845 844 3852 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Goodmans DAB / FM portable radio

  Features

  DAB and FM reception. Battery powered. 3.5mm headphone jack. 1-line LCD display. 10 station presets. Bundled headphones and batteries. Dimensions: H69 x W44 x D21mm

  Comments

  The size of a matchbox, this is the smallest DAB and FM radio we have ever seen. It sounds great and, despite having very few buttons, is easy to use, as they perform different functions depending on how long you hold them down. Reception was good in the home and office, but almost non-existent in a train, even on FM, so it's not ideal for use on the daily commute. Its cheap plastic case also looks better than it feels.

  Rating: 57/100

  Price: £44.99

  Stockist: 0871 230 1777 - http://www.goodmans.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Roberts Cath Kidston digital radio

  Features

  DAB and FM tuners. 10 station pre-sets, rear mounted headphone socket, rear mounted line-in input.

  Comments

  This classic Roberts design has a stylish twist thanks to some Cath Kidstone design magic. Sound quality is average, but the finish is very impressive - as long as it matches the look of your kitchen that is.

  Rating: 79/100

  Price: £200

  Stockist: 08450 262 440 - http://www.cathkidston.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - December 2007