Review of Sony XDR-C705DAB digital radio

GH Institute

Digital radios

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

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Review of Sony XDR S10DAB digital radio

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Comments
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GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Revo Heritage digital radio

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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
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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
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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.
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GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Dualit DAB Kitchen Radio

Features
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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

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GHI Test Report - November 2010
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Features
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Comments
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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
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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
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Comments
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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