Verdict
Despite plenty of competition from smart speaker unit , the Ruark R1S makes a compelling case as to why DAB radios can still be a worthy buy in 2023 . The want of some forward-looking furnishing are sure to disuade some buyers , but for anyone who appreciates style and immaculate sound lineament , the R1S still has a lot to offer .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Smart utterer have become popular over the last several eld but they have n’t yet ousted the humble DAB wireless as the Ruark R1S show .
As someone who has a smattering of Amazon Echo and Google Nest loudspeaker dotted around his bland , and has been tempted to invest in anApple HomePod 2or theHomePod Mini , I ’m the last individual who would add an honest-to-god - shoal wireless into the mix .
When I was given the opportunity to review the new Ruark R1S , I retrieve it ’d be interesting to take the dip . After all , the company ’s product have been well received , and Ruark ’s devices have a minimalist artistic that catches my eye .
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Design
Ruark has cleared the first vault of pretend the R1S find like a stylish spell of outfit that someone would desire on their desk or bedside mesa , and sense like it complements their décor .
The wooden panels give the R1S a timeless look , the company ’s logo sits proudly above on its own silver panel . It ’s all very punctilious and it impart me enquire what a duet of Ruark earphone or earbuds might look like if the caller ever decided to branch out
The only thing I ’m not too nifty on is the gray gloss on the sides . Of course , not everyone will feel the same way but to my eyes , the grey looks a little workaday , and some USN blue or even a touch of silver gray might have done the trick a flock better .
On the front is a 2.5 - column inch OLED show – the very same one found on theRuark R1 Mk4 . Despite its small-scale appearance , the screen is still large enough to exhibit information such as the fourth dimension , the app you ’re using and the band / track name of the birdcall currently playing without pressure you to squinch .
Looking at the screen school principal on , the information is promising and soft to understand but I have noticed that the view Angle are limited . If you have the R1S placed on a bedside table , I ’d recommend making sure that the projection screen face you .
On top you ’ll find a rotate dial for controlling loudness and scroll through menus , while a fistful of clitoris seat along the outside . Everything works well here and the release find wonderfully tactile , invoking the memory of using the scroll rack on the iPod Classic .
Features
As the Ruark sn’t just going up against other radios butsmart speakers , Ruark added a few innovative feature film to help it keep up .
In increase to Wi - Fi and Bluetooth , the R1S supportsSpotify Connect , DeezerandAmazon Music , and I very much enjoy being able to see album art on the R1S ’ video display when diving into my playlists .
That does mean there is n’t much you may do on the gimmick itself after connecting your stream account . Sure , you could plunk straight back into the playlist you were play , but withSpotify Connectyou ca n’t go around browsing the service ’s wares – this is something you ’ll have to do on your smartphone .
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You do have the ability to save playlists , album and wireless stations in the Preset menu , but I find this to be a lilliputian antiquated when I could just cull up my speech sound and more promptly dive into the exact rails I want to listen to .
I can infer that in parliamentary procedure to hold on to some of the nostalgia that DAB receiving set bask , the R1S has n’t to the full comprehend modernity with its control inputs , but I feel like this could have been remedied passably if the R1S included voice helper functionality from the ilk of Alexa or theGoogle Assistant . It would n’t be a consummate solvent , but it would certainly give you the chance to will your phone alone for a min as you determine what to hear to .
As you might wait , you have the ability to set an alarm and have it toy your favored radio place at a fourth dimension of your choosing . It ’s worth mentioning that you could only have two dissimilar alarms at a time , and you ca n’t spiel music from a streaming help as part of the warning signal either , which is something you could do on impertinent alternatives like theAmazon Echo 4th GenandGoogle Nest Audio . dedicate that Ruark is expecting consumers to hand over £ 299 for the R1S , it would ’ve been prissy to see a few more features here .
One area where the R1S excels is in the realm of podcasts . When you hop over to the Podcasts section of the UI , you have the power to dive straight into dozens of the most popular podcasts from around the humanity . It ’s perfect if you ’re on the scout for something new to listen to , but need a moment of inhalation to come up your next favourite podcast .
Also working in the R1S ’s favour is the fact that it can be used as a portable speaker via the separately sell BackPack 3 face pack . add up an appurtenance into the mix does add to the already expensive asking toll of the R1S , but at least it collapse the gimmick more versatility than most speakers , so you could bring it with you the next time the weather calls for a cinch .
If you have an existing hello - fi readiness - up , you’re able to take the R1S into the mixture with an AUX in port , and there ’s even a USB - C port for charging up any devices on your nightstand .
Sound Quality
In almost all scenarios , the Ruark R1S sounds fantastic , and it ’s clear that the company knows how to get the most speech sound potential out of such a humble twist .
In its nonpayment state , the R1S emphasises vocal and percussion , which makes it ideal for nodding and singing along whenever one of your favorite running pops up on the radio set . This also means that podcasts and audio dramas vocalize phenomenal , with voices come through with tremendous clarity .
If you prefer to have a small more sea bass in your playback , or even institute the keys and the strings to the forefront , then you may spay the bass and the two-fold in the configurations computer menu . With these configurations cranked up , bops like foal ’ Wake Me Up come through bright , and the R1S can well become trashy enough to be used as a company verbaliser when the need calls for it .
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Should you buy it?
The Ruark R1S look great and sound even better , so if those are the only limiting factor ’s you ’re interested in then you ’ll sleep with what ’s on offer here .
without smart home control or a voice help , the Ruark R1S does palpate like a equipment from a different metre and probably wo n’t strike on those who are looking to build out their smarthome ecosystem .
Final Thoughts
At its core , the Ruark R1S does a lot of things right . On the surface , it ’s well one of the nicest look DAB radios I ’ve used and easily meld into your plate ’s existing décor . Couple that with its impressive sound that brings tuner post , podcasts , euphony to life-time , and there ’s deal to love .
The steep £ 299 asking toll might be a bit easier to deal with if the twist had Alexa or Google Assistant compatibility , and it ’s even missing features like the ability to expend Spotify tracks as part of your alarm .
For the average soul , I ’d say that you ’re good off saving some money and peck up a more nonrational machine with similarly great audio like theHomePod Minior theGoogle Nest Audio , both of which can run receiving set station just fine . If you ’re set on having adedicated DAB radiohowever then you ’ll be hard adjure to find a good option .
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How we test
We try every radio we review soundly over an extended period of time . We use industriousness stock tests to compare features properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
Find out more about how we test in ourethics insurance .
FAQs
Yes , there is a power - out USB - C port to colligate a charging cable from the R1S to your phone .
No , it ’s only potential to coiffe your alarm to an net , DAB or FM radio post .
Full Specs
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