Majority Barton II radio review
Contributing Editor
Welcome to this Majority Barton II radio review. Not every radio lover will automatically have the cash required for a Roberts radio, or something from Pure audio. That doesn’t mean they don’t want an attractive radio with plenty of features, though.
That’s where companies like Majority come in, bridging the gap between affordability and performance. With a wide range of radio systems, and DAB pocket radios to choose from, Majority delivers product to suit everyone, at a more manageable price point.
Here’s what you need to know about the Majority Barton II.
Barton II: Design
For such a low price, it’s amazing how good the Majority Barton II radio looks.
As mentioned above, at first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking this radio came from the Pure Evoke line. It’s an attractive rectangular device that’s small enough to fit well on kitchen countertops and bedside tables.
There’s also an LCD screen included where you can check the time or the name of the radio station you’re listening to. The screen is quite small, but this can be a good thing if you’re looking for that minimalist aesthetic.
Available in a selection of 3 colours, the Majority Barton II DAB+ radio looks best in the two wooden shades, walnut, and oak (at least in our opinion). This is a classic-style radio with a design that tricks the mind into thinking it’s more expensive than it really is.
Keep in mind that though this DAB radio is compact, it’s not portable. The Majority Barton II digital radio can only be powered through the mains, so you’ll need to leave it plugged in. It would have been nice to have a portability element, but this wasn’t a deal breaker for us.
Barton II: Features
Beyond its good looks, the Majority Barton II DAB radio has a variety of features to explore.
Notably, there aren’t any advanced options like USB ports or Bluetooth streaming. Instead, you get a digital-ready radio that can easily skip through FM, DAB and DAB+ channels in seconds.
Alongside radio listening options, you also get an automatic scan feature, a pre-set menu where you can save your favourite stations, and an alarm mode. The pre-set stations don’t come with any dedicated buttons, so you will have to work through the menu to find the channel you like.
The time feature sets itself automatically, and you can choose two alarms to run at the same time, which is nice if you’re living with a partner. Alarms can either be in buzzer mode, or you can play music from your favourite channel.
Main features include:
- DAB/DAB+ and FM radio
- Dual alarm clock
- Snooze and timer function
- 20 pre-set stations
- Automatic time setting
- Warranty for 36 months
- Automatic scanning
- Telescopic aerial
- LCD display
- Headphone jack
Barton II: Performance
Functionality-wise, the Barton II from Majority is basic, but effective. There aren’t any Bluetooth streaming options or a USB port where you can plug in your phone. The only way to listen to anything is through radio.
However, the radio reception is strong. You’ll have no problem switching between channels, particularly with the help of the included antenna.
Another major plus performance-wise is how easy it was to use the device in our Majority Barton II radio review. Setup is quick and simple, with a time system that sets automatically. You’ll scan for channels automatically too, which means less time searching for shows you want to listen to.
The pre-set button is a nice extra touch, but it would have been nice to have dedicated buttons, so you didn’t have to scroll through a menu of up to 20 channels at a time.
On the plus-side, the sound quality for this radio was good, with a crisp and clear level of audio. You can get a decent amount of volume out of the Majority Barton II alarm clock radio, and we didn’t notice any significant distortions, though bass was lacking.
You shouldn’t expect a full ‘audiophile’ experience from the Barton II, but for the price, that’s not too much of a surprise. What you get is a decent level of quality that’s hard to argue with, and an attractive case.
Barton II: Verdict
The Majority Barton II radio is a pretty simple product, and one great example of how diverse the Majority range is. While there are radios by the brand that offer more advanced features, like USB charging and Bluetooth, this one is intended to be more basic.
If you’re looking for a radio that provides excellent value for money and decent sound quality, then this could be the item for you. It doesn’t hurt that the Barton II looks nice either.
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