Pure Elan IR3 review
Contributing Editor
Sensational radios come in many different shapes and sizes.
That’s something that we’ve seen first-hand here at Radio Fidelity, when conducting our reviews of dozens of the world’s leading radio systems.
One particular brand that has no problem showing of its versatility, particularly in the UK marketplace, is Pure.
Similar to other leading UK radio brands like Roberts and Ruark, Pure is a state-of-the-art company respected around the world for its commitment to great sound quality and exceptional design.
Pure offers a wide selection of radio products, ranging from the Pure Siesta alarm clocks for those in search of the best bedside companion, to the Pure Chronos for full-range audio systems.
The Pure Elan portfolio was made to appeal to customers who want the perfect combination of musical performance and portability in one compact package.
Today, we’re going to be looking at the internet radio version of the Elan – the Pure Elan IR3.
Pure Elan IR3 review: Design and build
The Pure Elan IR3 portable internet radio is very similar in style to the other radio systems offered in the Elan range. Just like the BT3, you can expect to get a small, compact radio, a little smaller than the average book.
The Elan IR3 will fit perfectly in just about any room of your home. We think that it’s well-suited to the job of a bedside alarm clock, or a kitchen radio, for instance.
Additionally, the Elan IR3 also appeals to customers from a range of different backgrounds, thanks to the ability to choose from a selection of colour finishes for your radio. The Pure Elan IR3 comes in shades ranging from deep matte black to mint and red.
Like other products in the Elan range, the IR3 is designed to appeal to customers who want a modern radio system that doesn’t take up a great deal of space.
This portable internet radio gives you access to stations from around the globe, and it comes with a vivid colour display that you can use to track down the content that you need too.
The crystal-clear 2.8 inch colour display comes with a simple button dial, so you can navigate through the system to track down information about the music that you’re streaming, the time, and more.
The Elan IR3 also comes with the option to set up to 12 station presets and assign four quick-access buttons to your favourite channels for easier use.
Design-wise, we think that the Elan IR3 is charming and sophisticated, with an intuitive appeal that’s likely to delight older users and people who don’t feel comfortable with technology.
Pure Elan IR3 review: Features
If you’ve already read about some of the other Pure digital radio products in the Elan portfolio, such as the BT3, then you’ll have a good idea of the features that you can expect from the IR3.
The Pure Elan IR3 is an internet radio first-and-foremost. That means that you can easily tune into more than 25,000 sensational stations world-wide.
You’ll also have the option to select up to 12 internet radio stations to set your preset list, and you can assign four of those channels to dedicated buttons on your device.
Additionally, to help you make the most of your internet connection, the Pure Elan IR3 also comes with access to the Spotify Connect app.
If you want to control your music wirelessly, you can do so through the Spotify app on your phone. However, you will need a Spotify premium subscription.
Selling at just under £70, the Pure Elan IR3 comes with features like:
- Large 2.8 inch colour screen
- Internet radio for up to 25,000 radio stations
- Versatile and portable design
- Aux input for music streaming
- Spotify Connect ready
- Headphone output
- 12 station presets and 4 preset buttons
- 3 year warranty supported by Pure
- 3-inch bespoke full-range speaker
- Alarms and sleep timer
Similar to the Pure Elan E3, the IR3 doesn’t come with Bluetooth connectivity. However, you can still play the music that you have on your smartphone and other devices using the aux-in cable.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a Pure DAB radio, it’s important to note that this is an internet radio only. There’s no connectivity for FM and DAB radio built into the Elan IR3.
Pure Elan IR3 review: Performance
So, how does the Elan IR3 perform?
Well, as we’ve noted when reviewing other Elan products, many of the portable radio systems from Pure are fantastic for people in search of easy access.
If you want a state-of-the-art digital radio, but you don’t want to have to spend forever learning how to use your new purchase, then the Pure Elan IR3 might be just the thing for you.
Like other items in the Elan line, the IR3 comes with a fantastic colour screen which makes it easier to navigate through the thousands of internet radio channels available to you from around the world.
You can search by country, name, or genre to find the option most suitable to your needs.
In addition, the Pure Elan IR3 portable internet radio is compact and lightweight, so you can carry it with you inside and outside of the house. If you want to take your new radio with you on-the-go, then all you need is a set of four AA batteries.
From a sound quality perspective, the Pure Elan IR3 comes equipped with one of Pure’s leading bespoke speaker systems. If you’re looking for something small but mighty, the Pure Elan IR3’s 4 watt speaker is sure to get the job done.
There’s also a digital amplifier built in, and adjustable treble and bass controls for richer sound.
Pure Elan IR3 review: Verdict
So, what did we think at the end of our Pure Elan IR3 review?
Overall, if you’re in the market for an attractive and reliable internet radio that comes from a brand you can trust, then you can’t go wrong with the Pure Elan IR3.
It’s not going to give you FM and DAB audio, but you should find plenty of content to listen to with just the internet radio connection.
Although the Pure Elan IR3 doesn’t feature Bluetooth streaming, it does come with an aux-in cable that you can use to listen to your preferred music. Simple, portable, and powerful, we think that the Elan IR3 is a great buy.
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