Pure Evoke C-D4 review: An all-in-one music system
Contributing Editor
If you’re looking for style, reliable performance and excellent functionality, then it’s hard to go wrong with the Pure radio brand. A company committed to exceptional attention to detail and unbeatable audio performance, Pure has stood out from the crowd year after year in the UK.
Here at Radio Fidelity, you’ve probably seen us talking about Pure radio products before, in the form of some of the best pocket DAB radios on the market or radio alarm clocks like the Pure Siesta Rise.
Now, we’re going to be looking at one of the most comprehensive music systems in the Pure portfolio: the Pure Evoke C-D4.
According to the Pure Evoke C-D4 reviews we read before acquiring our own Bluetooth CD player, this device is one of the ultimate options on the market for audiophiles who want infinite options for how they listen to their favourite music.
Let’s take a look.
Pure Evoke C-D4 review: Design and build
The first thing that surprised us about the Pure Evoke C-D4 was just how small it was. It’s not exactly a pocket-sized radio, but this Pure DAB radio and CD player is surprisingly compact when you consider just how many features it has.
The Pure Evoke comes with everything you need to tune into DAB and FM radio, as well as Bluetooth streaming and CD playback.
The compact size of the Evoke means that it will fit well into most rooms of the house. We also loved the fact that you can pick the colour you want for your radio, from choices like a stylish wood finish to soft grey and bold black.
By far, this is one of the most attractive radios that we’ve seen from Pure to date.
While options like the Pure Avalon are sleek and modern, the Evoke brings a touch of retro elegance into its aesthetic appeal. Clearly, we’re getting an updated version of some of the traditional tuner radios you used to see in homes throughout the 70s and 80s.
A plastic panel houses all the controls on the front of this radio. The main controls include a small, attractive touch button and separate dials for volume.
The enclosure makes these controls nice and user-friendly. Thus, it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to understand how these controls work.
There’s no full-colour display like you get with some other Pure radios, but you will be able to get plenty of information out of the small black-and-white display.
Here, you can see the time, what you’re currently playing and more. Additionally, all of the buttons and tuners on the Pure Evoke CD-4 are tactile and easy to use, making every interaction with this device an absolute delight.
In terms of build quality, this radio features a solid, real wood casing, meaning the unit is fairly heavy.
Pure Evoke C-D4 review: Features
Pure is a brand that you can often rely on for selling products that are more than just a pretty face. That’s certainly the case with the Pure Evoke C-D4 Bluetooth CD player. The built-in Bluetooth means that you can choose to stream music from your laptop or phone.
What’s more, the simple CD player in the front of the device means you can continue to make the most of your album collection.
For those who prefer to listen to the radio, there’s access to a great FM signal, where you can quickly scour through your favourite channels and save certain options for later.
There are also plenty of extra listening options available thanks to the DAB and DAB+ connectivity included with the Pure Evoke.
Features include:
- CD player with shuffle and repeat options
- Compact design
- Bluetooth wireless playback
- Streaming DAB and DAB+ radio
- Digital tick approval
- Digital display with album information
- Class-leading audio
- Headphone socket
- 3-inch speaker
Ultimately, the Pure Evoke C-D4 radio with CD player was designed to give today’s audio lovers the freedom to listen to their favourite shows and tunes however they like.
You can tap into your whole music collection without any restrictions – unless you happen to be addicted to vinyl and cassettes.
Pure Evoke C-D4 review: Performance
One of the most compact options in the Pure Evoke series, the Evoke C-D4 is a sensational all-in-one music system for CDs and digital radio. Setting up your Bluetooth connection so that you can wirelessly stream music is simple and straightforward. And you’ll have no problem working the CD player system too.
There are a few minor downsides to this device, such as the fact that you can’t always get a great connection with the remote control unless you’re standing right in front of it – which negates the point.
Additionally, though the sound of this DAB radio CD player is exceptional, it can be a little heavy on the bass when taken straight out of the box. You might need to adjust some settings before you get the sound balance that works for you.
Another issue is that there are only three preset buttons available, and 10 preset options to save in total. A lot of other similar radios on the market offer anywhere up to 40 presets – which would make it much easier to navigate the world of radio.
Despite the drawbacks, the Pure Evoke C-D4 is a great option for any audiophile due to its sheer power and excellent balance of mid-range and high-end.
The table below summarizes the pros and cons of the Pure Evoke C-D4:
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly user-friendly | Too bassy |
| Effective Bluetooth streaming | Limited remote control capacity |
| High build quality |
You can get the Pure Evoke C-D4 at Amazon, Argos, and John Lewis.
For the audiophiles out there, you can also view our list of the top radio stereo systems! Let’s start with Our Top 9 For Spectacular Sound and the Best Touch Screen Car Stereo.
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However, for its rather hefty price tag, we do think that Pure could do a little better in some areas. For instance, it would be helpful to have more than 10 presets to work with and a more responsive remote control.
