Roberts Vintage Radio Review 1

Roberts Vintage radio review: Timeless style and sound

Roberts Vintage Radio Review
Release Date
2011
Manufacturer
Roberts
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Roberts Radio is a UK radio brand that does many things exceptionally well.

When you buy a Roberts radio, you can usually rest assured that you’re going to get excellent performance, a simple user interface, and plenty of powerful sound quality.

However, the thing that we love most about Roberts Radio here at Radio Fidelity is how attractive its products are.

Devices like the Roberts Revival iStream 3 and the Roberts Blutune 200 remind us of everything we love about radio and its amazing history in the UK.

The Roberts Vintage DAB radio (link to Amazon) is another exceptional product from Roberts that gives you the perfect view into the past without ignoring the future.

Offering the perfect combination of convenient modern tools like DAB+ connectivity with a stunning vintage look, the Roberts Vintage radio is like nothing else on the market today.

Here’s what we learned when we tried one of these bad boys out for ourselves.

Roberts Vintage radio review: Design and build

This Vintage Roberts radio will stand out anywhere in your home thanks to its compelling and elegant retro design.

Like many of the other leading products in the Roberts line, such as the Stream 67, this device combines futuristic elements like DAB digital radio connectivity with unique pieces of historical design.

Around the sides of the Roberts Vintage radio, you’ll find a smooth wooden finish that delivers a stunning aesthetic appeal and a higher sound quality.

The Roberts Vintage also comes with authentic old-fashioned rotary volume and tuning knobs. If this is your first DAB radio, these traditional elements will make it easier to get used to the new tech.

On the other hand, if you’re familiar with the latest tech, the classical elements just make the design of the Roberts Vintage ever more charming.

Available in a choice of matt black and pastel cream, the Vintage is intended to fit anywhere in your home, whether you’re listening in your bedroom or kitchen. What’s more, despite a number of old-fashioned features, the Vintage still keeps up with the top contenders in the radio market.

It’s all largely thanks to the built-in battery recharger, a favourite station button, and unlimited station preset options.

An aux-in socket is even available if you want to connect your smartphone to the Roberts Vintage DAB radio and play your own music.

Weighing in at around 898 grams and measuring 23.4cm wide by 8.7cm deep and 13cm high, the Roberts Vintage is also surprisingly portable. There’s even a robust leather carry handle that you can use to take your favourite music wherever you go.

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Roberts Vintage radio review: Features

The Roberts Vintage radio is an excellent insight into why Roberts is still one of the most popular radio designers on the market today.

The Vintage looks as though it was plucked straight from the early days of radio history. But that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on features or functionality.

The built-in DAB, FM, and DAB+ connectivity means you can easily find your favourite stations. What’s more, with unlimited presets, saving channels for later is simple, too.

The lightweight and portable design of the Roberts Vintage means that you’ll have no trouble taking it with you on the go.

However, what we appreciated about this device regarding portability was its impeccable battery life. You can get up to 80 hours on a full charge, then simply recharge your system with the mains.

Alternatively, you may also decide to use an AC adaptor.

If FM/DAB/DAB+ stations don’t have the tunes you want to listen to, the stereo line-in socket in the Roberts Vintage also allows you to access the system as a speaker for your personal playlists.

This Roberts Vintage Radio makes stepping into the future easier than ever – particularly if you still have a soft spot for the past. Features include:

  • FM, DAB and DAB+ radio
  • RDS on FM to show the station name
  • Rotary tuning and volume dials
  • Aux-in socket for playing your phone’s content
  • Stereo headphone jack
  • Mains or battery-operated power
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Roberts Vintage radio review: Performance

An attractive and easy-to-use radio set is great – but it’s also important to know what kind of performance you can expect from a device like the Roberts Vintage.

The good news is that, like many radio kits in the Roberts portfolio, the Roberts Vintage comes with exceptional connectivity and sound clarity.

Setting up your Roberts Vintage radio is simple, particularly thanks to its familiar and old-fashioned design. Even if this is your first digital radio, you’re going to take to it like a duck to water.

This set is particularly good if you love listening to podcasts or talk shows because it has a very clear tone and a high mid-range focus.

One downside is that it’s slightly lacking when it comes to treble and bass, and there aren’t any options to adjust those settings manually.

However, while some people might be disappointed by a lack of out-of-the-box bass power, others will prefer the simpler and cleaner sound of the Roberts Vintage.

Another major benefit of the Roberts Vintage radio’s performance is that you don’t have to stop listening just because you’re moving to a different room. The option to power the radio via mains or batteries means that the party can come with you, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.

However, we’d probably recommend against taking something this expensive outside.

The Roberts Vintage Radio can be found by clicking this link to its product page. If it’s out of stock, we recommend the Roberts Rambler BT instead!

If you’re on the hunt for radios with history, we’d like to recommend our article on All About Vintage Shortwave Radios.

Prefer to be more hands-on? We also have a guide on the Best DIY-Friendly Radio Kits!

Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio

Just so you know… This article contains affiliate links. The commission we earn helps to cover our costs, and comes at no additional cost to you. For more information on our affiliate program, please refer to our disclosure policy.

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Roberts Vintage radio review: Verdict
So, what's the verdict on the Roberts Vintage radio? Is it another winner from one of the world's leading radio companies? In our opinion, the Roberts Vintage DAB is an excellent piece of audio kit – ideal for people on the move and those who love vintage style.

However, you will have to remember that you're paying more for the style of this radio than anything else. It's not the most powerful radio set on the market for high-octane music, and it's not as futuristic as some of the other radios available today. For around £150, you're only going to feel like you've got your money's worth if you want a beautiful design, great FM connectivity, and excellent talk show quality. This isn't the ideal choice for someone in search of a cheap and cheerful DAB radio.
Sound
95
Design
94
Connectivity
88
Build quality
90
Positives
Looks stunning with a unique vintage design
Clear and crisp sound excellent for talk shows
Amazing battery life and various power options
Lightweight and portable with sturdy carrying handle
Easy to use for beginners to digital radio
Negatives
No high-tech features like Bluetooth
Not the best for high-volume music
A relatively expensive choice
92
Sweet
Where to buy

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