Sony XDR-P1DBP radio review for 2023
Contributing Editor
Given the market dominance that Sony enjoys across the world, there’s a pretty strong chance that you have a Sony branded good in your home or office, or have owned one at a certain point in time.
The Japanese electronic goods giant has done more than just establish a strong foothold in the electronics market. It has deep interests in the music entertainment industry and also sits right at the front in the gaming console business.
Based in Japan and established in the 1940s, Sony has come a long way, having been operational long before many of its competitors today. As large a conglomerate as Sony, the Company still maintains unquestionable quality in many audio products.
Famed for its Walkman and Discman brands from the early 80s to 2000s, the Company has maintained a strong link to radio listeners.
It also caters to users who enjoy listening to radio on the move, which brings us to this review of the Sony XDR-P1DBP. A UK favourite that is as small as a deck of cards and just about as light.
About the Sony XDR-P1DBP
As a brand that has so many products under its belt, coming up with a recognisable naming system might not really be top of mind. Nonetheless, the Sony XDR-P1DBP remains a well-known variant despite its lengthy tag.
Spotting the classic 70/80s design, this particular brand has found a home in many UK citizen’s pockets and homes.
The Sony XDR-P1DBP should be somewhere close to the top of the list if all you want is a basic radio with none of the extra bells and whistles. For around £70, you get a Sony digital radio that supports both DAB and DAB+, as well as regular FM.
It spots a multi-line display upfront that lights up with an amber backlight and an auto-tune button for automated tuning.
The telescopic aerial extends to a length far greater than most and is easily adjustable sideways. Its small size is great for placing somewhere enclosed, like a bookshelf, and its loudspeaker is good enough to properly project sound even when placed on the table.
The radio’s lithium-ion battery keeps it powered for up to 15 hours when playback is through the speakers and 20 hours if it is through headphones.
Sony XDR-P1DBP review: Features
This Sony digital radio comes with only the essential features that a regular radio listener demands today.
They include:
- A 1.5W mono speaker
- FM/DAB/DAB+ support
- Foldable table stand
- FM RDS for track info
- Micro USB port for charging
- Up to 20 preset stations
- Built in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Weight: 168g
Dimensions: 112mm (W) x 57mm (H) x 24mm (D)
Sony XDR-P1DBP review: Design
One thing that stands out about this Sony digital radio is that its sound output defies its diminutive size by far. It maintains a very traditional design, with an up-and-down rocker for scrolling through the available stations, requiring you to push to select your preferred station.
It also features a sliding switch to alternate between power on and off, as well as a hold position to prevent any other buttons from being accidentally pressed whenever you have the radio in your pocket.
This Sony DAB radio has seven buttons in total. Three at the top are numbered and used to switch to the saved stations, and four more are on the radio’s front panel for the menu, back, auto tune, and switching between DAB and FM.
The volume is situated on the radio’s right side, just above the headphone jack.
This radio is designed to be as portable as possible. It measures 115x57x24.5 mm, making it highly portable, and you can take it anywhere with you. You don’t have to worry about the radio not fitting in your backpack as you leave for camping trips.
What’s more, the Sony XDR-P1DBP weighs only 169 g (0.37 lbs). Such a lightweight design means that the radio will not weigh you down as you leave for your trips.
Sony XDR-P1DBP review: Performance & connectivity
Sony’s portable DAB radio is relatively intuitive when it comes to use. It doesn’t have Bluetooth functionality but does offer DAB+ despite its slow uptake in the UK.
Users should also expect to do without any auxiliary features, as the radio doesn’t have such a port.
The auto-tune feature allows users to populate its station list, and if you come across your favourite stations, they can be saved by pressing either of the three buttons on top of the unit.
To fill the other seven spots from its 10-channel list, users will have to long press the rocker whenever the preferred station is tuned.
If you wish to clear the list and start all over again with the presets, there’s a small reset button at the bottom of the radio that refreshes everything.
Sony XDR-P1DBP review: Sound quality
Naturally, given its size, output from the Sony XDR-P1DBP is lacking in bass.
The sound quality in other departments, however, remains relatively satisfying – especially for channels that feature talk shows. Listeners will also have to contend with the fact that there’s no stereo.
Sony XDR-P1DBP review: Usability
As far as usability is concerned, this digital radio is as basic as you can get.
Navigation is pretty straightforward, and the user interface is quite intuitive. What listeners might have to be careful about is the rocker and the table stand; they’re both rather fiddly.
Other than this, the radio features a sturdy, high-quality, plastic build that’ll hopefully see it through a couple of knocks without too much damage.
Aside from being a properly functioning radio, the XDR-P1DBP also works well as an alarm clock, allowing you to wake up to your favourite station.
Sony XDR-P1DBP portable radio: Verdict
This is hands down the best pick for anyone who just wants a simple radio to listen to on the go. Its tiny footprint allows you to take it virtually anywhere.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys keeping things simple and doesn’t mind sacrificing volume for portability, this could be the perfect portable radio.
Other reasons to buy the Sony XDR-P1DBP include:
- You want an option to carry around without being weighed down
- You want a radio with excellent bandwidth
- You enjoy listening to voice radio
However, this option might not be the best fit if:
- You enjoy bass music
- You’re a USB-C cable user
Sony is synonymous with iconic products tied to radio’s milestones. Its colourful history as a company is one every radio fan should know by heart. If you haven’t a clue, here’s our article on The History Of Sony And Radio.
For another excellent Sony product, here’s our full review of the Sony XDR-S41D.
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.
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