14 Eye-catching DAB Tuners and Digital Radios

by Dean Evans at Saturday 6th June, 2009 at 3:43 pm [4 comments]

DAB radio sales are on the up and it’s been estimated that nearly one third of the UK population tunes into a digital radio station every week.

Modern digital radios come in all shapes and sizes, some far classier and more distinctive than others. So why settle for a dull-looking DAB box when you can listen to obscure stations on one of these stylish gadgets…

1. Blue Thunder DAB Radio Myxtic – LX350

Looking like it was built to compete in an episode of Robot Wars, the Myxtic DAB radio stands out thanks to its oddly angular, Sci-Fi design.

The LX350 is part of the Blue Thunder 350 series, which also includes the unique Cyklon and Luna models.

2. Bush Touchscreen DAB radio

This Bush TR04DABBLK seems like a ho-hum combo DAB/FM device. But look closer and note the touchscreen display that dominates the radio’s entire front face.

There aren’t many of them about, but if you can find one it’ll cost you £50.

3. Dualit DAB/FM Kitchen Radio

The polished chrome/black design and clean lines of this Dualit DAB radio gives it a pinch of class that many rival devices lack.

It also matches the Dualit kettle and toaster if you’re a slave to detail. But this style doesn’t come cheap – expect to pay around £170.

4. Marantz M-CR502 CD DAB receiver

The new M-CR502 is an all-in-one music system that crams a CD drive (CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA support), DAB/FM tuner and USB connectivity into a smart brushed aluminium casing with a shiny black fascia. And all for under £500. Nice.

5. Meridian F80

At the top of the DAB-compatible scale of goodness you’ll find the beautifully-designed Meridian F80.

This is £1,449-worth of Ferrari-themed music system that features an 80W speaker and subwoofer, DAB tuner plus CD/DVD player. Mmmm…

6. Porsche P9123 DAB Radio

Made from high quality aluminium, the Etón Porsche P9123 DAB radio features a geometric acrylic block fused onto a metal housing.

Three 1.5-inch speakers deliver unparalleled sound. The package also includes an iPod dock. But at £469 this little bit of Porsche doesn’t cost a fortune.

7. Perstel DR601 DAB Digital Radio

With a design that has echoes of a 1930s ‘wireless’, the eye-catching Perstel DR601 combines old styling and new technology to great effect. Find it online for around £130.

8. Pure Bug Too

This iconic, bug-eyed digital radio was originally designed by British designer Wayne Hemingway (probably after a night-in watching E.T. On DVD).

In addition to its DAB talents, the Pure Bug Too can play back MP3s and features a Sky+/TiVo-style ‘ReVu’ mode.

9. Pure Evoke-1XT Marshall DAB Tuner

The Pure Evoke-1XT Marshall DAB Tuner is basically an Evoke-1XT model with an iconic, Marshall-inspired makeover.

Pure has also turned this digital radio up to ‘11′ with a custom 3-inch drive unit and active filters. It’ll cost you £70.

10. Pure Evoke Flow

The Pure Evoke Flow takes some of its design cues from the Marshall-edition Evoke-1XT – note the classy black design and minimalist front face.

It also features integrated Wi-Fi to connect to Internet radio stations. And all for £120.

11. Revo UNO DAB Radio

Who says DAB tuners have to look like FM radios? The Revo UNO has a clever hourglass design with the LCD stacked on top of the speaker and the controls laid out on the top.

It’s also available in a range of different colours. The price? £70 to you.

12. Sony ICF-C773L

Like the Revo UNO above, the Sony ICF-C773L dares to be different, opting for a vertical design that could have been inspired by a Brabantia pedal bin, pepper mill or a legless R2-D2.

It’s eye-catching though, and sells for around £60 online.

13. Vita Audio R1

Small, but perfectly-formed, the Vita Audio R1 is a beautifully-designed table-top DAB radio with a clever rotary control dial on the top-face.

Few digital tuners give you a choice of real wood veneer – walnut or cherry wood. Prices hover around £130.

14. Vita Audio R2

Let’s face it, Vita Audio make damn-fine DAB tuners. If the R1 was lovely, then the bigger, pricier Vita Audio R2 gives you a digital radio with over two times the punch for £160+.

Like the style? Then check out the R3 version, which features an iPod dock.

Any more suggestions? Drop us a comment below.

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