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63 About this deal
It allows you to stream internet radio, and any other audio on your smartphone, to your DAB radio – so you can listen to everything from podcasts and audiobooks to your personal music collection. NFC (near field communication) is simply an easier way of connecting via Bluetooth – instead of finding the radio in the Bluetooth menu on your smartphone or tablet, you can simply touch your device on the ‘N’ symbol on the radio. The VQ Retro mini radio comes with DAB and DAB+ connectivity, as well as standard FM, so you can listen to any station you like. The Retro Mini sounds fantastic with the premium single ultra-wide full range 5W speaker delivering a rich and room-filling audio experience. You can also tailor the acoustics with a range of six available presets for different music genres. If you and your partner need to get up at different times, look for a model with dual independent alarms, an increasingly common feature. Snooze button
Many cars are unfortunately still sold with FM-only radios. If you’re buying a new car, we’d strongly recommend choosing a trim level with DAB radio, or get it fitted as an option. You can also easily add DAB radio to your existing car – see our handy guide on how to get DAB radio in your car. Should I buy an internet radio? Most non-budget DAB radios are also compatible with DAB Plus, although the UK is well behind the continent in taking up this technology. For radio stations that support it, DAB+ offers improved sound quality. No matter which colour you choose, the VQ retro mini is bound to live up to its name. The eighties-inspired theme resonates all the way from the leatherette-feel handle, to the wooden casing.
Big sound. Small size
You’ll usually get better reception with a long, rigid, telescopic aerial than from a wire aerial, so it’s worth trying a model with one of these.
It’s an academic argument, though: all DAB radios we review also give you FM radio too, so you don’t lose out. You can easily switch between the two to get the best sound quality wherever you are. Also it’s important to note your radio’s speakers have a far greater impact on the quality of sound than choosing between DAB and FM broadcasts – it’s more important to choose a DAB radio we recommend. The “Pop” option is great for listening to a lot of top 40 radio stations. However, you might need to fiddle for a while longer if you’re looking for something that’s suitable for talk radio. VQ Retro Mini radio: Verdict The range isn’t as extensive as you’d find on the internet services mentioned above, and the number of channels you can access depends whether you’re on Freeview or you get your TV from a service provider such as Sky or Virgin Media. That said, all the big names are there, from BBC Radio 1 to BBC Radio 6 Music, Capital FM, TalkSport and others. Do consider carefully which features you actually need – you’ll save money by avoiding those you’re unlikely to use. Which brand: Roberts or Pure?The 1960s-inspired radio is classic in design and has a smooth rubber finish, with a matte cream-style facia. Perfect for someone looking for a retro radio with modern features and a vintage style. Some radios use dedicated rechargeable batteries which will recharge when the radio is plugged into the mains, even while you’re listening to it. If you’re still having trouble, buying an internet radio may be the answer – this will work in range of your home wi-fi signal, and most models have DAB and FM radio as well in case signal improves in your area in the future. Does DAB radio sound better than FM radio? DAB radios are more than just broadcast devices. To get the most out of yours, consider models with the following useful features: Alarms You can listen live or use the catch-up service to listen to older shows from those stations that provide them.
You should also consider getting a smart speaker instead of an internet radio. These are also connected via wi-fi, and you control them with voice commands rather that with buttons. You can use a smart speaker as an internet radio by asking for your favourite radios stations, and it will play them through services such as TuneIn Radio. This gives you more choice of models, starting at lower prices – the only disadvantage is that smart speakers don’t also have DAB and FM radio like internet radios typically do. On average, sound quality is often better on smart speakers, too. For more information, see our guide on how to buy the best smart speaker. Five ways to listen to the radio for free Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to transition most BBC and commercial radio stations to DAB+, with both consumers and the industry generally happy with the audio quality of DAB stations. According to the design team at VQ, The Retro Mini radio was their chance to create something capable of standing the test of time with modern functionality and unbeatable charm. The VQ Retro Mini stands out as one of the most popular DAB radio options online for people with a love of retro style, and a limited budget. What’s more, the Retro Mini can achieve volumes that are a lot higher than we expected when we started testing out this device.
Compact and classic
They’re also particularly useful for radios with lots of functionality, such as internet radios, where performing a long series of button presses can get clunky.
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