Great DAB Radio Hunt

L.S.D.

axean wrote:

I'm afraid DAB is a step down from Sky/Freeview. DAB could and should be superior, offering CD quality sound, but it doesnt. The UK started DAB too early (about 10 years ago) and using technology that was then dated.. A hell of a lot happend in the last ten years. The result is dab stations that have inferior quality compared to the best fm signal.
The language we use mp2 is out of date, and the bit-rates (around 128kbs) too low. Freeview/Sky use around 192/160kbs mp2QUOTE]

Thanks for the reply. I have all 3 & there is nothing wrong with my speakers etc, In fact I often listen on good quality headphones to all 3. I read about the bit rates a long time ago. But DAB does offer both local & National stations, NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE, with high quality. FM can 'hiss' etc DAB 'warble' Freeview & SKY both tied to the house or immediate area. They all have there limitations. For all intents & purposes most people in most listening situations will not tell any diference.

Rez_2

Hi All

I'm a newbie, so please be patient if this doesn't work!!

My wife bought me a DAB Radio for my Birthday last month and I must say it's been a bit of a bargain. Can't stop listening to BBC Six Music (just my sort of station).

Anyway, it's a Bush SYS4000DAB DAB/FM Micro System available from Argos for £49.99. Not bad considering it's got DAB/FM/MW tuner, CD Player, single cassette player. If it works, the link should be here

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5130982.htm

Like I say, so far, I've been dead impressed with it!!

Cheers, Rez

itsfrommark

In my opinion, the Red DAB radio from Sainsburys is the best. Having reviewed a range of these radios it equals the best on offer elsewhere. Originally at 49.99 and now 39.99 it's a bargain. I have two and one feeds my hi fi system with reasonable results.

A technical note: many listeners may be disappointed in the quality of digital radio in general regardless of which receiver they use. Unfortunately the bit rates the BBC use on DAB are too low to provide good audio quality on their music radio stations; BBC7 and the Asian Network are in mono even though much of there content is created in stereo; Radio 4 is often in mono and Radio 3's bit rate is often reduced to a low 160 kbps.
This may all sound meaningless, however the bottom line is that the quality may be no better than on FM. The opportunity to create a far superior audio experience has been missed.

When you have tested the water there is a great deal of info out there. Try

http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/

or if you feel like it you may drop the BBC a line at: [email="reception@bbc.co.uk"]reception@bbc.co.uk[/email]

sal

It seems to me that people want different things from their radios, some want high quality music, others greater choice of music whatever the quality, then there are those that want a greater choice of speaking stations not necessarily with stereo.

I fall into the latter, I also like to listen to local radio for the sports coverage, and to the news stations for topical issues. And I like my radio to be portable if necessary, for the shed. Couldn't care less about plugging into sound systems etc. We have Sky and wouldn't entertain listening to radio on it.

So, a DAB radio seems to be just the job, I'd also like it to look nice. My OH will get good use from it too, I think a joint christmas pressie is in order.

Keep up the hunt please!

sal

sockospice

the one thing I really want to know is would you be able to listen to 5live on one of Virgin's Pendolino trains (notoriously bad phone reception) on a DAB?

gorilla

I have DAB, Freeview and Sky and listen to them all depending on which room I'm in. DAB does indeed suffer from lower bitrates than the other two, but you wont notice it on a portable set. I listen to my DAB radio every day and it has really changed my listening habits. I listen to the radio more now than ever.

al_yrpal

My original post about utilising the SKY or Freeview system was aimed at pointing out that digital radio could be enjoyed FREE without any need to buy a DAB radio, and that SKY/Freeview potentially offer higher quality sound and includes extra stations like BBC6 & 7, particularly if you hook your TV up to a decent stereo amplifier and speakers. I have a second pair of speakers from an old stereo in the kitchen which can be selected by a switch on the Amp. All for the price of a bit of wire!

I readily accept that if you wish to listen to local digital stations, or have a portable radio in the bathroom, then you may wish to buy a DAB portable. But if your prime reason for spending the money is to hear music at concert quality, then you will probably be disappointed.

Although this site was about saving money, it's not about always going for the cheapest nastiest option regardless of quality. I prefer to save money at Tesco's, on my phone bills, and getting bargains. Then I can spend more money on things that give me pleasure like decent sound systems.

Cromlech

p4psb wrote:

Thanks Cromlech, hope to hear from you.

I found 2 units that do what you want:

the LG LXBU250
http://www.lgelectronics.co.uk/proddivergent.do?categoryId=020208&modelCategoryId=&parentId=0202

and the SL-D900 DAB on this page
http://www.teac.co.uk/dabradio_main.html#

Hope this helps

al_yrpal

Check what stations you will receive here (just enter your postcode) http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/coverage/search/default.asp

Here is what you get on SKY http://www.mediauk.com/directory/radio/?platform=SkyDigital

Here is the list of stations on Freeview http://www.freeview.co.uk/whatson/radio.html

SKY wins hands down (except for local stations)

L.S.D.

al_yrpal.

I tried the SKY in the car but the dish fell off the roof & the mains lead snapped as I got out the drive so the best sound I could get on one of the many channels not available on freeview or SKY (That is not free...you have to buy the box & dish & have it installed) was with DAB.

PS, when it rains or is windy, or when the digibox freezes I still get good quality sound from my DAB radio