Options
DAB vs internet radio
cgk
Posts: 528 Forum Member
✭✭
I've just moved house and was looking at a number DAB radio for the kitchen - however I have a fairly decent dock and have been using Tunein to listen to the radio instead (I mainly listen to BBC stations, some absolute 90s and Planet Rock).
It's got me thinking - is there any actual advantage to buying a DAB radio or should I just carry on using Tuneitin? (I have unlimited broadband so that is not an issue).
It's got me thinking - is there any actual advantage to buying a DAB radio or should I just carry on using Tuneitin? (I have unlimited broadband so that is not an issue).
0
Comments
Wi-fi radio: switch on, wait for radio to find network, wait for radio to connect to network, wait for last-listened stream to load, scroll through station list, click on desired station, wait for it to load and start playing.
DAB radio: switch on, wait for radio to start, tune to desired station, wait a sec and that's it.
If you use the Absolute (or radioplayer) app and sign up you get less ads.
For those with limited or no internet DAB and FM maybe better?
The main problem with internet at home is some sporting events do not have rights.
Not so with my Pure Evoke Flow for internet radio. Switch it on, searches for a maximum of 5 seconds and station is there.
Using the remote is a bit touch and go sometimes though.
Quick and unscientific test of the time from switch-on to station playing:
Pure Evoke DAB: 5 seconds
Revo Pico IR wi-fi: 33 seconds
Maybe other wi-fi radios have a faster start-up.
I would get a radio with both.
Which ISP is that? Most of them have got rid of the usage limits which were common a few years ago, as there's plenty of capacity now. That said it's still possible for an individual exchange to be oversubscribed at a local level.
For instance, mobile is for the most part a frustrating no no. Go out of town and the signal will drop out for long periods no matter what phone network you use. In fact even using it at home on a wireless network is not without dropouts from time to time. On the plus side the choice is fantastic. I would love to be able to listen to "Flower power radio" on dab. What a brilliant station!
Even some like Planetrock,Teamrock athough mono are still ok for music at 80k.
But there are some stations where music audio could be better.
The internet has the capacity for some good AAC streams, but the difference with a good DAB reception might only be heard with very good speakers or headphones.
Now having a listen there seems to be something wrong with the audio setup on Kerrang on London DAB?
Spent a lot of time trying to find obscure music stations and the novelty wore off after a while. Only so many hours in the day.
Plus LBC is back on DAB in my area. In hindsight I wouldn't have bought one. I use it as my main radio though as it has a rechargeable battery so can be carried about the house.
So not a complete waste of money and I hardly have any dropouts. Good way of getting radio, but a bit niche.
Since I haven't got it yet I can't really give you a comparison so this post is kinda useless to ya, my bad.
Notice Kerrang is one of several stations moved into Absolut'e Golden Square studios.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2014/03/bauer-to-move-radio-to-none-golden-square/
Hope they have ensured all the audio links are setup properly to get the best output?
Kisstory still has not made it to DAB as Bauer said it would, maybe with D2?
Also hope they eventually get back all DAB music stations to stereo.
Catherine91's comment on the audio quality of DAB being for speech only does not hold up.
Some people call that "music"!
I edited the reply before your reply that almost a million enjoy the "noise" of Kerrang
A few years ago, I used to do a lot of DAB listening, but I'm currently working more hours at the sports centre.
I have a Roberts radio with optical feed to a Sony music system, and a Wharfedale subwoofer. DAB gives some outstanding bass, particularly on the BBC channels. A good one is a local station BBC Shropshire. Looking at the specs of the Roberts radio, it specifies 20 Hz for DAB at the low end, and 50 Hz for FM. This is born out in the reproduction, that there is very active bass on DAB - but quite often a shortage at the high end. FM can be woolley on bass, but refreshingly clear on higher frequencies. So take your pick depending upon the programme being listened to !
The great thing about internet streaming audio, which when it is good is outstanding, is the absence of noise and artifacts at high frequencies.
So yes I agree that the better the equipment being used, the better the enjoyment, and it is worth getting the best equipment that can be afforded.
For newer followers of this forum, this is my "subwoofer story". It was in a sale at a local hifi shop ( now closed ). The first evening that I had it, I had all of the CDs out to try it out - as you can imagine, Dire Straits etc. I went to bed very pleased with "boom boom...". At 3:30 the next morning, I was awakened by a loud rumble, as 300 books fell off the bookself... The moral is - if you want to read, buy a Kindle...
I have a Roberts internet radio, and if I use the preset buttons it is almost instant.
I do use 100% FM in the car though as a compatible DAB radio is £300 and no way am I spending that I am happy with the existing radio.
The coverage is still quite patchy in some parts of the country. You might be OK with a portable, but you might need an outdoor aerial, but even then there is no guarantee.