Best Stereo DAB Radios

Getting a DAB radio with stereo speakers will allow you to enjoy both music and speech programmes more than listening through a mono radio.

Stereo radios tend to be more expensive than mono radios, but there are some affordable options out there. Many of these radios are designed as complete sound systems and offer additional features such as a CD player or the ability to play MP3s from a USB drive.

One thing to remember with stereo radios is that the further the speakers are apart, the more obvious the sense of stereo separation will be. In practice, this means that larger radios will usually have more of a sense of stereo separation. It’s also worth pointing out that not all DAB stations are broadcast in stereo.

We’ve researched the market and picked out 5 of the best stereo DAB radios available in the UK in 2018. This roundup includes products for less than £100 as well as some more high-end options that cost over £200.

We’ve reviewed them in rough price order, starting with the cheapest first.

Best Stereo DAB Radios (UK 2018)

AZATOM Multiplex

The AZATOM Multiplex is one of the most affordable digital radios with stereo sound. It’s made by British audio brand AZATOM and offers a lot of features for your money including Bluetooth.

The sound quality is very good given its size and price, and you can adjust the bass and treble independently to get a sound you like. The speakers have a total of 30 watts of sound.

This radio picks up FM stations as well as DAB/DAB+ digital stations, and lets you save up to 60 presets. There’s a dual alarm clock so you can set two separate alarms.

The AZATOM Multiplex can be plugged into the mains or used as a portable radio with the built-in rechargeable battery, which offers up to 10 hours of playback time. The multiplex measures 27 x 14 x 13 cm and weighs 1.9 kg, so it’s fairly compact and light.

You can listen to the radio through headphones or connect another device such as an iPod to the aux input to listen to music through the radio’s speakers.

Other features include a USB port for charging a phone or other device and a dimmable display, which could be useful if you use it as a bedside radio.

Read our full review of the AZATOM Multiplex here.

 

Majority Oakington

The Oakington is a stereo sound system with FM/DAB/DAB+ radio, a CD player and Bluetooth.  Despite having so a lot of functionality, it’s reasonably priced and affordable. This product is made by Majority, a budget digital radio brand based in Cambridgeshire.

The Majority Oakington has two 15-watt speakers that offer plenty of volume and a good amount of bass. The sound quality is great for the price, and there’s even an adjustable EQ so you can change the bass and treble levels.

As well as radio, a CD player and Bluetooth, you can also listen to music from a USB drive or connect an external device using the aux-in port. Other features include an alarm clock, a sleep timer, a headphone jack and a remote control.

The Oakington is relatively wide (40 cm), which helps with the sense of stereo separation. Weighing 1.2 kg, it’s lighter than the AZATOM Multiplex reviewed above, but it isn’t portable. This radio has a very attractive design that makes it look more expensive than it is. Read our full review of the Majority Oakington here.

 

Pure Evoke C-D6

The two radios reviewed above are made by budget brands who you might not have heard of. This radio, by contrast, is made by one of the best-known digital radio brands, Pure.

Pure were one of the pioneers of the DAB radio in the UK, and their Evoke range has become somewhat iconic.

This stylish radio offers similar features to the Majority Oakington reviewed above, but with a significantly higher price tag. One nice thing about Pure products is that they all come with a 3-year warranty, so you can return or replace the radio if anything goes wrong.

The Evoke C-D6 picks up FM, DAB and DAB+ stations and also features Bluetooth and a CD player. Other features include a remote control, a headphone jack and the ability to save 20 preset stations.

The two speakers offer 20 watts of stereo sound. The Evoke C-D6 has very good sound quality and is available in a choice of three finishes: Walnut, Siena Black or Grey Oak.

This radio is relatively substantial, weighing 2.8 kg and measuring 37 x 22.3 x 13.5 cm. Read our full review of the Pure Evoke C-D6 here.

 

Roberts Blutune 200

The Blutune 200 is a high-end radio CD player from renowned British brand Roberts. It has two 7-watt speakers offering high-quality stereo sound.

One of the things that makes this product special is that it has a record function that allows you to record from the radio onto a USB stick or SD card. You can also use the USB port and SD card reader to play MP3s and WMA files, and you can use the USB port to charge a phone.

This radio has a lot of other features including Bluetooth, a remote control, an alarm clock and a sleep timer. There’s also a 6-position equaliser with separate bass and treble controls.

This radio has an elegant design and measures 36 x 27 x 12.5 cm. It weighs 3.9 kg, so it’s fairly substantial. Read our full review of the Blutune 200 here.

 

Ruark R4 Mk3

The Ruark R4 Mk3 is one of the most expensive radios on the market, but also one of the best. It has stereo speakers with a nominal power output of 80 watts, so it offers plenty of volume.

Some of the Ruark R4 Mk3’s features include a CD player, Bluetooth, an aux input, a headphone jack and a small remote control. You might expect it to come with internet radio at this price, so it’s quite disappointing that it doesn’t.

This radio is very pricey, but you can pick it up cheaper if you buy a refurbished model.

Ruark Audio are a British radio and speaker brand known for making products with excellent sound quality. The R4 Mk3 lives up to the company’s reputation, and is one of the best-sounding DAB radios available in the UK.

The R4 Mk3 has a stunning retro design and is clearly made to a high standard. It weighs 7 kg and measures 44 x 22 x 15 cm, making it the largest radio in this roundup.

Read our full review of the Ruark R4 Mk3 here.

 

Conclusion

These radios vary greatly in price, design and features, so which is best for you will depend on your budget, taste and requirements. If you want a good budget stereo radio, the AZATOM Multiplex is ideal, but if you can afford to spend more to get excellent sound and build quality, the Ruark R4 Mk3 is a great choice.

For some more recommendations, we’ve written an overview of the best DAB radios on the market here.