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Summary: |
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The SDR15 is an attractive retro clock radio from Currys’ own brand Sandstrom. It offers FM and DAB/DAB+ radio as well as a dual alarm clock. Find out more about what it can do and how it performs in this review…
Features
- Saves 20 preset stations (10 on FM and 10 on DAB)
- LCD screen with brightness control
- Stereo speakers with 4W total power output
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Dual alarm clock with snooze function
Dimensions: 23 cm wide x 13.8 cm high x 9.9 cm deep
Weight: 975 g
Performance and use
The Sandstrom SDR15 has an attractive retro walnut and white design. While the radio looks great, the LCD display is very small and quite hard to read. The small screen, combined with an unintuitive design, make using functions like the preset stations quite tricky.
The SDR15 sounds decent, but a bit tinny. It would be nice if the radio had an adjustable EQ or a bass boost function to mitigate this. However, given its price the Sandstrom SDR15’s sound quality and tone is acceptable.
Pros
- Basic features are easy to use
- Looks stylish
Cons
- Fiddly to save and access preset stations
- Display is very small
- Relatively poor radio reception
- Sounds quite tinny
- No EQ controls or bass boost function
Verdict
The best thing about the Sandstrom SDR15 is its attractive design, which makes it look more expensive than it is. The Sandstrom SDR15 has a nice retro finish and would look great in the kitchen.
However, there are some issues with this radio. The controls are quite fiddly to use, especially when you want to save and access preset radio stations. The display is also very small, which makes using the controls even trickier. The radio also sounds quite tinny, though you’d expect that from a radio of the Sandstrom SDR15’s size and price.
Similar radios
Another small DAB radio with an attractive retro finish is the VQ Retro Mini, which is inexpensive and has a great range of features including Bluetooth.
Another nice retro DAB radio is the KitSound Jive, which has a 1950s-style design and features a dual alarm as well as a carrying handle for easy portability.
For some other options to consider, see our recommended clock radios or this roundup of the best retro radios available in the UK.
Can I get a user manual for the Sandstrom SDR15 on line?
Yes, you can find it here: here