Goodmans GSR1889 Retro DAB Radio with Bluetooth

Rating: 4/5

Review:
A handy unit with pretty good sound

This is a good DAB/FM radio with both Bluetooth and jack socket connectivity, so you can play music from most sources through it. I like many things about it, but I do have some slight reservations.

The unit is around 32cm long, 16cm deep and 17cm high, and weighs in at about 3kg, which does make it a substantial, solid unit. It is in a mock 50s/early 60s style which I rather like but my wife doesn't (oh, the joys of matrimony!), and which I think is quite well done.

The unit has sleep and alarm functions and you can select dim/off functions for the display if you like, but it may be a bit big for a lot of people's bedsides. I'd say it was more of a bookshelf or kitchen unit and although you can unplug and move it if you need to, it's mains powered only and not a portable radio.

The DAB radio is very simple to set up and use, and it works very well. Basically, you turn it on, it tunes itself and you're away. It also has FM radio, which gives pretty good sound, too. You can select a variety of equalizer settings and create your own (rather basic) equalizer setting. They are fairly easy to move between and can be useful, although I do find it a fiddle having to find and select the Speech setting, for example, rather than just turning a tone control. Another bedside problem for me is that there are no Preset buttons; presets are accessed by pressing a button (not easy to find in the dark), scrolling to find your station by turning the knob and then pressing to select. In the middle of the night I need just to grope groggily for a simple button for the station I want, and excessive fiddling with the radio can also wake my wife who, at 3.30am, is apt to express some very firm views on the matter with considerable vigour.

You can toggle between four input modes: DAB radio, FM radio, Bluetooth and an AUX jack input. Bluetooth connection was a doddle and gave good sound and a decent range of 6m or so at least. I found the volume perfectly adequate for my needs, but I never play my music very loud. I tried it at top volume: it's distortion-free and I'd say it is OK for a small gathering but not enough for a party.

The sound itself is pretty good. The bass is very solid and it gives a pretty good thump when turned up on the right EQ setting. The middles are good, too, but I do find the treble a little flat. I've given it a thorough workout on a variety of classical and rock music and it's the same throughout - not bad sound with good bass but lacking a bit of sparkle in the top. For a unit of this size and price I think I'd expect a little better.

I think this will make a nice kitchen radio/Bluetooth speaker or a good bedside radio if you have the space, and I can recommend this overall as a good, flexible music unit with quite adequate sound for casual use.