Roberts Revere 100

Roberts Revere 100: stereo DAB+ radio and Bluetooth

Many compact tabletop radios make do with a single speaker. This one plays in stereo, with two speakers and a passive radiator handling the bass, in a hand-assembled wooden cabinet. Roberts, a British radio manufacturer since 1932, launches its new Revere range with this model: DAB+ digital radio, FM and Bluetooth, a colour display and dual alarms, for a bedroom, kitchen, office or living room shelf.

A wooden cabinet wrapped in black

The cabinet is handmade from wood, then covered in black faux leather, a finish Roberts has long used on its radios. The Revere range moves away from the bright colours of the Revival radios towards more understated lines: a body with softened corners, a colour display on the front and physical controls grouped on top, within easy reach without having to search through a menu. At less than 28 cm wide, the Revere 100 fits on a bedside table, worktop or bookcase shelf.

Two full-range speakers and downward-firing bass

Sound reproduction relies on two 5.7 cm full-range speakers, one per channel. A full-range speaker covers the entire frequency spectrum on its own, without a crossover between bass and treble, delivering consistent vocal reproduction, useful for speech radio as well as music. To compensate for the small size of these drivers at the low end of the spectrum, Roberts has added a downward-firing 13.3 cm passive radiator. This is a diaphragm without a motor, set in motion by the air pressure inside the cabinet, which reinforces low frequencies without using a port. As the bass comes from underneath, a stable, unobstructed surface suits it better than fabric or a cluttered corner.

The spacing between the two speakers remains that of a compact cabinet: stereo widens the soundstage compared with a mono radio, but the sound image lacks the scale of a pair of speakers placed more than a metre apart. As for adjustments, six equaliser presets adapt the tonal balance to the programme being played, while My EQ mode lets you adjust treble, midrange and bass yourself, with the setting saved and recalled instantly.

Digital radio, FM and Bluetooth for everyday use

The tuner receives DAB, DAB+ and FM. Digital terrestrial radio offers sound free from hiss and interference when reception is good, and displays station names and programme information. Twenty presets, ten for DAB and ten for FM, keep favourite stations at the touch of a button.

Bluetooth turns the Revere 100 into a wireless speaker for music, podcasts or audiobooks streamed from a smartphone, tablet or computer. On the back, a 3.5 mm mini-jack auxiliary input accepts a wired source, and a headphone output of the same size allows private listening. A USB port charges a phone while you listen. The unit runs on mains power with the supplied adapter; it has no battery, Wi-Fi or remote control.

Colour display, alarms and sleep timer

The colour LCD displays the station name, programme information, track title, time and current equaliser setting. Its brightness is adjustable to remain legible in a well-lit living space without dazzling you in a dark bedroom. Two independent alarms wake you to the radio or a classic beep, each at its own time, allowing two people with different schedules to share the same radio. An adjustable sleep timer switches the radio off after you fall asleep.

The first model in the Revere range

The range includes three models that share the handmade wooden cabinet, DAB+/FM radio, Bluetooth, equaliser, auxiliary input, headphone output and dual alarms. The Revere 100 is the most compact and simplest model, focused on radio and Bluetooth. The Revere 300 adds a slot-loading CD player, file playback from a USB flash drive, 7.6 cm speakers with a rear port and a remote control. The Revere 500 adds network connectivity with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Internet radio, Spotify Connect, Deezer and app control.

Technical specifications

Overview and design

• Product type: all-in-one stereo audio system
• Use: everyday listening in any room of the home
• Cabinet:
  • Material: premium wood
  • Construction: handcrafted, with acoustic optimization
• Design: compact, versatile and easy to use

Acoustic performance

• Speakers: 2 full-range speakers, 5.72 cm in diameter
• Passive bass radiator: 13.34 cm in diameter, downward-firing
• Equalization: 6 presets, custom “My EQ” mode
• Sound reproduction: clear, balanced sound, enhanced bass, spacious soundstage

Radio and connectivity

• Radio bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
• Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth
• Audio output: headphone jack
• USB port: device charging while listening

Screen and display

• Screen type: color liquid crystal display (LCD)
• Displayed information: radio station, program information, track title, time, equalization settings
• Brightness: adjustable

Box contents

• 1 audio system
• 1 power adapter
• 1 quick start guide
• 1 safety and warranty booklet

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions:
  • Width: 30 cm
  • Height: 11.32 cm
  • Depth: 21.37 cm
• Weight: 2.535 kg