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Groov-e Boston: Two-minute overview
If you happen to had a guidelines of the whole lot you needed from a DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston would mark off nearly each level. It lacks beauty and its sound high quality might be higher however for under £39.99 – it is presently solely obtainable within the UK, however that might make it roughly $52 or AU$82 the place obtainable within the US and Australia – it’s exhausting to criticize it an excessive amount of.
Additionally, I can see it becoming in properly in any room of your private home, or you’ll be able to at all times take it with you to a vacation let, a caravan: you get the thought. It’s light-weight for the scale so it’s simple to maneuver round.
A wood body isn’t the priciest or most unique look nevertheless it does make the Groov-e Boston seem slightly classier than if it caught with the speaker grilles’ metallic styling, or went for plastic casework. This isn’t the radio to indicate off to family and friends (that’s the Roberts Revival Petite 2) nevertheless it has, however an old-school attraction about it.
Audio high quality might be higher however for a primary DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston is okay. Don’t depend on utilizing the Bluetooth connectivity too usually to take heed to your individual music, although, until you’re actually caught for choices.
So, the Groov-e Boston isn’t one of the best Bluetooth speakers however who actually cares about that? You’re shopping for one thing like this to compete with the best DAB radios. The Groov-e Boston might not have stolen my coronary heart, however my head (and financial institution steadiness) do definitely love the value tag.
Groov-e Boston overview: Worth and launch date
- Launched February 2023
- Price £39.99 (presently solely obtainable within the UK)
The Groov-e Boston was launched within the UK in February 2023. Availability hasn’t stretched elsewhere – although in case you occur to search out it within the US or Australia it will set you again roughly $52 or AU$82 – however in case you’re within the UK, this can be a low-cost DAB radio whereas nonetheless being from a good model.
It’s far cheaper than my beloved aforementioned Roberts Revival Petite 2, in addition to the cumbersome Pure Woodland. There are some obscure manufacturers with DAB radios across the similar value level however none from a good model to compete with the price range delights of Groov-e.
Groov-e Boston overview: Specs
|
Sort |
DAB/FM radio |
|
Dimensions |
16 x 24.7 x 10.5 cm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.0, DAB/FM, mains & battery operated |
|
Distant management |
No |
Groov-e Boston overview: Options
- DAB & FM radio
- Bluetooth streaming
- Constructed-in alarm clock
Just about all of the options you may want from the Groov-e Boston are right here. It has DAB and FM radio connectivity together with Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing along with your cellphone or different gadgets. All are simply tapped round due to the clearly laid out buttons. It takes seconds to get began with the Groov-e Boston and it by no means actually will get any extra sophisticated.
You possibly can arrange 40 presets in case you actually plan on looking that many stations usually and the Groov-e Boston additionally has an alarm clock perform. The latter is slightly awkward to arrange, although, in contrast with the simplicity of the whole lot else.
I’d take into account the Groov-e Boston primarily as a radio to make use of at residence nevertheless it does take batteries if you wish to use it out and about. You want 4 measurement C batteries to stay within the again – although in all probability not one thing you’ll ever truly do, the choice is there.
Options rating: 4 / 5
Groov-e Boston overview: Sound high quality
- Just a little tinny
- Finest for spoken phrase over music
- Some distortion at excessive volumes
The Groov-e Boston’s sound high quality immediately jogs my memory of just about each automobile storage I’ve ever been to. That could be too a particular an anecdote however what I’m getting at is the Groov-e Boston is fairly basic-sounding, with that low-level high quality you’d get from a small radio making an attempt to increase to a lot bigger environment. The Groov-e Boston transfers that tinny sound to a smaller room.
Mileage will fluctuate relying on the energy of the DAB sign, in fact. I discovered it typically improved however there was by no means any punch reminiscent of when listening to Beyonce’s Single Women (Put a Ring on It) whereas looking by way of some music stations. Spoken phrase is much better with a while spent with rant-filled LBC sounding fairly sturdy, if nonetheless slightly tinny for need of a greater phrase.
There’s an inexpensive stereo impact right here however little heft. Crank up the quantity and the Groov-e Boston finally ends up sounding extra distorted nevertheless it works effectively sufficient in a small atmosphere.
Sound high quality: 3 / 5
Groov-e Boston overview: Design
- Helpful carry deal with
- Light-weight
- Retro stylings
Paying homage to electronics’ stylings a number of many years previous, the Groov-e Boston is purposeful if not precisely the machine you’ll be posting throughout all of your favourite social media platforms. It has an ideal metallic carrying deal with so you’ll be able to transfer it from room to room with none hassle, whereas the antenna pulls out simply sufficient.
Within the middle is a straightforward LED show exhibiting the time, date, and no matter you’re listening to. Beneath which might be your management buttons that are effectively laid out and defined, in addition to a quantity knob, which feels a lot extra satisfying repeated button bashing. The buttons on this radio are a tad on the noisy-clunky aspect however at the very least there’s by no means any doubt you’re tapping them. As is more and more the best way, there are not any tactile bobbles to assist these with sight impairments determine issues out however the buttons are spaced out effectively so you’ll be able to’t mistap something.
On the again is solely the place for the batteries. No further ports or something like that. Additionally, in case you’re eager to select the proper colorway in your decor, this isn’t the machine for you. The Groov-e Boston is solely obtainable in its part-gray/metallic, part-wooden construct.
Design rating: 3 / 5
Groov-e Boston overview: Worth
- Very inexpensive
- Respected identify for the value
- High-quality for short- or long-term plans
Take a look at any retailer and also you’ll be fortunate to discover a DAB radio for this value that can also be from a model you’ve heard of. The competitors is solely costlier. The likes of the Sony XDR-P1 are in the identical ballpark, however nonetheless pricier and in addition nowhere close to as nice to put in your shelf.
You’ll be unlikely to search out a lot for cheaper however if you need model or higher options, you could want to look elsewhere.
Worth rating: 5 / 5
Must you purchase the Groov-e Boston?
|
Options |
Awkward alarm controls apart, this has all you want |
4 / 5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Just a little tinny and never precisely refined; all good for spoken phrase |
3 / 5 |
|
Design |
A retro look that can divide opinion |
3 / 5 |
|
Worth |
You’re unlikely to search out less expensive |
5 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Groov-e Boston overview: Additionally take into account
How I examined the Groov-e Boston
- Used the Groov-e Boston over 14 days
- Listened to DAB radio, FM radio, and music by way of iPhone 14 Professional and Bluetooth
- Over 10 years’ expertise testing audio gear
I’ve spent a whole lot of time with a whole lot of completely different DAB radios through the years. I opened up the field and received began with the Groov-e Boston the second it arrived. It spent a lot of its time between my residence workplace, bed room, and front room. The carrying deal with got here in helpful there. I largely used it related to mains energy.
I listened to a whole lot of discuss radio (LBC and BBC Radio 5 Reside) to maintain up with present affairs, whereas switching over to Coronary heart 90s and 00s together with a neighborhood music station to calm my nerves after an excessive amount of information.
When utilizing the Bluetooth performance, I related my iPhone 14 Professional, and listened to Spotify and Apple Music.