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Sharp Osaka: Two-minute overview
In case you’re the person who likes to have tech to match your private aesthetic, the Sharp Osaka isn’t actually the one for you. What it’s, although, is a superb worth answer for anybody who merely needs to hearken to the radio from seemingly any location.
Smaller than my desk calendar, the Sharp Osaka is well grabbed with one small hand and slips into my coat pocket properly sufficient, too.
As with all DAB radios, the one cumbersome half is its extendable aerial arm which you’ll be able to simply cover away when not in use. The Sharp Osaka’s battery life is available in at about 15 hours which isn’t above common for such radios however will serve you properly for many of your lively day. Charging through USB-C means you’re unlikely to wish to pack an additional cable any time you go away, too.
Costing £70 – that is about $90 within the US or AU$143 in Australia, the place obtainable – when first launched in September 2024, the Sharp Osaka is already discounted at time of writing, bringing it all the way down to an much more reasonably priced £50 ($65 within the US and AU$102). That’s a very good worth for a DAB radio of this commonplace and it additionally doubles up as a primary Bluetooth speaker.
Its controls are extra intuitive than its convoluted guide suggests, main you to principally having fun with the Sharp Osaka with out a lot problem. One of many best DAB radios? Possibly not, however nonetheless a easy answer to your radio listening wants.
Sharp Osaka overview: Value and launch date
- Launched September 2024
- Price £70 / €90 (at present solely obtainable within the UK and Europe)
The Sharp Osaka DAB radio was launched within the UK and Europe in September 2024. It prices £70 / €90 relying in your area (sadly, it is not obtainable within the US or Australia because it stands) so it’s reasonably priced for a DAB radio.
We’ve already noticed some reductions rising within the UK with the worth extra across the £50 mark.
That makes it one of many extra reasonably priced moveable DAB radios round. It’s less expensive than the fashionable however premium Roberts Revival Petite 2 and in addition the ageing Sony XDR-P1 DAB radio. It’s barely dearer than the Groov-e Boston however that’s removed from the fitting dimension for placing in your pocket.
Sharp Osaka overview: Specs
|
Kind |
DAB/FM radio |
|
Dimensions |
13 x 7 x 2.6 cm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3, DAB/FM, USB-C charging |
|
Battery life |
12 hours |
|
Distant management |
No |
Sharp Osaka overview: Options
- DAB and FM radio, plus Bluetooth speaker
- 12-hour battery life
- 3.5mm headphone jack
The Sharp Osaka DAB radio has all of the options you might want with out providing up a lot in the way in which of surprises. At first look, it seems prefer it’s solely a DAB radio nevertheless it makes use of a know-how it calls BestTune which mixes FM, DAB, and DAB+ right into a single station checklist that can assist you discover the best choice primarily based on sign power. I actually preferred this because it saved me switching between completely different modes whereas nonetheless gaining the perfect sign.
In all, the Sharp Osaka has a 120-station reminiscence unfold equally throughout BestTune, DAB and FM and, truthfully, you in all probability gained’t need to overthink this both. I merely turned it on and it figured issues out for itself, shortly permitting me to search out the station I wished to hearken to.
A faucet of the supply button additionally takes you to the Bluetooth facet of issues. Bluetooth 5.3 is in cost right here so that you gained’t want to worry about any drop-out points when pairing along with your telephone or pill. I actually didn’t have any points switching between the 2.
Sharp’s web site in varied areas differs between 15 and 12 hours of promised battery life, nevertheless I discovered the latter to be the tough candy spot throughout use. As is commonly the way in which, quantity can have an effect on quite a bit right here. The USB-C cable is ideal as a result of on my travels I didn’t have to fret about packing an additional cable to recharge it.
On the facet and subsequent to the USB port is a 3.5mm headphone jack if you wish to join the Sharp Osaka DAB radio to the best wired headphones for some added privateness.
Different neat extras embrace an alarm perform and a SlideShow device which shows pictures from the radio station the place obtainable. In actuality, I by no means discovered a station that supplied this however I’m persevering with my search in my very own time because it sounds enjoyable.
Options rating: 4 / 5
Sharp Osaka overview: Sound high quality
- Mono speaker
- A bit tinny
- Loud quantity however some distortion
The Sharp Osaka is impressively loud, particularly given its relative dimension. Although 10 is the typical quantity you’re doubtless to make use of, it goes all the way in which to a Spinal Faucet-trouncing 30. It travels far, too. I cranked it up then walked just a few rooms away and will nonetheless hear it.
That comes at a worth with the audio high quality not the perfect and providing some distortion nevertheless it’s superb for informal listening. I checked out Absolute 90s and located suitably previous and nostalgic whereas listening to Blur’s Tender and The Rhythm of the Night time by Corona. The latter lacks some pleasure with the Sharp Osaka missing crispness and spark, however the former translated moderately properly, by no means as soon as leaving me ready for that feeling to come back.
That is the radio you’ll hearken to whereas doing different issues moderately than indulging in your audiophile urges.
Sound high quality: 3 / 5
Sharp Osaka overview: Design
- Purposeful, light-weight design
- Easy-to-use buttons…
- … however not particularly tactile
The Sharp Osaka will get proper to the purpose with its design – it isn’t spectacular trying however nor will it confuse you. On the entrance left sits the mono speaker, with its controls and display screen to the fitting. The two-inch coloration show is easy however clear, apart from when it in brilliant gentle situations.
Controls are additionally equally simple to determine though there’s no tactile high quality to it which might be a problem for anybody with sight points. That’s not unusual with many standard DAB radios nevertheless it does imply my seek for a extra accessible DAB radio should proceed.
When listening to the radio, you’ll want to tug out the antenna which is kind of tightly clicked in at different occasions. On the facet are ports for charging and headphones. There’s additionally a neat little key lock button which implies nobody can by accident faucet a button by mistake.
The Sharp Osaka is barely obtainable in a black/grey combine nevertheless it seems moderately modern.
Design rating: 3 / 5
Sharp Osaka overview: Worth
- Cheap
- Ultimate for a fast repair
- Cheaper than most
The Sharp Osaka was fairly low cost in comparison with the competitors even earlier than it went on sale (which appears to be commonplace now). Its main competitors for portability is one thing just like the aforementioned Roberts Revival Petite 2 nevertheless it’s far cheaper than that. A more in-depth rival may very well be the Pure Woodland however that’s much less moveable.
It won’t be as lovable as that Roberts however the Sharp Osaka is way extra reasonably priced, which makes it tempting.
Worth rating: 5 / 5
Must you purchase the Sharp Osaka?
|
Options |
All of the necessities and a neat lock button to stop errant faucets |
4 / 5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Not the perfect however purposeful sufficient |
3 / 5 |
|
Design |
Might positively look higher however works superb |
3 / 5 |
|
Worth |
It’s exhausting to search out cheaper |
5 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Sharp Osaka overview: Additionally contemplate
How I examined the Sharp Osaka
- Used the Sharp Osaka over two weeks
- Listened to DAB radio, and music through iPhone 14 Professional and Bluetooth
- Over 10 years’ expertise testing audio gear
The Sharp Osaka adopted me round the home and the backyard. I principally used it in my residence workplace however I additionally moved it to the kitchen whereas I cleaned and the lounge whereas stress-free. On the uncommon days of fine climate, it adopted me open air for a bit of bit.
I used it completely through the rechargeable battery because it saved me discovering a USB port to attach it to. I principally listened to the radio however every now and then, I listened to some podcasts by my telephone. This was sometimes through Spotify.
In any other case, there was loads of Absolute 90s, ranting at LBC, and stress-free with BBC Radio 5 Reside.