British boutique audio brand Ruark has just announced the new R1S DAB/DAB+/FM as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming and a all-new color display.
Although many of us still listen to live or linear radio broadcasts, we are also increasingly enjoying radio via catch-up services. Meanwhile, podcasts are more popular than ever. The R1S is designed to make it easy to listen to these two types of programming.
The R1S has a color TFT screen that displays the time, alarm setting and program information for Wi-Fi sources. The display can show album and radio station artwork, while a light sensor automatically adjusts the screen brightness levels, making it suitable for bedside use. Other valuable features include a USB-C charging port and an MP3 playback port.
Aesthetically, the R1S displays subtle curves and a mid-grey finish alongside a composite wood speaker grille. The overall effect looks fresh and contemporary. The speaker grille is made from sustainable woods, spliced, colored and recomposed to mimic the look of tropical hardwoods. The SmartRadio tuner built into the Ruark R1S offers access to Internet stations worldwide and has a source dedicated to podcasts. To browse through all the great content available, the R1S has a search facility for finding and saving stations and podcasts using the RotoDial controller.... [+]For convenience, the R1S has an optional remote control, plus the device can be controlled using the Oktiv smartphone app.
It’s good to see that radio is still a popular medium, especially for an increasing number of people working from home. It’s good to see this new compact radio from Ruark bridging the divide between traditional radio broadcasts and the wealth of programming available from the Internet with catch-up and podcasts. I’ve bought two Ruark radios over the past decade and I am still using them.The Ruark RS1 is available in the UK now and costs £229. Global pricing is to be confirmed.