I recently purchased a Roberts Gemini 25 DAB/FM/MW portable radio.

On offer at Comet for £109.00 which is where I first saw it, found it on line from Go Audio at £69.99, bought it and then found out it was none to clever.

Speakers vibrate the plastic cabinet, and sound wooly, the transformer hums when connected to the mains, it runs down the batteries very quickly, I got just six hours of Radio Five Live listening to Football from the six C Size Alkaline supplied.(They could have been old stock?)

The tuner brings up the DAB/FM stations quickly, and the display is clear, however I would not pay the normal retail price, it is not worth it.

I purchased some Sony in ear headphones,the Twin Turbo MDR-E755's to use with it, and the difference in performance is greatly improved, suggesting that the circuitry is doing a better job than the speakers and cabinet allow.

Hope this helps your readers!

Gerald B.Smith (Barry)

A couple of years beck I purchased a 'Pure' digital radio, the original mono version, and took it to Wiltshire. The local shop there had stated that DAB could not be received in the area, however it worked fine with no interference etc. So next Xmas I treated the couple there to a new 'Goodmans' stereo DAB and to my surprise it did not even find a station, let alone decode it. But I found the sound of DAB, even at 128KB tireing at best, and lower bit rates - disturbing.

So I donated them the 'Pure', still in use now.
My expirience then a no no.
It is worrying that so much new technology offers everything but real performance !!!

Just to update you on the Gemini 25, having had dialogue with Roberts Radio, I have returned the unit to the supplier and have received a full refund.

I have now placed an order with Genusdigital for their Genus Type R, which I hope will tick all my boxes. Will post a review as soon as I can, however there is a 30 day wait for this radio.

Happy listening,

Gerald B. Smith

just posting for the clock competition!