Ruark R1S

Verdict

Despite plenty of competition from smart speakers, the Ruark R1S makes a compelling case as to why DAB radios can still be a worthy buy in 2023. The lack of some modern trappings are sure to disuade some buyers, but for anyone who appreciates style and impeccable sound quality, the R1S still has a lot to offer.

Introduction

Smart speakers have become popular over the last several years but they haven’t yet ousted the humble DAB radio as the Ruark R1S shows.

As someone who has a handful of Amazon Echo and Google Nest speakers dotted around his flat, and has been tempted to invest in an Apple HomePod 2 or the HomePod Mini, I’m the last person who would add an old-school radio into the mix.

When I was given the opportunity to review the new Ruark R1S, I thought it’d be interesting to take the plunge. After all, the company’s products have been well received, and Ruark’s devices have a minimalist aesthetic that catches my eye.

Design

• Sleek look with retro fittings
• Small enough to sit on a bedside table
• Input via the control wheel on top

Ruark has cleared the first hurdle of making the R1S feel like a stylish piece of kit that someone would want on their desk or bedside table, and feel like it complements their décor.

The wooden panels give the R1S a timeless look, the company’s logo sits proudly above on its own silver panel. It’s all very meticulous and it leaves me wondering what a pair of Ruark headphones or earbuds might look like if the company ever decided to branch out

The only thing I’m not too keen on is the grey colouring on the sides. Of course, not everyone will feel the same way but to my eyes, the grey looks a little mundane, and some navy blue or even a touch of silver might have done the trick a lot better.

On the front is a 2.5-inch OLED display – the very same one found on the Ruark R1 Mk4. Despite its small appearance, the screen is still large enough to display information such as the time, the app you’re using and the band/track name of the song currently playing without forcing you to squint.

Looking at the screen head on, the information is bright and easy to read but I have noticed that the viewing angles are limited. If you have the R1S placed on a bedside table, I’d recommend making sure that the screen faces you.

On top you’ll find a rotating dial for controlling volume and scrolling through menus, while a handful of buttons sit along the exterior. Everything works well here and the buttons feel wonderfully tactile, invoking the memory of using the scroll wheel on the iPod Classic.

Features

• FM, DAB and internet radio stations available
• Pairs well with several streaming services
• Lacks modern trappings like a voice assistant

As the Ruark sn’t just going up against other radios but smart speakers, Ruark added a few modern features to help it keep up.

In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the R1S supports Spotify Connect, Deezer and Amazon Music, and I very much enjoyed being able to see album artwork on the R1S’ display when diving into my playlists.

That does mean there isn’t much you can do on the device itself after connecting your streaming accounts. Sure, you can dive straight back into the playlist you were playing, but with Spotify Connect you can’t go around browsing the service’s wares – this is something you’ll have to do on your smartphone.

You do have the ability to save playlists, albums and radio stations in the Preset menu, but I find this to be a little archaic when I could just pick up my phone and more quickly dive into the exact track I want to listen to.

I can understand that in order to hold on to some of the nostalgia that DAB radios enjoy, the R1S hasn’t fully embraced modernity with its control inputs, but I feel like this could have been remedied somewhat if the R1S included voice assistant functionality from the likes of Alexa or the Google Assistant. It wouldn’t be a perfect solution, but it would certainly give you the chance to leave your phone alone for a minute as you decide what to listen to.

As you might expect, you have the ability to set an alarm and have it play your favourite radio station at a time of your choosing. It’s worth mentioning that you can only have two different alarms at a time, and you can’t play music from a streaming service as part of the alarm either, which is something you can do on smart alternatives like the Amazon Echo 4th Gen and Google Nest Audio. Given that Ruark is expecting consumers to hand over £299 for the R1S, it would’ve been nice to see a few more features here.

One area where the R1S excels is in the realm of podcasts. When you hop over to the Podcasts section of the UI, you have the ability to dive straight into dozens of the most popular podcasts from around the world. It’s perfect if you’re on the lookout for something new to listen to, but need a bit of inspiration to find your next favourite podcast.

Also working in the R1S’s favour is the fact that it can be used as a portable speaker via the separately sold BackPack 3 pack. Adding an accessory into the mix does add to the already expensive asking price of the R1S, but at least it gives the device more versatility than most speakers, so you can bring it with you the next time the weather calls for a picnic.

If you have an existing hi-fi set-up, you can bring the R1S into the mix with an AUX in port, and there’s even a USB-C port for charging up any devices on your nightstand.

Sound Quality

• Vocals and drums come through brilliantly
• Options to customise the impact of bass and treble
• Can be impressively loud despite its small stature

In almost all scenarios, the Ruark R1S sounds fantastic, and it’s clear that the company knows how to get the most sound possible out of such a small device.

In its default state, the R1S emphasises vocals and percussion, which makes it ideal for nodding and singing along whenever one of your favourite tracks pops up on the radio. This also means that podcasts and audio dramas sound phenomenal, with voices coming through with tremendous clarity.

If you prefer to have a little more bass in your playback, or even bring the keys and the strings to the forefront, then you can alter the bass and the treble in the settings menu. With these settings cranked up, bops like Foals’ Wake Me Up come through brilliantly, and the R1S can easily become loud enough to be used as a party speaker when the need calls for it.

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