If you haven’t heard, CDs are getting their turn in the nostalgia spotlight, following old point-and-shoot cameras. But what’s the point of chasing the CD trend when you have no unit to spin those shiny discs, right? That said, if you are looking for a stereo sound system capable of playing CDs, Roberts has just the thing for you.
Actually, it has three things. The Revere range includes the 100, 300, and 500, although CD collectors should start their shopping at the 300. The little 100 is here for people whose music collection mostly lives on their phone or arrives over the airwaves.
All three come in hand-built wooden cabinets with physical controls. You also get DAB/DAB+/FM radio, Bluetooth streaming, EQ adjustment, an auxiliary input, a headphone output, dual alarms, and a sleep timer. Something to wake you up, something to send you to sleep, and music for the hours in between. If this does not sound like the perfect alternative to phones that run the risk of you getting sucked into doom scrolling, I don’t know what would be.
Revere 300: For Those Shiny Discs
The Revere 300 adds a slot-loading CD player with MP3 CD support, USB playback and charging, and an included remote. Twin 3-inch full-range drivers and a rear-ported bass system occupy a larger cabinet.
Slide in an album, sit down, and let it play. You can even read the booklet instead of finding out what an algorithm thinks you should hear next. Ah, the good old times!
Revere 500: CDs Meet the Internet
The Revere 500 keeps the CD and USB functions, then adds internet radio, podcasts, Spotify Connect, Deezer, dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Oktiv app control.
It’s the most powerful of the trio, featuring a four-driver stereo system that includes dedicated woofers, with room-placement presets, expanded EQ controls, and up to 120 radio presets. Your old CDs and streaming subscriptions can share the same address, which is kind of cool.
Revere 100: The Smaller Sibling
If CDs aren’t part of your plans, the compact Revere 100—the smallest of the three—handles radio and Bluetooth with twin 2.25-inch full-range drivers and a downward-firing 5.25-inch passive bass radiator. It offers 20 radio presets and six EQ presets plus My EQ.
Pricing and availability
For a person who owns a bunch of CDs, this is an interesting piece of hardware, but only if I am prepared to splurge. I wouldn’t say they are awfully expensive, but they are certainly not something a poorly paid blogger can comfortably afford. That said, if you are down, the entry-level, non-CD-playing Revere 100 goes for £249.99 (about US$304).
For CD enthusiasts, the Revere 300 will set you back £399.99 (around US$528). But for those who demand more powerful sound, be prepared to shell out a grand £599.99 (around US$792) for the top-of-the-line Revere 500.
Images: Roberts.
Story via WHAT HI-FI?