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Pocketdab 1500 - Does The 1500 Warrant Prizes?

Digital Audio Broadcasting is a radio transmission technology that uses digital signalling instead of established analog FM or AM for broadcasting. The idea began to rollout in the 1980's and over the years has reached over one thousand stations being broadcasted worldwide . The Pure PocketDAB is probably the most popular digital audio broadcasting radio that fits into the pocket. The wonderful audio quality crammed into a pocket-sized 123 gram device and the supplied good quality headphones has earned a five star award from the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Visionpublication. The radio manages to impress not only thanks to the amazing audio quality but additionally due to the beauty and style with which it's crafted.

As soon as it is switched on, the PocketDAB 1500 will search for all of the DAB channels, and then you have got ten predetermined channels to decide on. Otherwise you have got to cycle thru all of the available stations - the 1500 found thirty one in central London.

The remaining buttons merely sequence through menu choices like scanning for stations, or switching through the varied information streams such as date and time, info rate, signal quality, and current programme outline. There are three lines on the display, that is mono however backlit with an orange light. However the foremost important change of all is the cost of the device, it is now even more compelling.

Admittedly there are less expensive pocket DAB radios around, but they are not likely to match the PocketDAB 1500 for either reception or audio quality. If you use the 1500 every day then it's unquestionably good value. The addition of a rechargeable lithium polymer battery is also a sensible step forwards.

When using the PocketDAB you may become conscious of buildings and dense trees, as these frequently lead to break up the signal or maybe shrieking. Against a high quality CD player it's off-putting, but in comparison to Radio five Live Medium Wave, it can make you quite pleased indeed. The Sennheiser MX300 headphones are excellent quality for bundled earphones, and are really quite adequate for listening to music or commentary when on the go. Not like its predecessor you also now have the option of listening to FM radio - simply press the DAB / FM shortcut button on the unit - but it is a final resort. At the office, we found that reception was too poor, and when we were outside we tend to to switch to DAB if in the least possible.

Pure Digital have built-in a battery charger in the box with the Pure PocketDAB 1500 and it took 5.5 hours to charge the 1500 from empty. Over the course of two weeks it provided approximately 20 hours of airplay on one charge - very good compared to the five hours we usually managed to achieve from the PocketDAB 1000 on its three chargeable NiCD batteries. As it is so like the DAB 1000, we also predicted comparable reception - not really a bad issue, as we've found the PocketDAB one thousand to be the best pocket DAB radio for this. However, as anybody who has listened to digital radio on a train will understand, it could be a real pain - with the break up of the signal leading you to swiftly reach for the off switch.

A number of the distinct features of the PocketDAB are :
- Pro grade Sennheiser MX300 headset.
- 1500 tuned channels
- 16X2 matrix shows info as well as volume, battery lifespan, clock, DAB, FM, Stereo, EQ and signal strength.
- Tuning indicator for signal strength.
- DC jack for external power supply.
- 20 presets included with the DAB radio.

If you discover that you're not happy with the low quality audio of analogue radio then this is often your chance to get digital. Enjoy the top quality audio on this pocket sized dynamo of a DAB radio set.

By: Jeremy Smithson

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The Pocket DAB 1500 is probably the best selling digital audio broadcasting DAB radio that fits into the pocket. The fantastic sound quality packed into a pocket-sized 120 grams or so device and the included good quality headphones has received a five star rating from the What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine.

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