Music to your ears

The only radio that you might own right now would be an in-built one on your mobile phone. But loving local radio has just got better. So, how about listening to your favourite radio stations while whipping up a family dinner, or winding down with a glass of wine after a tiring day at work? Today’s sleek, contemporary designs blend seamlessly with modern décor and look just perfect on a desk at home or at office. Here are a few examples:

Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD, Price: Rs 7,500
Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD radio with dock for iPhone and iPod players delivers crystal-clear sound. It features a built-in dock for your iPod on the top of the unit. You have basic transport function control using the buttons on the top of the radio, and complete control using the included remote. Your iPod remains fully functional, so you can operate your iPod’s advanced menu functions from the iPod itself. The unit charges your iPod when docked, and even when the power is turned off. The HD radio also provides a built-in clock with sleep and wake functions that plays out your choice of buzzer, radio station or songs from your iPod and iPhone.

Sony XDR-S10HDiP may not sound quite as good as a separate, full-size component, but this shelf system sounds good for its size. Priced at about Rs 7,500, the Sony XDR radio comes with a one-year warranty.

Denon S-52, Price: Rs 17,900
One of the most versatile table radio players is the Denon S-52 that includes a CD player, a built-in iPod dock, a USB input and an AM/FM radio tuner that picks up digital HD radio signals. Additionally, the built-in Wi-Fi technology lets you access the digital music stored on a PC in another room. A multi-faceted product-offering, S-52 looks at first glance like a ‘90s-era shelf CD player.

The S-52 can deliver room-filling levels of crisp, clean sound with remarkably powerful bass. A significant share of the impressive sound quality is also attributable to its hi-fi oriented design and sophisticated speakers. Each of the separate speakers houses a powerful 70 mm long-stroke driver, supported by an additional 80 mm passive radiator, which is integrated into the bottom of the cabinet. Together, these produce amazingly full-bodied and mature sound from the compact cabinet. The gadget is equipped with an ethernet port and Wi-Fi (WLAN) antenna that lets you build a network environment (either hardwire or wireless). The S-52 can also plug into a drive via USB cable, giving yet one more music option. For all the great things it does, the Denon S-52, which costs about Rs 17,900, is highly recommended.

Boston Acoustics Trio, Price: Rs 24,000 (approx)
Another good addition to your bedside table can be the Boston Acoustics Trio. Boston Acoustics rarely disappoints when it comes to hi-fi treats and the new Horizon Trio is certainly no exception. This clock radio features a digital AM/FM tuner and a slot-loading CD player that supports CD, mini-CD and MP3 formats.

The Horizon Trio also features dual alarms, two sets of auxiliary inputs and a preamp output that ensures that you are never left without your music lists. In addition, the units support the optional Boston Acoustics HRD-i docking adapter (sold separately), which allows you to play your iPod music through the Trio. Style-conscious gadget fans can tinker with the front grille and change the Horizon Trio’s colour. There’s also a handy alarm clock, so you can place it next to your bed. When the alarm is set to both music or tone, the tuned radio station plays quietly with a gradually increasing volume. After five minutes, the music stops playing and the alarm tone begins to ascend. In addition, you can set the alarms according to your need — everyday, weekdays or weekends only. This amazing gadget costs you Rs 24,000 approximately.