Pure Evoke D4 Mio review

In the day and age of streaming digital music, you might be surprised the humble radio is still going strong. According to the latest figures from Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR), the weekly reach for radio in the UK is a whopping 48m listeners. More than half are listening through FM and just shy of 30% through DAB digital radio. Fortunate then that the Pure Evoke D4 Mio has support for both, as while the digital radio switchover is looming, it has been delayed a number of times already.

The classy-looking Evoke D4 can also double up as a Bluetooth speaker, letting you play audio from any compatible device. The only thing it lacks is internet connectivity for internet radio or Spotify Connect.However, there is an auxiliary input, so you have the option of attaching an inexpensive Google Chromecast Audio to convert the Evoke D4 into an internet-connected speaker. A headphone jack is available for private listening, too.

The Evoke D4 Mio certainly looks tasteful, with a retro-chic charm to its rectangular, wooden cabinet. There’s a choice of different colours available for the leather trim, as well as the slightly more expensive Sanderson editions that I reviewed. There are two of these available, a floral ‘Chelsea’ and slightly more abstract-looking ‘Dandelion’ that inject a bit more personality. The leather trims also pop off and are user replaceable, with extras available separately.

I was particularly fond of the brushed metal dials and buttons on the radio front, which give the unit a nice level of tactility. There’s a small OLED display to show you what station you’re listening to as well as displaying a digital clock. As you can set an alarm, it’s particularly handy as a bedside or kitchen radio.

The integrated handle doubles as a snooze button, which is also useful for carrying the speaker room to room as it is light enough. The Evoke D4 Mio is mains operated out of the box, but there is an optional ChargePAK F1 rechargeable battery pack (£35, www.amazon.co.uk). While I didn’t have one to test, it should provide up to 50 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Swapping between sources is handled by a dedicated button and you can use the dial to scan for FM stations or cycle through the various available DAB stations in your area. Holding one of the five preset buttons saves it for quick access. You can actually save up to 15 preset FM or DAB stations but to access six and above you’ll need to press a button and scroll up using the multifunction dial.

The OLED display is customisable; you can choose to have a clock permanently displayed or swap it for scrolling text. When used in DAB mode you’ll get a text description of the show or song you’re currently listening to, which is useful. There are dedicated buttons for turning on sleep timers or alarms.

There is also a small infrared remote control, which provides volume and scanning controls, as well as letting you quickly jump between your preset stations. Annoyingly, there’s no button to toggle audio sources so you’ll need to get up and use the radio’s buttons to switch from radio to Bluetooth or to turn on timers.

A long captive telescopic aerial extends out the back of the Evoke for FM radio and hides away when not in use. I never encountered any problems with reception, but as you’d expect sound quality is far better from DAB stations than FM. The Evoke D4 will decode DAB stereo at up to 256kbps. In Bluetooth mode you’ll get just over 10m of range, so you’ll need to keep your connected device nearby. The only thing the Pure Evoke D4 lacks is internet radio, but you can at least use a Bluetooth connected device with a service such as TuneIn.

Inside, a full-range 3in drive unit produces uninspiring sound, but a sound that’s more than capable enough for listening to radio stations. Its shortcomings only become more evident when you connect a Bluetooth device to play your own music, where things begin to sound a little flat and lifeless. There are cheaper portable Bluetooth speakers that have a more well-rounded sound.

Conclusion

The Pure Evoke D4 Mio’s strongest element is its delightful design. If you’re still fond of listening to the radio, and want the simplicity of a dedicated FM and DAB device rather than using internet radio stations, it has a certain charm to it. It’s well-designed and attractive so I don’t see anyone having any problems having it out on display in a kitchen or bedroom.

Granted, it would be cheaper to buy a Bluetooth speaker and use your smartphone with TuneIn for digital radio, and arguably better-sounding, but then you would lose the simplicity. If this doesn’t dissuade you and you like the look of the Evoke D4 Mio, it’s a great little radio that has plenty of customisation with its replaceable front covers. The extended warranty is a nice bonus, too.