DAB-ing with the Ruark R1 Deluxe Bluetooth Radio
Bluetooth speakers are a staple in most people’s lives, especially if you’re a techie and you love music (much like me). So when I got the opportunity to look at a high end Bluetooth speaker, I was intrigued. After all, what exactly makes a high end Bluetooth speaker “high end”? Well, I was about to find out. The device in question was the Ruark R1 Mk4.
The Ruark R1 Mk4 is not just a Bluetooth speaker.
It’s actually a Radio with built-in Bluetooth connectivity. So what’s all the fuss about a radio, you might ask? Well, to answer that question, you’ll have to come along with me to the year 2006. This is when Ruak launched the initial R1. Classified as a “Deluxe Bluetooth Radio”, the R1 immediately brings a sense of style to the table (whatever table that might be). Now, 14 years later, the R1 Mk4 has stuck close to its roots, with some polishing up over the years with each new iteration. It’s aimed at those who consume Podcasts, whether it be as you wake up, during your morning tea/coffee or throughout the day.
The R1 Mk4 measures 175×130×135mm (HxWxD) and weighs in at around 1.5KG. The body is made up of a contoured polymer enclosure that is acoustically treated to provide superior audio quality. The top of the device houses what Ruark calls the “Rotodial”.
It’s basically a dial that can be used to control volume levels and cycle through the various options and settings in the R1. A large, high contrast OLED panel displays information such as date, time, and playback details. Below the panel is a hand crafted wood grille behind which the primary speaker driver rests.
Located at the back of the R1 Mk4 are a number of different ports. These include a USB-C charge and shuffle playback port, A DC power input for the included power adapter, a 3.5mm line out as well as a line in so that you can connect stereo headphones to the former and connect an external device to the latter. The device also has a removeable telescopic aerial antenna to take care of the radio aspect of the R1 Mk4.
This speaker can DAB
The main highlight of the Ruark R1 Mk4 is that it has a DAB or Digital Audio Broadcasting tuner as well as an FM tuner in it. This basically means that just like you have high-definition television, you also have high-definition radio. It basically allows radio stations to broadcast a digital audio radio service in supported countries. For example BBC Radio has its own podcasts, all of which are picked up on the R1 Mk4. The R1 quickly scans for all available radio channels and you can save upto 10 of your favorites as presets.
Trust me when I say this. Listening to the radio even via FM tuner, has never felt and sounded better. There is virtually no distortion in sound. It sounds so crisp and clear, you would think the person on the radio was just speaking to you in the same room. Truth be told, I’m not much of a radio person (Apple Music FTW), but the first few minutes of listening to the R1 Mk4 completely blew me away.
Mind you, this is only via local radio where we are not yet on digital wavelengths. I can only imagine what the quality would be like if DAB and DAB+ were available in Sri Lanka.The R1 Mk4 also supports RDS (Radio Data System) so supported channels can display information such as what’s currently playing via the R1’s OLED screen. Because of DAB and DAB+ being marketed as the R1 Mk4’s main selling point, you may forget that it also has bluetooth connectivity. Setting up and pairing the speaker is effortless. Just press the power button on the Rotodial, search for the speaker via your smartphone, tablet or laptop, initiate the pairing request, and you’re good to go.
Once paired to your device, you can control playback from the Rotodial itself. Here again, the OLED screen displays what’s currently playing and you can play/pause, as well as skip tracks. At max volume the R1 Mk4 does tend to be a bit distorted but I doubt anyone would be listening to anything at that level of volume. The device also amplifies the quality of whatever is played back, so if the source file or music is of a low bitrate, then it’s pretty obvious that the output will be garbled/muddy as well.
I spent about a good 1-2 days just playing a wide genre of music to see how the R1 Mk4 would handle it, and handle it, it most certainly did. You’d think given its dimensions, that the audio would be “okay” or “acceptable”, but that’s where you’d be mistaken. The bass was punchy and deep, the mids were very well brought out and the highs were far from being shrill or overpowering. Overall, regardless of what I threw at the R1 Mk4, it reproduced it beautifully.
Just how much is the R1 Mk4?
Ruark lists the R1 Mk4 at £229.99 which is around LKR. 65,000/-. But hear me out. This is not just another radio or a Bluetooth speaker. These types of devices are aimed at the elite man and woman who want a step up in the world of audio.
Ruark is known for their high-fidelity loudspeakers and the R1 Mk4 pays homage to exactly just that. Can another speaker match up to it in terms of quality and features? Probably yes, but that’s not the point here. Rather, it is that Ruark makes high end audiophile equipment for those who seek it. It’s a luxury, but you get exactly what you pay for.