Roberts Radio is launching the Revere range on 24 September, introducing three stereo systems priced from £249.99 to £599.99 that combine CD playback, DAB/DAB+ and FM radio, Bluetooth, and streaming options within hand-built wooden cabinets to capitalize on the ongoing physical music format resurgence.
Yet, physical formats continue to hold ground. As compact disc sales experience a sustained multi-year upward trajectory, legacy audio manufacturers are responding with hardware engineered for both physical rituals and contemporary networking pipelines. Roberts Radio, a firm manufacturing receivers in the UK since 1932 and holding Royal Warrants since 1955, is entering this space with a tiered product lineup designed to bridge legacy playback methods with modern network streaming protocols.
Engineering the Revere Acoustic Architecture
Rather than relying on injection-molded plastic enclosures typical of mass-market entry-level units, the Revere lineup utilizes hand-built, acoustically tuned wooden cabinets finished in premium black leathercloth. This structural choice brings high-end hi-fi material considerations down to a compact footprint.
Sound tuning across the hardware architecture extends beyond standard factory profiles. Listeners gain access to multiple EQ presets alongside a customizable My EQ setting, granting granular control over tonal balance.
Tiered Hardware Specifications: From Revere 100 to Revere 500
The range scales across three distinct price points and feature sets to accommodate different living spaces:
- Revere 100 (£249.99): Designed for compact spaces like kitchen counters or home offices, this entry-level model pairs twin 2.25-inch stereo drivers with a 5.25-inch downward-firing passive bass radiator. It includes 20 station presets, dual alarms, a sleep timer, DAB, DAB+ and FM radio, and Bluetooth streaming.
- Revere 300 (£399.99): Stepping up for living room deployment, the 300 introduces a built-in CD player, USB playback, and device charging capabilities. It ships with a physical remote control and utilizes larger twin 3-inch drivers backed by a rear-ported bass architecture for higher-output low-end response.
- Revere 500 (£599.99): The flagship unit adds Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, unlocking internet radio, Spotify Connect with lossless support, and built-in Deezer streaming. Control is handled via Roberts’ Oktiv app. Its acoustic output relies on a four-driver configuration featuring two 2.5-inch full-range drivers and two 3.5-inch woofers, paired with four Location Sound Profiles that dynamically adjust output characteristics based on placement near walls, corners, bookshelves, or open areas.
Balancing Heritage Rituals and Modern Protocols
As Roberts chief executive Owen Watters observed regarding the product line’s core design philosophy, “Revere is about bringing together two things that don’t have to be at odds: the character and ritual of physical listening, and the convenience of modern technology.”
By integrating classic broadcast bands alongside network-attached lossless audio services and physical CD transports, the hardware acknowledges that modern listeners often maintain hybrid media libraries.
Availability and Market Positioning
The entire Revere lineup goes on sale starting Thursday, 24 September, directly through the Roberts website and selected retail partners. With the base Revere 100 starting at £249.99, the mid-tier Revere 300 landing at £399.99, and the network-equipped Revere 500 topping out at £599.99, Roberts is positioning the hardware to compete directly against premium lifestyle audio brands while leaning heavily on its decades-long manufacturing heritage.
