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If ever there was a brand that had the right to claim synonymity with a technology, it would be Roberts - or, to give the company its full name, Roberts Radio (which sort-of gives the game away). The UK brand has been producing devices for nearly a century – its first suitcase-sized ‘portable’ was launched within a few years of the BBC’s first broadcast in 1922, and the 90-odd years since has seen what could be called extremely enviable brand-building.
Roberts’ success lies in its ability to capture, with its distinctive retro designs, the inherent appeal of nostalgia, and combine it with current tech developments. The iStream 3L is as much a digital streaming interface as it is a portable radio.
It's a winning combination, and while the design may look as if it should be pre-tuned to BBC Radio 3 or 4 and little else, Roberts’ research shows that Millennials find retro design combined with modern, practical convenience very appealing - which is exactly what iStream 3L offers. Even if the name is a little on the clumsy side.
The iStream 3L is a reassuringly solidly built portable radio, with an attractive leatherette finish and distinctive metallic speaker grille. It provides effortless access to a wide array of music, with no need to be a dab hand at the techy stuff – this isn’t some geeky specialist hi-fi unit. In fact it’s the antithesis, an extremely simple and effective route to radio broadcasts (DAB, FM, internet radio), music streaming services (Spotify, Deezer, Amazon) and podcasts, as well as Bluetooth streaming from your phone or computer. It works off the mains, or can be loaded with six AA batteries and carried around the house, garden or wherever else you fancy. The iStream 3L connects to your home wi-fi network and has a built-in 'Wizard' for set-up - it's easy to understand and efficient for getting the radio, clock and alarm all up and running in no time.
Sound quality
The internal gubbins creating the sound (should the likely Roberts owner be the slightest bit interested) is a single-channel Class D amplifier (approx 2.95 watts of power at 4 ohms) and 9cm full-range driver, all sitting within an acoustically tuned wooden casing.
The sound is best described as 'characteristically Roberts': warm, enveloping and enjoyable. In strict hi-fi terms it may not be rigorously accurate, but it is consistently pleasant and even delightful to listen to. There is an inherent richness, without any of the reedy thinness in the upper registers that can mar the sound of some portable devices. Even with challenging music, such as Mahler’s Symphony No 2, the result is fulfilling - the surprising heft in the lower notes adds to the richness of the overall sound.
As it’s a radio, clarity of speech is vitally important - and this is something that the iStream 3L take care of this with aplomb. Podcasts, Melvin Bragg, Radio 4’s News Quiz... they all sound inviting and rewarding.
This isn’t a sound that grows on you, it feels as if it has been in your life forever. And the Roberts never throws up any nasty surprises to knock you off your balance.
Living with
I have a friend who has a Roberts Radio that has never left the kitchen and never ventured past Radio 4 - you could well say that’s a bit limiting…
Thankfully, iStream 3L offers a much wider view of life - and I find myself often switching between sources depending on the time of day and what I want to listen. The combination of the bright, coloured menu screen on top of the unit (which shows source, what is playing, and artwork if available), and the ease of selection from the control knob is too inviting to just stick solely to FM radio transmissions. The numerous presets available for each format is a welcome short cut, doing away for the need to scroll through channels of mediocrity on DAB+, FM radio and podcasts every time you want to listen to something different.
There is a socket on the top of the unit, so if you need even more musical content than is provided by radio, steaming services or Bluetooth you could load up a pile of MP3 tracks onto a USB stick and use that as well.
As a portable radio, it is in the upper reaches of the of price range. However, if you think of it as a music system masquerading as a portable radio the pill is much sweeter.
There is a fairly workmanlike app that can be used to control the iStream 3L from your phone, but as the operation is so easy and accessible on the unit itself I barely find myself using it.
Conclusion
The iStream 3L is the perfect at-home portable accessory to enjoy its comforting sounds in the kitchen, bathroom, garden or wherever else you like to listen. Thankfully Roberts remains true to it radio roots and has not become a 'design over function' brand - although to say this is 'just' a radio though would be damning it with faint praise. It is an incredibly easy-to-use music hub with multiple sources on tap.
There are, however, a couple of minor minus points. The Bluetooth connection sometimes seems a little wobbly, and while the inclusion of Spotify Connect is very welcome, the lack of Apple Airplay is a bit of an oversight.
Everything about the Roberts is unsurprising, and in a really positive way. Nothing jars, nothing shocks, nothing poses a problem in operation. The design is both comfortable and comforting, the perfect recipe for nostalgia. The sound is similar reassuringly 'radio' and all of the controls and technology feel as if nothing is a challenge.
What's not to love?
Listening notes
The Hallé Orchestra and Choirs / Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2
From the BBC Proms, this massive symphony delights with its awe inspiring, wide-ranging sound - reproducing it is a huge achievement for such a small, portable device (FM radio)
Flaco Jiminez Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio
The recent passing of the accordion master brought sadness to the Black household. Nearly as old as the Roberts Radio brand, Flaco’s nostalgic, old-timey, lively tex mex dance inducing tunes are perfectly suited to the warm Roberts sound (Spotify)
FIP
The best radio station in the world? Sometimes. A gem from France, playing a wonderful, enlivening, eclectic mix of tunes (thankfully not all French) at any time of day or night. And all for free (internet radio)
You want convenience, style, quality and ease of use, all wrapped up a wonderful design that will make anyone that sees it say 'Ooooh!'
You will be rewarded with is a warm, cosy, comforting sound from radio broadcasts in all forms (and other music sources too) at a simple press of button. What could be more appealing than that?
