JVC DAB Clock Radio RA-D38B Review

The JVC DAB Clock Radio RA-D38B is a compact, affordable bedside clock radio that offers a solid combination of features for casual users who want access to DAB/FM radio along with essential clock and alarm functions. Here’s a detailed review of its key aspects:

Design and Build

The RA-D38B has a simple, minimalist design that fits well on a bedside table. It comes in a clean, black plastic finish with an easy-to-read display. The display shows the time, radio station, and other information. The compact form factor is one of its strengths, making it perfect for small spaces. The buttons are intuitive and well laid out, although some users may find them a bit small and fiddly, especially in low light.

This unit comes from JVC; what more can we say? Obviously, with this brand name comes quality and reliability. Oh, and a decent sound too!

JVC RA-D38B Clock Radio: Display

The LED display is clear and bright, and it has adjustable brightness settings. This is a helpful feature for those who are sensitive to light when sleeping, as you can dim the display to your liking or turn it off entirely. The display shows basic information, including time and station details, but it lacks any advanced features like colour screens or album artwork.

Sound Quality

For its size and price, the sound quality is decent. It’s not going to compete with high-end audio devices, of course. But the speaker is loud and clear enough for listening to radio broadcasts in a small room. The bass is limited, as expected in a clock radio, but it performs adequately for speech and background music.

If you’re looking for deep bass or audiophile-level sound, this may not be the best choice. The speaker isn’t too small, and the sound is very rich for it’s size, but this is what you expect from a quality brand.

JVC RA-D38B Clock Radio: DAB/FM Radio Reception

The DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) reception is generally very good, offering clear and interference-free audio. Users can enjoy a wide range of stations with better sound quality than traditional FM. The RA-D38B also supports FM radio, which gives you access to local stations that may not broadcast on DAB. The telescopic antenna can be adjusted to improve signal reception.

We found the reception to be excellent and the initial DAB radio scan was quick and easy to operate. The buttons are responsive and are in the correct place, in our opinion.

Ease of Use

Setting up the clock, alarms, and radio presets is straightforward, although the instruction manual could be more detailed for some functions. The device allows you to set two alarms, which can be set to wake you with either the radio or a standard buzzer. Snooze and sleep functions are also available, adding to its convenience.

Features

• DAB and FM radio: Provides access to a wide variety of stations with strong reception.
• Dual alarms: Allows you to set two alarms, a handy feature if you have different schedules.
• Sleep timer and snooze functions: Adds convenience for daily use.
• Portable size: Compact and easy to move, though it doesn’t have a built-in battery, so it needs to be plugged in.
• Presets: 20 preset radio stations, with 10 for the DAB and 10 for the FM.
• Target Price: £29.99 (UK). This is decent, at least for the brand name.

Drawbacks

• Basic Sound: While adequate for casual listening, the sound quality lacks depth, particularly with bass-heavy music.
• Build Quality: The plastic design, while practical, doesn’t feel particularly premium or durable.
• No USB Charging: Many modern clock radios include USB ports for charging your phone overnight, but this model doesn’t have one.
• Not DAB+: Shame!

One thing you need to be aware of is that there is no DAB+, which is available on some of it’s competitors. So, you will need to decide if you want DAB+ radio on your bedside cabinet or whether you are happy with DAB and FM.

JVC RA-D38B Clock Radio: In Conclusion

The JVC DAB Clock Radio RA-D38B is a practical, no-frills clock radio that excels in simplicity and functionality. It’s best suited for those who want a reliable alarm clock with solid DAB and FM radio reception but don’t need high-end sound or extra features like Bluetooth or USB charging.

Its affordable price point makes it a good value for a bedside radio. However, if sound quality or premium build materials are a priority, you may want to consider other options. Of course, you’ll need to look elsewhere if you specifically require the DAB+ stations.

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