Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio Review: The Audiophile’s All-in-One Dream Machine?

For years, my living room has been a testament to technological sprawl. A dedicated CD player sat on one shelf, a Bluetooth speaker occupied a corner for quick streaming from my phone, and an old, reliable DAB radio hummed away on the sideboard. Each device served its purpose well, but the result was a tangle of cables, a collection of remote controls, and a disjointed listening experience. Switching from a favourite CD to a podcast streamed from my phone felt like a chore. I longed for a single, elegant solution—a system that could handle every audio source with grace and, most importantly, without compromising on sound quality. This search for an audiophile-grade, all-in-one system is what led me to the door of a brand with a legendary reputation: Roberts. The challenge was clear: could one device truly replace three or four, and do it with the sonic excellence a discerning listener demands?

What to Consider Before Buying an All-in-One Internet Radio System

An Internet Radio system, especially a comprehensive one like the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio, is more than just an item; it’s a central hub for your entire audio world. It’s a key solution for decluttering your space while upgrading your sound. The main benefit is consolidation without compromise. It brings together the timeless appeal of physical media like CDs, the vast universe of global internet radio stations, the clarity of DAB+, and the modern convenience of Bluetooth streaming and integrated services like Spotify Connect. This convergence means you can seamlessly transition between listening to a cherished album from your youth, discovering a niche radio station from another continent, and streaming the latest viral playlist, all through one high-fidelity sound system.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who has a deep and varied appreciation for music and audio content. They likely have a treasured CD collection they refuse to part with, but also embrace the endless possibilities of digital streaming. They value build quality, aesthetic design, and superior sound that fills a room with warmth and detail. It’s for the individual looking to invest in a primary audio system for their living room, study, or bedroom. Conversely, this type of comprehensive system might not be suitable for those who exclusively listen to music via a single streaming service on their phone and prioritise portability above all else. A simple, battery-powered Bluetooth speaker would be a more fitting, and more affordable, alternative for that user.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: These are not small, portable devices. The Roberts Stream 67L measures 45 cm wide and weighs nearly 7 kg. It’s a substantial piece of equipment that requires a dedicated, sturdy space on a bookshelf, cabinet, or media unit. Always measure your intended location to ensure a proper fit and adequate ventilation.
• Connectivity & Performance: Beyond the core features, look at the finer details. Does it have a headphone jack for private listening? An auxiliary input for connecting older devices like a turntable with a pre-amp? Does the Wi-Fi support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for a more stable connection? The performance hinges on how seamlessly these connections work together.
• Materials & Durability: The cabinet material significantly impacts sound quality. Cheaper plastic units can sound tinny and vibrate at high volumes. Systems like the Roberts often use acoustically tuned wooden cabinets, which provide a warmer, more natural resonance. This commitment to quality materials signals a product built to last for years, not just a few seasons.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A feature-rich device can be overwhelming if the interface is poor. Look for a clear, full-colour display, an intuitive remote control, and logical on-device controls. The ability to control the system via a smartphone app (like Undok for Roberts) is a huge plus for convenience, allowing you to manage sources and settings from your armchair.

While the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Roberts Stream 67L: First Impressions and Key Features

From the moment the courier handed over the box, the substance of the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio was apparent. This is no lightweight plastic gadget. Unboxing it revealed a beautifully crafted unit, exuding a sense of timeless quality. Our review model, with its rich wood veneer casing and brushed metal front panel, felt both classic and contemporary. It has a reassuring heft that speaks to the quality of the components within—the speakers, the power supply, the CD mechanism. Setting it up was straightforward; it was simply a case of attaching the telescopic aerial, plugging it in, and following the on-screen setup wizard to connect to our Wi-Fi network. The full-colour screen is bright, crisp, and a significant step up from the dot-matrix displays on older models, making navigation a pleasure. The included remote is comprehensive without being cluttered, and the on-device buttons and knobs have a satisfying, tactile feel. It immediately felt less like a piece of consumer electronics and more like a carefully considered piece of furniture designed for audio excellence.

A Sonic Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Testing

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. The true measure of an audio system is in the listening, and this is where we spent the majority of our time with the Roberts Stream 67L. We put it through its paces across every conceivable source, from dusty CDs to obscure internet radio stations, to see if its performance lived up to its pedigree.

The Heart of the System: Sound Quality and Acoustic Engineering

Let’s be unequivocal: the sound quality of the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio is its crowning achievement. The moment we played our first track—a well-mastered CD of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours”—the system revealed its character. The sound is wonderfully balanced, warm, and detailed. This is the “rich mellow sound” that users often praise, and we wholeheartedly agree. The acoustically tuned wooden cabinet isn’t just for show; it plays a crucial role in delivering a sound that is free from the harshness or boxiness that can plague lesser systems. The bass is present and articulate without being boomy or overpowering, the midrange is clear and expressive, allowing vocals and instruments to shine, and the treble is crisp without a hint of sibilance.

Diving into the 6-position equaliser and separate bass/treble controls unlocks another level of performance. We found that a slight boost to the bass and treble for modern rock music added an exciting dynamism, while switching to the “Spoken Word” preset for podcasts and talk radio brought a welcome clarity to voices. This customisation is key; it allows you to tailor the sound profile not just to your musical taste but to the specific acoustics of your room. Playing a high-resolution file via the USB port demonstrated the system’s ability to resolve fine detail, revealing subtle nuances in classical recordings that are often lost on compressed streams. It fills a medium-to-large living room with immersive sound without ever sounding strained, proving it’s a feature that really sets it apart in the all-in-one market.

A Universe of Content: Radio, Streaming, and Connectivity

The true genius of the Stream 67L lies in its ability to access virtually any audio source with ease. The Wi-Fi setup was painless, connecting to our network in under a minute. From there, a world of content opened up. The internet radio function is a revelation. Using the clear display and intuitive knob, we browsed thousands of stations by genre and location, effortlessly tuning into a jazz station from New Orleans one moment and a classical broadcast from Vienna the next. The stability of the stream was flawless.

The DAB+ tuner performed admirably, locking onto all available stations in our area quickly and holding the signal without any dropouts, delivering crystal-clear, interference-free sound. Even the humble FM radio worked well for local broadcasts. The slot-loading CD player is smooth and quiet in its operation, a far more elegant solution than a flimsy tray. It read our test discs, including some older CD-Rs, without any issue. Bluetooth pairing with a smartphone was instantaneous, and the connection remained stable even when we walked into an adjacent room. We particularly enjoyed using Spotify Connect, which allows you to control the music from the Spotify app on your phone, with the Roberts system simply acting as the high-quality output. This seamless integration of old and new media is what makes the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio such a compelling proposition.

Design, Build, and User Interface: Living with the Stream 67L

Living with the Stream 67L is a pleasure. Its physical presence is significant, but its classic design allows it to blend beautifully into most decor styles, acting as an elegant focal point. The build quality is exceptional, from the precisely machined buttons to the smooth rotation of the volume knob. This is a product that feels built to last a lifetime. The full-colour TFT display is a standout feature. It shows album art when streaming, station logos for DAB and internet radio, and track information for CDs, making the entire experience more visually engaging and informative. It’s bright enough to be read from across the room but can also be dimmed for nighttime listening.

Navigating the menu system is refreshingly logical. The primary functions are readily accessible, and the learning curve is gentle. While the included remote is perfectly functional, we found ourselves frequently using the Undok smartphone app. The app effectively turns your phone into a powerful remote control, allowing you to switch sources, browse massive internet radio station lists, and tweak settings without needing line-of-sight to the unit. This modern convenience, paired with the system’s traditional craftsmanship, creates a user experience that is truly the best of both worlds. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of this impressive integration.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience is strongly mirrored in public feedback. The sentiment is overwhelmingly favourable, with users frequently highlighting the same core strengths we identified. One user succinctly captured the general feeling, stating, “No dislikes! Roberts 67l have excelled once again. Lovely rich mellow sound, so pleasing to listen to.” This comment perfectly encapsulates the primary reason people invest in this system: its superlative audio quality. It’s a recurring theme; listeners are consistently impressed by the warmth, depth, and clarity of the sound, confirming that the acoustic engineering is a resounding success.

While explicit negative reviews are scarce, we can infer potential considerations from the product’s design. The most common point for a prospective buyer to consider is its size and price. This is not a casual purchase, and its substantial footprint won’t suit every space. However, for those who can accommodate it and are willing to invest in premium audio, the feedback suggests the experience is well worth it, making the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio a highly-rated choice among discerning audio enthusiasts.

How Does the Roberts Stream 67L Compare to the Competition?

The Roberts Stream 67L sits in a competitive space, but its focus on premium sound and build quality helps it stand out. Here’s how it compares to three notable alternatives.

1. Imperial Dabman i200 Internet/DAB+ Radio CD Player

The Imperial Dabman i200 offers a very similar feature set to the Roberts, including Internet/DAB+ radio, a CD player, and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, it generally comes in at a more accessible price point. The trade-off is typically in the materials and acoustic refinement. While perfectly functional, the build may feel less substantial, and the sound profile, while clear, may lack the warmth and richness of the Roberts’ acoustically-tuned wooden cabinet. This makes the Dabman i200 an excellent choice for someone who wants the all-in-one functionality on a tighter budget and is less focused on achieving that top-tier, audiophile-grade sound.

2. Hama 00054891 WiFi Internet Radio DAB+ Bluetooth

The Hama internet radio is a modern, feature-packed competitor that leans into a more contemporary, tech-forward aesthetic. It matches the Roberts on many connectivity fronts, including Wi-Fi, DAB+, and Spotify support. Where it differs is in its design philosophy. The Hama often presents a more compact, plastic-bodied design that might appeal to those with a more modern decor. While it delivers a competent sound, it’s unlikely to match the acoustic depth of the larger, heavier Roberts unit. The Hama is a strong contender for users who prioritise a sleek, modern look and a vast feature list at a competitive price over classic materials and ultimate sound fidelity.

3. MAJORITY Quadriga DAB+ CD Internet Radio

The MAJORITY Quadriga positions itself as a powerhouse, boasting a 120W 2.1 stereo system with an inbuilt subwoofer. This immediately sets up a different sonic comparison. While the Roberts aims for a balanced, rich, and mellow sound, the Quadriga is built to deliver more punch and low-end impact. This would likely appeal to listeners of bass-heavy genres like electronic music or for those who want a more cinematic sound for their space. The choice between the two comes down to listening preference: the nuanced, detailed audio of the Roberts versus the powerful, bass-driven output of the MAJORITY. The Quadriga is for the listener who wants to feel the music as much as hear it.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio Worth the Investment?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Roberts Stream 67L CD Player DAB+ Radio is a phenomenal piece of audio equipment that masterfully achieves its goal. It successfully consolidates the roles of multiple separate devices into one elegant, superbly built, and fantastic-sounding system. Its strength lies not just in its versatility but in the sheer quality of its execution, especially its warm, detailed, and immersive sound that brings music to life. It is not for everyone; its size demands space, and its price reflects its premium standing.

However, for the discerning listener who has been searching for a single, no-compromise solution to enjoy their CDs, discover global radio, and stream their digital library, it is an outstanding investment. It’s a product for those who believe that listening to music should be an experience, not just background noise. If you are ready to declutter your setup and elevate your daily listening to a new level of quality and convenience, the Roberts Stream 67L is, in our expert opinion, one of the finest all-in-one systems on the market. If this review has resonated with you, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability and consider making it the new heart of your home audio setup.