In our home office, there’s a graveyard of discarded gadgets. A collection of plastic Bluetooth speakers with blown-out drivers, flimsy charging ports, and batteries that now last about fifteen minutes. For years, we chased the convenience of wireless audio, sacrificing quality for portability and price. The result? A constant cycle of replacement and a listening experience that was, frankly, hollow. We craved something more substantial—a device that could stream a podcast from across the globe one moment, tune into the local FM news the next, and fill the room with rich, detailed sound from a Spotify playlist, all while looking like a timeless piece of furniture rather than a piece of disposable tech. This search for a permanent, high-quality audio hub, one that marries classic hi-fi principles with modern connectivity, is what led us to the Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio.
What to Consider Before Buying an Internet Radio
An Internet Radio is more than just a modern wireless speaker; it’s a key solution for consolidating your audio world into one elegant, high-performance unit. It solves the problem of limited local broadcasts by opening a door to tens of thousands of global stations, from niche jazz channels in New Orleans to news broadcasts from Tokyo. It eliminates the need for multiple devices by integrating FM, DAB/DAB+, Bluetooth, and streaming services into a single, cohesive interface. The primary benefit is unparalleled choice, coupled with a focus on superior audio quality that often surpasses that of standard portable speakers, all housed in a design meant to complement your living space, not just occupy it.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who appreciates both form and function. They are discerning listeners facing the frustration of subpar audio from their existing devices. They might be radio enthusiasts eager to explore global content, design-conscious individuals looking for a beautiful audio centerpiece for their kitchen or study, or anyone wanting a high-quality, all-in-one system without the complexity of a full component hi-fi setup. Conversely, this might not be the right choice for those on a strict budget or for users who only need a simple, portable Bluetooth speaker for casual outdoor use. For those who prioritize raw power or physical media like CDs, other types of multi-format systems might be a better fit.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A table radio is a semi-permanent fixture. Measure your intended space, whether it’s a bedside table, a kitchen counter, or a bookshelf. The Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio measures 27 x 12 x 18 cm, a substantial size that requires dedicated space but also contributes to its acoustic resonance. Ensure you have room for it to breathe and for the rear port and antenna to function optimally.
- Connectivity & Performance: This is the heart of a multi-format radio. Assess your primary listening sources. Do you need robust Wi-Fi for internet radio and Spotify Connect? Is high-quality Bluetooth with aptX for direct streaming from your phone a priority? Do you still rely on traditional DAB and FM? The Revo SuperConnect excels by offering all of these, making it a versatile hub for nearly any audio source.
- Materials & Durability: The build quality directly impacts both longevity and sound quality. Many radios use plastic cabinets, which can feel cheap and produce thin, resonant sound. The Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio employs a hand-crafted, furniture-grade American walnut cabinet, not just for its stunning looks but for its acoustic properties, providing a warm, natural sound. The anodized aluminum front and steel grille further signal a product built to last.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: How do you want to interact with your radio? While app control is common, the joy of a tactile interface—physical buttons and a responsive dial—cannot be overstated. The SuperConnect’s intuitive joystick and preset buttons offer immediate, screen-free control. Also, consider long-term aspects like firmware updates, which can add features but, as some users note, occasionally require re-entering settings.
Making the right choice means finding a balance between features, audio performance, and design that fits your lifestyle.
While the Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table 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:
First Impressions: Unboxing a Modern Heirloom
From the moment we lifted the Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio from its packaging, it was clear this was a different class of product. The sheer density and weight (2.8 kg) immediately convey quality. There is no flimsy plastic here; instead, your hands meet cool anodized aluminum and the warm, satin finish of a real American walnut wood cabinet. One user aptly described seeing it on a display shelf, “disdainfully set apart from the gaudily coloured… tacky plastic” competitors, and we immediately understood. It feels less like a gadget and more like a carefully crafted instrument. The front panel is a model of clarity, with a crisp OLED display flanked by a satisfyingly tactile joystick and a neat row of buttons. Even the telescoping aerial feels robust and well-engineered. Setup was remarkably intuitive; it immediately prompted us to connect to our Wi-Fi network, a process made simple by the joystick and clear display. Within five minutes, we were streaming a crystal-clear broadcast from a station in Iceland, the room filled with sound that was leagues beyond any table radio we’d tested before. It’s a device that makes a powerful first impression before you’ve even heard a single note.
What We Like
- Exceptional, room-filling sound quality with warmth and clarity
- Stunning retro-modern design with premium materials (real wood and aluminum)
- Comprehensive connectivity: Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, DAB/DAB+, FM, and Bluetooth aptX
- Intuitive physical controls, including a tactile joystick and presets
Limitations
- Premium price point may not suit all budgets
- Lacks an internal real-time clock, requiring a network connection to set the time after being unplugged
Deep Dive: Performance and Everyday Usability
A beautiful design is one thing, but a radio’s soul is in its sound and its daily usability. We spent weeks with the Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio as our primary audio source in the kitchen and office, exploring its every feature. This is where it truly earns its “Super” moniker, blending high-fidelity audio with a vast, accessible universe of content.
A Masterclass in Design and Build Quality
It’s impossible to overstate the impact of the SuperConnect’s physical construction. The cabinet isn’t a wood-effect vinyl wrap; it’s genuine American walnut, and this choice is as much about acoustics as it is aesthetics. Wood resonates differently than plastic, absorbing unwanted vibrations and contributing to a warmer, more natural, and less fatiguing sound. Running a hand over the smooth, satin-finished cabinet feels like touching a piece of high-end furniture. The front fascia, crafted from a single piece of T6 aluminum, provides a rigid, stable platform for the speaker driver and controls. The speaker grille is milled from steel, adding to the sense of permanence. This commitment to materials is something we, and other users, deeply appreciate. As one owner noted, “I do recognize real quality when I see it—and hear it, and this is the business.” Every element, from the responsive click of the joystick to the smooth glide of the volume knob, reinforces the feeling of a premium, well-engineered product. This level of craftsmanship is a feature that really sets it apart and justifies its position in the market. It’s built not for a season, but for a decade of enjoyment.
Sonic Performance: Rich, Detailed, and Authoritative Sound
At the heart of the Revo SuperConnect is a custom 3.5-inch BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) driver, powered by a 15W Class-D amplifier. This isn’t typical radio hardware. The BMR driver technology allows for a much wider sound dispersion than a traditional cone driver, meaning the audio sounds full and consistent even when you’re not sitting directly in front of it. The result is astonishing. Listening to BBC Radio 4, voices were rendered with incredible presence and clarity, free from the boxy tone that plagues lesser radios. Switching to a high-bitrate classical station via internet radio, the SuperConnect handled complex orchestral pieces with poise, delivering detailed highs and a surprisingly deep and controlled bass from its ported cabinet. We streamed rock playlists via Spotify Connect, and the sound was punchy and dynamic without becoming harsh. As one German user exclaimed, “Mehr Klang für das Geld wird man kaum finden” (You’ll hardly find more sound for the money). It produces a sound that is rich, authoritative, and deeply musical, completely belying its compact size. The audio quality is something you have to hear to truly appreciate.
The ‘SuperConnect’ Promise: A Universe of Audio at Your Fingertips
This radio truly lives up to its name by seamlessly integrating every conceivable modern audio source. The Wi-Fi setup was painless, and once connected, it opened the floodgates to over 16,000 internet radio stations, easily searchable by genre or location. The stability of the connection was flawless throughout our testing. Spotify Connect is another highlight; once the radio is on your network, it appears as a playback device directly within the Spotify app on your phone or computer. You simply select it, and the radio takes over the stream directly, freeing up your phone for other tasks. For traditionalists, the DAB/DAB+ and FM tuners performed exceptionally well, pulling in distant stations with clarity thanks to the quality receiver and telescoping antenna. Finally, Bluetooth pairing was instant, and the inclusion of aptX technology is a significant bonus for users with compatible devices, allowing for CD-quality wireless streaming that sounds noticeably richer and more detailed than standard Bluetooth. To explore all the connectivity options and check the latest pricing, you can find more details here.
Living With the SuperConnect: The Day-to-Day Experience
Beyond the specs, how does it feel to use every day? In a word: delightful. The graphical OLED display is sharp and easy to read from across the room, showing station info, track details, and the time. Navigating the extensive menus with the joystick quickly becomes second nature. We especially valued the physical preset buttons, a feature praised by one user who wanted music in the bathroom “at the push of a button” without fumbling with an app first thing in the morning. We set our favourite internet stations, a DAB news channel, and an FM station, and access was instantaneous. It also serves as an excellent, if luxurious, alarm clock, with dual alarms that can wake you to any source. However, our extensive testing did reveal a few quirks mentioned by others. The most notable is the lack of a battery-backed real-time clock. If the unit is unplugged, it loses the time and date, relying on a network or broadcast signal to reset them upon power-up—a minor annoyance but a surprising omission in a device of this calibre. We also noted user reports of firmware updates resetting saved preferences, a potential inconvenience to be aware of. Despite these small flaws, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, making it a standout choice in its category. Check its current availability.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience is echoed by a broad consensus among users, who consistently praise the radio’s three core strengths: build quality, sound quality, and design. One owner summed it up perfectly, stating they “recognize real quality when I see it—and hear it.” Another confirmed, “Styling, materials and build-quality are excellent.” The audio performance is frequently cited as being far superior to competitors, with one reviewer noting that a previously purchased, more expensive Tivoli radio was outclassed by the Revo “in almost all aspects.”
However, the feedback also provides a balanced view. A few users have encountered minor quality control issues, such as one who had to remove the FM antenna because it caused vibrations on their unit. Another experienced a firmware update that wiped all their settings, contrary to the update’s description. The most common critique is a surprising software quirk: its inability to retain the time and date when power is cycled, which one user found to be a needed improvement for an “internet device.” These points, while valid, seem to be exceptions rather than the rule and do little to detract from the overwhelming satisfaction with the product’s core mission of delivering superb sound from a beautiful object.
How Does the Revo SuperConnect Compare to the Alternatives?
The Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio exists in a competitive market. While it excels in build and sonic purity, other models offer different feature sets that may appeal to different users.
1. Imperial Dabman i200 Internet DAB+ Radio CD Player
The Imperial Dabman i200 presents a compelling case for those who still cherish their physical media collection. Its main differentiator is the integrated slot-loading CD player, a feature entirely absent from the Revo. It matches the SuperConnect on core radio functionalities like Internet, DAB+, and FM, and also includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. However, the design is more utilitarian, with a focus on function over high-end form; it lacks the premium walnut and aluminum construction of the Revo. This is an excellent alternative for someone who wants an all-in-one music system for their CD library and radio needs, and is willing to trade the Revo’s audiophile-grade build and aesthetic for that added physical media versatility.
2. Hama 00054891 Internet Radio DAB+ Bluetooth USB
The Hama Internet Radio is the swiss-army knife of the group, aiming to pack as many features as possible into its modern chassis. Like the Imperial Dabman, it includes a CD player, but it also adds a USB port for playback from flash drives. It boasts a powerful 40W output and, like the Revo, includes Spotify Connect. The Hama is geared towards the user who wants maximum flexibility. If you have music scattered across CDs, USB sticks, and streaming services, and want one device to handle it all, the Hama is a strong contender. The trade-off comes in the form of a more conventional, plastic-heavy build and a sound signature that may favour volume over the nuanced, warm fidelity of the Revo SuperConnect.
3. MAJORITY Quadriga Internet Radio CD DAB+ Bluetooth
The MAJORITY Quadriga competes on a different axis: raw power. With a claimed 120W output from a 2.1 stereo system that includes an inbuilt subwoofer, this unit is designed to produce a much bigger, bass-heavy sound. It’s for the listener who wants to truly fill a large room and feel the low end of their music. It matches the others with a CD player, Internet/DAB+/FM radio, Bluetooth, and Spotify Connect. While the Revo SuperConnect focuses on refined, accurate, and natural sound reproduction within a compact, premium package, the Quadriga is for those who prioritize sheer volume and bass impact over acoustic subtlety and furniture-grade design. It’s less of a hi-fi table radio and more of a modern, compact boombox.
Final Verdict: An Investment in Everyday Audio Excellence
After extensive testing, the Revo SuperConnect Multi-Format Table Radio has more than earned a permanent place in our home. It is an emphatic answer to the problem of fleeting, low-quality digital audio. This is not just another radio; it is a beautifully crafted audio instrument that delivers on every promise. Its sonic performance is rich, detailed, and utterly satisfying, elevating everything from a simple news broadcast to a complex musical piece. The connectivity is comprehensive, seamlessly bridging the gap between traditional radio and the modern streaming world. While it carries a premium price and has a few minor quirks like the lack of a time-keeping battery, these are small footnotes in an otherwise stellar performance review. We recommend it without hesitation to the discerning listener who values timeless design, tactile controls, and truly superb sound quality. If you are ready to stop replacing cheap speakers and invest in a single, elegant solution that will bring you daily listening joy for years to come, this is the radio we wholeheartedly recommend. You can see the full specifications and secure yours here.