logik ir100 internet radio review

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Picture courtesy of dan.

Average Ratings

Value for Money	7.4/10
Reviewer Rating	7.1/10
Overall Rating	7.3/10

80% Recommended36 out of 45 Reviews

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By scarborian on 1st Nov 2006

scarborian's Ratings

Value for money	10/10
Overall value	9/10
scarborian's recommendation

Good Points

Great looking
Easy to set up and use
Good audio quality

Bad Points

Mains hum
Noisy buttons
Not enough memory pre-sets

General Comments

The Logik IR100 is the latest internet radio. It is manufactured and sold through the DSG group, ie. Curry's, Dixons and PC World, and it is another to use the Reciva database of around 2500 internet radio stations. Like the Acoustic Energy and Magicbox IMP, this radio allows you to search the comprehensive database at Reciva and listen to stations from all over the world via your wireless broadband connection. Out of the box the radio feels weighty and solidly put together. Once plugged into the mains (there is no battery option), the radio asks you to search for available wireless networks, and once located (subject to inputting any required password) will log onto that network and download a station up-date for the Reciva website. That's all there is to it! Then it's just a case of using the rotary control on the front to select either the desired location or genre of station you would like to listen to, and then press select.

Audio quality is of course dependent on the streaming rate of your chosen station, but the speaker in the Logik IR100 gives a good overall performance. The display has three lines so can show the artist and song information on such stations as Virgin Radio Groove. There are also 5 pre-sets to store your favourites, which is simply not enough when you think the AE and Magicbox IMP both offer 10! If you are out at work all day and miss your favourite show the Logik IR100 lets you listen to the BBC 'on demand' services, and should you have your cherished record collection stored on your PC you can stream the audio files through the Logik. A recent firmware up-date for these 'Reciva' equipped radios has improved things too, with the option to alter the display brightness (useful for use in the bedroom), set an alarm time and also 'my stream' your favourite stations form the Reciva site!

All in all, it is a great and very easy way to listen to some fantastic radio. But it's not all good news! The buttons on the Logik feel very cheap and give an annoying loud click when pressed. No good if you are looking to do a bit of late night listening in the bedroom. The radio also suffers from a 'hum' emanating from the mains transformer which is located directly behind the loudspeaker! This spoils the enjoyment of what is, overall, a great piece of kit. The transformer can be relocated inside the cabinet of the Logik to cure the problem, but of course doing so will invalidate your warranty!
If you can put up with the 'hum' and the 'clicky' buttons, the Logik IR100 is a steal at around £100 from your local Curry's or Dixons. If not, spend a bit extra and get the Magicbox IMP. It has nearly all the same features, twice as many pre-sets, is iTunes compatible and has some very quiet buttons!

Total Respect: +4