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Roberts CRD9 DAB alarm clock radio with FM reception

Roberts CRD9 DAB alarm clock radio review

Our review
Roberts' RD9 Gemini 9 DAB digital clock radio offers both FM and DAB Band III reception in a neat, well-designed unit.

The RD9 (also called the Gemini 9) is compact, sitting just three inches high off the table. There's an easy-to-read backlit display, with adjustable backlight intensity. Station information scrolls - albeit rather slowly - across the dual-line backlit orange display and, at the press of a button, the listener can switch between time and date, signal strength and programme type information.

Five preset buttons mounted along the top of the unit give direct access to stations on DAB and FM (each waveband has 5 presets). Volume is controlled by two adjacent up-down buttons and a large tuning rocker enables you to browse through stations and, if you prefer, the unit can jump to a selected station after a few seconds.

The Roberts Gemini RD9 also features RDS RadioText, autosearch on DAB and autotune on FM.

Switching between DAB and FM is accomplished by a small button on the front of the Roberts Gemini 9. Alarm settings can be set using the "info" button on top of the unit, coupled with the tuning and select buttons. It's very straightforward to set sleep time, alarm settings and single alarm mode (where you can decide to wake to radio or tone).

Considering its size, the Roberts RD9 Gemini 9 produces quite an amazingly authoritative sound. Speech stations make for a great listen - without sibilance - the Gemini's small speaker offering impressive bass response. Pop stations sound balanced and very listenable, the sound neither too brash or tiresome. A comparison with their FM equivalents here in Sydney, DAB output sounds much more refined, with the treble on FM sometimes a little overbearing, however this isn't a problem on DAB. Of course, there's only one upward-facing speaker, but a headphone socket is provided for stereo listening.

Overall, the Roberts Gemini 9 offers the best of both worlds - DAB and FM - in one box. It's a sensibly-sized radio with a good list of features.

Images
roberts crd9 DAB alarm clock radio
Roberts CRD9 DAB clock radio with alarm and FM

Visitor reviews
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Stuart writes: " Overall I agree with the review, however there is one serious flaw - volume! Even when the volume is set to minimum the Roberts CRD9 is deafening in a quiet bedroom where you're trying to drop off to sleep. The main hi-fi unit in my living room has a much lower minimum volume level than this."

Carole writes: " Excellent design and a sturdy clock radio however we are experiencing problems and have already taken one back. Basically it doesnt work! The radio picks up the station in the morning and appears to have a signal but the clock radio does not come on. To get it to come on you have to re-tune which is pointless if you have already overslept. "

I think the problems you are having with the CRD-9 relate to a poor signal; when the signal drops below a certain level the radio loses the time signal carried by stations (and hence you have to re-tune). There's a 6-point checklist for improving signal mentioned on our feedback page.

I used the CRD-9 and the problem I found was that some stations didn't adjust their time for daylight saving, so the clock would show the wrong time depending on which station I chose. Ed.

Carole replies: " I've had a response from Roberts about the problem. The signal is fine as other DAB radios work in the house without a problem. It's the radio - not the signal - that's the problem: see Roberts' response below:
" We have discovered that in very isolated areas the alarm set to DAB can drop out. This means the alarm will activate but it has lost the DAB signal and will not tune in to a DAB station. You can check this by setting the alarm to FM or to buzzer which should operate correctly."
"We can incorporate some software upgrade to alleviate this problem and would need to have the unit sent to our service division of course at our cost. "
I'm sending it back for the software upgrade. "

Roberts' response suggests the radio is losing its DAB signal. Ed.

Graham writes: " I bought the Gemini CRD9 clock radio last year. It's a great radio set with one exception - the volume. Like others I find the minimum setting too loud. On the reception front, it is fantastic. I live in Glasgow and this little beauty can pick up the multiplexes for Ayr and Edinburgh in addition to those for Glasgow, Central Scotland and National BBC and DIGITAL 1. None of my other sets in the house can pick up the Ayr and Edinburgh multiplexes. I therefore can receive several more stations with this set. "

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