Written by Phil Wright
November 09, 2011
The latest 'lifestyle' system from Roberts, the ColourSTREAM, features a colour touchscreen interface and all the top end features including Wifi Radio connectivity and an iPod dock.
Features and Performance
This is an interesting fight, with both just under £200, Roberts’ ColourSTREAM goes head to head with Pure’s Sensia reviewed last year. There are some key differences but both are very good; if you are in the market then ensure you have a good look at both before choosing the best one for you.
Facilities offered by the ColourSTREAM include DAB, FM, and internet radio, together with Last.fm. It has an iPod dock (the main difference from the Sensia and one that plays in the ColourSTREAM’s favour) and a useful remote control. It can stream music from your computer, play USB memory sticks from a socket on the front, and if that’s not enough it also has an auxiliary input. Oh, and a buzzer alarm that I defy anyone to sleep through! Two alarms can be set, to trigger the radio, iPod or buzzer. You’ll also find snooze and sleep functions.
There’s a useful remote control, with one-touch access to five of FM and DAB’s 10 presets. This review can only scratch the surface, so I’ll highlight the main features that stand out.
Most obvious is the colour touchscreen, whose main screen echoes an iPhone, with individual app-style buttons for each of its functions. The similarity to Apple ends there, but as with the Sensia having a far more intuitive interface opens up so much more of the functionality. Constant use will bring familiarity, but never once did I have to refer to the manual. There are a few quirks to sort (like always getting to my favourite internet stations with one press – sometimes it takes three), but it is still light years ahead of conventional interfaces. Only when searching through large music libraries on a computer does it start to feel clunky, perhaps an area for the next software release (or an iPod app) to address. The tuning knob on the radio’s front felt a bit small and fiddly.
The looks are fairly conventional; a gloss-black oblong box very similar in style to its MP23 and Sound 53 stablemates. Its styling is conventional compared to the ‘rugby ball’ shape of the Sensia. Personally I’m happy with the Roberts look, the sloping front panel and colourful touchscreen adding a bit of interest. It is bigger than the Sensia though, certainly pushing what would fit on the average bedside table.
The sound is very nice and there are useful EQ settings if you work your way down through the menus. Think good tabletop radio rather than wannabe sound system (a trick the MP23 pulls off really well by the way). From memory the ColourSTREAM is slightly richer than the Sensia, but do please listen to both of them if this is a key factor for you.
DAB sensitivity is good, FM fine for strong stations. The WiFi capabilities were a joy, connecting easily first time (aided by the interface) and then never dropping out on either internet radio or when streaming music. My only problem was setting up my laptop to share music files, but that’s more to do with me (who needs instructions?)
Conclusion
Overall the ColourSTREAM is at the front of the field. Against the Sensia the choice will be down to personal preferences; for me the ColourSTREAM just shades it, partly because of the inclusion of an iPod dock. You may feel differently though, so do try both before you buy. Whichever you go for, the use of a well thought out touchscreen interface makes a big difference to ease of use. An iPod app would be the icing on the cake, but Roberts should be applauded for coming up with a nicely rounded product and one that I recommend.