Listening to the radio when cooking has been a favorite pastime of many. But the question is: do you choose a DAB or an FM radio?
For a long time, both FM (Frequency Modulation) and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) have enjoyed their fair share of popularity among the users. And both come with their unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Like you, I sometimes feel torn about which one I should opt for.
Most radio listeners ask this question when they are trying to upgrade their radio to get a new one. Trust me; I have been in the same place. So, I thought, why not conduct an in-depth analysis of both the options and then make an informed choice?
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I am here to share my analysis with you. After reading this guide, you will have a good understanding of how these two options weigh against each other.
So, without any more delay, dive right in!
How Did They Both Come Into The Picture?
Both FM and DAB have their respective histories, which have shaped their existence and made them what they are today. And in this section, I will take you through their history and tell you how and when they came into the picture.
The analog radio, or what is popularly called the FM, came into existence as early as the 1800s. And since then, it has completely changed the meaning of broadcasting.
On the other hand, the DAB radio is a fairly recent invention. It was back in the mid-1990s in the UK that advanced levels of DAB networks were set up. And in the late 1990s, BBC became the first station to transmit digital radio signals. The reach was not very wide and barely covered the whole of London.
However, I remember the newspapers writing that people were not too enthusiastic, and the response wasn’t that great. And this happened mainly because of two reasons.
Firstly, DAB receivers were pretty new on the market and ended up overestimating how people would react to this form of broadcasting. Besides, they opted for premium pricing, something that the Britons did not seem to agree with.
Secondly, the audience was not really happy with the sound quality. The talk around DAB was that it would be able to deliver CD-like clarity. But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
But despite facing initial challenges, DAB has gained much popularity in recent years. Around half of the UK residents, for example, listen to DAB, while the other half prefer sticking to analog FM radio.
- [Versatile DAB Radio] This solar powered DAB radio supports DAB, DAB+, Frequency Modulation reception, with 30 preset stations for easy access to a wide range of information and entertainment.
- [Multi Functional Music Player] You can enjoy music playback via storage card (without) or USB drive, meeting various listening needs.
- [Long Lasting Battery] Equipped with a rechargeable 1200mAh battery, this radio offers up to 8 hours of continuous playback, allowing you to enjoy music anytime, anywhere.
- Large Speaker Ensures Clear Loud Sound: DreamSky portable radio comes with big high performance speaker which provides loud and great sound quality that can easily fill a room. Listening to music, NPR, news, sports games & talk shows is definitely a great enjoyment with this shortwave am fm radio.
- Strong Reception with High Low Tone: the transistor radio with long range transistor antenna pulls in strong and crisp clear AM radio, FM radio and SW shortwave radio despite of nowhere. High and low tone selection brings you different audio enjoyment while with the earphone jack, you are able to listen to your favorite radio broadcasts without distraction nor bothering others.
- Large Smooth Analog Dials Easy to Use: the controls of this small radio are solid and simple at a glance, simply rotate the big volume knob and tuning wheel, then relax and enjoy the moment! Looking for an old-school entertainment and small gifts for your parent, dad, mom, uncle, aunt, your loved one, the elderly, seniors and kids? This handheld radio is your choice!
- Strong Reception and Clear Loud Sound: the portable radio pull in both AM/FM signals despite you live in the middle of nowhere. Big loud speaker provides crisp clear sound quality, no static or cross-talk. An earphone jack enables you to enjoy your favorite show without distraction.
- Super Easy to Operate: the radios portable am fm is simple and easy to use. With the smooth and large analog dial, tuning in your favourite music, NPR, sports and news etc just takes seconds, makes an ideal am fm radio for seniors and elderly.
- AC Plug in Radio and Battery Powered Radio: the small radio supports two power souces, you can either use it as an am fm radios for home with the included adapter or take it for outdoor activities with 4 AA alkaline batteries (not supplied).
- 【AC Plug and AA Battery Operated】Enjoy the convenience of plugging in an AC cable in your living room, kitchen and office, or experience The flexibility of using 4 AA batteries for outdoor activities or in situations without power. The portable radio am fm are perfect for both indoor relaxation and outdoor adventures. Note: The batteries are not included.
- 【Portable Radio with Handle】Measuring just 8.2 x 5.2 x 2.4 inches and weighing 20.8 oz, this radios portable am fm come with a foldable handle for easy carrying. Whether you're at the park or on a road trip, small radio is designed for on-the-go listening.
- 【Easy to Use】The large, easy-to-read frequency scale and smooth tuning knobs make adjusting simple. Switch between AM/FM stations with just one button, making this transistor radio battery operated perfect for all ages.
Choice: FM Vs DAB
When it comes to choosing radio channels or surfing them, DAB emerges as a clear winner. With FM radio, the maximum that you can access is around ten to twelve stations. And this is only possible if you are a resident or a tourist in a big city.
DAB, on the other hand, provides you with a plethora of music genres. Whether you are a jazz or a rock music enthusiast, you will definitely find something. Plus, it’s more accessible, irrespective of your location (rural or urban).
And you don’t need to restrict yourself to just music while on DAB. People like me often spend good time listening to comedy shows and news. The thing about DAB is that it has the capacity to transmit more signals than FM. As a result, it can offer more channels in a particular area without any significant signal distortion.
Sound Quality: DAB Vs FM
Honestly, I was pretty let down by the sound quality of DAB, as the expectations around it were quite high. But with enough research, I found out why the quality wasn’t as good as it promised to be.
This happens mainly because digital radio stations sometimes tweak and compress the sound so much that the quality deteriorates. In fact, in the worst-case scenario, I have even witnessed it falling behind analog radio. In other words, the sound quality falls below the designated 192 kbit/s, as determined by the BBC Research and Development group.
So, some users like me still prefer sticking to FM radio most of the time, as it allows me to adjust the antenna and fix the signal to my best capacity. But DAB doesn’t come with that advantage. You will either receive the signal, or you won’t; there’s no in-between.
Ease Of Using: DAB Vs FM
Like many people of my generation, I used to believe that using DAB radios would be harder than FM, simply because they are digital. But it’s actually the opposite.
The best part about DAB is that you do not need to remember the frequencies like you have to do for FM radio. All you have to do is set the radio on auto-scan mode, and all the stations will be displayed on the LCD screen. Just flick on the remote and select the channel that you want to listen to.
Additionally, you can even save your favorite stations in order to get quick access to them without any manual tuning.
Final Words
That’s all I have for you today, friends!
I hope you enjoyed reading my guide as much as I enjoyed compiling it. And I have realized that most of the radios on the market today offer both FM and DAB. So, you do not have to choose one over the other. The debate on DAB vs FM radio has thus been resolved!
And in case you have to choose, let the choice be guided by the kind of entertainment that you like. A person like me who is a little “old-school” will choose FM over DAB any day. But then again, I understand why my children like DAB better. So go ahead with the one that pleases your audition.
In case you have any more questions, write to me in the comments section below. And until next time, adios!