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.
- DAB / DAB+ and FM digital radio: get to know the pocket DAB radio of the audio specialists i-box, the new elegant and user-friendly portable DAB radio. DAB+ offers you razor-sharp and clear audio quality and automatically searches for all available radio stations displayed on the LCD display. So you know exactly which you are hearing.
- Radio on the go: simply charge the device via the included micro USB cable. With the built-in 600mAh lithium battery, you can enjoy up to 8 hours of music on the go on a single charge. This is ideal for use at home or outdoors. Its compact design makes the pocket mini radio an ideal travel companion.
- STORE 20 STATIONS: You can easily store up to 20 stations, and the simple navigation buttons allow you to immediately retrieve your favourite DAB and FM stations. It is easy to use, when you turn it on for the first time, all available radio stations are automatically set. You can then go through your favourites and save (10 DAB / 10 FM).
- 【ULTRA-LIGHT AND COMPACT】This DAB + FM radio receiver is not only designed ultralight but also compact, making it easy to carry around. It includes a 1.44 "LCD display and speaker for enhanced convenience.
- 【RECHARGEABLE AND LONG-LASTING】The radio receiver is equipped with a built-in 1000mAh rechargeable lithium battery. This ensures a long battery life of more than 10 hours, minimizing the need for frequent charging and reducing power consumption.
- 【AUTOMATIC SCANNING】This intelligent radio receiver automatically scans and stores all available DAB + / FM radio stations. Say goodbye to the hassle of manual searching.
- SIMPLE, EASY-TO-USE FM/AM RADIO WITH HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Portable handheld radio with digital tuner has a simple, easy-to-use interface, with antennas that pick up both AM and FM signals
- EASY-TO-SEE DESIGN: Large dial with fluorescent pointer allows for easy viewing, even in the dark
- SMOOTH TUNING: Digital tuner with AFC (Auto Frequency Control) enables easy and stable tuning
- Radios Portable AM/FM Easy to Operate: A digital manufacturer always squeezes mind to provide customers an item with more functions, ignoring why invented it originally. Sometimes what you need is to sit aside a simple small radio and tune into your favourite music, NPR, sports and news stations, seemingly a trace of nostalgia. This AM/FM radio just takes you a few seconds with some fine tuning to get right on your station.
- Great Reception & Clear Loud Sound: the handheld radios pull in both AM/FM signals despite you live in the middle of nowhere. Please note that the AM ferrite rod antenna is built-in and directional, meaning you need to find a suitable radio direction for a better and strong signal. With a big loud speaker, sound quality is pretty good for this handheld am/fm radio, no static or cross-talk. It also accepts mono earphone (not included), enabling you to enjoy crisp sound without distraction.
- Never Worry about Power Outage: Supposing go camping with a battery operated radio at some secluded place with weak signals-no TV, no Smartphone, suddenly power dies and no electricity to recharge it. That makes you feel very irritated. Once own this AM/FM transistor radio, you’ll enjoy a peaceful trip without worries behind since it is not only AC adaptor powered but also 4 AA dry batteries operated (Both Included), which are available to every household.
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!