Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony XDRS55DABB Light & Compact DAB Portable Radio

I have been very happy with this radio since I purchased it. The build quality and sound quality are far better than many more expensive DAB/FM radios, plus it's perfect for travelling as it is very compact. Reception is also spot on - 100% reception quality on all the DAB stations available in my area.

After reading about the short battery life on here, I decided to use non-rechargeable Energizer Ultimate Lithium 'Digital' batteries (currently use them in a digital camera). They are claimed to last up to seven times longer than 'normal' alkaline batteries. I can vouch for this as I haven't yet had to replace the batteries after many hours of use.

I am happy to recommend this DAB radio to people who are looking for a small DAB radio with built-in FM and good sound quality.

This was my first DAB radio, bought to replace a cheap old AM/FM one used in the bathroom.

Very pleased with the appearance, build quality, sound quality and ease of use. The only problem is the short battery life (which I understand is an issue with most DAB radios) and, as it is being used in a bathroom, I can't use the mains adaptor. I am now using 2700mah rechargeables which has helped, but it still gets through them quite fast.

Worth noting that when you are changing batteries you need to insert the new ones within a minute or so of taking out the old ones or all your presets will be lost.

Overall a very good item and it would have had 5 stars if I didn't have to rely on battery power.

Excellent build quality, simple to operate, very good clear sound from a very good speaker, clear digital display with the ability to increase the size of the display characters. 4 x AA Alkaline batteries last about 8 hours. There is no RDS on FM. It is principally a DAB radio, with the FM band as a back-up for use when you cannot receive DAB signals. There is an odd design flaw. You must not - according to the instructions - switch on the mains adapter while the batteries are in. Most radios have an electronic gate which automatically disconnects the batteries when the mains adaptor is plugged in. This radio does not, and you could damage it if you forget to remove the batteries before switching the mains on.
Also, when replacing the batteries, or changing to mains power, you must do it within one minute or lose all your settings. However, these irritations do not detract from the fact that this is the best travel DAB radio, with very good DAB reception, an essential travel lock, a compact size [about the size of a paperback book], and a well designed simple to operate system.

Slim, sleek and portable, ideal for beach journeys, picnics or taking on hols. Also has normal FM in case DAB reception is particularly poor or you're abroad in a non DAB supported country.

However as a regular daily runner runner without using the mains lead it could however become more expensive than living under a labour government.

Whilst many reviews have quite rightly mentioned the battery life this is in keeping with all DAB products that I have owned and to be fair is more of a technology issue than a "design flaw" in this product, neither Roberts or Pure offer any better battery life from experience in both brands.

This unit will run for approx 8 hours on decent Duracell's. Sound is louder than most simliarly priced radio's offering decent clarity for all music types.

I would thoroughly recommmend this product and at the price and being by Sony you are sure that it will last for a few years, fingers crossed.

Sony XDRS55DABB Light & Compact DAB Portable RadioI own several portable FM/DAB radios but I bought this one recently because I wanted a small DAB radio to take to work to listen to during my breaks as a bus driver and this one ticks all the right boxes for me. I have been buying DAB portables only because I mostly listen to Planet Rock. If Planet Rock were on FM I would not bother with DAB which over the last few years I have found to be quite inferior in reliability to FM.
The Travel Lock is very important to me. When I put it in my bag with my drink and sandwiches I know it will not switch on accidently. The mono reproduction through the one speaker is good for a small radio like this but I prefer to listen using my Sennheiser PX100 headphones plugged into the headphone socket. The resulting stereo reproduction is extremely good. I bought a UniRoss X-Press 700 battery charger with 4 x 2500 mAh rechargeable batteries. I then bought an extra set of 4 x 2500 mAh rechargeable batteries which I keep fully charged as a standby.This all does the job for me very well.