Home > Consumer Reviews > Roberts MP53 Sound 53 CD/DAB/FM Digital Sound System with Dock for iPod-Black

It looks great - very stylish and neat. Just plug it in and it's ready to use. Sound is rich and warm - fab! Amazingingly powerful sound for its size. Remote control very easy to use - also controls ipod. Reception on radio very good - also plays from memory card & stick. An excellent buy - well worth the money!

Although I would not fault the sound quality from all the formats handled, this system is badly let down by its reliance on a very poor quality remote control. With no manual buttons at all (apart from the on/off/volume knob) you would think that Roberts would provide a reliable remote that works. It seems that you need pinpoint accuracy in pointing it at the small IR window and response to button pushes is appalling. I rang the Roberts technical helpine whose advice was "push the button really hard and hold it down" - impressive, eh?. After many frustrating attempts I finally managed to store the presets. However, a couple of days later when I switched on, all the presets were Empty. Rang Roberts helpine who concluded that if it won't keep the presets it must be faulty and to return it for a replacement (which I did - excellent service from Amazon, replacement arrived the following day!). However, I was subjected to a repeat performance - poor response from the remote and loss of the presets after a couple of days. Its now gone back and I've asked for a refund!

I had an old wooden surround Roberts Radio for about 20 years and loved the reliability and clarity of sound that I received from it. So I didn't need much persuading to choose a Roberts product again to come into the 21st Century with this ipod Dock MP3 player and DAB radio! It is so very simple to set up, the DAB stations pre-tune themselves and it is easy to select and save the radio stations of your choice. It is easy to dock the ipod (mine is the new Classic) and the clarity of sound received from this piece of kit through all functions (whether it is listening to MP3 discs, CDs or the radio or your ipod), is excellent. My partner is visually impaired and we both love to listen to audio books through the MP3 player on this system. So to sum up:- it is compact, with great sound quality, easy to set up and use and it looks great with it sleek, black, glossy styling. I have no hesitation in recommending this product. Another winner from Roberts!

The sound quality, especially the bass, really is quite exceptional, particularly at lower volumes. DAB reception where I live is superb and the casing / finish is the best you're going to see in this, and probably higher, price brackets. I thought about the Bose (too expensive) and the Pure Avanti (reports of unreliability, but haven't actually tried one myself) so I decided on the MP53 and am very glad I did. Some reviews have commented on not being able to reduce the display brightness. I thought mine had a problem, until I realised that the brightness doesn't seem to change as you adjust it. Instead you have to wait until the unit is switched off before the new brightness level takes effect. Out of curiosity, I checked the price of this unit at a local high street retailer - it was more expensive than the Amazon price. All in all, I'm well pleased and would definately recommend this item.

One small issue regarding the courier though. I was out when it was delivered and rather than leaving with a neighbour, the driver left it in my garden! Admittedly, it was out of sight, but it was exposed to the elements. Fortunatley, the Amazon outer box did it's job, but had it rained during the day, I dread to think what the effect might have been.

The Roberts delivers on every aspect. I also own a BOSE WAVE CD/DAB radio and I can say that the MP53 beats it hands down at half the price. It looks stunning and works straight out of the box with minimum setting up required. The sound is beautiful, and can be adjusted easily either by using the preset EQ button for different music types or individually adjusting the bass,and treble. I've found the EQ setting adequate and switch between 'Talk' when listening to radio 4 or 'Rock' or 'Pop' for music. Good volume level easily fills my 22ft long lounge with a bit to spare.

I'm in a very poor radio reception area so have connected it to and external aerial (simple task removing the telescopic aerial to reveal the socket) and get brilliant reception on both FM and DAB.

The above on its own would be enough to justify buying this product but with the added IPOD docking facility (works seamlessly) and the ability to play and record to memory stick etc.... I ask what else could you ask for... If your in two minds about buying an all in one box, gets this you won't be disapointed.