Great for Gym + Bedside! Roberts Stream 94i and 93i Comparison and Review - DAB, Internet, FM Radio 

Robert's concept of a multi-function device that fits on your crowded kitchen worktop is brilliant. The reality of owning one is not so good. Our first Stream 93i stopped working precisely a month after purchase. Fortunately, we bought from John Lewis so a replacement was simply taking the dead one to a shop and walking out with a new one. The good points: No problems with the Dab+ radio. Setting up was easy and the ability to quickly access your favourite stations is a bonus. Sound coming out of the speakers is clear, good separation without undue emphasis given to bass or treble. The tone is warm. Exceptional quality for a small device. The not so good points: The USB music player (rather than CD) can, according to the manufacturer, play a variety of music files. The playback sound of lossless but compressed Flac files is poor possibly because the processor cannot really cope with the demands. That said uncompressed Wav files also sound dull. Playback is best with lossy mp3 files so I'm thinking the device has been tuned into this popular format. When the internet radio works it works well. However, if the hub drops out it can mess up the device and you get a range of error messages. The easiest to resolve is to restore the last listened station. Sometimes, it knocks out all the functions and a factory reset is required. The controls on the device are overly sensitive meaning it's easy to select the wrong function or station. Most annoyingly, the on/off button also sets the alarm function so the radio can come on when you've left the kitchen... and gone to bed! The remote is necessary even if stood next to the device. I can't comment on the Spotify streaming as I have no interest in this function and certainly not - in the interest of artist renumeration - their subscription service. Our second Stream 93i lasted 5 years before it died. Maybe I'm expecting too much of Roberts? Perhaps their name is not as synonymous with quality as it once was? I have an old Sobell radio that still works after 40 years. Nevertheless, we bought the Stream 94i. It is still going after two months use though we have already had to do a factory reset.

ive had the 93i since it came out its so good i wanted another for work so i figured the 94i may be better still plus with it having bluetooth. fortunately when it came it was faulty and i was pleased so i could return it, the 93i has a better, brighter display, and clearer buttons which are layed out much better. ive returned the 94i and ordered another 93i. fantastic radio, great sound for its size, its better than 10/10 highly recommend 👍👍👍

I purchased the 93i about three months ago for the convenience of remote control radio. I like the sound of the speaker system. I have linked the line out into my Valve Hifi amplifier to replace a Sony FM tuner, so when there is a live concert on Radio 3 I can listen via my Hifi. To the line in I have connected a Neet wifi music receiver so I can stream podcasts etc etc from my iPad this was a very good move.

I've had my 93i since 2015 and bloody love it. I never use Bluetooth so probably won't need to upgrade, but nice vid. I've had the battery for about 3 years and use it regularly to listen in rooms around the house, other than my "Den". I can say it easily used to last all night on a full charge. Sadly it has recently degraded performance and I now get less than 2 hours. 3 years isn't bad though, so ordered another :-)

Hi, I’ve only just stumbled across this review and it’s really good. I’m about to buy a stream 90 4I. I think I can probably answer your preset issues. The reason that they have each band separately so you have to change mode and so on, is in order to help visually impaired people. By having the five preset buttons on the front, and I having them dedicated to each band, it means that people like myself have effectively 15 preset rather than just five. Hope that helps!

Honestly, the 94i is so good, it does not embarrass itself even when plugged in to my HiFi. In fact, it sounds awesome.

Hi ChinskiChat. My name is José Luis. I'm from Spain. In my opinion you did a simple and sincere work that all of us have received clearly. So lots of thanks. I ask you: do you know where to buy the model 93i (no bluethoot)? I've looking on the net but I didn't find nothing new (first hand). Thanks. José Luis.

I have just ordered the 94i today will do a video when it comes

thank you. A very helpful review. I have the older version but was interested in seeing it how compares with the newer one. I would love the analogue-type clock display, but I think that the older one in general compares very favourably.

the 94i looks a good radio,i might end up getting one to replace my stream 83i which ive had for the last five years (bluetoolth will be handy to stream BBC listen again shows from my phone now they are no longer available via the radio)

Nothing beats the smell of a Roberts Stream radio leather handle.

So the only reason to upgrade from the 93i, which I already own, is for Bluetooth. Not having Bluetooth on my 93i never really bothered me as you could ether stream music from a computer or laptop or as I have done, stick your music onto a flash drive and make use of the USB port. The only reason for Bluetooth is if you want to stream from a phone or tablet, but I already have a Bluetooth speaker for that. So I'll stick to my 93i until it falls apart.

Excellent review and I wish others on here were as good as not, not one "Errrrrr" or repeat.

Thanks for the review, at the minute I’m using my phone for internet radio while using bt earbuds and it looks like I’ll stick with it because not being able to connect them to the radio is a deal breaker.

I bought the 94i the other day and its AMAZING. Pairing it with some active Tibo mini speakers for more wallop!!

Hi just bought the 3i model today used for £60 of eBay uk

I have one of each. Spotify works well but oddly, the 93i does not allow podcasts to be played through the radio but the 94i does. Goodness knows what the reason is.

I have the i93, love it. Be great if they did an update where u cud have have digital and analogue on the i93 as well, sure its do able. Also wish they would have amazon music option as well as spotify. Great radio though.

Excellent review. Thanks, btw you could buy a 3.5 jack Bluetooth dongle for headphones :)

Hi, great video really helped with my research before purchasing. Out of interest is there anything else on the market that you would also recommend that is of similar sound and build quality as Roberts? Thanks again.

Re the bluetooth adaptor for the 93i.. For the price of it you would expect to be able to have two way for headphones etc. I'm no expert but I'm sure there's no technical issue as to why not to have it? Aside from that I love my 93i. No need to upgrade for a while yet.

Excellent thanks for sharing especially the app information

Good review. Helped me a lot. Thanks

No mention if the Telescopic aerial gives good reception on Dab radio or if you can attach an external aerial to it ....

Excellent review. Thanks.

Nice. Would help to show how easy or not it is to find and change internet stations.

How to reset date time on Bright portable digital dab+Radio model No : .WDA-17

Thanks for this review. I have been researching DAB radios and the 93i has caught my attention. I like the fact it has a sub woofer, and also a graphic equalizer so the sound can be adjusted to your personal preference. So many of the DAB radios seem to lack any kind of sound adjustment features, apart from volume of course. The one thing I am struggling to find is anyone actually playing any music on their videos. This isn't in anyway a criticism of your video because I enjoyed the delivery of your review very much, and I realise that I wouldn't get a true representation of the sound quality over the internet through my speakers (which are pretty good ones), but I just want to hear it playing. Anyway, your review has nudged me nearer to buying one. Thanks again. Derek : )

At 10:00, the reason why you want to use Spotify instead of Bluetooth is that there's a lot of compression with Bluetooth and you lose a lot of quality.

Terrific comments. I have a Stream 83i. This has served me well for many years especially with Japanese Music stations. Currently I have lost the mains 12v supply. I suspect that the 240/12v transformer in the plug has failed. Is it possible that replacements are available?

Excellent review thanks

Hi, Very good Review of both the Radios. I've been Considering the I94, but I 93 looks a good deal. Wouldn't you need Bluetooth for Spotify or will it sream Via WiFi from your Phone to the Radio like the Chromecast Audio ? Cheers Grant 🤗

That was useful, thanks. How much can I do with the remote of the 94i? Is there anything one can't do with it that's likely to irritate?

Hi all, I received the radio on the right as a gift but can't find the right battery for the remote. Does anyone know what kind I need? Thanks.

Ms ChinskiChat, can you show me what the radio, Roberts Radio sounds like in an updated video before I buy the radio, thank you.

Useful review, thanks!

You can't have oled due to the burn in effects. The display is always on. Battery covers the subwoofer, not very smart. Feels like an after thought. Should be sort of a battery stand cradle. No dab+ I'm guessing?

Really enjoyed this review - thanks for uploading this! I am almost decided but cannot make up my mind as to whether to go for the 93i or Majority Kings system. What is your view?

There appears to be a lot of interest on Bluetooth and headphones. The Stream 67 at about £599 appears to be vague on this as well? What about a dongle tx/rx transmitter? Would this work? I have seen it work or a Pure Evoke 3 [with lovely recording facilities].

Hi. I have the 93i which is just fine. Re the bluetooth - i connected a mini bluetooth adaptor to the phones socket and can listen via h/phones. Hope thishelps. 🎧

Can they please build in google home or amazon echo support. That way they won't need to mess about being compatible with spotify or dreezer or anything. Instead lets the assistance take care of connecting to streaming services rather than Roberts trying to do it themselves.

Does having the optional rechargeable battery on either model affect the sound from the rear subwoofer? Will either model work on a standard Spotify account, or only Spotify Premium?

Which magazine have changed the rating from 83 on the 3i to 52 on the 4i . Anyone have an explanation?

Woh when he said subscribe the subscribe button had a rainbow effect

Hi , I got problem paring 94i with Beats Studio 2 Headphone by Bluetooth.:((

That battery pack omg are you kidding me

The problem with the radio is the front and rear speakers do not align. Internet radio is too separated bass at the back small treble at the front should be better. Also 93i should have bluetooth capability from phones so limited

Does the usb socket play music from a usb stick?

Are these radios assembled in China, Unfortunately I have had bad experiences with items assembled in China.

Professional review

I have a 93i, great radio and sound, both very overpriced for what you get. I purchased a Majority stream radio and that has more punch, better sound and extra things for half the price!

Does anyone know if the mains adaptor will work on US (120vac) voltage? If not, does anyone know what voltage is needed so I can find the right adaptor?

Hi any heads up on setting up the undok please

Roberts have destroyed the 94i remote by drawing lines on it. If you use the undok app it automatically changes the radio settings to remain always online even in standby mode.

I have a question can you use Deezer by Undok app in 93 i ? Anybody try it ? Thanks

Does dab and FM work even when not connected to Wi-Fi ?

To use the 94i as a Gym or bedside radio would be a travesty. They are so much better than that. I own the 941 and it is simply astounding.

If you're a poor son of a bitch like me, you can go to your local thrift store and buy one of those photo picture frames nobody wants for $3 or so. Plug it in, and check, most of them have a built in MP3 player. Buy a $5- $10 SD/ USB stick to plug into it, and you got a banging internet radio substitute with a much larger and better screen, that is instant on, and loops all your favorite mp3s with no interuption. No buffering, no searching for a song you like, just no hassle low cost music on a super low power device with a big gorgeous color screen that blows every internet radio screen I've ever seen away. Mine even has the up and down bars that move to the music frequencies for real (not simulated). Or you can have it slideshow your pictures while it plays music.

Does the usb socket play music from a usb stick?