What Hi Fi Sound and Vision 04 DEC 2007

Pure Digital Siesta

£ 50 5

* * * * *

Pure’s entry-level bedside clock radio is simpler than the Chronos – and a great buy

For
Good sound, solid value
Against
Not as classy-feeling as Pure’s Chronos

As Pure’s original Chronos clock radio has grown up, becoming the Chronos II and spawning the Chronos iDock variant, so the Siesta has slotted in below it,as an entry-level model. The Siesta doesn’t have the Chronos II’s quality of finish, its display is less bright, and it doesn’t have such helpfully large buttons. Yet we think it’s better value, because it sounds just as good as its pricier sibling.

Oh, and it also doesn’t skimp on features – as well as DAB tuning it has FM RDS,three alarm settings and various trick text features, and comes in a choice of silver, black or white.

If broadcasts are of suspect bit-rate, it protests, but then you do have the FM tuner to fall back on. In all other circumstances it’s a coherent and focused listen, with a particularly well-judged midrange.