What Hi-Fi? Verdict
A drop in price helps but it still can't justify its price premium over rivals
Pros
- +
Small
- +
Built-in battery
- +
Clear display
- +
Projects vocals beautifully
- +
Good tonal balance
Cons
- -
Not as refined or controlled as the very best
- -
Still too expensive compared to better performing rivals
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We first tested the PAL+ a couple of years ago, when it was priced at £250.
It has come down in price by a third, and this rather funky union jack finish is now available.
Performance
It's truly a portable device, with a built-in rechargeable battery, and little rubberised covers to protect inputs for when you want to listen outside. And it's small enough to be toted in a bag.
The spec is reasonable for a portable radio, with DAB, DAB+ and FM tuners, a full suite of alarm functions, stereo headphone output (which you can also use to hook the PAL+ up to your hi-fi) and a 3.5mm input.
Its sound makes us a little nolstagic – taking us back to the 'wireless' of 70s and 80s. That's not a bad thing – we rather like it, in fact.
When pushed, though, it can get a touch bright in the treble and lose the midrange strength a little.
Verdict
Overall, it's a nice, listenable sound, and an effective radio with strong tuners.
So why still three stars after the price drop? Well, two years is a long time, it seems, and you can get sound as good for considerably less than the PAL+'s new price.
So it still can't justify its price premium rivals.
