Features
The XDR-S20 has a basic feature set: there are no record functions or complex graphic equalisers. Given the radio's domestic appeal, it's to Sony's credit that they haven't gone overboard with confusing options for the likely casual user.
Every DAB station broadcast in the UK can in principle be received by the S20. In practise signal strength may vary, but you can use the radio's telescoping aerial to improve reception in trouble spots (see Performance, below).
Those who want to use the S20 as a bedside radio can take advantage of the clock functions. Anyone who enjoys pottering about outside in the garden will enjoy the portability of a radio that can be powered from internal batteries.
Up to 40 DAB presets can be stored in the S20, and there's always the option to revert back to FM if you find that the DAB signal where you are is not strong enough to maintain reception.
Performance
As with all portable DAB radios, the XDR-S20 suffers from reception problems in certain areas. Londoners are unlikely to have many problems with tuning into a strong signal, but even in built-up regions, with very strong digital broadcasts, the DAB signal can be lost depending on the listening environment.
Unlike analogue broadcasts, which generate interference patterns in areas of poor reception, digital broadcasts simply stop altogether. The digital conversion circuitry will stop working if the received signal lacks parts. This gives DAB an all-or-nothing behaviour. Where an FM broadcast becomes slightly thin and crackly, the DAB broadcast may not be there at all.
Sony's radio deals with DAB reception fairly well. Reception was good in areas where we have previously experienced good reception in the past, and predictably suffered in rooms with thicker walls.
Low-frequency sound is not well defined on the S20. It seemed to lack much of the low-end warmth that we've heard on other radios of its size. The Roberts Gemini 10, in particular, trounced the S20 for music listening.
Sony has taken a rather traditional approach with the sound quality on the S20 -- you can hear the quintessential tinniness of radio signals. But it has taken a non-traditional approach to the user interface -- witness the strange tuning control. It's not an ideal combination and means the S20 never strays far beyond basic competence.
For casual listening the XDR-S20 is fine, but given the price and average sound quality, you may find other kitchen DABs more satisfying.
Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Nick Hide
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User reviews2
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Jan Nerem 4 October 2006
Good: Good looks
Bad: Some flaws
Comment: I have the black version and I think it looks really good with the yellowish background light. If you have a classic style in your home I would recommend a black one. The glossy white version would look good in a modern white kitchen. When the 220V lead is put into the radio, a small switch is activated that cuts off the batteries, and the result is that if the lead isn't also plugged into the wall, after a short time the radio forgets all stored data such as all the FM stations that you had carefully searched out and identified (no RDS). The radio then does a new "initial search" on the DAB band which all happens automatically but your favourites and any FM stations are gone. If the lead is pulled out of the back of the radio this is not a problem (with batteries inside).
With the small side button you can select different modes of sorting the stations, e.g. "favourite", "latest", "alphabetical", "normal". I think "alphabetical" and "favourite" would be enough. "Favourite" makes sense as you then only have to click through between your few favourites instead of going through the whole list every time you want to change to another of your most-used stations. The big side button is used for manual search or to click between stored stations. Only the volume button is a normal turning button, the others only move a bit up or down. In my opinion this works well.
The sound quality it quite okay, it also depends on the bit rate the signal is sent in. However the sound can not be adjusted in any way such as treble and bass.
Unfortunately there are no alarm possibilities on the radio.
All in all I do recommend the XDR-S20 which both looks and feels high quality.
Russell Toon 13 March 2006
Good: Display is good on mains power.
Bad: Drains batteries fast, many features could just be 'better'.
Comment: This radio uses so much power on DAB it makes listening with batteries impractical. Even with batteries in, plugging the mains lead in the back makes it forget all settings. The tuning dial doesn't actually turn. It would be nice if it had RDS for the FM stations. Clock only displays when radio is on, and though there's a sleep function, there's no alarm. Overall: disappointing from Sony.
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