Roberts Radio has become the latest manufacturer to offer a multi-room audio system.
The R-Line range is described as a “premium audio speaker system with wireless multi-room capability.”
Multi-room audio systems were popularised in the last decade by American company Sonos. In the last few years other audio companies have launched their own systems. Many music collections are kept in a single room, or only one hi-fi has access to internet radio and streaming services. Multi-room systems look to overcome this limitation with a range of different speakers, connected using home Wi-Fi, accessing the music anywhere in the house.
Systems can contain a single device, such as a speaker in a kitchen, or grow with devices all over the house. Each speaker can play music or audio independently, or be grouped to play the same audio in multiple rooms – a feature which is ideal for parties.
The new system from Roberts supports streaming over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from a PC or smartphone. The devices also support internet radio for access to thousands of stations, plus the music streaming service Spotify. Some devices also include DAB digital radio. Set-up and control is accomplished with the UNDOK app for smartphones.
Speakers like the mono S1 can be used on their own, or paired with another S1 to create a synchronised stereo pair.
Three models include FM, DAB and DAB+ radio. The R100, S300 and SB1 feature on-device control and don’t require the use of a smartphone to tune into radio stations.
All devices in the R-Line range include Wi-Fi, an ethernet port, control from a smartphone app, internet radio, network music playback and analogue stereo line input.
Prices start at £180 for the S1 Multi-room Speaker and £250 for the R100 base station with stereo speakers and built-in DAB/DAB+. The UNDOK app is a free download and offers control over Spotify Connect, AirPlay, internet radio, DLNA media playback and USB device playback. The app can also be used to control DAB/DAB+ and FM listening.