Listening to Sounds of the 80s on catch up using my iPad while in the bath I decided I a Bluetooth Speaker should improve the sound. My first Bluetooth speaker, an HP I bought a few years ago was so dreadful (with no mid-range whatsoever) so I put it back in the box and sold it after just ten minutes use. For convenience I decided to have another try with one. While the Sony Bluetooth speakers have a good reputation, I decided that having a handle, and maybe a built in Radio would be nice. A Google search immediately found one, being sold by large UK retailer John Lewis. The reviews were good and even better it was half price at just £35 in their January sale due to them replacing it, so I ordered one, picking the grey as I hope it will be least likely to show dirt. Taking it out of the box it is surprisingly light. However, for the price the sound (probably the same as a mid range Mini boombox) is good and the radio is sensitive. It can run off four C cells, so unlikely a built in battery they can just be swapped out when they are flat. I use the Lidl rechargeables which are just £3 for two when they actually have them in. Using the Bank of England inflation calculator in reverse, the equivalent 1989 price would be just £14 or the price of a CD back then. For the money I am pleased, especially as they have now sold them all. https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-spectrum-duo-dab-fm-bluetooth-nfc-digital-radio/slate/p2949481
Just a little one, those are pretty nice when you need to listen to the radio and I still listen to the radio more than other audio. I think I like the interuptions and DJs as long as it short and not like an NFL commercial break. I really like bluetooth these days and have been using it more, sonically it doesn't matter with the equipment I'm using.
I also listen to the radio a lot, especially as I spend 80 minutes each day going to and from work, since it got moved twenty miles. If a DJ is any good it is nice to hear his / her selections. Tonight on Wave 105 they played the full length version of Rush "Spirit of the Radio" in tribute to Neil Pert RIP. I proabably hadn't heard that since I used to listen to the Friday Rock show with Tommy Vance back in the 80s. On Fridays Sounds of the 80s, Gary played the original Panadora's Box version of "It's All Coming Back To Me Now". Like most people I didn't know there was an earlier version out a couple of years before the Celine Dion one.
That's the cool thing about good radio, it's an education and an experience. Smaller "independent" stations have been popping up with new music and local DJs, they actually talk about musicians and if something bad happens, they might play a few hours of their music. We kind of freed up our airwaves about five years ago and there's 5-10 new smaller stations in my market. My advice to any programers reading, bring it back local, if you think playing Metallica 30 times a day is good, there's an issue. The little guys are a lot like local AM, they try new things and I like it, unfortunately you might hear a good new song and never hear it again.
