Roberts Revival Petite 2

Roberts is synonymous with radios - it launched its first model in 1932, but it’s the iconic R66 (which didn’t hit shelves until 1956) that most of us associate with the brand. In fact, the rectangular radio, with its prominent grille and dials, is so loved that after discontinuing the model in the 1960s, Roberts re-launched the design in the 1990s under the ‘Revival’ moniker and it’s been a staple of the brand’s range ever since. The design may be retro, but the Revival models available today are loaded with modern-day must-haves such as DAB and Bluetooth. 

This compact, portable DAB radio builds on the original Revival Petite, which made its debut in 2021, with a telescopic rather than a wire aerial, making it less fiddly to set up initially and also providing a stronger, more stable DAB connection. It now has a clock and alarm function too, which makes it a great addition to any bedside table. On paper, it seems like the ideal buy for radio lovers, but is it a case of (retro) style over substance? 

Sound Quality 

When it comes to sound quality, the Robert Revival Petite 2 won’t exactly blow you away. But as compact speakers go, it’s one of the better models on the market and offers clear, bright audio. The sound is balanced, with the top-end and mid-range notes sounding crisp, while the vocals are given plenty of room to shine. 

Stargazing by Myles Smith sounds clean and detailed, with the soulful vocals given as much gravitas as the gentle rhythmic strumming of the guitar and the subtle beat of the drum, which overall combines for a very pleasant listening experience. 

The speaker certainly provides a sense of bass. When listening to The Way You Move by Outkast, the low notes are consistent and clear but, in my opinion, lack some body and substance. It is a similar experience with Starboy by The Weekend and pretty much anything by Daft Punk.

The speaker is good for listening to spoken word, though – talk-based radio stations and podcasts alike sound clear. In particular, when listening to an episode of Parenting Hell the audio is clean and crisp, giving the feeling of being in the room and part of the conversation. 

Tracks do sound ever so slightly crisper when played over Bluetooth from Spotify compared with DAB stations, but this is a very minor nuance. Both inside and outside, the telescopic aerial ensures a wide range of DAB radio stations are clearly audible without any interference. 

The Revival Petite 2 is small, but it’s pretty mighty when it comes to sound reach - with the volume at 75%, the speaker’s output is audible in every corner of my small-ish garden.  

Living with 

Similar in size to a can of pop (albeit more rectangular), the Revival Petite 2 is a very compact radio and is ideal for slipping in your bag and taking on the go - or, in my case, the perfect size to tuck away on my desk without cluttering up my already full work surface, ensuring I have a suitable soundtrack to my days working from home.

The faux leather casing is available in an array of retro colours like Duck Egg Blue as well as more modern hues including a Sunburst Yellow option. Combined with the iconic grille, featuring the metal Roberts logo, it gives the radio a truly vintage look (which I love, as it evokes memories of the wireless that adorned my grandparent’s kitchen windowsill). 

Four buttons and a dial on the front are all the controls needed for this device – there’s no app, which makes perfect sense given the simplicity of the speaker. However, volume control is through two buttons rather than the dial, which feels less natural to me. Subsequently, I find myself occasionally changing the station rather than cranking up the volume.  

On the back sits a telescopic aerial and a headphone socket, along with a USB-C port for charging - a USB-A to USB-C cable is included. Roberts claims the radio lasts up to 20 hours from one charge - and that proves perfectly true. It takes around six hours to recharge. 

Conclusion

The Roberts Revival Petite 2 is a good-sounding, compact DAB radio and Bluetooth speaker in one - especially when it comes to the top end and midrange frequencies. However, as with many speakers of this size, the bass is a little underwhelming and lacks proper substance. It may be expensive, but the good battery life coupled with the iconic design set it apart from cheaper devices. 

Listening notes

Alesha Dixon Ransom

The Roberts Revival Petite 2 makes this reggae-inspired track an extremely pleasurable listen. Alesha’s soulful vocals and the background harmonies are perfectly balanced with the rhythmic bassline, while still ensuring the subtle electronic tones that pepper the track are clear.

The Prodigy Voodoo People

This high-octane rave track from The Prodigy’s back catalogue sounds fresh and vibrant when played through the Petite 2 speaker. The electric guitar, crashing drum beat and synthesised sounds are perfectly balanced, creating a frantic experience that won’t fail to get you out of your chair and jumping about.   

Bryan Adams Straight from the Heart 

The melodic piano and the gravelly vocals are front and centre of this power ballad at the start, but when the drums and guitar riff kick in as the track reaches its crescendo the sound remains balanced without becoming uncontrolled. 

If you’re seeking a DAB radio that’s portable and has a long-lasting battery, and you love the nostalgia of a 1950s design, the Roberts Revival Petite 2 certainly fit the bill. As with most compact speakers, the small form factor means compromising on well-rounded bass with truly convincing substance, but on the whole the sound is clear, bright, and crisp. It does sit at the more expensive end of the market, but the premium is worth paying if you covet the iconic Roberts design.