Further information

It was 14 years, almost to the day when Ruark Audio first launched the now iconic R1 radio. 14 years on and this winter they are delighted to announce the launch of the fourth generation. Like the original, the design of R1 Mk4 is simple yet stunning, but we believe even more in-tune with what discerning customers are seeking today.

Ideal for the kitchen, perfect in the office and simply delightful to wake up to in the bedroom, our new R1 brings style to any room and with a quality Bluetooth receiver built in you can wirelessly stream to R1 from your phone or computer. Most importantly, if you love music then we are confident that you’ll find R1 Mk4 a revelation.

Features;

Class leading sound with adaptive EQ
DAB, DAB+ and FM tuner
High quality Bluetooth receiver
High contrast OLED display with auto dimming
Intuitive Rotodial control system
Easy-to-use comprehensive dual alarms

A NEW APPROACH Each generation of our R1 has been an evolution of the original, but with R1 Mk4 we wanted it to be more progressive both in design and performance. Using a precision moulding process has allowed us to gently profile the enclosure providing a fresh new look and the perfect surface for our new Light Cream and Espresso finishes. With acoustic treatment the enclosure is sturdy and acoustically inert, providing the ideal housing for our electronics and NS+ driver. Enhancing the design further is a beautiful hand-crafted slatted wood grille. This brings added sophistication and creates a timeless Eames like vibe, but overall, the design is still unique and distinctly Ruark.

A NEW STANDARD IN SOUND Our previous R1 models were critically acclaimed for their sound, but with R1 Mk4 we have further raised the bar! With our heritage in high-fidelity loudspeakers we understand the complexities of enclosure and drive unit design and making sure that both are matched to each other. In particular our latest neodymium NS+ driver, as used in our R3 and R5 models, provides a smooth and extended frequency response and in R1 Mk4's tuned enclosure delivers an impressive bass performance. Driving the system is a punchy Class A/B linear amplifier for exceptional dynamics and with adaptive equalisation an eminently listenable sound is provided at all volume levels.

A NEW STANDARD IN FEATURES Our crisp OLED display clearly shows time, alarm and programme information and auto adjusts to suit ambient light levels, making it a perfect bedside companion. Radio reception is excellent, and a Bluetooth receiver allows you to enjoy R1’s great sound when streaming from your phone or computer. FM parameters can be set to suit US and Japanese needs and a multilingual user interface makes R1 a truly international proposition. Also with a real time clock built in, time and date are kept active when power is disconnected or when transmitted data is not available. The list of features continues, but other highlights include a USB-C charge/shuffle playback port, headphone output, switchable line input and of course our trademark RotoDial control system. Finally, for those seeking distant operation, we have an optional compact remote control available. As we said back in 2006, radio never sounded or looked this good.

BACKPACK II With its battery status display and improved power management R1 Mk4 works even better and longer with the our optional BackPack II and means you can enjoy R1’s rich mains powered performance where mains power is unavailable. BackPack II attaches seamlessly to R1 and once fitted can be left permanently in place as it charges automatically whenever mains power is re-applied. A full charge will provide up to twelve hours of mains free listening depending on volume. BackPack II is also compatible with our MR1 Bluetooth Speaker System.

Reviews

Specification

Class leading sound with adaptive EQ
DAB, DAB+ and FM Tuner
High quality Bluetooth receiver
RTC with battery backup
Intuitive Rotodial control system
Linear amplifier with Ruark NaturalSound+ driver
High contrast OLED display with auto dimming
USB-C charge and shuffle playback port
Contoured polymer enclosure with acoustic treatment
Hand-crafted slatted wood grille
Adjustable EQ settings
Easily customised for hotel use
Improved power management with optional battery pack
Optional remote control with 4 direct access pre-sets
Stereo headphone output
Easy-to-use comprehensive dual alarms
Power Consumption: 0.7W standby power; automatic standby after 20 mins, see user guide for more details
Finishes: Light Cream and Espresso lacquers
Dimensions: H175 × W130 × D135mm
Weight: 1.5 Kg