Pure were one of the very first DAB radio manufacturers in the UK. After over 20 years' trading, they're still one of the most popular choices among customers looking for a new radio. They've recently given their core range a bit of a refresh, updating their signature Evoke H4 into the new Classic H4. How does it perform? Let's take a closer look!
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Design & build
As the name suggests, this model is based on Pure's older Evoke H4. But while that model was starting to look a little outdated (very Y2K if you ask us), Pure have gone back to the timeless style of "mid-century modern" to create something a little more, well, classic. Available in either white with oak finish, or black with walnut finish, there's much less wood here than on the earlier Evoke H4, with the whole front of the unit taken up by a plastic panel. However, it's still imbued with the same spirit that has been part of Pure's range for the past two decades.
There's been something of a trend in radios in recent years to strip the number of physical controls back to the bare minimum. However, there's something about the tactile feel of button controls that we think perfectly complements the idea of popping the radio on. We were pleased, therefore, to see Pure still include physical controls for pretty much every feature of the Classic H4, which makes the radio a doddle to use. With separate wheels for volume and station, you can quickly adjust either without having to keep pressing buttons, while everything else is easily accessible in just a tap or two.
Lastly, the Classic H4 is a good size for a kitchen radio- big enough to be heard above the sounds of cooking, but small enough that you should still be able to comfortably find space for it on your kitchen counter.
Sound performance
We've reviewed plenty of Pure radios in the past, and while their designs have sometimes been a little clunky, we've always found that the sound quality was solid. The Classic H4 is a solid addition to that legacy. Many radios of this size can end up sounding a little tinny, but others can still pack a punch, and the Classic H4 falls firmly in the latter category.
Given the size of the radio, and that it's positioned by Pure as a kitchen radio, we naturally weren't expecting the sort of sound quality you'd get from a much larger model like its sibling model, the Classic C-D6. However, for a tabletop model, the Classic H4 is a pretty impressive performer when it comes to sound. There's a decent amount of balance to the sound, so it's great for listening to a wide range of different music. And with 10W of power output, it's pretty powerful for a radio of this size.
There's also a bass port on the rear, which isn't the largest we've seen, but enough to give the Classic H4 a good solid amount of bass if you've got it placed in front of a wall.
Features
Pure bill the Classic H4 as the "ultimate kitchen radio". That's because it's got a built-in timer function, so you can use it in the kitchen. And as for the radio feature, there are both DAB and FM modes, so you're spoilt for choice when it comes to listening options. There's also the ability to save up to 40 station presets, so you're not constantly flicking through other stations to get to the ones you actually want to listen to.
The Pure Classic H4 also boasts built-in Bluetooth connectivity- Bluetooth 5.3, to be precise, which at the time of writing is the latest version available. In practise, this provides a nice and reliable connection between your smartphone and the radio. There's also an aux input on the back of the radio, so you can connect up wired devices too.
Pure Classic H4: The Verdict
The Pure Classic H4 is a solid update to one of the brand's core models, and a great choice if you're looking for a new DAB radio at a mid-level price. With solid sound quality, attractive style, and Bluetooth built in, it gets our experts' seal of approval!