A volume control is on the top of the radio. This helps with the clean, rounded design while keeping a rotary control for volume. Previous Sony digital radios have used a convenient rotary knob on the side of the radio. The volume knob doesn’t feel as fluid as that on older radios and without the small protrusion can’t be adjusted as easily with a single finger. The battery life on this model compares favourably to most other portable DAB radios on the market, which can often only last around 10 hours or less. According to Sony, this radio can run for up to 17 hours on batteries. You can also plug it into the mains using the adapter included. The Sony XDR-S41D can be powered using the included AC adapter or four AA batteries. When powered on for the first time the radio will scan for DAB digital radio stations automatically. The radio can be switched to FM mode or DAB mode with the dedicated button on the front of the unit. All of the most essential functions can be accessed using the well-sized buttons on the top of the radio, including a large volume dial and 5 useful preset buttons that let you access your favourite stations without having to scroll through a menu. Saving a presest station is very easy—you just hold down one of the preset buttons while tuned into the station. Its entry into the radio manufacturing space was definitely not a shot in the dark. In fact, the Company’s name is inspired by ‘sonus’, the Latin word for sound, and ‘sonny’, a term used to refer to youthful boys.

To conclude, the Sony XDR-S41D is a compact, no frills portable radio at a competitive price point. It’s not without its flaws, or its rivals, but it carries the Sony badge and could be ideal if you’re on a tight budget. Pour ce qui de l’autonomie de la batterie veuillez lire les caractéristiques de l'autonomie estimée décrite ci-dessous :- The design of the radio brings it more in line with other models in the Sony range. The glossy plastic from the previous model has made way for a more premium looking matt finish. Build quality feels good but it would have been good to see rubber feet instead of plastic.

Performance and use

The simple yet functional design is also maintained on the front of the radio, with its large speaker grille taking up most of the space from the left, leaving just enough room to accommodate the 5 line LCD display on the right, and a series of control buttons just below this. A wake-up timer can be set on the radio when it’s being powered with the AC adapter. The only options are the time, volume and whether to use the last listened to station or a preset. With the sleep timer the radio can switch off after 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Verdict on the Sony XDR-S41D

Sony laid its foundation in 1955 with the success of its first five-transistor radio. Since then, the Company has managed to capture a significant portion of the radio market worldwide. A single speaker is behind the metal grille on the front of the radio. The specifications list the 4 ohm speaker as being approximately 80 mm in diameter. The listed audio output power of 650 mW is an improvement on the previous XDR-S40DBP model. The single speaker is to the left of the controls If you listen to FM radio stations too they can be tuned in by pressing the dedicated DAB/FM button. List of radio stations on the Sony XDR-S41D display You don’t get an equaliser to adjust the bass or treble, but there are no issues with volume levels if you’re listing to the XDR-S41D in a confined space. Don’t expect masses of detail however, which makes this radio better for speech channels than for music. Sony XDR-S41D review: Usability This a very good way of storing and recalling presets. If you listen to different stations through the day or switch between a few different ones for sport commentary this is very convenient.The sound quality is fairly good for a radio of this size. There isn’t much bass but it doesn’t sound too tinny either; there’s a decent balance of frequencies. Since there’s not much depth or detail to the sound, it’s better for listening to speech programmes than music. The Sony XDR-S41D has a relatively modern aesthetic, and it’s as robust as you would expect most Sony products to be. Its power button and volume knob are situated on the far right and far left ends of the top panel, with 5 channel preset buttons sitting in between the two. Its success with audio equipment saw it venture into various other industries with brands such as Bravia for TVs, Vaio for laptops and PCs and PlayStation for gaming consoles. Reception is also good enough in most cases even with the aerial laid down, and the radio will only max out your batteries after 10 to 15 hours of continued use.

There are plenty of good-looking digital radios, but once using one becomes part of a daily routine you soon realise the touches that make a radio easier to use. This portable radio is designed to be easy to use, and as such, it has a very simple set up process. When you turn it on for the first time, it does a full auto tune for DAB stations, taking only a few seconds. Brought to market in 2017, the Sony XDR-S41D is another mini-marvel from the giant Japanese manufacturer, who we’re all familiar with.The radio only has a one year manufacturer’s warranty which falls short of the two or three years offered by other brands. Sony has a good reputation for keeping old instruction manuals online. Unfortunately accessories like a replacement power adapter aren’t sold straight from the company. Other brands do have online shops for adapters, antennas and so on. Setting up the Sony XDR-S41D is quite simple with the included instructions. After extending the telescopic antenna and providing power from the mains or batteries it’s ready to scan for DAB stations. This radio is very well laid out, with an intuitive interface and well-located buttons. It’s one of the easiest digital radios on the market to use, so it could be a good choice for technophobes and elderly people who find other DAB radios to be too fiddly. Power comes from the included AC adapter or batteries inserted in the rear battery slot. According to Sony four AA (LR6) batteries should provide 25 hours of listening to DAB stations or 27.5 hours of FM listening.

The toggle switch (or ‘jog lever’ in Sony parlance) also pushes in to select. This saves space on the front of the radio and works well enough. A dedicated auto tune button is also good to see. The Sony XDR-S41D is the latest digital portable radio from Sony. We praised its predecessor in our Sony XDR-S40DBP review for its functional design and build quality. Housed in a thin rectangular frame, the Sony XDR-S41D provides a simple form from any viewing angle. It performs well as a compact, table top radio, with more than two thirds of the space on its front panel occupied by an 8cm speaker.As mentioned, the Sony XDR-S41D places function above anything else, so its features are essentially what you’d expect from a decent portable radio. Here’s what it offers would be owners: