The London-based home audio company is a leading brand in the disputed market of "digital radios that are also Bluetooth speakers and look great." Serving essentially the European market, the company declares its mission to be "give new meaning to the term "radio" with effortless live and on-demand listening experiences, and unite the world of music and radio with timelessly beautiful designs, unparalleled sound quality and stellar connectivity.
The Evoke range’s entry level model, the Evoke Spot (199,99 EUR), allows users to select their favorite radio stations available locally on the airwaves (DAB+ or analog FM), or streaming through the Internet from the most remote corners of the world. For an increasing number of users, "radio stations" are like carefully curated Spotify playlists that play all day long and sometimes have "podcasts" in the middle, with news and people that talk about all sorts of interesting things. And better yet, they are free. No subscription required.
In fact, the Evoke Spot, apart from supporting DAB+ and Internet radio stations, also connects to Spotify directly through Spotify Connect via WiFi (leaving the smartphone and grandma's iPad free for social media and calls). And since it supports Bluetooth, it can also receive streaming music services like Apple Music or Tidal from smartphones and other external devices. And it will sound decent (very good compared with other cheap plastic table radios) thanks to its solid 20W of Class-D audio power, a 3" full range driver and a bass reflex port at the back of the solid enclosure.
What stands out in the design is the top foldable color display that doesn’t only save space or make this compact music system look even slimmer, it also makes it easy to hide, removing distracting lights when needed. Complex functions such as alarm clock, timer or changing the audio source are accommodated in the 2.4-inch foldable display, controlled by controls on the surface of the Evoke Spot. The illuminated volume control provides additional visual feedback even when the display is closed.
With a front made from eco-certified and recycled wool, the Evoke Spot gives the music system a modern look. For anyone looking for a compact but stylish radio/Bluetooth speaker that subtly stands out, the Evoke Spot offers great value for money and fits right into the home, no matter how small the space.
From this basic and affordable model, the Pure design team created two other larger options, starting with the Evoke Play (€279,99 EUR), which is basically twice the size of the Spot, using a 40W amplifier to power two 20mm soft dome tweeters and a 3.5 inch woofer, making it sound like a stereo integrated speaker. It is the advisable model for anyone that likes the concept and wants better sound playing in a given home space, such as the bedroom or a kitchen.
The Pure Evoke Play also allows accessing thousands of Internet radio stations from across the globe, features the same DAB+ and FM tuner, Spotify Connect via WiFi, and works like any other Bluetooth speaker for streaming services. The same foldable color display offers the same features, and supports more complex functions such as alarm clock, timer or changing the audio source, complemented with the same great illuminated volume control. And interesting difference is the possibility to equip the Evoke Play with an optional ChargePAK, providing 12h of battery life when we need to take the music to the patio or anywhere - and that is the reason why the Play adds a practical carrying handle.
Not yet available, the larger Evoke Home (€449,99 EUR) is a slightly bigger design, in order to accommodate a top loading CD-drive - an option that many still like to have.
www.pure.com
