Listening to radio has been a staple source of entertainment since its invention in 1895 by Italian inventor, Guglielmo Marconi. Since the early 1900’s, radio has developed from a simple Morse Code messaging system, effective over a short range, to being the truly worldwide phenomenon it is today. In fact, it’s hard to imagine how the world would have developed to the extent it has today without it!

This month we're going to take a look at the British company Ruark Audio. First starting operations as a speaker manufacturer, Ruark Audio moved onto portable radio devices and utilising their extensive experience in making speakers to sound advantage, pun intended!

I’ve always felt that musicians have an advantage over most listeners when it comes to judging the quality of music playback. So long as the years of practice and live gigs haven’t taken too much toll on their hearing, the intrinsic understanding and connection with the sound of live music should intensify musicality and the appreciation of dynamics or tone of instrumental playback, especially when designing electronics and speaker equipment.

As a live musician and music lover, Alan O’Rourke (co-founder of Ruark) has certainly done this, producing many fine audio solutions over the years…

First... A little bit of Ruark history

Beginning in 1985, Alan and his father, Brian, set up a small workshop in Rayleigh, Essex, to develop and manufacture loudspeakers. In 1986, they released their Sabre and Broadsword designs. Beautiful cabinet design and the use of quality drive units brought Ruark speakers to the attention of the public and the world’s hi-fi press.

(A more extensive history of Ruark speakers can be found on here.)

Music lovers and audiophiles alike (not necessarily the same thing!) will be familiar with the names; Sabre, Talisman, Templar, Crusader, Equinox, to name a few and many folks will still have these in their hi-fi systems doing sterling work to this day.

In 2004, Ruark changed direction and decided to concentrate manufacturing into their radio speaker range, releasing the DAB radio, Ruark R1 in 2006, to much critical acclaim. Ruark have continued to expand their lifestyle range of quality sounding radios and music players.

The current Ruark range...

Ruark R1 and now... The R1S

The baby in the range, the Ruark R1, still packs a punch. Available in Espresso & Light Cream (Also a limited edition Beach Hut Blue) and with a Backpack 3 which is purchasable as an extra to endow the Ruark R1 with portability.

There is a newer version of the Ruark R1 to become available shortly, unsurprisingly called the Ruark R1S, essentially a better connected version of the R1, which can be seen on Ruark’s website here.

Ruark R2 Mk4 Smart Music System...

The Ruark R2 Mk4 is a “souped-up” version of the R1 with a more expansive sound. Flexibility is excellent, with wifi network access allowing Internet radio, DAB radio, FM radio, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon music, plus the usual Bluetooth aptX codec for better sound. Headphone listeners are also catered for, alongside those who wish to plugin devices using a 3.5mm aux input. Pretty much all the bases really!

For a full list of features look at the list featured below in the Ruark R3S, minus the CD player of course.

Ruark R3S...

Moving up the range, we get to the CD version of Ruark’s R3S.

A significantly larger and more powerful unit, the R3S includes a slot loading CD player. The expansive sound via its wireless/Bluetooth streaming capability, or through its silver disc spinner, is something to behold. The R3S sounds and looks great wherever you place it, thanks to its clever adaptive equalisation feature or via its bass/treble controls. The Ruark R3S looks sumptuous and is available in Rich Walnut or Soft Grey finishes.

Some key features of the Ruark R3S

Multi-format slot-loading CD player
Spotify Connect*, Deezer and Amazon Music
Smart Radio with Internet/DAB/DAB+/FM tuners
New generation Bluetooth 5 receiver
Comprehensive dual alarms and sleep timer
Dedicated podcast source
Class leading audio with enhanced Stereo+ sound
Adaptive EQ provides ideal sound at all volumes

This really is the tip of the iceberg, so if you want to see everything this little beauty can do, visit the Ruark website here.

Ruark MR1...

The Ruark MR1s are a small pair of Bluetooth loudspeakers. Connecting between the pair via 3.5mm jacks (supplied) allows for wireless Bluetooth via aptX codecs to produce a high quality sound in a small package.

The sound emanating from these MR1s is quite phenomenal considering their diminutive size - small speakers but no small sound here! One can appreciate the heritage of Ruark loudspeakers when you play these, as they clearly demonstrate the years of experience in producing their “quart from a pint pot” quality.

I would imagine these Ruark MR1s would make an excellent choice for those students wanting proper stereo sound whilst away at university or a TV listener who wants a simple way to expand their TV’s sound, where the traditional sound bar may not meet their requirements.

Don’t let the baby of the range fool, these Ruark MR1s pack quite a punch!

Ruark MRx Streaming Wireless Speaker...

Last but certainly not least comes the Ruark MRx wireless streaming speaker.

Offering the ultimate in flexibility, the Ruark MRx is available as a single mono speaker or can be linked to several other MRxs to provide a connected wireless speaker system across several areas or rooms in your house, if necessary. These can be seated in landscape or portrait orientation should they need to be squeezed onto a shelf somewhere.

Ruark accessories...

Ruark offer a variety of supporting products for their range: a remote, the Undok app and the R1 backpack, should you wish to go portable.

A summary of the Ruark range...

Ruark have a long history of producing fine audio products, starting with their hi-fi speaker range before moving into the lifestyle radio market. They have produced a stunning range of products that are easy to use, flexible and sound as good as they look. We’re certainly impressed at the Brighton Audio T store, so we’d recommend you contact us on 01273 609431 or email: brighton@audio-t.co.uk and organise a listen.

Thanks for reading.

Ade, John and Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

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