Neo Radio Internet Radio in the same quality as DAB+
Neo Radio Internet Radio in the same quality as DAB+
Internet Radio vs. DAB+ – Does it provide the same sound quality?
Several people are discussing whether Internet Radio channels deliver the same quality as DAB+ – or vice versa. Ultimately, it's all about streaming from a computer.
In short: Yes, that may actually sound completely equivalent.
Neo Radio delivers Internet Radio via a solution with the same sound level as a good FM station with a well-tuned antenna – and can thus compete with DAB+ quality.
The logic is simple: Neo Radio uses the FM receiver in your B&O product, so the sound depends primarily on your own choices – not the technology itself.
Technical explanation
- Internet Radio and DAB+ both use modern audio compression (often HE-AAC v1) with varying bitrates, typically between 88 and 96 kbps, and some DAB+ stations reach up to 144 kbps.
- DR (Danmarks Radio) streams in the same quality on both Internet Radio and DAB+, and according to tests, AAC at 96 kbps is rated “Excellent” by the listening panel – with limited audible differences from the original recording
Both Internet Radio and DAB+ can therefore deliver excellent quality if the bitrate is high enough – but this depends on the choice of station, not the provider.
Read more about the technique here
Experiences from users:
"I don't reckon really, internet radio has all the advantages of DAB and none of the downsides. ... Any occasion I'd consider listening to DAB I'd listen to a stream instead because it's better quality most of the time."
"There's not much of a bit rate difference between dab+ and a lot of internet streams. … I honestly can't tell any quality difference."
But not everyone has had good experiences:
"Why do commercial radio stations think that a 48 kbps HE-AAC webstream ... is ever okay? ... The difference ... is night and day even on such a lo-fi device."
"Most DAB channels where I am are 32 Kbps. It's gross."
So what does this mean overall?
- The sound quality depends primarily on the bitrate and compression technique.
- Internet Radio can sound as good as DAB+ – and better than low-quality FM – when the bitrate is high (e.g. ≥ 88 kbps HE-AAC).
- Neo Radio ensures that your B&O system does not limit the quality – but you must choose high-quality streaming stations yourself to take full advantage of it.
Internet Radio vs. DAB+ – what sound quality do you get?
Many people wonder: Can Internet Does radio outperform DAB+, or does it not sound as good at all? The fact is – both can deliver excellent sound, but it depends on compression and bitrate.
Neo Radios message: Your Internet Radio can sound as good as a top FM station with a good antenna – and right up there with DAB+ (when the bitrate is set correctly). It's the limitations of the FM receiver that set the limit – not the internet.
Technical benchmarks:
- Typical bitrate for Internet Radio and DAB+: 88–96 kbps HE-AAC v1 and sometimes up to 144 kbps
- Tests show that 96 kbps AAC is rated “Excellent” and almost audibly identical to the original recording
Conclusion: Choose high-quality stations and you will get sound that matches DAB+ and stands strong against FM. Neo Radio ensures that the B&O system's FM receiver is not the bottleneck.
