When the FM network closes – what do you do?

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."
Reddit

"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."
Reddit

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."
Reddit

"Most DAB channels where I am are 32 Kbps. It's gross."
Reddit

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.

Purchase Neo Radio here

Neo Radio – Give your B&O product Internet Radio, as if it were FM

Neo Radio – Give your B&O product Internet Radio, as if it were FM

For many years, the FM broadcast network has been the preferred way to listen to flow radio. However, in several countries, the FM network has now been shut down. The focus has shifted to Internet Radio streaming as well as DAB and DAB+ as the primary listening channels. Switzerland has already completely switched off FM, and in parts of southern Germany the phase-out has already begun. This development is expected to spread to more countries in the coming years.

Around the world, there are thousands of Bang & Olufsen audio products with a built-in FM receiver – see examples here: Neo Radio - Internetchannels on the FM receiverWhen the FM signal disappears, the radio in these products suddenly goes silent – or just delivers a faint hiss.

Some people choose to connect an external DAB+ receiver to the AUX input. But this is rarely an elegant solution. First, you have to start your B&O product via the AUX button and then operate channels and stations on a separate device. Finally, you have to use the B&O remote control to adjust the sound. This method is cumbersome and impractical. It is far from the simple experience you associate with B&O.

There is a better and fully integrated solution: Neo Radio

Neo Radio connects directly to your B&O product via Powerlink og Masterlink. It also works in link rooms such as kitchens or bedrooms. Operation is simple: just press RADIObutton on your B&O remote control or directly on the product, just like when listening to FM channels.

The setup is done via a web page where you can choose your preferred settings. Internet Radio channels. Then everything works as if you were listening to DAB or DAB+. This gives you much greater freedom of choice and does not compromise on B&O's design and ease of use.

Purchase Neo Radio here