Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio – Three types of radio…

The new Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio offers radio reception via FM, DAB+ and the Internet, the ability to access content via Spotify, as well as simple and easy access to mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth.

From the customer’s point of view, there is often no need for a comprehensive audio system at all. For many tasks, a solution that has been used for music consumption in everyday life for years and days is sufficient, namely a simple, basic radio. Such solutions have, of course, changed over the years, but the basic idea remains the same, namely to provide music at the touch of a button and to be able to be placed almost anywhere in the house without any problems.

Nowadays such a radio, like many other things, should be particularly “smart”, offering the function “radio” in as many different ways as possible, and maybe even a bit more.

This was the intention of the developers at the Japanese company JVCKENNWOOD Corporation, who wanted to offer a particularly flexible, compact and elegant solution with the new Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio.

As described above, it is of course very important that the solution can be placed anywhere, whether in the office, kitchen, study or bedroom on the bedside table. With the Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio, this is guaranteed, as it measures no more than 245 mm in width, 145 mm in height, and only 115 mm in depth. The fact that a modern, elegant design was chosen is also on the plus side, as it blends into any modern living environment.

The Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio’s primary function as a radio is fulfilled by an integrated FM and DAB+ tuner, and it can also be easily connected to the network via WiFi, giving you access to Internet radio and a worldwide offering.

For FM and DAB+ there are 20 presets available, and 20 Internet radio stations can also be stored. These 20 storage locations can also be used directly for podcasts. Ten Spotify presets can also be programmed, because the Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio can of course also use the music streaming service Spotify including Spotify Connect once in the network.

If you want to play back audio data directly from a storage medium, you can do so via a USB interface, which also functions to charge mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

By the way, smartphones and tablets can also be used as direct sources, Bluetooth is available for this purpose, whereby A2DP is used.

Analogue sources are not left out either, as the Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio is equipped with a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack input. A line out is also available, don’t forget to mention this.

For a rich sound, the new Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio is equipped with two full-range drivers including a bass reflex system, which are fired by a Class D amplifier module.

The Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio is of course equipped with all relevant keys for easy operation directly on the unit, but first and foremost with a very generously dimensioned TFT colour display with 61 mm.

Of course, a matching infrared remote control is also included in the scope of delivery, and if the good piece can already be integrated into the network, a suitable app should not be missing. This is supposed to be available with the UNDOK app for Apple iOS and Google Android.

The new Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio is available in black or white. The recommended retail price is given by the manufacturer as € 199,-. It will soon be available in specialist shops.

Getting to the point

Nowadays, a radio, like many other things, should of course be particularly “smart”, i.e. it should offer the function “radio” in as many different ways as possible, and maybe even a bit more. This was the intention of the developers at the Japanese company JVCKENNWOOD Corporation, who wanted to offer a particularly flexible, compact and elegant solution with the new Kenwood CR-ST100S SmartRadio.