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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review

REVIEW – This is my third Grace Digital internet radio review and it feels like it’s come full-circle. You see, in 2012 I reviewed the original Grace Mondo and last year, their Encore+—both internet radios that provided just about all you could want for dialing in radio stations from around the world. Which leads me back to the Mondo—only this time, it’s the Mondo+ Classic—an internet radio with a more retro look than even the cool looking Encore+ and way better features than the original Mondo.

What is it?

The Grace Mondo+ Classic is a plug-in (no battery) table-top internet radio and Wi-Fi speaker with built-in Bluetooth and Google Chromecast. With the appropriate built-in controls or smartphone app, the Mondo+ Classic can pick up over 100,000 internet radio stations. The Mondo+ Classic can be used as a radio alarm clock, radio, Bluetooth speaker or multi-room speaker (with Chromecast).

Specs

  • Integrated 10 watt Qi wireless charging pad
  • 3.5 in. color display
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • USB port for recharging smartphone or tablet
  • Chromecast
  • Multi-room audio
  • Width: 10.1 in. Depth: 4.25 in. Height: 6.1 in.
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
  • 12 or 24 hour clock with date and 5 individual alarms
  • Snooze timer
  • 30 backlight daytime and nighttime modes.
  • Class D 25watt amplifier
  • 4” full range speaker
  • Integrated MaxxAudio technology from Waves Inc.
  • RCA outputs
  • 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
  • Aux input
  • Built in dual band equalizer 5 preset equalizer modes
  • Built in media player
  • Supports 11 audio formats: AIFF, AIFC, WAVE, CAF, NeXT, ADTS, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WMA
  • Dual band 2.4/5ghz 802.11n wireless

What’s in the box

  • Mondo+ Classic
  • Power adapter
  • Infra-red remote control
  • Two Wi-Fi antennas
  • Quickstart guide

Design and features

There are so many features on the Mondo+ Classic, that it’s hard to know where to begin. One look at the manual and you just know you’re in for some involved reading. This review won’t cover every available feature—just the most important ones. 

Let’s start with the wood cabinet. The radio’s retro styling has a 50s look that will fit any decor. It comes in both black or walnut with a tasteful gray cloth-covered speaker grill. On the front panel are many buttons and rotary dials that do, well—a lot. Besides the usual power button, there’s a large dial that scrolls through whatever is on the 3.5 in. color display at the time. For instance, it will scroll through the Home screen icons and deeper when those icons (apps) are opened. Next to the large dial is a smaller volume/mute dial, power button and a much used back button that returns you to the previous screen. Above the dials are a row of buttons that perform whatever function is shown at the bottom of the display—they line up with the buttons making it easy to navigate.

In the center of the Mondo+ Classic front is a row of vertical buttons that contain a Home button and Now Playing button that shows additional information about what artist is playing and other info—if available from the source you’re listening to. Otherwise, it’s blank. Below that, sits 5 programmable buttons that let you set up to 10 favorite stations—a very handy feature. There’s also an included mini plug headphone port. 

The back of the Mondo+ Classic cabinet contains an RCA out (for connecting an additional speaker), AUX in (except that its RCA instead of the more popular mini plug), and a USB port that can either charge a smartphone or play music from a thumb drive. Pretty cool. There’s also two included coaxial Wi-Fi antennas.

The top of the Mondo+ Classic has a snooze timer that buys 10 minutes of extra sleep time for those who can’t immediately jump out of bed when the alarm goes off. If 10 minutes isn’t enough, it can be set in 10 minute increments for as long as desired. But that’s not the interesting part. Taking up the majority of real estate on the top of the radio is a 10 watt fast Qi wireless charging pad that works with the majority of smartphones that include wireless charging. It was smart for Grace to include the wireless upgrade. It works quite well with my iPhone XS Max. 

A remote is included with the Mondo+ Classic. It performs the basic functions you would expect, but also has a couple of time-saving buttons that instantly take you to Home, Equalizer, Bluetooth or Alarm settings. Yet, even this handy remote pales in comparison to the Grace GD Control app for iPhone and Android.

The built-in alarm turns the Mondo+ Classic into a clock radio. You can set a wake-up alarm and a sleep timer as well as the already mentioned Snooze feature. The alarm fades in which makes waking up to music or news a bit smoother.

I’ve said this in previous Grace internet radio reviews and it’s still true: Navigating through the Mondo+ Classic’s display menus using the dials and buttons on the radio is frustrating at best. The remote is a little better, but the GD Control app is the preferred method of Mondo navigation—by far.

Before the smartphone app is downloaded, you have to match the radio with a Wi-Fi network from the on-screen list and then dial in the password. This process alone may make you want to tear your hair out. It took me quite a while before I became adept at scrolling the letters and numbers for inputing the password without over-scrolling many times. Arghhhh. Then you can download the app.

However, once you get past that point, you’re golden. 

When I first used the app, I tapped on Google Play and within seconds, I was listening to my saved playlists through the Mondo+ Classic. Switching over to the Apple Music app was seamless—it instantly began playing the song I selected. Google Play is accessed through Chromecast, which has many other enabled apps—Pandora, Deezer, SiriusXM (if you subscribe), Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, I Heart Radio and more. In addition to Google Play, I’ve used Spotify and Tidal which also worked perfectly. Chromecast doesn’t build in these apps, it links to them instead, so you’re using the original app. This can simplify things considerably. As you use the GD Control app, you can see your choices instantly reflected on the Mondo+ Classic’s screen.

If you’re looking for environmental sounds to help with sleep, the Mondo+ Classic features many different rain, nature, and ocean wave choices, plus popular sounds—such as hairdryer, car interior and even baby in the womb (it sounds like a muffled heartbeat). Again, there are too many to mention.

So, how does the Mondo+ Classic sound? It depends—as a Bluetooth, Chromecast or USB player, the Mondo+ Classic’s speaker can sound pretty good. However, if your goal is to listen to music using the internet radio, forget it. It’s not the Mondo+ Classic’s fault, it’s just that music from internet radio stations sounds only as good as an okay FM station—usually worse. If you’re into talk/news radio or sports (you miss those local broadcasts of your favorite team while growing up), then the Mondo+ Classic is just about perfect. 

Note that the following audio comments only deal with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, not internet radio.

The previously reviewed Grace Encore+ has stereo speakers plus a down-firing woofer speaker. A single-speaker table-top radio with just can’t compete with that and it doesn’t try. However, for what it is, the sound comes across as balanced between all frequencies. The bass goes low enough to be heard without being overpowering. Also, treble does not sound harsh or sibilant. The middle frequencies are a bit forward, which is good because a lot of radio is talk oriented and voices reside in the middle frequencies. For those who wish to tweak the audio, there is a simple built-in equalizer for boosting or reducing bass and treble. So whether you’re listening to music or talk (radio or podcast), both will sound good for table-top use.

You are not restricted to a single room with the Mondo+ Classic. Because of Wi-Fi and Chromecast, the Classic can be connected to other Chromecast speakers—made by Grace Digital or not. This can give you a houseful of music or each room can be set up to be independent from other rooms and play its own music. 

What I like

The Mondo+ Classic is a solid and useful internet radio that’s fun to use. It’s made for the kitchen, bedroom, home office or even the entire house (if connected through Chromecast). The GD Control app is easy to use and intuitive. 

What needs to be improved

Navigation, especially with having to first enter a password or information is a joke. But once that’s done, using the GD control app is easy.

Final Thoughts

I’ve often wondered how internet radios can fit into today’s lifestyle, but with Grace Digital building in Chromecast, Bluetooth and multi-room capabilities, the usefulness of their products has expanded well beyond depending on the internet.

Price: $249.99 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The Mondo+ Classic sample was provided by Grace Digital.

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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 27, 2019 at 11:30 am.

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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review

REVIEW – This is my third Grace Digital internet radio review and it feels like it’s come full-circle. You see, in 2012 I reviewed the original Grace Mondo and last year, their Encore+—both internet radios that provided just about all you could want for dialing in radio stations from around the world. Which leads me back to the Mondo—only this time, it’s the Mondo+ Classic—an internet radio with a more retro look than even the cool looking Encore+ and way better features than the original Mondo.

What is it?

The Grace Mondo+ Classic is a plug-in (no battery) table-top internet radio and Wi-Fi speaker with built-in Bluetooth and Google Chromecast. With the appropriate built-in controls or smartphone app, the Mondo+ Classic can pick up over 100,000 internet radio stations. The Mondo+ Classic can be used as a radio alarm clock, radio, Bluetooth speaker or multi-room speaker (with Chromecast).

Specs

  • Integrated 10 watt Qi wireless charging pad
  • 3.5 in. color display
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • USB port for recharging smartphone or tablet
  • Chromecast
  • Multi-room audio
  • Width: 10.1 in. Depth: 4.25 in. Height: 6.1 in.
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
  • 12 or 24 hour clock with date and 5 individual alarms
  • Snooze timer
  • 30 backlight daytime and nighttime modes.
  • Class D 25watt amplifier
  • 4” full range speaker
  • Integrated MaxxAudio technology from Waves Inc.
  • RCA outputs
  • 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
  • Aux input
  • Built in dual band equalizer 5 preset equalizer modes
  • Built in media player
  • Supports 11 audio formats: AIFF, AIFC, WAVE, CAF, NeXT, ADTS, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WMA
  • Dual band 2.4/5ghz 802.11n wireless

What’s in the box

  • Mondo+ Classic
  • Power adapter
  • Infra-red remote control
  • Two Wi-Fi antennas
  • Quickstart guide

Design and features

There are so many features on the Mondo+ Classic, that it’s hard to know where to begin. One look at the manual and you just know you’re in for some involved reading. This review won’t cover every available feature—just the most important ones. 

Let’s start with the wood cabinet. The radio’s retro styling has a 50s look that will fit any decor. It comes in both black or walnut with a tasteful gray cloth-covered speaker grill. On the front panel are many buttons and rotary dials that do, well—a lot. Besides the usual power button, there’s a large dial that scrolls through whatever is on the 3.5 in. color display at the time. For instance, it will scroll through the Home screen icons and deeper when those icons (apps) are opened. Next to the large dial is a smaller volume/mute dial, power button and a much used back button that returns you to the previous screen. Above the dials are a row of buttons that perform whatever function is shown at the bottom of the display—they line up with the buttons making it easy to navigate.

In the center of the Mondo+ Classic front is a row of vertical buttons that contain a Home button and Now Playing button that shows additional information about what artist is playing and other info—if available from the source you’re listening to. Otherwise, it’s blank. Below that, sits 5 programmable buttons that let you set up to 10 favorite stations—a very handy feature. There’s also an included mini plug headphone port. 

The back of the Mondo+ Classic cabinet contains an RCA out (for connecting an additional speaker), AUX in (except that its RCA instead of the more popular mini plug), and a USB port that can either charge a smartphone or play music from a thumb drive. Pretty cool. There’s also two included coaxial Wi-Fi antennas.

The top of the Mondo+ Classic has a snooze timer that buys 10 minutes of extra sleep time for those who can’t immediately jump out of bed when the alarm goes off. If 10 minutes isn’t enough, it can be set in 10 minute increments for as long as desired. But that’s not the interesting part. Taking up the majority of real estate on the top of the radio is a 10 watt fast Qi wireless charging pad that works with the majority of smartphones that include wireless charging. It was smart for Grace to include the wireless upgrade. It works quite well with my iPhone XS Max. 

A remote is included with the Mondo+ Classic. It performs the basic functions you would expect, but also has a couple of time-saving buttons that instantly take you to Home, Equalizer, Bluetooth or Alarm settings. Yet, even this handy remote pales in comparison to the Grace GD Control app for iPhone and Android.

The built-in alarm turns the Mondo+ Classic into a clock radio. You can set a wake-up alarm and a sleep timer as well as the already mentioned Snooze feature. The alarm fades in which makes waking up to music or news a bit smoother.

I’ve said this in previous Grace internet radio reviews and it’s still true: Navigating through the Mondo+ Classic’s display menus using the dials and buttons on the radio is frustrating at best. The remote is a little better, but the GD Control app is the preferred method of Mondo navigation—by far.

Before the smartphone app is downloaded, you have to match the radio with a Wi-Fi network from the on-screen list and then dial in the password. This process alone may make you want to tear your hair out. It took me quite a while before I became adept at scrolling the letters and numbers for inputing the password without over-scrolling many times. Arghhhh. Then you can download the app.

However, once you get past that point, you’re golden. 

When I first used the app, I tapped on Google Play and within seconds, I was listening to my saved playlists through the Mondo+ Classic. Switching over to the Apple Music app was seamless—it instantly began playing the song I selected. Google Play is accessed through Chromecast, which has many other enabled apps—Pandora, Deezer, SiriusXM (if you subscribe), Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, I Heart Radio and more. In addition to Google Play, I’ve used Spotify and Tidal which also worked perfectly. Chromecast doesn’t build in these apps, it links to them instead, so you’re using the original app. This can simplify things considerably. As you use the GD Control app, you can see your choices instantly reflected on the Mondo+ Classic’s screen.

If you’re looking for environmental sounds to help with sleep, the Mondo+ Classic features many different rain, nature, and ocean wave choices, plus popular sounds—such as hairdryer, car interior and even baby in the womb (it sounds like a muffled heartbeat). Again, there are too many to mention.

So, how does the Mondo+ Classic sound? It depends—as a Bluetooth, Chromecast or USB player, the Mondo+ Classic’s speaker can sound pretty good. However, if your goal is to listen to music using the internet radio, forget it. It’s not the Mondo+ Classic’s fault, it’s just that music from internet radio stations sounds only as good as an okay FM station—usually worse. If you’re into talk/news radio or sports (you miss those local broadcasts of your favorite team while growing up), then the Mondo+ Classic is just about perfect. 

Note that the following audio comments only deal with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, not internet radio.

The previously reviewed Grace Encore+ has stereo speakers plus a down-firing woofer speaker. A single-speaker table-top radio with just can’t compete with that and it doesn’t try. However, for what it is, the sound comes across as balanced between all frequencies. The bass goes low enough to be heard without being overpowering. Also, treble does not sound harsh or sibilant. The middle frequencies are a bit forward, which is good because a lot of radio is talk oriented and voices reside in the middle frequencies. For those who wish to tweak the audio, there is a simple built-in equalizer for boosting or reducing bass and treble. So whether you’re listening to music or talk (radio or podcast), both will sound good for table-top use.

You are not restricted to a single room with the Mondo+ Classic. Because of Wi-Fi and Chromecast, the Classic can be connected to other Chromecast speakers—made by Grace Digital or not. This can give you a houseful of music or each room can be set up to be independent from other rooms and play its own music. 

What I like

The Mondo+ Classic is a solid and useful internet radio that’s fun to use. It’s made for the kitchen, bedroom, home office or even the entire house (if connected through Chromecast). The GD Control app is easy to use and intuitive. 

What needs to be improved

Navigation, especially with having to first enter a password or information is a joke. But once that’s done, using the GD control app is easy.

Final Thoughts

I’ve often wondered how internet radios can fit into today’s lifestyle, but with Grace Digital building in Chromecast, Bluetooth and multi-room capabilities, the usefulness of their products has expanded well beyond depending on the internet.

Price: $249.99 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The Mondo+ Classic sample was provided by Grace Digital.

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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 27, 2019 at 11:30 am.

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Grace Digital looks back to move forward with the new Mondo+ Classic internet radio

NEWS – Back in 2012, I reviewed the Grace Digital Mondo Wi-Fi Music Player and Internet Radio and liked it a lot. Say what you will about the viability of internet radios in today’s world of smartphone radio apps, the still popular Mondo is available from Grace Digital as the improved Mondo+. Grace has now gone a step further and made an improved retro/traditional looking version of the Mondo—the Mondo+ Classic wireless internet radio. This radio looks like a cross between the original Mondo+ and the newer Encore+ Wi-Fi speaker and internet radio.

Like the Mondo+, the Mondo+ Classic comes with access to over 100,000 internet radio stations as well as Bluetooth and Chromecast. The Classic can be controlled via the front panel, an included infrared remote or even the Grace Digital smartphone app. It doubles as a bedside alarm clock with 5 custom settings, snooze and sleep timers and daytime/nighttime back-lit display. 

Despite its small size, an integrated Class D 25 watt amplifier with 4” full range speaker delivers deep bass and crisp highs. Customize the sound from 5 preset equalizer settings or modify the bass and treble to your personal taste. Supported audio formats include AIFF, AIFC, WAVE, CAF, NeXT, ADTS, MP3, AAC/ACC+, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WMA. A 3.5” full color backlit LCD display shows relevant station info as well as album art and artist and song data.

The built in apps include iHeartRadio, CBS radio, BBC, NPR, SiriusXM (subscription required), sleep sounds, Calm radio, SHOUTcast, Live365, and podcasting. Play Amazon Prime music, iTunes and any other music via Bluetooth 4.1. It works with 802.11b/g/n routers (Amazon music app will be embedded in January 2019). Available via the smartphone app is Pandora, TuneIn, Google play, Spotify, YouTube music, BBC, NPR and hundreds of others. The Mondo+ Classic can also be connected to a PC, Mac or NAS drive.

Because of the Chromecast built-in function, you can group the Mondo+ Classic with any of Grace Digital’s speakers that have built-in Chromecast for flexible and custom audio everywhere in the home. You can connect an external audio device to the line in jacks, or connect the Mondo+ Classic to your home stereo via the line output jacks. You can also charge your smart phone via a USB jack or a 10 watt Qi charging pad on top of the radio!

The Grace Mondo+ Classic wireless internet radio comes in both black or walnut wood grain finish. It is available now and sells for $249.99 US. Visit Grace Digital for more information. 

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Grace Digital looks back to move forward with the new Mondo+ Classic internet radio originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 7, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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Grace Digital Encore+ Wi-Fi speaker and internet radio review

Five years ago, I said this about the Grace Mondo portable internet radio, “After using the Grace Digital Mondo Wi-Fi Music Player and Internet Radio for a few months, I have come to one conclusion: Anyone looking for a portable radio today that does not choose an internet radio is wasting money.” That statement might sound a bit out of date in today’s age of smartphones connected to Bluetooth speakers. Even so, I can still see the appeal of a portable internet radio like the Mondo—notice I said portable. I’ve never been entirely convinced that a larger table-top internet radio is necessary. Grace Digital obviously disagrees and thinks tabletop radio is still relevant because they updated their Grace Encore stereo Wi-Fi speaker and internet radio with the new Encore+.

What is it?

Present day internet radios beg the question, “Why would anyone desire an internet radio, when their smartphone will do most everything the radio will do?” Hopefully, this review will answer that question.

The Grace Encore+ stereo Wi-Fi speaker and internet radio is an updated version of their original Encore radio. The Encore+ now comes with built-in Chromecast and its many enabled apps. If you are a fan of internet radio sites, like (local and distant) AM/FM stations, I Heart Radio, BBC, NPR, Fox, CNN—just to name a few—you’ll love the Encore+. If you want multi-room audio—without paying for propriety systems like SONOS or HEOS—the Encore+ will do that too. Plus, it works with other Chromecast enabled speakers as well.  

The upgraded Encore+ also comes with Bluetooth which makes it much more useful than the previous Encore. This matters, because you now can have your cake and eat it too by switching between radio, Chromecast and even Apple Music (via Bluetooth). You really do get the best of all worlds. 

But it matters even more because the Encore+ doesn’t just sound like most other wireless radios. There’s some serious audio stuff going on here. There are two 3 in. front facing speakers with a down-firing subwoofer driven by a class D amp. This subwoofer gives the Encore+ a significant audio advantage over other table-top radios in its price range—along with all of its added internet benefits.

The front of the Encore+ has a large color screen that can display settings, media, cover art or other info whenever you want. There’s also a free smartphone app that is a breeze to use and practically a must-have. More on that later.

Specs

The specs of the Encore+ is overwhelming. Visit the Grace website for the full list. Here are some highlights:

Audio

  • Class D Digital 12watt amplifier
  • 2-3″ front facing speakers with a down-facingsubwooferr
  • 3.5mm Stereo headphone jack
  • L/R RCA outputs
  • RCA Aux in
  • USB port
  • Integrated dual band equalizer with 5 preset modes
  • Remote Control iOS and Android App
  • Built-in Chromecast audio software that integrates with Google home.

Clock & Alarm

  • 12 or 24 hour clock with date
  • 5 individual alarms
  • Sleep Timer
  • Smartphone Remote Control Apps
  • Control your radios via the front panel, included remote control, or from anywhere in your house via the Grace Control Apps loaded on your smartphone or tablet.

Size & Weight

  • Width: 13.5 in. Depth: 10.75 in. Height: 5.75 in.
  • Weight: 8.5 lbs

Networking

  • 802.11n wireless connectivity

Design and features

The Encore+ is a table-top radio, so even though it can be moved from room to room, it’s not portable. It needs to be plugged in at all times—there is no battery. The retro mid-century modern design comes in either all black or walnut wood and looks good with any decor. I  prefer the classic walnut finish to the more modern black. 

Included is a clock/radio function making the this a perfect nightstand companion—provided your nightstand has the available real estate to accommodate the wide and deep Encore+.

A 3.5 in. front color screen shows whatever function the Encore+ is performing, plus other information you may want to display. While the colors are bright enough, the screen is not angled upwards as on the Mondo radio making the screen more difficult to read without bending down to look straight at it. Even so, the screen can bes helpful to see info at a glance. There’s also a headphone port on the front.

A top panel contains a volume knob, power button and a now playing button that displays artist info, cover art, etc. on the front screen. There’s also a tuning knob, a handy back button that takes you to the previous screen, home button and that ever popular clock-radio snooze button. 

Finally, there are five color coded buttons on the top panel that correspond to whatever function has the matching color seen on the screen. So what they do is dependent on what is visible on the screen. I found these buttons to be more trouble than they’re worth and now ignore them.

The back panel houses two antenna connectors giving the Encore+ a better than good range. There is a power switch, and AUX in ports along with a UB port for connecting hard drives or thumb drives and a bass port. Finally, there are RCA line out connections for connecting external speakers. 

While it’s technically true that you don’t need Grace Digital’s GD Control app to run the Encore+, you want this smartphone app! Without it, navigating the screen with only the buttons on the unit or remote is a nightmare. The iOS/Android GD Control app lets you do anything the top panel will do, but with an added ease of use. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent Mac or PC app.

As with the recently reviewed Solis speakers, I still hold that Apple Music has an edge over Chromecast in ease of use and sound quality. Music just seems more alive through Apple music. Android users may get different results, but to this iOS user, Apple wins every time in audio quality compared to Chromecast. 

Seeing album cover art on the Encore’s front screen worked well with Chromecast, but not so well with Apple Music or when streaming my own music from my hard drive. That’s not a big deal for me because I seldom look at the Encore+ screen for that kind of info. However,  it’s nice to have info available should you want to see what’s playing. Cover art along with other information is also available when using the built-in SiriusXM app. I haven’t been able to figure out why cover art from Apple Music doesn’t carry over to the Encore+.

Note that you must have full SiriusXM capability to use it with the Encore+. My SiriusXM account only covers my car and nothing more, so I wasn’t able to use it with the Encore+.

Despite the usefulness of Bluetooth, Chromecast or even internet radio, the Encore+ really excels with its audio quality. The front facing speakers handle mids and high frequencies quite well with enough power and clarity to fill any large bedroom or kitchen. It’s that down-firing subwoofer that places the Encore+ on another level by playing low notes without distorting. Brian Eno’s “Written, Forgotten” is a song I’ve used before to test bass. There are notes in this song that are more felt than heard and the Encore+ lets you feel—as well as hear— those notes. 

DJ Hell’s remix of Bryan Ferry’s “U Can Dance” features a visceral kick that requires your body to want to move to the beat. Sure, the lower notes sound better on dedicated stereo speakers, but the Encore+ can more than hold its own (for a table-top speaker) without straining. 

Note that the Encore+ has a built-in equalizer for fine-tuning music to your taste.

Even sports or talk radio sound good on the Encore+. Vocals are clear and easily understood without too much bass or too bright treble. Keep in mind that audio quality and clarity can be dependent on the source, especially when it comes to internet radio. Some stations may sound better than others.

In addition to Bluetooth, the Encore+ can play music from USB and AUX (RCA) inputs. You can even play music stored on a USB thumb drive—which sounds even better than wireless!

What I like

The Encore+ is a jack-of-all-trades kind of radio. It does so much that I’ve touched on only some of it. I recommend visiting the Grace Digital site and exploring everything it can do.

What needs to be improved

The built-in software has not improved much since the original Mondo radio. At least the free Grace GD Control app exists.

Final Thoughts

The Grace Digital Encore+ is a worthy radio that does a lot of what’s asked of it. I like to think of it as a great-sounding Bluetooth speaker that also happens to play many radio formats (including internet radio), is a clock/radio, works with Google Assistant, has a color screen and will even charge your smartphone! My only concern is that time and changing listening habits may eventually pass internet radios like the Encore+ by. I sincerely hope not.

Price: $249.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Grace Digital.

The post Grace Digital Encore+ Wi-Fi speaker and internet radio review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Grace Digital Encore+ Wi-Fi speaker and internet radio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 14, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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