EXTRAS: Who Makes Radios for John Lewis?

[@biosskw]

Even if we didn't know who exactly makes the octave, thanks for giving us such beautifully curated list of sound microsystems. That would definitely help everyone making their decision in the future.

[@jeg1972]

👍

[@philmartin5689]

I've recently purchased a John Lewis Cello DAB/CD radio and very good it is too but today Amazon recommended the following - LEMEGA M5P DAB Radio with CD - which apart to some cosmetic changes, is vertually identical.

[@jeg1972]

Thanks Phil, indeed I have another review coming up which looks remarkably like another Lemega!

[@philmartin5689]

@@jeg1972 i must subscribe, cheers

[@jeg1972]

@@philmartin5689 Please do, I could do with the Subscribers 😂

[@philmartin5689]

@@jeg1972 done

[@playbackdigitalmediaproduc6288]

Hi jOHN. I've bought four of the JL Cello units. They are great pieces of kit but one oddity is that they all have different software versions & when checking for software updates, three state as none available but interestingly one did have an update which I downloaded & installed. One of the differences is that this update includes a handy clock standby option in that you can choose either the digital display or a very nice circular analogue style dial. Any thoughts as to why the other three all have different software versions and will not recognise & update to this later version with the afore mentioned additions to the clock settings? Thanks. J

[@jeg1972]

Let me check the software revision on mine...

[@jeg1972]

Sorry for the delay... My firmware revision is ir-mmi-FS2026-0500-0554_V2.12.19C.EX69337-IA10 This has the ability to play music from the USB, but doesn't have the analogue clock.

[@ChrisWilson-xe1wi]

Hi John, I bought the JL Octave off the back of your review and the spec. given on JL's website. Initially, I was very please with the radio, but started to notice some differences between the spec., instruction manual on the website and what I received in the box. The biggest difference and the one that's driving me nuts is the online version says there's USB playback for MP3 etc., however, what you get in the box is is a radio which says the USB port is for software updates ONLY. No MP3 playback on my radio - very disappointing. Any thoughts on what's happened?

[@jeg1972]

Chris, somebody else had mentioned this in the comments. It appears that since mine was produced, they've changed the software on new models to stop MP3 files being played off USB sticks. I'm not sure why they've done that. I would take this back to John Lewis.

[@ChrisWilson-xe1wi]

@@jeg1972 John, thanks for the response. I've sent the radio back, but am gutted as I really like the look and sound of the radio, but specifically wanted to play MP3 via the USB port. I'm looking at some of the other radios you've looked at in the video, but am worried if a buy a new one, the same thing will happen - either it comes with the usb port already unusable or future update renders it unusable. Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

[@jeg1972]

@@ChrisWilson-xe1wi You could try finding the Lemega M3i or M3+ which as far as I can see are pretty much identical to the John Lewis Octave, although I don't know if they have the same issue with playing MP3s off USB... www.lemegaaudio.com/

[@PeaveyPV20]

Chris Wilson the leemagaaudio one who seem To make the radios for john lewis appear to have usb play back as well as built in spotify, which the john lewis one does not have. Dads mate worked in electronics for years and theres probably one manufacturer on the far east making radios and putting various names on it

[@mikeymjh]

Hi I have a Roberts internet radio due to Reciva its useless. What can I do .Roberts have offered 20% that's rubbish and not useful

[@jeg1972]

There were a few "hacks" which could have possibly saved your radio from being bricked, but unfortunately those were only available before Reciva went offline. As we're nearly 2 years on from that date, I'm not aware of any way of reviving your radio unfortunately. Roberts were not the only ones affected, as this article describes; www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/with-reciva-dead-internet-radio-manufacturers-manage-the-fallout... I have found this video which may or may not help; kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXLHkIKnp695aqc

[@paulprice8051]

Hi is the John Lewis the same as the lemega m4

[@jeg1972]

The John Lewis Octave looks very much like the Lemega M3+ while the John Lewis Cello looks like the Lemega M4

[@paulg2726]

That's correct.

[@johnadey7331]

Would you buy it again or would you go for another brand

[@jeg1972]

To be honest, I really love the sound, it's got a really good bass response and it's great to wake up to the Shipping Forecast coming through the speakers! If you subscribe, I've got some more reviews coming in the next few months...

[@denisreilly1846]

Interesting research, obviously a man with a lot of patience 😂😂

[@jeg1972]

I try my best 🙂

[@williar1961]

Enjoyed your thoughts , looking for same layout of music system myself 👍

[@jeg1972]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PatrickFERRAND-x3v]

I compare John Lewis Cello with Numan 2.1(german) and bought each one cause similar . Surprise !: the Cello remote control fits on Numan! I have not the answer : who made Numan...

[@jeg1972]

I'm not surprised that this radio is available under different brands... That seems to be the way of the world these days.

[@Johnjo49]

HI JOHN I WANT TO BUY A ALL IN ONE RADIO WITH INTERNET AND DAB ON IT FOR AROUND £100-£150 WHAT SHOULD I LOOK AT IF YOU CAN HELP ME THANKS

[@jeg1972]

Do you want it to be standalone, or connect into an Amplifier?

[@marley2319]

That lenco is the exact same as the majority Pembroke

[@jeg1972]

Lots of these Internet radios seem to be variations on a standard design.

[@marley2319]

@@jeg1972 Yes you’re right I found that too when I was looking for one. I always do my research when buying anything. I did end up getting the majority king at a very good price and it’s very nice 👍

[@stevemccormack9948]

What are you, a private eye? I mean does your wife know?... Anyway good work. Well done.

[@jeg1972]

Thanks Steve... Don't tell my wife 😉

[@thewhitewolf2687]

how about the JL travel

[@jeg1972]

Do you mean the Spectrum? That's the only John Lewis radio that looks like a Travel radio.

[@niksgee3538]

Wow watched nearly half an hour of this. What was the point? No answer. I bought a John Lewis radio six years ago. We had planned to buy a pure for kitchen bought Revo for bedroom. But the sound and quality on the John Lewis stood out. Six years later despite being thrown in car taken camping it's still a great radio and still in great condition. Unfortunately it has started to go erratic on batteries but is fine on mains. So will now be used home only. I have no idea who makes them. But they make great radios

[@emhemedsaadmoktereknini9005]

I need conta with you

[@jeg1972]

What do you mean?

[@mervynhardy3693]

Nothing conclusive...only half an hour wasted

[@certifiedbiker580]

Why all the waffle, just get to the point. The Roberts has an Arial wow, so does every other Dab radio. In the end you still have no idea who made it so what was the point.