Tonal colours

While not exactly Pure’s fault, I found the compression on the DAB radio channels to be rather harsh. The DAB signal was fine, but switch to FM and the dynamics are easier on the ear, although you'd need to wave the wire aerial around a bit to minimise reception hiss. Yet, for material such as classical music, the dynamic range can be a listening challenge and the Twilight has a dynamic range control (full, half and off) for DAB reception. Even though audiophiles may squirm at the thought, it did make a useful difference when listening to Vaughan Williams’ Symphony no. 5 on BBC Radio 3.

Makes more room on the bedside table, and in your wallet too

DAB’s compression – combined with digital broadcasting preferences to deliver round table discussion programmes such as BBC Radio Four's In Our Time in mono – does tend to undermine the definition of some content, but I could just about live with this as bedside listening for the convenience. However, I would say that Pure needs to work on the sensitivity of the Twilight’s volume control at lower levels because it tends to make rather big leaps.

Verdict

Overall, the Twilight is a rather nice idea with just a few shortcomings. It’s not cheap (but what DAB radio is?) and takes a little getting used to, as its controls tend to look the same in dim conditions and the lamp itself doesn’t shed light on here either. Even so, the Pure Twilight certainly made a lot of space on my bedside table, dispensing with the need for a shaded lamp with a large base. Whether the daylight lamp has health benefits is debatable, but the mood lighting at night is a nice touch that will surely appeal to those who dream in colour. ®

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