Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 Smart Music System (Light Cream)

The Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 sits at the heart of the company's music system range, occupying the middle tier between the compact R1 radio and the more expansive R410 integrated system. Now in its fourth generation, the R2 Mk4 has been redesigned with a profile approximately 20 per cent slimmer than its predecessor, making it easier to place on a shelf or bookcase without sacrificing any of the acoustic volume or performance that defines the R2 line.

Design and Construction

The Light Cream lacquer finish pairs a bright, warm lacquered cabinet with a hand-crafted slatted Ash wood grille, giving the R2 Mk4 a clean, natural, and refined appearance. The cabinet is a tuned bass reflex enclosure constructed from acoustically damped polymer. Beneath the display on the top panel sits Ruark's signature Rotodial control system, a single rotary controller that manages source selection, volume, menu navigation, presets, and playback functions without the clutter of separate buttons.

Audio Performance

The R2 Mk4 is powered by an 18W Class A-B amplifier driving two Ruark NS+ 75mm full-range drivers in a tuned bass reflex enclosure. Frequency response extends from 55Hz to 20kHz. Bass, treble, loudness EQ, and switchable 3D Audio enhancement allow the sound to be tuned to suit different room placements and listener preferences.

Radio and Streaming

The tuner section supports internet radio, DAB, DAB+, and FM (87.5–108MHz) with RDS, with 8 presets per source mode. For Wi-Fi streaming, the R2 Mk4 supports Spotify Connect, Deezer, and Amazon Music. Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC codec and A2DP enables wireless playback from smartphones and tablets. The USB-C port accepts MP3 files at up to 48kHz/320kbps from a FAT32 flash drive and provides 5V/1A charging for connected devices.

Connectivity and Controls

Physical connections include a stereo 3.5mm line input (1.4Vrms max), a 3.5mm headphone output (25mW into 16–32 ohms), a USB-C port, and a 75-ohm F-type aerial connector. The telescopic aerial is included. A full-colour TFT display with auto-dimming provides programme information and menu feedback. Dual daily alarms with separate daily, once, weekend, and weekday scheduling, a sleep timer, snooze, and real-time clock with battery backup complete the feature set. App control is via UNDOK for iOS and Android. An optional IR remote is available separately.