Ruark turns 40 in 2026, and rather than inventing a new product for the occasion, the British audio brand has dressed up one of its best-loved models. On September 15, 2026, the company unveiled the R1S in a limited Terracotta colourway, launched as part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations marking four decades since its formation in 1986.
The standard R1S already comes in Mid Grey, Light Cream and Satin Charcoal lacquer. The anniversary version goes further than a fresh coat of paint: Ruark lists it as Terracotta lacquer with ebonised grille, and the cabinet carries an etched anniversary badge that sets it apart from the regular model. The company pitches it as a piece of homeware as much as a music system, a radio meant to blend into a room while the technology stays out of sight.
Underneath the new finish, this is the same R1S that arrived in 2023, and that is no bad thing. The compact cabinet houses a Class AB amplifier driving a single full-range driver, a combination that earned the standard model a reputation for a surprisingly articulate sound from such a small box. According to Ruark’s specification sheet, the key hardware looks like this:
- Amplifier: 9W nominal Class AB
- Driver: Ruark 75mm NS+ full range driver
- Frequency response: 55Hz – 20kHz
- Bluetooth: V5.2, SBC
- Tuners: Internet Radio, DAB/DAB+/FM with RDS
- Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo line-in, USB-C (charging and MP3 playback), Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
- Size and weight: H170 × W130 × D130mm cabinet, 1.4kg
Radio remains the core job. Ruark’s SmartRadio tuner covers FM, DAB and DAB+ alongside internet stations from around the world, and there is a dedicated source for podcasts. Streaming is handled natively through Spotify Connect, Amazon Music and Deezer, while the Bluetooth receiver picks up practically everything else from a phone or tablet and remembers up to six devices.
Control is built around Ruark’s trademark RotoDial, paired with a full colour TFT display that shows the time, alarms and programme information, plus album and station artwork on Wi-Fi sources. A light sensor dims the screen automatically, which matters for a radio that is likely to spend its life on a bedside table. Dual alarms and a sleep function round out the clock-radio duties, and an optional remote is available.
Practical touches carry over as well. The USB-C port can top up a phone or other portable device, the analogue line input is switchable, and the headphone output makes late-night listening easy.
The anniversary edition costs £319, a modest premium over the £299 asked for the standard R1S. Ruark says the Terracotta model is available from its select retailer network from October 2026. For anyone who wanted an R1S but found the existing palette a little reserved, the warm clay finish and dark grille make this the most characterful version of the radio so far.
