Why are DAB+ digital radios so expensive?
There are a few possible reasons for it. 1. The main cost is likely on DAB+ modules for entry-level DAB+ radios. However, most of the DAB+ OEMs are employing UK-based modules, which make the pricing unreasonably high. There is a company, KeyStone Semiconductor Corp., which is able to offer a single-chip solution to cut the price to a reasonable range. 2. DAB+ modules are not much different from digital TV modules except that DAB+ targets mainly for “audio” applications (not 100% true) so the technologies and chip costs are relatively higher in comparison against FM’s. 3. Most of the DAB chip makers used to design digital TV before they switched to DAB. They had lost so much money in digital TV; thus, they have to charge higher to make up their prior loss in digital TV. 4. Employing a single speaker to cut the manufacture cost does not make sense to DAB+ since it defeats the purpose of having AAC+ audio codec. 5. It is quite possible that the retail DAB+ radio can be sold as low as USD
