TARDIS Speaker REVIEW

GADGET REVIEW Type 40 tech

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

TARDIS Speaker review .

We’ve come a long way since the most exciting bit of TARDIS-shaped merch was a money box. This new speaker allows you to blast out Jon Pertwee’s “I Am The Doctor”, Murray Gold’s “Song For Ten” or Who Cares’ “Doctor In Distress” (okay, maybe not that…) from your smartphone, tablet or computer.

This isn’t some tacky novelty item, but something you can get regular use out of – particularly in a room without a decent stereo. We’re picturing audio dramas blasting out while you do the cooking.

The Bluetooth function works from a good 30 yards – we had no problem using a phone from the other end of the SFX office. It’s elementary to pair devices. You might jump when they do, as the speaker blasts out the materialisation sound effect. You can also connect to any device with a headphone output via a regular 3.5mm jack (supplied), and use it to charge something up via a USB slot.

The attention to detail should satisfy even the most pedantic Who fan, and the “wood grain” effect is a particularly neat touch. Most importantly, the sound quality is surprisingly good – we’re no audiophiles, but it seems pretty powerful and clear. You can also turn the bass up or down using the remote; should that slip through a crack in time, as remotes are wont to do, there are volume buttons on the reverse of the speaker.

Our only quibble? The price seems a little steep; it feels like you’re paying a premium to have your fanboy buttons pressed. Still, many will consider that it’s well worth it.

Ian Berriman twitter.com/ianberriman

Read our Doctor Who Series 7 reviews .
Read our Doctor Who DVD reviews .

Deputy Editor, SFX

Ian Berriman has been working for SFX – the world's leading sci-fi, fantasy and horror magazine – since March 2002. He's also a regular writer for Electronic Sound. Other publications he's contributed to include Total Film, When Saturday Comes, Retro Pop, Horrorville, and What DVD. A life-long Doctor Who fan, he's also a supporter of Hull City, and live-tweets along to BBC Four's Top Of The Pops repeats from his @TOTPFacts account.

Latest in TV
George R.R. Martin
Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin has a new update on The Winds of Winter: "I wish it would come faster"
Lois and Peter in Family Guy season 23
After 11 years, Family Guy suddenly brings back a deep-cut character for season 23
George R. R. Martin in Dark Winds season 3
Game of Thrones creator makes sudden cameo in TV show for apparent joke about The Winds of Winter
Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again had Disney Plus' biggest premiere of 2025, but its viewership is lower than Agatha All Along and The Acolyte
True Detective
Matthew McConaughey still thinks his own season of True Detective is the best one: "It was one of the great events in TV"
Diego Luna in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 showrunner Tony Gilroy calls Cassian “Star Wars Jesus” ahead of the show’s return on Disney Plus
Latest in Reviews
Lenovo Legion Go S with FlyKnight gameplay on screen featuring player character holding bow and arrow with enemy ant in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S Windows 11 review: “my heart aches for this mixed up handheld”
Talisman 5th Edition game components
Talisman 5th Edition review: "The characterful imperfections of the original game remain clear to see "
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 review: "A colossal package even if you never go anywhere near Virtual Currency"
Altered: Trial by Frost booster box and packs on a playmat
Altered: Trial by Frost review - "Satisfying enough to offer highly varied gameplay"
Three SteelSeries QcK Performance mouse pads on a wooden desk
I didn't expect to prefer a coarser mouse pad, but SteelSeries' new QcK Performance range has changed my mind
Boro and Alta sit on a bench together in Wanderstop
Wanderstop review: "Exalting the transformative power of tea"