Review: 10334 Retro Radio
Posted by MeganL,When I heard about the new Icons set, the only description I received was that it was "music-related". To be perfectly frank, I thought Huw was sending me another writing exercise, similar to when I reviewed the Elvis Presley art set, or the iconic Rolling Stones logo. However, on opening the box for 10334 Retro Radio, it looks like I hit the jackpot, and was queen for a day.
Could this review be another fun opportunity to work in references to the subject matter?
You bet your life!
Summary
10334 Retro Radio, 906 pieces.
£89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 9.9p/11.0c/11.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A full scale model that captures the nostalgia of old time radio
- Sound brick with very fun features
- Realistic dial motions
- Fun building experience
- Distracting clicking when changing "stations"
- Sound brick recordings are very American
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are 8 numbered bags, a black 8x16 plate, and an instruction book. Like with many Icons sets, there are no stickers, which is quite welcome.
For the first time (for me), I finally got to see the paper bags that are used. I do miss the clear bags, but the paper bags make it look like the contents are top secret!
After examining the (new to me) paper bags, I was ready to head gangbusters into the adventures ahead in the build.
The completed model
There are several facts about old-time radio spread throughout the instructions. According to the designer, the model is inspired by the models of transistor radios available in the 1960s and 1970s, similar to this example. I remember my grandparents telling me about times when the radio was the main source of entertainment, listening to shows like Abbott and Costello, or The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, or providing the music during a house party.
The retro style is popular, as this model can be found on Amazon right now - albeit as a bluetooth speaker. This is certainly a way to keep the style around now and forever, or being ready whenever there's a call for music.
On to the build - it starts with building the back panel. It doesn't take long before you get to the Technic part of the build - which is more complicated than I expected. I learnt from experience that it's a bold venture to build this portion of the model while visiting with others at the same time!
The mechanism on the left works the on/off switch, while the worm gear allows the needle to move up and down the radio frequency. The gear installed to strike the sound brick to allow for radio "tuning" isn't in this picture, but will be in the space above the red tile on the left. The build is quite busy here, almost like Grand Central Station.
There are two dials on the radio - the on/off dial and the tuner. The radio can be toggled between AM and FM frequencies by a switch on the front, which is a minifig flipper. In another nice parts usage, the needle on the radio is a minifig wand, found in this set for the first time in red. The wand is a little difficult to see in the picture below because of the shadow.
When the model is completed, the on/off dial has to be switched to "on" in order for the other dial to work to trigger the sounds. In the "off" position, the tuning needle can be moved back and forth freely across the radio frequency, a lone ranger trying to escape to a brave new world. I wasn't expecting that level of sophistication, and was pleasantly surprised.
Other vintage touches on the radio include the grille on the front, and a printed brick with the "brand" name of the radio, in this case LEGO.
Every angle of the radio is realistic, with very few studs showing. The case of the radio is fastened into place by cross axles that are flush with the surface.
There is, of course, a handle for portability and an antenna that can be adjusted to try to get better reception. The antenna on the model has a limited range of motion as it's attached to the back of the radio instead of the top.
The back of the radio is the first part that really looks like LEGO, and is about as exciting as the back of a real radio. Some people are funny, and may like this side best.
Like the real thing, the back of the model can be removed to see the workings inside.
The sound brick is the very last brick to be placed in the model - it's the pale blue brick on the right. It's then curtain time for the building experience. On turning the tuning dial, every click of the dial will play another selection on the sound brick, chosen at random, thanks to a gear striking the side of the sound brick. While this mechanism isn't the most realistic (you don't hear a click when you tune a radio dial), I can't think of a better way of accomplishing this in the system.
There are several quite fun sound selections. All of them are steeped in classic Americana. I won't spoil the details of them, but I did have a few favourites, including a public service announcement for ham salad and a chorus of singers singing "LEGO FM" in harmony (I always want them to sing it again). According to the instruction book, most of the recordings were performed by the Icons team. What a great way to hear what's behind the mike.
There is space in the back of the model to insert your own phone, so instead of turning the tuning dial, you can set your own playlist and listen to music through the model.
Let's pretend the iPhone in the previous picture didn't give a sense of the size. Here are some coordinating sloths for scale.
Overall thoughts
When I first received the model, I didn't have the price information, but thought that it felt like a $100 set, but that there might be a premium added for the sound brick. It turns out that I wasn't far off on that, and at least this price doesn't break the bank.
I enjoyed the building experience. The Technic parts of the build were more challenging than I expected (though that may be because I was multi-tasking at the time). In the instruction notes, the designer says that the radio hearkens back to the 60s and 70s, but I think the press release was more accurate in referring to the 1950s and 60s. The colour and styling are very mid-century modern styling.
The sound recordings are super fun, and I enjoyed turning the tuning dial many, many times to catch all the different ones programmed (and I'm still not sure I've heard them all). It's easy to set up your own music appreciation hour, especially with the ability to put your phone in the back. That way you can have more control over the lineup.
It was a fond dose of nostalgia for me, but it's not lost on me that this may cater to a primarily American audience, particularly with the sound recordings. Maybe those outside of the US might have some familiarity, especially if father knows best.
Stop me if you've heard this one, but this will surely appeal to the market that loves LEGO replicas of everyday objects, and won't look amiss in my office next to the typewriter and the globe.
Take it or leave it - this is my best shot at a review for this set! I've managed to work in over 30 references to old time radio shows from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Did you find them?
152 likes
44 comments on this article
Nice review. This set is not m piece of cake, but really a nice review! I am glad you did include the sloths in one of the last pictures - I was wondering the whole time whether they'd make an appearance. ??
I picked up a few of the more obvious radio show references- Father Knows Best, Behind the Mike and a couple of others- but I guess a lot of the shows are not well known this side of the Atlantic except to fans of classic radio and so on.
I'm sure the reverse is also true- if I'd written the review, it would have been stuffed with references to the Goon Show, Round the Horne and so on. Although I'm not sure how many Julian and Sandy quotes would have been appropriate for the delicate Brickset audience
Do we know the max (and min) dimensions for the phone that can be placed inside?
At or less than $100 for an Icons set with a sound brick? Sounds like a great deal!
For R$999.99 ($195.00) it is absolutely insane to buy this set instead of a proper speaker box. Looks great though, I like the colors.
I actually got maybe four or five references, but I also spotted a number of Oddly Specific Phrases That Sound Kind Of Familiar.
When does this come out?
When I first saw the announcement I was not very interested. But this review makes me think again!
Very good job!
I do like the basic concept and features, but really think its looks are a bit drab. Google or, dare I say, Lego Ideas submissions show some much more attractive looking retro radios.
Will probably get at some point, but there are some rather more enticing new releases over the next few weeks!
The first programme I remember listening to on a (home made) transistor radio was 'The Clitheroe Kid'. I bet that's not on the sound brick. Straight to the top of the wish list if it is!!
Excellent review, I think you just sold me on this!
I came here as uninterested as one can get, but I must say that this model works well for what it's aiming to be. And for once it's 'merely' 100 euro, which is decent for a model this large. And it has a soundbrick!
You say "American" like that's a bad thing
Nice but not what I collect.
@MeganL does the sound brick have "everything is awesome"?
@watcher21 said:
"Nice but not what I collect.
@MeganL does the sound brick have "everything is awesome"?"
If not, it should.
Seems like they implemented the main features very well, I like that! And good use of those worm gears!
That said, the more I see this, the less sold I am on the looks. And that phone feature still feels like a poorly implemented gimmick. Also, €100 still feels like too much, though not to a degree that discounts can't solve that.
@watcher21 said:
"Nice but not what I collect.
@MeganL does the sound brick have "everything is awesome"?"
It does!
Just watched a video review of this. The functionality is amazing, and it complements the aesthetics instead of being a trade-off between aesthetics and functionality. I’m impressed.
@MeganL said:
" @watcher21 said:
"Nice but not what I collect.
@MeganL does the sound brick have "everything is awesome"?"
It does!"
Such a thoroughly overused and devalued word these days!
Being among 72,000 people singing Radio Ga Ga is awesome.
Being a few feet under a Lancaster Bomber flypast is awesome.
A handful of Lego bricks is quite good!
I do think awe thresholds might need a bit of a system reset!
@MeganL - great review, thank you!
For those of us who have never seen a sound brick, could another pic be added? Is it similar to a light brick? How long is each sound? Are the batteries replaceable?
@yellowcastle said:
" @MeganL - great review, thank you!
For those of us who have never seen a sound brick, could another pic be added? Is it similar to a light brick? How long is each sound? Are the batteries replaceable?"
Apologies - traveling at the moment, so can't upload a pic. However the sound brick is larger than a light brick. Top is 4x4 studs, and about 1 2/3 bricks deep. It has a button one one side to trigger the sounds (that's what the gear strikes).
The batteries are replaceable; instructions for doing so are included in the instruction book.
Great review! Can you reinstall the back cover after placing the phone, and does it improve the acoustics of the model while playing music?
@MeganL said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @MeganL - great review, thank you!
For those of us who have never seen a sound brick, could another pic be added? Is it similar to a light brick? How long is each sound? Are the batteries replaceable?"
Apologies - traveling at the moment, so can't upload a pic. However the sound brick is larger than a light brick. Top is 4x4 studs, and about 1 2/3 bricks deep. It has a button one one side to trigger the sounds (that's what the gear strikes).
The batteries are replaceable; instructions for doing so are included in the instruction book."
Thank you. How long is each sound?
@yellowcastle said:
" @MeganL said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @MeganL - great review, thank you!
For those of us who have never seen a sound brick, could another pic be added? Is it similar to a light brick? How long is each sound? Are the batteries replaceable?"
Apologies - traveling at the moment, so can't upload a pic. However the sound brick is larger than a light brick. Top is 4x4 studs, and about 1 2/3 bricks deep. It has a button one one side to trigger the sounds (that's what the gear strikes).
The batteries are replaceable; instructions for doing so are included in the instruction book."
Thank you. How long is each sound?
"
I have just see a review at Instagram with a minute of Rick Asley song playing from the audio brick
New Elementary has a review with a video showcasing the 13 sounds in the set: https://www.newelementary.com/2024/05/lego-icons-review-10334-retro-radio.html
These icon sets are just so amazing!
I love the pic with the sloth. Even the radio looks like a sloths face.
The reveal pictures made it look green but this shows it is blue (light aqua or whatever, but a shade of blue), thank you
I'm not familiar with iphones so I appreciate the sloths for scale
If I get this set I would try to fit a bluetioth speaker inside but if that didn't work out and/or I decided to break it down it does look like a good part source
"a brave new world" is not for the 40-60s, at all, but that did sound in the radio
I've been in suspense waiting for this review; reading it and the comments is a big show. I'd be a fibber if I said I'm not going to get this set. I'd be mad as a hornet if I missed out on it, because listening to my favorite shows while building is a nice escape.
Am I the only one who can't unsee a happy robot face in the top section with the dials as eyes and the AM/FM switch in the middle as the mouth?
Actually a bit disappointed that the rear is so unfinished. Imagine the TV that came with 71374 being an unfinished mass of plate-bottoms. They could have put a rear panel on this with a removable battery compartment door (and Lego batteries!), and a cool retro label (again, like the NES TV did). I do like it, and I'll likely get it, but it seems kind of incomplete for one of these "still life" objects that pride themselves on a realistic look.
Roll, Over, Beethoven, this is my new musical obsession, because it can give this Brown-Eyed Handsome Man some of that Rock And Roll Music. You Never Can Tell whether a new Icons set will interest me, but this one this one definitely rings My Ding a Ling. Guess whose Best Of album I was listening to while reading this?
@legodachi said:
"You say "American" like that's a bad thing "
Apparently it is, as it's marked as a negative in the review summary. Strange reason not to buy something. I don't recall the phone booth being downgraded for being "too British."
@SomethingOrOther said:
" @legodachi said:
"You say "American" like that's a bad thing "
Apparently it is, as it's marked as a negative in the review summary. Strange reason not to buy something. I don't recall the phone booth being downgraded for being "too British.""
The difference is that the phone box only exists in the UK so is obviously going to be 'too British'.
Old wirelesses like this, though, were available everywhere, and nowhere except the USA could American voices be heard from them, so the sounds will not resonate well with the rest of the world.
@TheOtherMike said:
"Roll, Over, Beethoven, this is my new musical obsession, because it can give this Brown-Eyed Handsome Man some of that Rock And Roll Music. You Never Can Tell whether a new Icons set will interest me, but this one this one definitely rings My Ding a Ling. Guess whose Best Of album I was listening to while reading this?"
Camper Van .... Beethoven?
@StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Roll, Over, Beethoven, this is my new musical obsession, because it can give this Brown-Eyed Handsome Man some of that Rock And Roll Music. You Never Can Tell whether a new Icons set will interest me, but this one this one definitely rings My Ding a Ling. Guess whose Best Of album I was listening to while reading this?"
Camper Van .... Beethoven?"
Well, you got the initials C and B right, but there's no V in-between.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Roll, Over, Beethoven, this is my new musical obsession, because it can give this Brown-Eyed Handsome Man some of that Rock And Roll Music. You Never Can Tell whether a new Icons set will interest me, but this one this one definitely rings My Ding a Ling. Guess whose Best Of album I was listening to while reading this?"
Camper Van .... Beethoven?"
Well, you got the initials C and B right, but there's no V in-between."
Roll over Beethoven?
Father of rock 'n roll.
@Huw said:
" @SomethingOrOther said:
" @legodachi said:
"You say "American" like that's a bad thing "
Apparently it is, as it's marked as a negative in the review summary. Strange reason not to buy something. I don't recall the phone booth being downgraded for being "too British.""
The difference is that the phone box only exists in the UK so is obviously going to be 'too British'.
Old wirelesses like this, though, were available everywhere, and nowhere except the USA could American voices be heard from them, so the sounds will not resonate well with the rest of the world."
Not sure why Americans are such snowflakes. Always looking for slights that aren’t there.
It’s inane, but cute.
This set is clearly geared toward a specific era in musical Americana. If that concept is a stretch then…go back and read the review where it spells that out for you.
@MorkMan said:
"When does this come out?"
June 1
@ra226 said:
"Actually a bit disappointed that the rear is so unfinished."
First feedback I actually received from my future wife. Cataracts and low self esteem, though, sealed the deal.
@yellowcastle said:
" @ra226 said:
"Actually a bit disappointed that the rear is so unfinished."
First feedback I actually received from my future wife. Cataracts and low self esteem, though, sealed the deal."
Coffee, everywhere, AGAIN!!
Hit the squat rack. Start with low weight. It'll get there. ;)
Ah yes, ‘worm gear’ my favourite old time radio show - I see how you snuck that in!
Hi!
Nice, very nice.
But I can't wait for a "chapel radio" ( https://www.google.es/search?sca_esv=4b6bced2fca93f77&q=radio+de+capilla&uds=ADvngMheOmbKXuot3eKf9UrhvKugva2X9m2LIv_CU6aJX8v9GxVDCTqzMfGi45uvsd1dfrYyku8NBRlSUYtxoav7e5HRJelY8YD0XGZ3jlcRdYCXHvs_hds0GY1ST0FX54SJv7u2itl0oq6Bqi6dWsCvvr9RueLgVP9G1xqA1NNNocb3J-v8iGHjGGMnPL_dKViAOy-_Fo3PB5MVDHC1sebFe2iv1aVmVUcyh_MnDSbeSmYQpZIEbU7u76iXZi86dyK2tiS8rczyJpwftb8SVjDwSTNymBF2Fg&udm=2&prmd=ivnbz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN3uqshJWGAxW4-QIHHVwgDv0QtKgLegQIDhAB&biw=1432&bih=786&dpr=1&safe=active&ssui=on )
Well now I wanna hack into a sound brick and replace the audio files with alternate sounds.
Americans, especially Black Americans are the masters of music. Disco, rock, jazz, hip hop, house and techno are their gifts to the world.