John wrote:

Why are most digital radios mono and in a retro style?

You could ask on alt.radio.digital but don't expect a reasonable answer
as the group is inhabited by a classic unemployeable newsgroup twerp by
the name of Steve who will just tell you that DAB sound quality is
terrible, that you're a fool for buying one and who will rapidly resort
to abuse if you dont "respect his author-a-tay". Very amusing to visit
but steve's noise-to-signal is such that it's next to useless for real
information.

I had a converasation about DAB radios with someone the other day on
this same point - why do they tend to look as if they've been made in
somebody's shed? It seems to be because it's only very small
manufacturers in the market at the moment. Sony and Technics made 19"
seperate DAB tuners in the early days (when bit-rates were higher and it
could be considered a hi-fi medium) which looked anything but retro.
When they re-enter the market (shortly if the rumours are correct) I
expect there will be a lot more choice.

AJ