The LEGO Group from Denmark, under its "LEGO Icons" line known for its exquisite and detailed models that continuously entice adult LEGO fans to open their wallets, has released set number 10334, the "Retro Radio" this June! It has become another fantastic LEGO display piece in recent years that allows you to showcase your personal lifestyle on a shelf. Today, let's dive in and take a closer look at this set.
Already a successful toy brand, LEGO not only releases intricate, fun, and stunning sets but also continues to push forward in positioning its products as lifestyle decor. This allows adult LEGO fans, who may not have as much time to play, to still experience the charm of LEGO and its potential as home decoration. Last month's "Add a Touch of LEGO Style" home exhibition at the Vieshow Cinemas Taipei Xinyi courtyard deeply impressed upon visitors the lifestyle of integrating LEGO into daily life.
This "Retro Radio," built with 906 pieces, can be assembled in just an afternoon. It not only boasts a beautiful appearance and a compact size that's easy to display, but the included sound brick and power switch design also make this radio even more entertaining. So, let's get right to it and check out our main feature.
▼ The front of the box features the Retro Radio itself, with an icon in the bottom right corner indicating that the set includes a sound brick.
▼ Turning it over, the back shows lifestyle display scenes, play feature illustrations, and the detailed specifications of the completed model.
▼ Once assembled, it measures approximately 23 cm in length, with a full height of 32 cm when the antenna is extended. Its boxy shape and size significantly enhance its displayability.
▼ On top is a printed LEGO tile featuring a retro font, a precious and exclusive part to this set.
▼ Let's open it up and see the contents! It includes one instruction manual, 8 bags + 1 baseplate for a total of 906 pieces, and no stickers.
▼ The front of the instruction manual has a minimalist print of the model against a white background. Inside, you'll find information on the historical context of radios, an introduction to the set by the designer, play scenarios, and more.
▼ Designer Hoang Huy Dang, who joined The LEGO Group in 2022. Although this is his first officially designed LEGO product, creating a radio is familiar territory for him, given his background in industrial design.
▼ OK, OK~ Let's get building!
Since this radio has a very complete exterior, many of the internal gear mechanisms are hidden once finished. So, as is our custom, we'll take a look at the secrets of the internal structure with our fellow toy fans during the assembly! First up is the crucial mechanism that allows the red needle to move left and right via the knob, recreating the channel tuning function.
▼ A very important gear mechanism that links to the radio's power switch within a small space.
▼ The difference between switching ON and OFF. You can see that a red minifigure roller skate becomes a key part, pressing against a ball joint. It uses internal Technic pieces to drive the entire axle. The ingenuity here is something you really have to experience for yourself!
▼ It's worth mentioning that the instruction manual also contains various fun facts about radios and the use of certain parts.
▼ Finished! The overall color scheme is primarily white and light aqua, accented with gray parts, black knobs, and a tan handle. Although the colors are bright, their soft tones allow this radio to blend perfectly into any corner.
▼ You can freely switch between AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation) channels. However, this is purely a decorative feature and does not change the content of the sound brick. Still, being able to demonstrate AM, which has a longer broadcast range but relatively more static, and FM, which is more regional with a smaller coverage area but better, noise-resistant sound quality, is surely a nostalgic trip for older generations of toy fans.
▼ The handle can be retracted.
▼ The antenna can also be retracted. The clicking mechanism is very satisfying to operate!
▼ Let's take a look at the sound brick itself! It's also in light aqua, matching the retro radio.
▼ Let's put the sound brick in! From the picture below, you can see that the sound brick is activated by pressing that orange part. The curved piece placed below the sound brick's speaker hole also helps to reflect the sound outwards.
▼ To recreate the sound quality of a radio from the '60s and '70s, the designer not only used the aforementioned curved piece to reflect the sound outwards but also incorporated numerous grille tiles on the front. The purpose is to prevent this retro radio from sounding like a modern Bluetooth speaker.
▼ You can easily remove the back cover to place your phone inside. Listening to podcasts with this radio is super cool!
LEGO 10334 "Retro Radio" Review Summary:
Besides its beautiful appearance and clever internal mechanisms, this LEGO radio has several other charming aspects for me. One is its ability to spark a passion for life and even a curiosity about history. I believe many younger toy fans are relatively unfamiliar with such retro devices. This LEGO set continuously imparts little bits of knowledge about radios during the building process, making you want to look up information about transistors, the contributions of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell to electromagnetism, and classic old-time radio channels. It also inspires you to create a special little space just to display it.
During the build, you can fully appreciate the ingenuity of the designer's linked mechanisms. Plus, the sound brick includes up to 8 different sound effects, such as weather reports, old-fashioned commercials, static, and the "Everything Is Awesome!!!" theme song, which instantly makes this radio incredibly fun! Not to mention, you can also put your phone inside to listen to any music or podcast you like. Assembling this "10334 Retro Radio" will definitely add a touch of ceremony to your life.
LEGO 10334 "Retro Radio"
Recommended Retail Price: NT$3,399
Total Pieces: 906
Now available at LEGO Certified Stores
