The sound is pleasant, clear and has a very natural sound. I use this radio as a stand alone FM radio, and I also use it for the FM source for my Linn sound system with Bowers and Wilkins speakers. When used as the FM source for the Linn system, the sound quality really impressed me. It has strong natural bass tones that I now realize were lacking in the previous FM stereo tuner connected to my Linn system.