Classic Table Radios

Few features, but top quality sound

If you are looking for a more classic table radio and don't need to play CDs or dock an iPod, reviews say the Tivoli Audio Model Two (*Est. $300) is a terrific -- but expensive -- option. Unlike most table radios, the Model Two provides true stereo separation via an external stereo speaker that can be placed up to 15 feet away from the radio itself.

The Model Two is physically smaller than either the Bose Wave Music System or the Cambridge SoundWorks i765 profiled elsewhere in this report, yet a review at Geek.com says it has "the best sound you'll find short of a full-blown stereo." If your budget is tighter and stereo is not a must, the Model One (*Est. $150) is a mono table radio that lacks the external speaker but otherwise performs similarly. Both radios use sophisticated tuner technology that is supposed to cut down on noise and capture signals from weaker-signaled stations, though some users report problems with the tuner drifting from time to time. Another frequent complaint that we've come across is that the markings on the tuner dial are hard to see, especially in low light.

If you want or need the ability to play back CDs or would like deeper bass, the Model Two can be matched with the Model CD (*Est. $300) and/or Model Subwoofer (*Est. $160), respectively. Both accessories are housed in wood cabinets that carry through the classic look of the Model Two. Professional reviews of the Model Two are very positive, though now somewhat dated. User reviews are just as if not more positive, and they provide more current feedback.

The Tivoli Model Three (*Est. $300) adds an analog clock to the basic Model One and relocates the speaker to the top of the cabinet. The clock has a snooze button as well as a 20-minute sleep timer, and you can choose to wake up to an alarm or music.

Although reviews say the Tivoli Audio Model Three sounds just as good as the other Tivoli radios, we found a lot of complaints about its clock-radio functionality. The snooze button is awkward. If you don't hit it within two minutes, for example, the snooze button simply turns the radio off -- so you have to decide pretty quickly whether you want the alarm to wake you again after you hit the snooze button. The clock needs a single AA battery -- oddly, it doesn't run off the AC power that fuels the radio. Although the analog clock looks nicer than a digital clock, it isn't as accurate and needs occasional resetting with an awkward control wheel. Many people say they got used the Model Three's somewhat quirky clock, but others say it's a small blemish on an otherwise excellent radio.

The Sangean WR-2 (*Est. $120) draws praise as a good classic table radio and an excellent value. Editors at Softpedia.com praise the WR-2 for its excellent sound and cool, retro look. The WR-2 sports a wood cabinet and design features similar to the Tivoli Model Two but with a large LCD display on the front. The AM/FM radio has a digital tuner with 10 presets and a feature called Radio Data System that, on certain stations, displays station call letters and information about the song and artist being played. The WR-2 also has a bass and treble control feature, something not typically included on radios in this price range. As far as flaws with this model, we see some complaints from users saying the alarm-set function is convoluted and AM reception is sometimes poor.

Sangean makes an even more affordable, bare bones radio, the Sangean WR-11 (*Est. $70). The editors at Bestcovery.com say the WR-11 "does one thing very well -- pick up AM/FM channels without distortion or static and play them with a rich sound quality." The WR-11 has analog tuning, not the digital tuning found on the WR-2, and it does not have the Radio Data System feature.