Introduction

High-quality radios are cheaper than ever

The trend in table radios over the past few years has been higher quality at a lower price. There are still a good number of choices in the luxury price range – from $300 to as much as $1,100 -- but plenty of very strong contenders cost less while still delivering top-shelf sound quality. Choices include feature-packed table radios with CD players, iPod docks, HD radio compatibility, Internet connectivity and much, much more. You'll also find basic table radios that resemble those of yesteryear but deliver sound quality that puts the latter to shame.

Names like Bose and Tivoli Audio tend to dominate the high-end table radio landscape. Marketed to audio connoisseurs and style mavens, these table radios claim to deliver superior sound, but are they really worth their high price tags? To find the answer, we looked at professional reviews at sites such as CNET, iLounge.com and others, as well as user opinions at Amazon.com, Epinions.com and elsewhere.

The tabletop radios covered here are generally more expensive than your average clock radio, and reviews say sound quality is a big reason. High-end radios use different tricks to produce deeper, richer sound. Other features that separate these radios from their slightly less expensive brethren include higher-quality electronics (including more powerful tuners), more features and more attractive -- or at least more interesting -- styling.