Table Radios: Ratings of Sources
Total of 17 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Radios
by Editors of CNET
Our AssessmentCNET evaluates a good number of radios of every type, including table radios. Reviews are fairly lengthy and testing-based. Although comparisons are made only on occasion, ratings are provided so readers can see how a radio stacks up against its competition. Most table radios score similarly, and few escape without at least some criticism.
Speakers -- Clock Radios
by Editors of iLounge.com
Our AssessmentAt this independent site devoted to all things iPod, iPhone and iPad, editors evaluate many AM/FM radios with iPod docks. Reviews are typically comprehensive and a letter grade indicates whether editors recommend the product. Some radio reviews can be found within other categories on this site, as well.
Table Radios
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our AssessmentAmazon.com is a good place to find owner reviews of table radios. Feedback is plentiful and mostly positive for the WR-11 and WR-2 AM/FM radios from Sangean, and the Tivoli Audio Model One and Model Two radios also receive numerous compliments. While most users say the sound produced by the Bose Wave Music System is very good, a few say it's overpriced and others complain that it sacrifices ease of use for aesthetics. The Boston Acoustics Duo-i plus takes a few knocks here for durability and reliability issues.
Finally, a Great-Sounding Table Radio
by Steve Guttenberg
Our AssessmentCNET's Steve Guttenberg looks at the Cue Radio Model r1 Outlaw Audio Signature Edition in his column The Audiophiliac. He personally tests this tabletop radio and gives a rundown of its features, including those that set it apart from the more basic Cue Radio Model r1. This review caters to audiophiles, addressing very specific measures of performance and sound quality. The write-up is fairly thorough, but not as detailed as CNET's usual reviews.
Boston Acoustics Duo-i plus AM/FM Stereo Tabletop Radio With iPhone/iPod Dock
by Gary Altunian
Our AssessmentGary Altunian gives the Boston Acoustics Duo-i plus tabletop radio a solid 4 stars out of 5 based on measures of performance, features and value. Although the Duo-i plus is the only product featured here and the review isn't truly comparative, Altunian says he tested this radio himself. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Clock Radio: What Is the Best Product?
by
Our AssessmentConsolidated review site Diplotop.com doesn't have a separate category for tabletop radios, but some models can be found under the heading clock radios or by searching for specific brand or product names. Editors' picks appear to be based primarily on user reviews, and some table radios don't have a large volume of comments to draw from. Still, this site has some handy and unique features for comparing feedback, such as bar graphs that illustrate how owners' top choices stack up in terms of performance, reliability, value and ease of use.
Radios
by Editors at Softpedia.com
Our AssessmentContent in this category doesn't appear to be updated frequently, and reviews aren't especially critical or testing-based; instead, they seem to focus on features and aesthetics. Users can leave ratings and reviews, but few do so, and editors don't recommend any table radios as the best. However, a large number of products are covered, and visitors can find some good information on specifications.
Bose Wave SoundLink Music System Review
by Rachel Cericola
Our AssessmentDigitalTrends.com reviewer Rachel Cericola gives a brief but informative evaluation of the Bose Wave SoundLink Music System -- essentially the Bose Wave Music System bundled with the SoundLink upgrade kit (*Est. $150), which adds the ability to stream music from a computer. She says the Bose has "very good sound quality" and can stream any and all audio with no file or format issues, but she has a hard time justifying the high price tag.
Best Table Top Radio
by Josh Tuliano
Our AssessmentIn this roundup, Bestcovery.com electronics expert Josh Tuliano names his top five picks for best tabletop radios. We can't determine the extent of any hands-on testing, but he does provide a short summary of why each radio is chosen.
Best Budget Table Top Radio
by Josh Tuliano
Our AssessmentHere Josh Tuliano weighs in with his top five picks for best budget tabletop radios. The article is helpful, but we can't rate this list any higher because there's no mention of hands-on testing. In addition, this report hasn't been updated in some time.
Tabletop Radios Compared
by John Falcone
Our AssessmentFive compact radios make this older best-of list from CNET expert John Falcone, who evaluates what he calls "the pick of the litter" among higher-end basic AM/FM radios. While some of the radios have since been discontinued, the article still provides a capsule overview of several still-available models as well as links to full reviews.
Tivoli Audio NetWorks Stereo Internet/FM Radio
by Michael Antonoff
Our AssessmentReviewer Michael Antonoff evaluates the Tivoli Audio NetWorks stereo Internet/FM radio, saying setup "takes less time than booting up Windows on your PC." He also praises the radio's rich sound and likes that no subscription is required. On the downside, there's no iPod dock or search function by bit rate to find the best-sounding station first.
Wave Music System
by Ross Catanzariti
Our AssessmentAt this Australian site, Ross Catanzariti says the Bose Wave Music System -- like all Bose equipment -- is very expensive. But if you take value out of the equation, the Bose looks and sounds great. In other site reviews, the Bose Wave Radio II and Bose Acoustic Wave System are called even worse values.
Tivoli Henry Kloss Model Two Radio and Tivoli Model CD Player
by Phil Gold
Our AssessmentThis in-depth, older review of the Tivoli Audio Model Two radio and Model CD Player even includes the historical background of the Tivoli Audio Co. The Model Two and Model CD are rated against each other, with the former winning Phil Gold's "firm recommendation." He says the Model CD "seems like an afterthought."
Personal Radios -- Desktop
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our AssessmentEpinions.com also features product reviews written by owners, and consumers can sort by manufacturer, price range, features and more. Not all products come with feedback and the quality of comments varies greatly, but this is a good source when you've already narrowed your choices. Additional table radios can be found in other sections, including one that covers clock radios.
Bose Wave Music System
by Bill Howard
Our AssessmentThis short and older write-up compares the Bose Wave Music System to its predecessor, the Bose Wave Radio/CD. High points include improved sound with an additional half-octave in the lower registers, remote control and MP3 compatibility. Although Bill Howard dislikes the elimination of the Radio/CD's convenient nap timer, he gives the new model 4 stars out of 5.
Tivoli Model Two Radio Review
by M. Wiley
Our AssessmentAlthough this review is a decade old, the information is still accurate. It includes detailed specs and photos, as well as a review of the radio's sound quality with and without the subwoofer. The Model Two is ultimately "highly recommended," although no other radios are rated or compared.