Table Radios: Ratings of Sources
Total of 21 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Top tabletop radios
by John Falcone
Our Assessment
This product roundup identifies CNet's highest rated tabletop radio systems. Features vary between models and span all the way from built in DVD players to iPod docks. Each radio's size is the most… important specification in classifying it as a tabletop radio. Their 10.0 point rating scale makes it easy to compare individual reviews. Highly rated table radios include the Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD, iLuv i199, Bose Wave Music System, Tivoli Audio iPAL, and others, with the Polk Audio I-Sonic achieving the highest rating. In other reviews the Tivoli Audio Model Satellite and Cambridge SoundWorks Radio 820HD are recommended.
expand
collapse
Bose Wave Music System vs. Polk I-Sonic
by Loren Barstow
Our Assessment
Loren Barstow pits the latest table radios from Bose and Polk against each other. Sound quality is the number one basis on which the two are compared, and the reviewer uses the sound quality of radio (talk… and music), CDs and MP3s to determine how they match up. Barstow awards his highest rating to the Bose system for FM radio quality, while the Polk's playback of MP3 disks is notable. Overall, both systems are given praise, with the Bose system being ideal for mostly radio listening, and the Polk winning the recommendation for a total entertainment package.
expand
collapse
Bose Wave Music System
by Joel Evans
Our Assessment
This review is a look at the new (at the time) Bose Wave Music System. Reviewer Joel Evans doesn't go in-depth about any particular feature of the Bose, but does say he can't "believe the sound coming out of such a small unit" and says the only downside is its price. The Bose table radio isn't compared to any others.
4. The Wall Street Journal
Apr. 9, 2004
The Boomer Box
by Jonathan Welsh
Our Assessment
With the help of the Grammy-winning audio director for the New York Philharmonic, The Wall Street Journal tests and rates five table radios. A comprehensive description of each model's pros and cons is… provided. The review is now outdated, but many of the details covered on discontinued models can apply to their successors. The Cambridge SoundWorks 740 (now the 745i) beats out the Bose Wave Radio/CD (now the Bose Wave Music System), while the Teac SR-L50 (discontinued) wins the rating for Best Value.
expand
collapse
5. ConsumerReports.org
July 2003
Radios: Small boxes, big sound
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment
Consumer Reports tests six table radios, evaluating each for sound quality, AM/FM tuning and ease of use. All of these models have been replaced by newer models, but most of the general information is good.
Home Theater in a Box
by Editors of Home Theater Magazine
Our Assessment
Home Theater Magazine provides reviews on systems that they call "Home Theaters in a Box." Although not expansive, reviews are provided for some table radios mixed in with other types. The Polk I-Sonic scores the highest, and the Cambridge SoundWorks Radio CD 745i also secures a good rating.
Test: Tabletop Radios
by Gordon Bass
Our Assessment
In this quick roundup from Wired Magazine, the Cambridge SoundWorks 740 (now replaced by the 745i) is rated a "Splurge," the Tivoli Audio RadioWorks (which includes the Model Two radio and Model CD player) is designated a "Best Buy," and the 2003 Bose Wave Radio/CD (since replaced by the Bose Wave Music System) is called "Overrated."
Polk Audio I-Sonic Tabletop Audio System
by Doug Newcomb
Our Assessment
Doug Newcomb provides an in-depth review on the Polk I-Sonic table radio system. A brief overview of the features is given, followed by a detailed section on tested performance. All tests produce superb… results, with praise given to the powerful volume output and realistic tones. Its price is taken into question, but overall Newcomb recommends this system stating that it is among the "latest and greatest radio technology." Unfortunately, no detailed comparisons are made to any other models.
expand
collapse
Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD
by Editor of T3
Our Assessment
T3, a website that reviews "gadgets," proclaims in this short analysis of the MicroSystem that Boston Acoustics has "beaten Bose at its own game." The review is not terribly in-depth, but the aesthetics and sound quality of both products are compared, with the Boston Acoustics table radio coming out on top.
Sangean's newest Radio, the WR-1
by Chris Justice
Our Assessment
Chris Justice compares the Sangean WR-1 table radio to Bose, Boston Acoustics and Tivoli models. (Those names are never spelled out, but Justice gives hints that make it easy to guess who's being talked about.) Overall, the Sangean is comparable to Boston Acoustics, except that the Sangean doesn't have an alarm clock. This review is now very outdated.
Table Radios Part II
by Nick Triano
Our Assessment
In this follow-up to a January 2001 article, Nick Triano rates the new (at the time) Tivoli Audio Model Two radio, saying, "It's the best sound you'll find short of a full blown stereo." You'll find everything you could ever want to know about the Model Two here -- the detailed review, specs and pictures are impressive. However, no comparisons are made to competing table radios.
Bose Wave Music System
by Bill Howard
Our Assessment
This short write-up compares the Bose Wave Music System to its predecessor, the Bose Wave Radio/CD. Pros include improved sound with an additional half-octave in the lower registers, remote control and MP3 compatibility. The elimination of the Radio/CDs convenient nap timer is listed as a con. Overall, the new model gets a rating of 4 out of 5.
Satellite radios in all shapes and sizes
by Gary Krakow
Our Assessment
This article gives another vote for the Tivoli Audio Model Satellite radio. Krakow calls the combination of satellite and AM/FM in such a small box "an engineering feat of the highest order" and gives a helpful rundown of the radio's features. As in other reviews, the Tivoli Satellite is highly recommended, but no other table radios are rated or compared.
Tivoli Henry Kloss Model Two Radio and Tivoli Model CD Player
by Phil Gold
Our Assessment
This review of the Tivoli Model Two Radio and Tivoli Model CD Player is quite in-depth, even including the historical background of the Tivoli Company. The Model Two and Model CD are rated against each other, with the Model Two winning Phil Gold's "firm recommendation." Gold says the Model CD "seems like an afterthought."
15. Good Housekeeping
As of Nov. 2005
Great New High-Tech Gifts
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Our Assessment
This holiday gift guide gives quick picks for the technology lover on your list. The Tivoli Audio Model One radio (*est. $100) is recommended with phrases like "high-quality sound," "superclear reception" and "stylish." No other table radios are rated or compared.
Review: iLuv i199
by Mathew Honan
Our Assessment
Playlist magazine has a database of reviews which mostly cover iPod accessories. A thorough look at the iLuv i199 is provided here, and it gets a rating of 4.5, which makes it a recommended product. No comparisons are made to competing products, and Playlist doesn't review other table radios.
Tivoli Model Two Radio Review
by M. Wiley
Our Assessment
M. Wiley provides an in-depth review of the Tivoli Audio Model Two radio, with detailed specs and photos, as well as a review of the sound quality with and without the subwoofer. The Model Two is ultimately "highly recommended." No other radios are rated or compared.
Table Radios
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
When you've got your choice narrowed down, Amazon.com is a good place to find owner-written ratings. We found a few here who said the Bose Wave Music System is overpriced, and one contributor gives a… lengthy comparison between the Bose and the Cambridge SoundWorks 740 (replaced by 745i), with the Cambridge coming out decidedly on top. Despite this, most contributors say that the sound produced by the Bose is very good. Reviews for the newer 745i are scarce, but positive overall. The Tivoli Model Two also receives numerous positive comments.
expand
collapse
Table Radios
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment
Epinions is another place to find owner-written ratings. The Bose receives the same mix of "love-it-or-hate-it" comments that we found elsewhere.
Clock Radios
by Contributors to DigitalTrends.com
Our Assessment
DigitalTrends.com has a ratings section for "Clock Radios," but none of these models have been reviewed. A small number of users have written about table radios, but no significant comparisons are made.
New Product: Cambridge SoundWorks Radios
by Ken Richardson
Our Assessment
An insight to the new Cambridge SoundWorks product line is given here by Sound & Vision Magazine. A short paragraph is written about the Model 820HD, 705 and 745. No comparisons are made and no testing appears to have been performed.
Email
