Table Radios Reviews

Bose and Cambridge have had a longstanding showdown when it comes to the high-end table radios you see advertised in magazines. Marketed to audio connoisseurs, these models claim to deliver the best radio sound available. Do they succeed? And are they worth their high price tags compared to clock radios? Dependable reviews by CNet.com, The Wall Street Journal and Consumer Reports compare Bose, Cambridge and their other competitors, focusing on sound quality, radio reception, features and ease-of-use.

Reviews certainly agree that both Bose and Cambridge make consistently excellent products. One model, however, doesn't seem to compete in the same league. The Sharper Image Slim 1 CD player (now called the Blue Night CD Stereo, *est. $100) is included in a roundup of five radios in The Wall Street Journal, coming in decidedly last. This broad, flat, upright panel includes detachable speakers, a CD player and a radio/clock dial, but reviewers say the design looks gimmicky, and the sound lacks the crispness and strength of other table radios. Sharper Image reportedly said their powered subwoofer (*est. $100, but $70 if purchased with the radio) improves the sound. Granted, this model is cheaper than either the Bose or Cambridge radios, but its sound quality doesn't compete.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

The Cambridge SoundWorks 745i comes in ahead of the Bose Wave Music System and Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD in reviews; all have CD/MP3 compatibility. Price has a lot to do with these ratings, however; reviews generally agree that audio quality is comparable. iLuv’s i199 is touted as the best budget table radio, offering features that are usually found only in higher price classes. The Tivoli Audio Model Two is the stereo version of the Model One, and reviews say it produces terrific sound and is a sure pleaser if you don't need an included CD player. It's compatible with the Model CD, though, for an additional cost. The Polk I-Sonic is the most expensive table radio on the market, but is also packed with the most features. It is said to excel at all of the tasks it can perform, aside from a mediocre DVD player. If you're a satellite radio fan, the Tivoli Audio Model Satellite was the first to combine satellite channels with AM/FM all in one unit.