Table Radios

These tabletop radios are much more expensive than your average clock radio. Reviews say that sound quality is what separates these from cheaper clock radios. A lot of power packed into a small container results in sound quality that rivals that of a full-sized stereo system. Bose, for example, uses a folded, sonic "acoustic waveguide" that reportedly creates a deep, rich sound and distortion-free higher volume. Cambridge SoundWorks includes a built-in subwoofer that, as noted by The Wall Street Journal, "brought out details other stereos missed." In addition, table radios have state-of-the-art tuning technology that can pull in weak signals missed by other radios.

CD/MP3-player radios

Although Bose helped to define this market segment with its original Wave Radio, reviews say the Cambridge SoundWorks CD 745i (*est. $350) boasts comparable sound quality, with a front-loading CD/MP3 player, 32-character radio station/CD/MP3 display for song titles/artists, automatic nighttime dimmer and sixteen station presets, all at a price tag that is $150 lower than that of its main competitor, the Bose Wave Music System (*est. $500) .The Cambridge SoundWorks table radio also includes an external iPod dock that lets you play music from your dockable iPod through the radio. The Cambridge SoundWorks 735i (*est. $250) is the same radio with a connected iPod dock, but without a CD player.

We found several reviews that directly compare table radios from Cambridge and Bose, though few of these reviews compare the most recent versions. However, neither company has changed the basic design in years, so older reviews from the Wall Street Journal and Wired Magazine for Cambridge (SoundWorks CD 740) and Bose (Wave Radio/CD), still have some validity. In these reviews, the Cambridge table radio came out on top. The Wall Street Journal raves about the subwoofer in the Cambridge SoundWorks table radio, saying it beat out the Bose Wave Radio/CD in sound quality. However, PC magazine’s Bill Howard assesses that the newer Bose Wave Music System (*est. $500) sports slightly improved quality and features when compared to the older Bose Wave Radio/CD.

The Music System is akin to the Cambridge SoundWorks CD 745i, with a remote control, front-loading CD/MP3 slot, automatic display dimmer, song title/artist display and twelve station presets. The big difference is that the Bose system lacks an iPod dock. However, there is an auxiliary input jack, so you could hook up an MP3 player with a minijack-to-minijack cable. In reviews, experts say that the Bose Wave Music System continues the trend of great sound expected from Bose products, but it is hard to ignore the huge price difference between the similar Bose and Cambridge products. CNet.com wraps up their in-depth, complimentary review on the Bose by saying, "While you'll be overpaying for the right to own one, you won't feel terribly ripped off." Reviewers also seem puzzled over the fact that the Music System doesn't include a treble/bass control.

Boston Acoustics also competes with the above Bose and Cambridge table radios with the Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD (*est. $500) . This table radio looks a lot like the Cambridge and Bose radios. Due to their equivalent price points, we found the MicroSystem CD most often compared to the Wave Music System. Reviews that compare the two seem to like the Boston Acoustics model a bit better, but the Wave Music System still receives more overall positive critiques. Editors of T3 -- The Gadget Magazine state that "Boston has beaten Bose at its own game," citing superb sound quality and radio reception. They also like the fact that you can control the MicroSystem without the included remote, unlike the Bose radio. CNet.com recommends the MicroSystem as well, calling it a better value than the Wave Music System. Aesthetics and connectivity are both mentioned as superior features. The only listed negatives are those that apply to both the Bose and Boston Acoustics table radios: high price and no satellite radio support.

A budget offering in this class of table radios is the i199 from iLuv (*est. $155) . Playlist Magazine’s Mathew Honan says that you can’t go wrong with this "well-rounded, iPod focused alarm clock." Audio quality is "mostly-great" with rich lower frequencies and clear midrange and high notes. However, a downside is that bass distortion occurs when the volume is maxed out. Perhaps most impressive is the i199’s included feature set: a front-load CD player that also plays MP3s, Bluetooth capabilities and a built-in iPod dock with support for iPod video output. No EQ settings and lower sound quality when streaming with Bluetooth are some negatives, but CNet.com’s Jeff Bakalar says that "you’ll be hard-pressed to find (these features) on any other tabletop audio systems at this price."

If you are interested primarily in speakers for your iPod, and don't need radio or CD-player features, see the companion ConsumerSearch report on iPod speakers .

Radios without CD/MP3

If you don't need to play CDs, reviews say the Tivoli Audio Model Two (*est. $200) produces great sound and is a good option. The Model Two, designed by Cambridge SoundWorks' Henry Kloss, is smaller than either the Bose or Cambridge radios. It's only 8" x 4.5" x 5", yet a review at Geek.com says it has "the best sound you'll find short of a full-blown stereo." The Model Two is the stereo version of the Model One (*est. $100) , and it uses the same GaAs MES-FET tuner technology, which is supposed to cut down on noise and capture signals from weaker-signaled stations. The Model Two can be matched with the Model CD (*est. $200) and/or Model Subwoofer (*est. $80) . If you prefer your CD player, radio and subwoofer in one unit, then you're better off going with the Cambridge SoundWorks above. Still, the Model Two is a clear favorite in reviews.

The latest in the Tivoli Audio Model series is the Model Three (*est. $200) . The Model Three is identical in price, and it shares the same features and basic design as the Model Two, with the addition of an illuminated analog clock face which sits in the space formerly occupied by the main speaker. The speaker now sits on top of the case. 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 great as the other Tivoli radios, we found a lot of complaints about the clock radio functionality of the Model Three. The snooze button is awkward. If you don't hit the snooze button 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 Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio (*est. $110) is less expensive with fewer features, but editors at Sound & Vision Magazine says the sound quality is "rich and clear." Editors don't compare this model to the Tivoli Audio table radio, however. We also found one recommendation for the Sangean WR-1 AM/FM radio (*est. $100) , which is comparable with the Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio in sound testing and has similar features, except the Sangean doesn't have an alarm clock.

Although products such as the Cambridge SoundWorks CD 745i and Bose Wave Music System are considered to be high-end systems, reviews say that for $100 more than the Bose table radio, the Polk Audio I-Sonic (*est. $600) holds the mantle of ”best in class.” In CNet.com’s product roundup, the Polk Audio I-Sonic scores a higher rating than any of its competitors. Positives include the most robust feature set of any table radio on the market. Along with the Polk’s high price tag, you get the ability to tune into both HD (discussed in detail below) and XM satellite radio, DVD video playback (when hooked up to a television), and the standard features of the other top rated models on the market. An iPod dock is an accessory.

Sound quality is described by critics as exceptional. Bass, midrange and treble frequencies are all perfectly balanced which allows for all styles of music and talk radio to sound equally great. Darryl Wilkinson of Home Theater Magazine says that the I-Sonic excels at using "a minimum of physical space to produce a maximum of perceived acoustical listening space." In addition to the standard two front-firing speakers is a pair of rear-firing ones. This creates a stereo sound field both in front of and behind the unit, giving it the ability to sound a lot larger than it actually is.

Even though the Polk I-Sonic handles most table radio tasks masterfully, the DVD player is described as an afterthought. Reviewers still appreciate its inclusion though, stating that it rounds out the system quite nicely. Reception could be a little better as well, as some tests say the Bose pulls in a stronger FM signal. High price aside, experts say the Polk is the best all around table radio on the market.

Satellite table radio

For satellite radio fans, the Tivoli Audio Model Satellite (*est. $300) was the first table radio to combine both Sirius satellite channels and AM/FM in one unit. You'll have to subscribe in order to receive Sirius programming ($13 per month), but you'll get 120 channels, including commercial-free music, sports and news programming. Hookup is easy with a cell-phone sized antenna. The Model Satellite has a remote control for Sirius functions, but it doesn't control volume or AM/FM. The Model Satellite has plenty of input/output jacks for an additional external speaker, subwoofer, headphones and a CD player or iPod. There's even a clock and alarm, although Tivoli isn't classifying this as a clock radio.

Since Tivoli came out with the Model Satellite, other manufacturers have scrambled to follow. Eton's E1XM (*est. $500) has been released, but there aren't any professional reviews of it yet. While it is $200 more expensive than the Tivoli Model Satellite, the E1XM does include short-wave technology along with AM/FM and XM satellite radio, and it has a whopping 1700 station presets.

If you're interested in satellite radio, there are a number of other types of receivers. Most can be used in either your car or at home. See our report on satellite radio for reviews of these receivers, plus evaluations of XM and Sirius services.

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

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
4	Tivoli Audio Model Two (*est. $200)	details
4	Polk Audio I-Sonic (*est. $600)	details
4	Cambridge SoundWorks CD 745i (*est. $350)	details
3	Bose Wave Music System (*est. $500)	details
3	Tivoli Audio Model Satellite (*est. $300)	details
2	iLuv i199 (*est. $155)	details
2	Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio (*est. $110)	details
2	Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD (*est. $500)	details
1 each	Tivoli Model One , Tivoli Audio Music System , Tivoli Audio iPAL , Cambridge SoundWorks Radio 820HD , JBL On Time , SDI iHome IH8WR, Sangean WR-1 , Emerson Simplicity

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.

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