Table Radios Reviews

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Table Radios Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Table Radios. See our ratings criteria

For recommendations of best Table Radios, see our Fast Answers page, which summarizes what these reviews say. A longer summary and analysis appears in our Full Story report for Table Radios. Our Where to Buy page contains information on retailers and Table Radios prices.

Table Radios Reviews Reviewed

Review Ratings

Citation

CS Credibility Rating

Table Radios Ratings
Comments on Reviews

1.  CNet.com Top tabletop radios

John Falcone


Oct. 12, 2007
reviews rating 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.
Table Radios Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
 
Review Ratings Citation CS Credibility Rating Table Radios Ratings
Comments on Reviews
2.  CrutchfieldAdvisor.com Bose Wave Music System vs. Polk I-Sonic

Loren Barstow


July 3, 2007
reviews rating 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.
3.  Geek.com Bose Wave Music System

Joel Evans


Mar. 8, 2006
reviews rating 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 The Boomer Box

Jonathan Welsh


Apr. 9, 2004
reviews rating 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.
5.  Consumer Reports Radios: Small boxes, big sound

Editors of Consumer Reports


July 2003
reviews rating 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.
6.  Home Theater Magazine Home Theater in a Box

Editors of Home Theater Magazine


As of Nov. 2007
reviews rating 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.
7.  Wired Magazine Test: Tabletop Radios

Gordon Bass


Apr. 2004
reviews rating 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."
8.  Sound & Vision Magazine Polk Audio I-Sonic Tabletop Audio System

Doug Newcomb


Dec. 2006
reviews rating 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.
Table Radios Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
 
Review Ratings Citation CS Credibility Rating Table Radios Ratings
Comments on Reviews
9.  T3.co.uk Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD

Editor of T3


Jan. 9, 2006
reviews rating 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.
10.  RadioLabs Sangean's newest Radio, the WR-1

Chris Justice


Aug. 20, 2003
reviews rating 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.
11.  Geek.com Table Radios Part II

Nick Triano


June 27, 2002
reviews rating 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.
12.  PC Magazine Bose Wave Music System

Bill Howard


Apr. 20, 2005
reviews rating 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.
13.  MSNBC Satellite radios in all shapes and sizes

Gary Krakow


Feb. 16, 2005
reviews rating 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.
14.  EnjoyTheMusic.com Tivoli Henry Kloss Model Two Radio and Tivoli Model CD Player

Phil Gold


Mar. 2005
reviews rating 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.com Great New High-Tech Gifts

Editors of Good Housekeeping


As of Nov. 2005
reviews rating 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.
16.  Playlist magazine Review: iLuv i199

Mathew Honan


Sept. 25, 2007
reviews rating 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.
17.  IGN Gear Tivoli Model Two Radio Review

M. Wiley


Feb. 21, 2002
reviews rating 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.
18.  Amazon.com Table Radios

Contributors to Amazon.com


As of Nov. 2007
reviews rating 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.
19.  Epinions Table Radios

Contributors to Epinions.com


As of Nov. 2007
reviews rating 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.
Table Radios Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
 
Review Ratings Citation CS Credibility Rating Table Radios Ratings
Comments on Reviews
20.  Digital Trends.com Clock Radios

Contributors to DigitalTrends.com


As of Nov. 2007
reviews rating 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.
21.  Sound & Vision Magazine New Product: Cambridge SoundWorks Radios

Ken Richardson


Feb. 2007
reviews rating 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.

Table Radios Reviews