Bose wave radio alternative (1 Viewer)

OK, I have heard them all and I know what an over priced piece of crap anything with Bose on the front is. My dilemma is that with all my theater research and higher end buying habits I have never looked into an alternative for the Bose wave radio/cd.

My sister just left me a message asking if I would go in on one with her for my parents. My initial reaction was to call her back and explain what a marketing puppet she was blah blah balh.

It then occured to me that I don't know of an alternative that isn't a standard boom box. Let me know what you have found out there so I can continue as part of a Bose free family.

Thanks

Is this what your parents want? If so, just buy it for them.

This is my sisters idea and not my parents otherwise I would just get it.

Here's the non-Bose alternative:

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/s...item=c174rczzz

I haven't seen this current model, but I heard the previous one, and found it to be of high quality.

Well I think your best bet would be a nice boom box. I actually just picked up a Sony system that came with 2 3-way speakers that weren't too big and it comes with a nice little 8" subwoofer that can be placed wherever.

The cambridge system is nice if you are willing to pay about $400, if not go to a place like BestBuy and see what kind of stuff they are selling that is good.

I second the recommendation for the cambridge soundworks and sony also makes a similar product.

I heard the Cambridge Soundworks CD740 CD/Radio the other day and it was the best sounding clock/cd/radio I have ever heard. It's sound is leaps and bounds ahead of the Bose Wave Radio. Sure a dedicated small stereo system would sound as good or better but if it must be the clock/radio style I don't think you can go wrong with the CD740.

...and I just got the Soundcity flyer in the mail, advertizing the Cambridge radio for, I think, less than $399. There was another similar alternative there also, with a little downward firing sub, (same as Cambridge).

Boston Acoustics recently released a (clock?)radio very similar to the Cambridge Soundworks. Called theReceptor Radio .
Never heard it but it looks cool.

Is the Cambridge Soundworks option still the best recommended alternative to the Wave Radio?

Tivoli also makes a really nice table radio. Around 100 bucks for a mono and an extra 50 or so for a second 'stereo' speaker. Sounds GREAT. You can add a subwoofer (75+/-) and a CD, but the cost starts getting up there.

I've listened to the Cambridge, the Boston, and the Tivoli (never heard the Wave, though). They all sounded great, but the Boston seemed like the best buy price/sound wise (to me).

Whatever you get.... NICE GIFT!

Boston radio sounds quite good, but it is mono, if that matters.

The Boston and Tivoli Models are NOT the same as the Cambridge and wave. The Cambirdig and Wave are built on a similar design philosophy to create additional bass. The Tivoli and the Boston use a more conventional system to create bass. There really is no comparison. I use the Tivoli in my office, it sounds fine for what it is. I bought the original Model 88 CD for my folks for Christmas a couple of years ago and it beats the pants off my Tivoli but again, these are entirely different animals.

Ben

Ben is correct. The closest match to the Bose is the Cambridge Soundworks radio. The Boston is a nice radio, its tuner is especially good, but the sound of the Cambridge is much better for music. I'd go with the Boston if you listen to NPR news, talk radio, sports broadcasts and music as background. If you're looking to use it as a serious source for music, the Cambridge (or even Bose for a lot more money) will be much better.

Dear Doug: I am doing the same thing now, I just can't believe that small little box really cost $500 bucks to buy, The Bose Wave Radio, so I am also searching the web right now for a comparable radio, someone must have taken this thing apart and made it for $25 bucks somewhere, I just can't believe they are charging this much for their crap, it is a good sounding radio, but their company would explode if they just lowered the darn price so people could actually feel good about buying a product you know in your own mind can't cost much to make at all. I would feel like a sucker if I paid that much for a small table top radio, even if the "name brand" is BOSE! Let me know if you located a great alternative, I will do the same. Thanks for listening and am as frustrated as you sounded. John Smith Michigan

You're responding to an eight-year-old question, but welcome to HTF!


I'm not up to date on the latest models of any of these, but I strongly recommend that anyone interested in good radio to explore the offerings of Cambridge and Tivoli. I forget the history and relationships now, but these are in one way or another based on the original, and still highly prized, radios designed by KLH's Henry Kloss in the early 1960s. You can't do better than that. Hell, if you're so inclined, get yourself an original KLH on the secondhand market. Just make sure it's in good condition.

Oh, I forgot...

I would feel like a sucker if I paid that much for a small table top radio, even if the "name brand" is BOSE!

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I'd feel like a sucker if I paid that much, ESPECIALLY if the "name brand" is BOSE.