Cambridge SoundWorks Radio 820HD (black)
As shown: $299.99
See manufacturer site for availability
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: John P. Falcone
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
- Updated on:
The good: The high-end Cambridge SoundWorks Radio 820HD is a tabletop clock radio with HD Radio reception; slick, attractive look and feel; great knob-based controls and high-contrast screen; dual alarms with flexible volume, sleep, and snooze options; auxiliary line-in jack for connection to any iPod or portable device; RDS text support; includes bass, treble, and tone controls; 30 station presets.
The bad: No CD or satellite radio support; the quality, availability, and reliability of HD Radio stations can vary widely.
The bottom line: The 820HD is a top-notch tabletop clock radio with support for the latest all-digital HD Radio format.
Editors' Note: The rating on this review has been lowered from due to changes in the competitive marketplace.
It's taken a few years, but HD Radio is finally starting to take off. More than 1,200 stations in the U.S. now broadcast digital HD Radio streams, and the number of HD-compatible radios capable of receiving those digital broadcasts is slowly starting to expand. One of the latest HD Radio options for the home is the $179 Cambridge SoundWorks 820HD. As with similarly equipped units, the 820HD can receive those digital broadcasts, which offer the promise of better sound ... Expand full review
Editors' Note: The rating on this review has been lowered from due to changes in the competitive marketplace.
It's taken a few years, but HD Radio is finally starting to take off. More than 1,200 stations in the U.S. now broadcast digital HD Radio streams, and the number of HD-compatible radios capable of receiving those digital broadcasts is slowly starting to expand. One of the latest HD Radio options for the home is the $179 Cambridge SoundWorks 820HD. As with similarly equipped units, the 820HD can receive those digital broadcasts, which offer the promise of better sound quality, no static, and digital-only stations that aren't available on analog-only radios.
Design
Unlike the 735i and 745i--which are just refreshed versions of older Cambridge models--the 820HD has an all-new chassis, a slick one at that. Available in onyx (black) or arctic white, the 820HD's gently rounded body measures out at 4.5x13.25x7.5 inches, and the 8.2-pound weight hints at the radio's solid build quality. Two stereo speakers flank the center-mounted screen and controls. We knocked the myriad buttons on the 735i/745i models, and Cambridge seems to have listened.
The bulk of interaction with the 820HD can be achieved with just two knobs--they're primarily for tuning and volume, but an adjoining jog button on the latter knob toggles it between two sets of customization functions, including bass and treble levels, loudness control, screen contrast, and snooze length. The remaining few buttons cover the everyday functionality of switching bands, seeking stations up and down the dial, and activating the two alarms. Even if you're not a major gadget-head, it's a safe bet that you'll be able to hit all the main operation points--tuning stations, setting favorites, setting the alarm--without ever having to consult the manual (that shouldn't be a distinguishing feature in a radio, but given some needlessly complex products we've seen, it's worth mentioning). A 27-button, credit card-style remote is also available for controlling the radio from afar.
The 3-inch-diagonal backlit LCD screen gives plenty of feedback for the various controls and settings, and it automatically adjusts its brightness depending on the ambient light in the room, so it's bright enough to see in the day but won't blind you at night. In addition to the basics such as the station frequency, the time, the date, and the alarm indicators, the screen offers additional data when tuned to digital HD Radio stations, including signal strength, song and artist info, and station and program listings (such as the DJ's name).
Features
In addition to receiving analog and digital ("HD") AM and FM broadcasts, the Cambridge SoundWorks 820HD can double as a speaker system for your iPod or other devices. Just attach a patch cord to one of the two minijack auxiliary line inputs on the Cambridge radio (there's one on the right side and one on the rear, but they're both feeding the same single line-in jack). In addition to the headphone jack, there's an optical digital output (on the rear) that you can use to pump audio to AV receivers that are so equipped. A 2.5mm, 12-volt power output for use with "special accessories" is also present on the rear panel. Sure enough, it worked perfectly when paired with the iPod dock that's included with the 735i.
Compare to other portable audio devices
Compare selected
John P. Falcone manages CNET's New York City reviews team. He's been a CNET editor since 2003.
User Reviews
See all user reviewsMost recent user reviews
Showing 3 of 4 reviews
"not happy with this radio" By psullivannh
Pros: looks nice and sound seems pretty good
Cons: keeps needing to be reset after losing its settings; user manual in terrible and radio controls are not intuitive; overly sensitive to antenna positions so reception is often staticy
Summary: Sorry I bought it. I previuosly had a Kloss radio from Cambridge Soundworks. I thought this radio would be a good replacement when the Kloss got cooked in an electrical storm; wrong!
"I expected more from this radio" By jbattan
Pros: it receives HD stations!
Cons: user interface, sound quality
Summary: I have a non-HD radio from Cambridge Soundworks that I like a lot, so I bought this 820HD from them when it first came out. When I finally got it four months later (after it passed certification), I was very disappointed. It does bring in my favorite local station better ... Expand full review
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Device type: HD / AM / FM clock radio
- Tuner bands: AM/FM
- Sound output mode: Stereo