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Cambridge SoundWorks Model 88 CD (08/24/2001)

Cambridge SoundWorks Model 88 CD

Entered CNET Catalog: 08/24/2001

SKU: MODEL88CD

Manufacturer: Creative Labs

Content [Hide]
  1. Manufacturer's description
  2. Product summary
  3. Editors' review
  4. Users' opinions
  5. Blogs
  6. Keywords

Manufacturer description

Model 88CD is a wonderful-sounding compact audio system for use as a "second stereo" in a bedroom, kitchen, office or den. It uses high-performance speakers and amplifiers. Two-thirds of Model 88CD's cabinet serves as the enclosure for a four-inch long-throw subwoofer. It reproduces bass with remarkable accuracy and impact. Model 88CD also uses techniques like biamplification and electronic contouring (a technique pioneered by Henry Kloss) to create a natural, accurate octave-to-octave tonal balance over the entire range of music. Its auxiliary input can be used to connect an MP3 player, stereo TV, or anything else with audio outputs. Although clearly so much more, the Model 88CD is also the ultimate alarm clock. It includes a dual alarm system that will wake up two different people at two different times, using music, an alarm sound or both. Its credit card-sized remote lets you control Model 88CD from anywhere in the room.

Product summary

The goodThe good: Clear, extended sound.

The badThe bad: Chunky design.

The bottom lineThe bottom line: Not the prettiest stereo, but it sounds lovely.

Average user rating: from 25 users
4.0 stars

Editors' review

  • Editors' Choice: No
  • Reviewed on: 06/28/2000
As it sits on your table, the Cambridge SoundWorks Model 88CD appears to take up a lot of real estate for a basic radio. But, in fact, its design--with CD controls and Snooze/Mute button near the top front edge, all other controls on the front panel, and the CD-transport lid off to one side--leaves a large flat area where you can park CDs or a table lamp. And in exchange for the crowded table, you'll get a reasonably priced radio that puts out terrific sound. As it sits on your table, the Cambridge SoundWorks Model 88CD appears to take up a lot of real estate for a basic radio. But, in fact, its design--with CD controls and Snooze/Mute button near the top front edge, all other controls on the front panel, and the CD-transport lid off to one side--leaves a large flat area where you can park CDs or a table lamp. And in exchange for the crowded table, you'll get a reasonably priced radio that puts out terrific sound.

The Feature Set
The Model 88CD has all the standard CD, radio, and clock/timer features, plus a few of its own. The rear panel carries a set-and-forget bass level control and a record output that doubles as a mixing input. Due to the lack of gain, you can't plug in a microphone for karaoke sing-along, but you could certainly hear alert tones from your computer if you connected your sound card to the radio. On the front panel are a headphone minijack and a switch that cycles through normal stereo, "wide" stereo, and mono (for clearer reception of poor FM signals).

The unit's tuner did an adequate job pulling in FM stations; we found it marginally better than the comparable Bose Wave Radio/CD. However, the Bose radio performed better with AM stations. The antenna jack is deeply recessed, leaving no room for the plug-in transformer adapter we like to use with our rabbit-ear antenna. Adding a short extension cable fixes this.

Listening to the Model 88CD
We turned the bass a bit below its factory setting when we began our listening tests. This level sounded best in our room and minimized the speaker/amp bass distress on Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" (Transformer). Even turned down, the bass sounded strong, deep, and warm, though it was somewhat subdued when we set the radio to wide stereo. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's voice on "Chambre Separée" (Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta) sounded a tad steelier than it had on the Bose Wave Radio/CD. The Bösendorfer of Malcolm Frager's Chopin recordings lacked the lifelike bass you would expect from a larger music system, but its upper register came to life quite nicely (again, with an occasional steely hardness). Overall, the Model 88CD's sound was a bit on the showy side, sounding better from across the room. Listening at that distance naturally reduces the stereo effect, since the left and right speakers are just a few inches apart. The wide setting was provided to restore stereo perspective under those circumstances. However, we liked it even close in.

At $400, the Model 88CD is a real value. It's not as pretty as the Bose radio, and it will take up a little more space on the table. But you will get a better FM tuner and high-quality speakers for your money.

User opinions

Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Far better sounding than the compation.by goraman1 - August 1, 2009

Pros: The grand father of audiophile sound Henry Kloss voiced this radio from the midrange out to the bottom and top. The modle 88CD is tonaly balanced,detailed and involeing.

Cons: The transport could be alot quioter, and because the speaker system is integrated with the CDP it is importaint to decouple the unit from the table or what ever it's sitting on.

Review: The woofer in the unit is not a true subwoofer but a mid woofer,it rolls off at around 50hz. but will go down to 25hz. with very reduced sound pressure levels.
It is very capeable of makeing lots of bass.So much so that it needs to sit on a solid surface with a thick layer of cork under it to decouple the bass from the transport for less read errors and it tightens bass response as well.
Some units come out of the box with better reception than others but a good tech can realighn the pots in the tunner section.As the fine tuneing in China is less than steller where they are assembled.And even haveing this done it will still be cheaper and much better sounding than it's competitor. The level this player can reach is astounding for it's price.
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Great Radioby Walt from Philly - March 23, 2009

Pros: Sound, price, function!

Cons: AM tuner sensitive to interference

Review: Great sound. Sounds and looks better that comparable Bose system at far less money. Really rich tones and deep base rivals component systems
User Rating:
2.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Very Poor FM Receptionby - January 12, 2005

Pros: has nice features, has great sound, I'd give it a thumbs-up if it weren't for the terrible FM pulling power!

Cons: My much cheaper GE Super radio puts it to shame with FM reception. It has very poor FM reception in my area.

Review:
User Rating:
3.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Still around to buyby - January 12, 2005

Pros: I compared this with the Bose... just like many people. I found that this 88CD sounds just as good as some good mini-stereo (quite a bit larger than this model) systems out there. The price for sale was good ($99). I am pleased with the FM sound and th

Cons:

Review:
User Rating:
4.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Settings stay without the battery!by - December 25, 2004

Pros: I can't understand it but after I unplog this radio (with no battery in it) the time and stations come back when you plug it in again - days later! I read likely every review before buying (it's a lot better than CNET's 7!) and it was rated as great by a

Cons:

Review:
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Best Damn Clock Radio/Stero! :)by - July 20, 2004

Pros: This is a clock radio that you won't be ahamed to be making love to. I just found mine at Frey Electronics for $199., they have another model that does MP3's but they wanted $299 for that one (my PC can burn MP3s and play the disk on this model)

Cons: Kind of big fo a clock radio, but I have a large night stand, to hold other "toys" :-)

Review:
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

best sounding clock radio everby - July 18, 2004

Pros: super bass sound super highs definition wide stereo incredible incredible fidelity

Cons:

Review:
User Rating:
3.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

So Happy with the CSW Model 88/cdby - November 20, 2003

Pros: I picked this unit up at Sams Club on one of there Demo tables. Was helping my Mom with shopping and ran across this and yanked it quickly as so no one else could put there mitts on it. I knew what this product was and it was marked from....269.00 to 19

Cons:

Review:
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Superb sound for a great priceby - October 30, 2003

Pros: Great product - I won't repeat all the raves here, you can read them for yourself - but they are true. Only sad note is that this unit has been discontinued by the company with a "newer" model, so this model is hard to find. BUT! If you have your heart s

Cons:

Review:
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

A great sounding radio!by - April 25, 2003

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Lots of features - just what you need for a bedside radio/alarm clock. But works great in the garage too!
User Rating:
4.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Great Unit Blows away The Boseby - January 7, 2003

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Just unpacked my new unit. Couldn't find it discounted anywhere on the web, not even ebay. Got over paying retail. Unplugged the old Bose Wave Radio and sold it on ebay for only $100 less than what I paid 5 years ago. The sound on the Model 88CD is far superior to the Bose. It is richer, fuller and deeper. The bass is clear unlike the Bose where it muddies up the high notes. Is it worth the money, that's a personal decision, but $349 buys you a cd clock radio with superior sound as opposed to the bose which goes for $349 for just the radio and $499 for the radio with a cd and gives you mediocre sound.
User Rating:
4.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Kills the Boseby - December 25, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: This awesome little unit sits comfortably on my desk. Small enough to be out of the way. Remote works well enough. Sound quality is impressive - bass is clean and full. I bought a cheapy little stand up Terk antenna to help the AM reception and it works great. My brother-in-law got a Bose and bragged about how great it is. Then he heard my Model 88cd. He was sick. His unit doesn't sound nearly as good and he paid almost twice as much.I can't say enough good things about the 88cd.
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

A very good soundby - June 18, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: The Cambridge soundsworks model 88cd that I bought has one of the clearest sounds I have ever heard. The sounds on this unit it the next best thing to being live at the symphony or opera. This is by far not the biggest sounds I have ever heard (though it does a good job on producing volume) but one would not be able to "Thump" that awful rap music through this radio. The only that I am disappointed with on this model is the AM reception, I stuggle to even get powerful station in. Other than that a quality radio.
User Rating:
3.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

TOO EXPENSIVE!!!!!by - April 12, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: hey guys you didnt need to spend $300 for an AM/FM/CD radio. i bought a cambridge soundwords multimedia computer speakers [on sale for $29] and hooked up my sony discman portable am/fm/cd player[with remote] to the Cambridges and it functions the same look at cnets posting on CSW site im quoting..http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/multimedia/pcworks_blk.htm --"Not many speakers come close to the marvelous output of this system. Forget it. Costs less than $100 and sounds like it's worth $500." - C/NET check it out i just spend MUCH!!!less
User Rating:
3.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

A GOOD Radioby - March 8, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I have owned a Bose Wave radio for 3 years now. I have recently purchased the CSW 88CD. Each has it's stronger points over the other. FM tuner on the model 88 is a little better than the Bose. Stereo seperation is easily won by the Bose. Bass response goes to the Model 88. Be careful here. The Bass control really needs to be adjusted left of it's center detent position for less bass. Otherwise it is terribly "boomy" Quality/Workmanship seems to be a tad better on the Bose. The remote for the Bose works far better, and far more consistant than the Model 88's.A huge difference in the AM tuner. I'm really disapointed with the AM section of the Model 88. Even usually strong stations are missed, or full of static. In a word...the AM section is disgraceful! The Bose AM section is much better. It's listenable, and pulls in stations CLEARLY where the Model 88 is full of static. Overall, I like my Bose Wave radio best. I do like the bigger sound, and deeper bass of the Model 88 though. But, Bose is still the winner for me.
User Rating:
4.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Great CD/Radioby - February 15, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Great sounding for such a small box. Although the CD version is relatively expensive($300), having the integrated CD is nice compared to adding one. Lots of good features, like alarms(to bell or Fm or CD), good remote. Easy to use and compact. If you want something that sounds good, and yet is portable and compact this is it. By the way, you can lower the volume when it turns on, there is a mute button, it does scan/seek, doesn't buzz, dims the display in low light. Maybe all these things are in the CD version only. Only bad thing is just 6 FM presets. A very nice unit, way better than the cheap boomboxes. My wife loved it.
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Design could be better, but the performance is fabulous.by - February 10, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I orderd the Bose and the Model 88 to compare side-by-side. The sound was virtually identical, but the price of the Model88CD was half that of the comperable Bose. Guess which one I returned
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

better than bose for less.by - January 18, 2002

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Wife was looking for a clock radio for the bedroom, almost all sounded thin. This thing fills the room with awesome sound. Love it.
User Rating:
4.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Best in It's Classby - December 23, 2001

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I have owned this unit for several years, and continue to be very pleased. The remote can be a little awkward at times, and yes, the buttons being in front are not ideal, but overall this is an excellent product that has no peers.
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

solid soundby - December 21, 2001

Pros:

Cons:

Review: The sound is phenominal. The only caution is that the FM reception is spotty in an office building, and might require the purchase of an antenna attachment
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

I bought a Model 88 & saved moneyby - October 13, 2000

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I have a spare cd player I hooked up to my 88 & it sounds great ! The Fm section is better then my expensive receiver. I wish I could get my hands on a tuner !
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

This one is a mind-blowerby - September 21, 2000

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I have read all the reviews of this unit that, to me, seem somewhat sterile even though complimentary. Well, this one won't be. The 88CD is, simply put, an absolute, unmitigated mind blower!!! I ordered a Bose Wave Radio and took their challenge to heart: compare the available challengers and see. I did and I am here to say that when I got the 88CD, my jaw dropped to the floor and my ears just about dropped off my head. All I could say was "Zam, bam, zowee, WOW!!! This thing absolutely blows the socks off the Bose. In fact, it blows everything off. This diminutive "table" radio is the Towering Inferno of compact stereos. It is eons better than not only the Bose but also any "boom box" setup I have ever heard, including those monsters with all the bells, whistles, lights, and mega-bass settings that cost upwards of $600. If you don't scoop this unit up pronto, then shame on you. Treat yourself to the most eye-popping phenomenon around: the 88CD. This truly is ear candy for the soul.
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Bose who?by - August 22, 2000

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I also had a Bose Wave Radio CD that I couldn't wait to pack up.The sound on this thing is amazing.The size is a little big but so is the base.If it's too much though you can adjust it with a knob on the back.Can't recommend it enough.Found out too late to save some money and hook up my own portable cd player.Oh well.
User Rating:
4.5 stars

out of 25 user reviews

CNET review is accurate. Good sound. Great value.by - July 4, 2000

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Can't be used as a clock radio unless you also buy the $50 remote unit. But it's worth it. No need to buy unit with CD if you buy basic unit and plug in your own personal CD player.
User Rating:
5.0 stars

out of 25 user reviews

Bose dont have anything to look for with this baby !!!by - July 2, 2000

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I had a Bose, and as soon as I heard the HK model 88, i trashed the Bose and bought the 88 !! Superb !!!!

Keywords

6923181   |   Model 88CD   |   Model 88   |   MODEL88CD   |  

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Cambridge SoundWorks Model 88 CD specifications

  • General
  • Product type CD clock radio
  • Depth 10.5 in
  • Height 4.5 in
  • Width 14.0 in
  • Weight 15.0 lbs
  • Audio Features
  • Sound output mode Stereo
  • Timer Snooze , Playback , Sleep , Wake , 2-event
  • Built-in clock Digital clock
  • Additional features Battery backup
  • Built-in Display
  • Audio system built-in display LCD
  • Backlight display Yes
  • Features Display dimmer
  • CD System
  • CD system type CD player
  • Media load type Top-load
  • Playback modes All tracks repeat , Random play / shuffle
  • Cassette System
  • Cassette system type None
  • Radio
  • Station preset qty 12.0
  • AM station preset qty 6.0
  • FM station preset qty 6.0
  • Tuner bands AM/FM
  • Tuning display LCD display
  • MD System
  • MD system type None
  • Battery / Power
  • Power device type [Jul 2, 2008 from CDS: Power Device] Power supply