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"Awesome Sound, Good Price!"
on by CoverMe92Pros Sound depth, charges my iPod, remote controls the iPod too.
Cons Need to buy one for every room in the house.
Summary The CNet review took issue with the lack of HD/Sat radio/CD capabilities of this radio... but if you want those things, you just have to buy a different model (seems kind of unfair to bring that up as a con, when Cambridge SoundWorks has put out multiple models to keep the price low for people who don't need all of that).
This is the second of these radios I have purchased, the first (an older model) does not have the iPod dock. I have listened to this radio in a head-to-head comparo with a Bose radio (that looks about the same, did exactly the same things, and cost more than TWICE what the Cambridge product cost) and the Cambridge radio absolutely held its own.
I would classify the sound as "different" from the Bose, but I would be unable to say whether it was better or worse. I don't have "golden ears" so perhaps someone with that particular blessing can chime in. I do, however, have extensive music experience (symphony/orchestra etc) so I feel justified in stating that the depth of sound and quality of the different ranges is exceptional.
For those who complain and recite the "No highs, no lows, must be Bose" mantra (which I don't actually agree with), and who do not like Bose products, you probably aren't going to like the Cambridge radio sound either.
For the best price, I did a google product search and found that Creative Labs was selling this radio for $179 (it was $199 at the Cambridge web site). So I called Cambridge to see if they would price-match. They did, plus I got free shipping. Tax and out the door for $196.
The radio controls (which the CNet review complains that they are all similar-looking) are all quite intuitive and easy to navigate. I like that the power/volume button is integrated to also command almost everything else too. The other buttons control radio pre-sets, and some tuning buttons. Once you get it set up, you rarely use any of the buttons other than radio pre-sets and I don't use them at all (I use the credit-card sized remote).
I don't have anything bad to say about this radio. With all the quality, and less than half the price of its biggest competitor (Bose)... I've liked enough to buy the Cambridge tabletop radio... TWICE! -
"Solid all around radio"
on by boncharoosPros good sound, iPod dock, aux input, surprisingly great playback from TV and movies!
Cons terrible radio reception, bass can get distorted
Summary I do like this unit, but I'm very dissapointed in the radio reception. Even local stations that come in perfect on other radios in my home, sound awful on this unit. Attaching the external AM/FM antennas provided did nothing. I'm purchasing a powered external antenna for this unit, but considering this is advertised as a RADIO, this really shouldn't be an issue and is unacceptable. We'll see how the powered antenna fares. I also find that the bass playback can get harsh at times. I listen to a wide variety of music, and usually shuffle my iPod, and I find myself running to adjust the bass for different songs. Once adjusted it is ok, but it's an annoyance. The bass from Kanye Wests Love Lock Down sounds flat out awful, at any volume level, but I guess I can't expect too much from a small unit. This unit is best at low volumes, which is probably it's intended use from Cambridge Soundworks. The volume extends to 30, but above 20 it really doesn't sound that good. The bass needs to be turned down, and it leaves the music sounding lifeless and flat. Mid ranges and highs are very crisp and disernable though. The one surprising thing that I love, is the audio playback while watching TV and movies! It is amazing for such a small unit! I have it hooked up to a plasma HDTV and a Blu-Ray player through the aux connection, and it sounds amazing! Oddly, the bass issue hasn't been a problem while watching TV or movies, even during loud explosion scenes and other similar scenes. While watching Pirates of the Caribbean, I couldn't believe how amazing it sounded. It wasn't like a 5.1 system, obviously, but in wide mode, it delivered a great soundstage and it's depth and clarity were amazing. It's perfect for the small room it's in. I still can't believe how good it sounds. That alone has me sold, as it solved a problem I wasn't intending to address with this unit. CD playback was just fine, and I havn't had the problem of the CD getting stuck inside the unit that I've heard others having. Overall, for the $200 we paid, it's a solid investment. I would recommend it to others looking for a system comparable sounding to the Bose, but with more features, and costing much less. If the powered antenna solves my reception problem, I'd change my rating from a 3 to a 4.
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