Looking for a new Radio/CD Alarm Clock with good audio sound

scott_man · « **on:** 19 May 2006, 08:06 pm »

Dear all:

It is time to upgrade the old bedroom radio alarm clock...

I am looking for something relatively small with good sound at a reasonable price point. The form-factor of the Bose radio is about right, but it is rather expensive and I am not a big Bose fan.

A mini-system with alarm capability is probably the best option -- I know that Teac, JVC, Denon and Phillips all have products in this space. However, I have not been able to find any "audio" reviews of these products and it is very difficult to do any type of critical audio listening in the big-box stores that sell these products.

Another potential option (but, a bit overbudget) would be a Squeezebox with a small amp (Sonic Impact?) and speakers (??? -- small and efficient). Of course, this would also require a music server (long-term project -- not yet in place).

Suggestions, comments, thoughts...

Scott.

Levi · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 May 2006, 09:13 pm »

No CD.
I use the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio. It sounds pretty good for an Alarm clock. It has battery backup and dual alarms. It just simply works!

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 May 2006, 09:32 pm »

These sound good. $349.
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=aud_radio&item=c174rczzz

ajzepp · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 May 2006, 09:33 pm »

I like the same one Russell suggested. I used to have one and it was pretty damn awesome. Check their store at Ebay, cause they often have B-stock items for cheap. Their store is hifi.com on Ebay....same as their website.

ohenry · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 May 2006, 10:38 pm »

I think all the aforementioned products sound nice. I haven't owned the Boston product, but I've heard good things about the radio. Also, they make a nice cd/clock radio package similar in layout to the Cambridge cd/radio (I had that one and it's nice).

Due to size and sheer coolness, lately I've been hooked on Tivoli products. They make an analog clock radio where you can add a cd player, a second speaker or clock/speaker, and a little sub. Very nice looking package and expandable. The Tivoli radios sound good too.

Buy something good, I use my portable and table top radios more than my "good" stuff.

Good luck...choices are bad sometimes.

fajimr · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 May 2006, 11:39 pm »

audio advisor has the Boston Acoustics radio refurbished for 79.00.. I don't have one but in my searches for something similar the name came up..

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=BOSTBRECEPC&product_name=Recepter%20Radio%20--%20Factory-Refreshed

Doublej · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 May 2006, 12:00 am »

Reviews for the mini systems are much much more prevalent in the British magazines.

One feature which may/may not be important to you is the ability to set the wake volume independent of the sleep volume. By having this feature you can fall asleep listening to music at one volume and wake to music at a different volume. The only brand that I could find that has this is JVC.

For something totally different check out the Timex CD Clock radios

http://www.timexaudio.com/Cat-A.asp?idsubcategory=77

They actually sound respectable and don't take up much space.

Levi · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 May 2006, 12:01 am »

I was not aware. They have it on sale for half the price I paid for mine. I just bought another one. Thanks Jim.

Quote from: fajimr

audio advisor has the Boston Acoustics radio refurbished for 79.00.. I don't have one but in my searches for something similar the name came up..

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=BOSTBRECEPC&product_name=Recepter%20Radio%20--%20Factory-Refreshed

Andy T · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 May 2006, 04:52 am »

I bought a Tivoli Model 3 to replace a cheapie alarm clock radio after being very satisfied with the Model 1 table radio and the Model 2 stereo radio. I bought a Boston Acoustics Receptor shortly afterward.

I found the Model 3 to be an awkward and inconvenient alarm clock. The minute and hour hands are too similar in shape and size to be readily distinguished just by the light of the clock dial in the middle of the night. There's only one sleep time period-20 minutes. There's a drill that has to be followed if you want to set the alrm to go off and use the sleep timer. If you then want to rerun the timer you have to repeat the whole drill to reset the alarm. Tivoli claims some sort of tolerance for the alarm time you set (because of the analog clock?). As I remember, the Model 3 can only have one alarm time setting.

The Receptor has a digital display. No problem reading it in the dark. Sleep timer can be set in 10 minute intervals from 60 min on down. Just press the big sleep button on top to repeat. 2 alarm times accurate to the minute. Just much easier to live with as a clock radio.

I'm also not keen on the idea of the upward facing speaker of the Model 3. I think the Model 1 and the Receptor sound better playing at you than the Model 3 does. Especially with the volume at a lower level.

The Receptor's just a radio, not an audio device. A good sounding one with decent reception in my area. No aux input though. No stereo line outs. And no external antenna provisions. If you want/need those things too, I'd suggest buying a Model 2 for the audio and an alarm clock at someplace like K-Mart.

philipp · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 May 2006, 05:24 am »

Here's another one to check out: the Music Hall RDR-1 a.k.a. the Sangean WR-2. The Sangean links to an Amazon review page with good, and positive, feedback from owners. My local shop carries the Music Hall version for $179. I've been thinking about bringing one home to try out. If I do, I'll report back here.

westcoast · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 May 2006, 12:53 pm »

Quote from: Levi

I was not aware. They have it on sale for half the price I paid for mine. I just bought another one. Thanks Jim.

Quote from: fajimr
audio advisor has the Boston Acoustics radio refurbished for 79.00.. I don't have one but in my searches for something similar the name came up..

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=BOSTBRECEPC&product_name=Recepter%20Radio%20--%20Factory-Refreshed

I just bought a refurbished one in white from AA for $69.99. Be giving it as a gift. Added a fresh set of earpads for my Grado cans to qualify the order for free "Super Saver Shipping" (do you notice a cheapskate pattern here?

). Total cost? Just under 85 bucks! Thanks, Jim and Levi!!

Levi · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 May 2006, 03:14 pm »

I agree with you on the Recepter radio. It is so easy to use I can operate it even when I am half a sleep.

The sound is full-bodied. I had been using mine for 3yrs now and still like it.

Quote from: Andy T

I bought a Tivoli Model 3 to replace a cheapie alarm clock radio after being very satisfied with the Model 1 table radio and the Model 2 stereo radio. I bought a Boston Acoustics Receptor shortly afterward.

I found the Model 3 to be an awkward and inconvenient alarm clock. The minute and hour hands are too similar in shape and size to be readily distinguished just by the light of the clock dial in the middle of the night. There's only one sleep time period-20 minutes. There's a drill that has to be follo ...