[konut]

The Boss at work wants to buy her husband a cool gadget for Christmas. The best she can come up with is a Bose Wave Radio. I told her to give me a day to come up with something better for the money. Ideally it should have the same functionality as the Bose, but sound better and be cheaper, although cheaper is not absolutely neccessary. I need to know before I leave for work tommorrow at 3:50AM Pacific time. So how about it. Any ideas?

[JohnR]

What's the money?

[Cheeseboy]

The Gizmo and a pair of WAF speakers from Chase Home Theater.

While they state the Gizmo Combo is sold out I believe they have stock.

http://www.chasehometheater.com/

[opnly bafld]

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/Trio-Stereo-AMFMCD-Radio--P368.aspx

[srb]

Ideally it should have the same functionality as the Bose, but sound better and be cheaper, although cheaper is not absolutely neccessary.

When you say the same functionality, I assume you mean that it should have an AM/FM radio, CD player and remote control.  If so, the many available mini-amps + speakers or powered speakers don't qualify.

[jaywills]

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/isonic/?gclid=CJ7_gP3M_qUCFSVa7Aod9TnBog

Good luck.  Cordially,

[konut]

When you say the same functionality, I assume you mean that it should have an AM/FM radio, CD player and remote control.  If so, the many available mini-amps + speakers or powered speakers don't qualify.

This is correct. The Bose product I am trying to equal, or better, is this.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/wave_systems/wms/index.jsp
coming in at $499.95
Of the recommendations so far only the Boston Acoustics Trio system is equivalent, although I appreciate the effort of the other posters. The Trio has some problems with CD playback as revealed in customer reviews. I also looked at the Cambridge Soundworks line and there seems to be problems with reliability. Any more ideas?   

[Bemopti123]

Boston Acoustics stuff that is made now is really questionable sonically.  Even the design and everything else really screams out generic, made in the far east to low standards. 

I also read about Polk Audio's all in one being unreliable, although sonically outstanding. 

The one unit that people have yet to mention but has gotten a buzz cut in price from $399 to $299 is the B&W Zeppelin MINI.  Free shipping and tax from Crutchfield. 

It seems to be less techie than the original Zeppelin, some of which, I mean very small percentage of owners/1 owner claiming that it went south in less than 1 year of use.  Even then, B&W is so confident on their Zeppelin units that they carry a 2 year warranty vs the 1 year run of the mill stuff that all other competitors carry.  It is a good sign. 

[drab]

Don't know what it costs. But this seems nice.

http://www.bang-olufsen.com/beosound1

[srb]

The one unit that people have yet to mention but has gotten a buzz cut in price from $399 to $299 is the B&W Zeppelin MINI.

The reason it wasn't mentioned is because, again, it is only a powered speaker with an iPod dock.  It does not have an AM/FM/? radio or CD player.
 
Steve

[srb]

Don't know what it costs. But this seems nice.

http://www.bang-olufsen.com/beosound1

I'm sure it would outperform the Bose, but it is $1,650!
 
Steve

[konut]

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/isonic/?gclid=CJ7_gP3M_qUCFSVa7Aod9TnBog

Good luck.  Cordially,

Thanks, but the Polk iSonic has no CD player.

[Doublej]

Cambridge Audio One+ system

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=536&Title=Summary

or

Teac Reference receiver plus your favorite speakers

http://www.teac.com/consumer_electronics/reference_series/cr-h238i/

or a NAD Compact plus speakers

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-receivers/C-715-Compact-Music-Systems

or a Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo mini/micro system.

http://usa.denon.com/US/Product/Pages/ProductLanding.aspx?CatId=a024bd86-e75a-4961-b8d4-14ff35f793d8

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-systems/

http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Audiosys

[drab]

I'm sure it would outperform the Bose, but it is $1,650!
 
Steve

Oops!    Told you I didn't know.

[WGH]

Since we're all throwing out ideas then I would pair a refurbished Boston Acoustics Trio Stereo AM/FM/CD ($199) which has 2 auxiliary inputs and line and stereo headphone outputs
http://www.bostonacoustics.com/Trio-Stereo-AMFMCD-Radio-Refurbished-P551.aspx



with the AudioEngine A5's from AudioAdvisor for $325
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AUENA5&variation=BLK



Total price $525 and the combo will sound a lot better than the Wave, I've heard the Wave and it sounds like crap.
And when the Boston Acoustics dies the guy will still have a pair of great sounding speakers.

Wayne

[Wind Chaser]

Has anyone heard the Bose Wave?  For what it is, it's not that bad.  $500 can't buy a miracle.

[timind]

My dad has had his Bose Wave radio for years. It sounds fine for its purpose. Fills the room with music. and is easy to operate.

[SlushPuppy]

This is an elegant little system for only $399.

http://av.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028775&pathId=16&page=1

[Bemopti123]

The reason it wasn't mentioned is because, again, it is only a powered speaker with an iPod dock.  It does not have an AM/FM/? radio or CD player.
 
Steve

I say, if you got a Itouch or an Iphone, streaming radio is all you need.  CDP?  What is that???

[charmerci]

Of all the choices so far - this Yamaha system seems to qualify best.

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-systems/mcr-040__u/?mode=model

I guess you'd have to go down to the store and listen for yourself - plus it has a mp3 docking station.