O.K. look a couple of reviews down for my true review of the product. I just had to post a quick note in response to the load of queries on how I got this Wave Radio CD for 400 bucks.
I signed up for microsoft passport wallet for the first time and got a 20% gift certificate to whatever etailer I used the passport in for the first time, which turned out to be www.crutchfield.com. My initially payment was 499.00, then they turned around and sent me a 100 gift certificate that doesn't expire for a year. The only hitch is, I have to use the certificate a crutchfields also, but that won't be a problem since I love electronics.
Long story short, hopefully some can use this same method if they don't mind filling out some online forms. If it is too late, sorry.

All the years I was waiting for my country to be free market. Well, we have been for some time now and I am now seeing this American "Bose" merchandise. All the years I have listened to Italian made designs like Sonus Faber, because they were easy to get. Now I listen to "The world's most popular" speaker designer produce this child's toy. It is obscenely expensive, and sounds like a clock radio. I have been to big retailers in Europe, and compared the Bose time and time again. It is a useless and expensive product that must be purchased by those with money to waste on pointless toys. Is it hi fi? No. Is it a clock radio? yes. Is it inexpensive? NO. That's 3 strikes, and Bose is out.
One star.

Alright, so the Wave radio is maybe a bit overpriced. But I would bet that for its SIZE (can I emphasize the word SIZE) it is totally great. Yes, you can buy a mini system with more features and better sound, but is it going to be 5 inches tall and fit on your nightstand?? This thing is tiny. Really small.I don't know what those old fellas at Bose were thinking when they decided to make it REALLY REALLY small, but I bet that they weren't doing it to try to compete with typical mini systems. This is a high quality clock radio . . . yes, that's all it is, a clock radio . . . with great sound for it's size, and it's certainly not a shame to own it.

Simplicity in use, Performance with acoustical clarity and lifelike spaciousness, good bass from a small radio, elegance in design

Price, positioning is crucial

This is not a mini system ! It cannot be compared to a mini system. It is also not a full reciever ! Apples and oranges.

Now, for what its worth, I have never seen a system reproduce classical music with such clarity without going high end. This system is not designed for rap. It was designed for intrumental clarity.

It does not have bass or treble adjustments, and you all critsize? It is designed to be simple, and they left out those controls on purpose. It was a choice, and if you dont like it, bring it back.

My under the counter Sony system cost my $80, and you could tell. Bass cracks and grates, high treble shreaks, not loud, not clear, and you have to stick your head in the speaker to hear it.

The Nagamichi is excellent, but again, it lacks spaciousness. You have to be near it to hear it, although its performance in the other areas are much improved. But you have to consider that they all have their own stengths and weaknesses, or else you would only ever buy one radio.

Furthermore, when have you ever been to a store where they offered a 90 day satisfaction garauntee? Bose offers service that no other company does, and to be perfectly honest, I like buying from an all American company. What other company has a corporate headquarters in MA.?

For sound quality, if you can find something that size in that catagory, buy it and shut up. But don't compare a GMC truck to a Saturn. This is the most sophisticated clock radio in the world, and you should appreciate it for what it is. The price is a lot, but have you ever seen the sticker price of a Lexus? You have to pay for quality, and sometimes for peace of mind. I know who to speak to when my system breaks.... do you?

I have since purchased both Bose and non-Bose products, but more Bose than not, based on the service, the status, the performance, the elegance, and the simplicity that all Bose products have. I encourage any and all of you to write me, and I will do my best to convert the rest of you as well.

Similar Products Used:

Sony counter-top radio, B&O radio, Nagamichi table top mini system.

- The Clock Is Accurate

- Made By Bose, Hyped By Marketing.
- A "Pamela Anderson" Frequency Response Curve

I listened to this at a Bose factory dealer, and got to take home for a couple of days. It SUCKS. $650 for a clock radio? How stupid do I look. I opened it up to check it out and found a "Darlington PowerPak" amp IC, (which strangely, i found in a $70 Akai Boom Box) and a folded transmission-line enclosure (ooh, waveguide). The speakers are exactly identical to the drivers in my $20 PC speakers. These units use CHEAP parts and a CD player with Teac parts. I wouldn't buy it in a pink fit. Besides, I assembled a CD clock radio out of an $8 K-mart clock radio, and a Creative 2X CD-ROM, with line outs to my NAD 310 bedroom amp & Tannoy speakers. It sounds INCREDIBLY better compared to this Bose POS. This is a toy for rich people

Similar Products Used:

Home Made CD clock radio - Cost $16

Small, sylish, good sound for clock radio

Over hyped

I have had the Wave Radio (not the CD version) for over two years now. It is a very pleasant radio to wake up to. I have it set for WCRB, a classic music station, and hearing a Mozart concerto when I wake up is a delight. The Bose is an excellent clock radio. It is not an audiophile system. Compared to my stereo system it is pathetic; but it is a mistake to compare the two. The Bose is a tiny unit that fits beautifully on a chest, dresser, or night table; try that with a full blown system! Its a bit expensive for what it is ($350) but it does perform well. I have added a small portable CD player to it which gives better sound than FM. Don't even consider this unit if what you need is a good quality receiver and full range speakers.

Similar Products Used:

None

superb sound considering the size of the unit
full rich bass
clear highs

will sound thin if not positioned properly (in or around a corner)

I am reviewing the wave radio without the CD player

For me, a person with limited space, the wave fits my sound bill perfectly. It is compact enough to fit almost anywhere, and still delivers satisfying sound provided that it is positioned properly. I can see the reasons for some of the negative comments, but most of the problems that the other users are experiencing with the sound could be fixed by careful positioning.

I listen to a lot of jazz, and love the way that the wave does the accoustic bass. The accoustic bass has a full and woody sound that my KLIPSCH speakers have trouble reproducing. My wave has no such trouble. I can hear the bassist' fingers sliding over the strings.

While I feel that the wave is perfect for me, I know that it will not be for everybody. If you are in the market for a small system, and have money to spend, look at the wave.

Also, I have heard that the configuration of the waveguide in the wave radio is different from the model that contains a CD player. This might have an unpleasent effect on the sound of the CD model, as I have not heard it for any legnth of time.

Similar Products Used:

none

It is small

The sound, The price

I rented a vacation home for a week and it came with a Bose Waveradio CD player. For that week it was my only music source. Sounds like a $12 clock radio with a 3 inch subwoofer.

Value: The sound of a $30 boom box for $350!!

looks

sound, price

This this is not a high end clock radio. Case in point: the FAR, Far superior JVC mini system for $349. No comparision, and the JVC comes in polished Cherry WOOD. It looks and sounds elegant by compare, destroys the Bose for $150 less.

Similar Products Used:

GE clock radio, Sony boombox, JVC mini system

Excellent controls and ergonomics

fantastic product. Perhaps a bit costly, but if you can afford to spend $500 plus on a high end clock radio, you can't complain too much about the cost. Rich, clear sound from a very sleek, elegant product that is very thoughtfully designed, full of features, and very powerful for its size. Maybe all these arrogant audiophiles should just consider it for what it is, a nicer sounding alternative to the traditional clock radio with a touch of class. It's the 90's...evrything is expensive...deal with it.