The Model 88CD is not agressive sounding.

Limited output fromthe subwoofer.

This posting is for the Model 88CD For the record, I presently have in my home 3 Model 88CD and two of the newly redesign 730 radios, again from Cambridge Soundworks. Not that the Model 88 is still available directly from the Cambridge Soundworks, thought I used to also own both a Boee Wave radio CD along with the Model 88;. Once I ordered my first Model 88CD; I instantly sold both Model 88 and the Bose wave Radio CD. Then began the love affair with these radios The Wave Radio sounds OK, look better but is by far not as good sounding as any other table top radios from Cambridge Soundworks. The Wave is way too over priced yet sounds extremely process/EQ. Must you ever have the choice between purchasing the newer Cambridge Soundworks 740 (same as the 730 but with a built-in CD player) or the Model 88CD; I would highly recommend the Model 88CD. The newer 730/740 is capable of playing a lot louder, as the sub is been redesign/improved, I would prefer a less powerful radio for something that sounds more neutral. The 730/740 can sound boomy because the sub is pointing downward. Clearly, an audiophile would choose the Model 88CD over the 730/740 any day. This must be why Cambridge Soundworks after trying to pull the Model 88Cd off the market, brought it back after all. The Model 88CD will always remain a classic. Chapeau to Henry Kloss Bernard Durand Ottawa Ontario Canada

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge Soundworks 740 Bose Wace Radio CD

crisp and clear with lots of bass which you can control with a dial in the back. Audio inputs.

None that I could find.

I purchased the Model 88 in liew of the more expensive Bose wave radio in 2000. I could not be more happy with this radio. I have recommended this unit to friends who have also purchased it and love it as well. I connected it to my electronic keyboard at home as an amp. It really sounds great. I did recently purchase a Bose 5.1 stereo system to watch movies only becase at the time Cambridge did not have a system comparable to it at the time. However, now they do and for alot less money. I wish I waited just a little longer. I would have gotten the cambridge system and saved a whole lot of cash. Bose is a great system but alot of that extra cash your paying is to cover all that advertisments. Save your money and go with Cambridge. :)

Compact. Small remote. Two aux ins. Relatively inexpensive. Looks nice. Doesn't tire you out from listening to it.

The sound is what you would expect from an all-in-one of this size.

I had to send it back once, don't know if what they sent me was a new unit or the same old one. Problem was buzzing in one speaker. Seems to have been fixed. I suppose for the price, this thing is OK, but if you're expecting really good sound, then go expect it somewhere else. OK for a table radio in a small room, but never would I use it for anything approaching real listening. Nice that it has two aux ins, though. Just good enough so that I can listen to it for fairly long periods.

Bass performance is excellent, highs are very crisp and the receiver surprised me with it''s ability to pull in hard to reach stations.

Would be great if it had an alarm feature and also if the CD option were not so expensive relative to the cost of the base model.

The bass is truly amazing and the highs are nearly as good (especially considering the radio''s small stature). For Christmas I bought my wife a Bose "Acoustic Wave" system (not to be confused with the Bose Wave Radio that the Model 88 is typically compared to. I am embarrased to admit that I could have saved myself close to $1000.00 had done my homework in advance. Well done.

Similar Products Used:

Kloss Model One (I love it) Bose Wave Music System (a great system but not a great value).

Good value relative to the competition.

Poor subwoofer integration.

I tried the Cambridge radio for use with FM since I don''t use it through my main system since it is inherently a low quality program source. It seemed to be a much better value than the Bose which is clearly overpriced. Unfortunately. it was not the equal in sound quality to the Bose due to poor subwoofer integration with the other drivers. Even with the level control turned virtually all the way down. I finally did get the Bose despite the overpricing issue. I think it''s important for all of us to understand that these are RADIOS and not full component systems. They are designed to give reasonable sound from very small packages without component hassles. My home system is where I demand the best.For less than critical applications both units have their place.

Similar Products Used:

Bose

Fine, warm sound, makes you want to listen to FM.

Inability to scan for or seek stations.

I like this little guy a lot and don't have much to add to other reviewers' comments. I like the looks, which seem both modern and kinda retro too; reminds me of previous Kloss electonics, like the Advent 100 and 300.

For the Model 88, my only big dislike is the fact that it can't scan for or seek radio stations; one of the big pleasures of electronic tuners for me is the ability to scan or seek for radio stations. For example, with that feature in my car radio, I hear a lot of interesting music and voice shows I'd otherwise be unaware of. Exploration is one of the pleasures of radio, at least for me. The Model 88 is the only electronically-tuned radio I've seen w/o scan or seek. However, the Model 88 does offer presets for radio stations.

If you're interested in buying a Model 88, you should check out http://www.hifi.com . At that site, you can find B-stock/customer return products at discount, as well as new audio gear. Also, at least right now, hifi.com is tossing in Model 88 radios and other goodies with purchases over certain price limits.

By the way, Cambridge SoundWorks has added a new model of this radio with a CD player built in. I've seen it in their Xmas '99 print catalog, but haven't heard it. Looking at the print catalog, I can't tell if the CD-player-equipped radio includes a headphone jack, which is standard on the Model 88 radio.

Similar Products Used:

JVC FS2000 minisystem.

Good sound for the money.

None yet

Recently the receiver in my office died, so I decided to purchase a radio for my reception room and an inexpensive separates system for my personal office. A neighbor let me borrow his Bose Wave Radio until my system was up and running.
Based on internet reviews, I purchased the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88 radio. Thus I was able to compare the two radios side by side in my own environent. The CSW radio had a better sound at $200 less than the Bose!

Similar Products Used:

Bose Wave Radio

Plays loud. Seems much bigger than the box with good source. Strong base. Dynamic

Brittle highs, boomy bass, major lack of mid-range. No tone controls to make things a bit more listenable.

I wanted a radio in my bedroom top listen to music, news, talk, etc. I love audio so I paid the extra for the Cambridge -- with the CD (mostly the same otherwise.) I thought it would be money well spend from everything I had read.

I can't tell you how disappointed I was. It was all boomy base and treble. Reminded me of the small Bose speakers and separate woofer. There was almost no integration of the bass and treble and both were terribly pushed. The midrange was almost non-existent. If you are thinking about this machine, try this test -- listen to the spoken voice on it. It will sound totally unnatural. Other comments here seem to think this is OK because they say this machine is made for music. Nonsense. Music is primarily midrange and this machine's balance is so pushed to the extremes it can't reproduce midrange in any quantity.

I hated it so much I went out and bought a cheap Sony boombox and thought it was better -- OK, it had no highs or lows, but at least it didn't annoy me as much, it just sounded dead.

So it goes. I'm returning both radios. I found an Aiwa radio (CSD-NS1) that sounds much better. No, it isn't that great, but it costs $200 and is much more natural. The instruments have tones that are close to correct and it is much prettier.

Similar Products Used:

Various small boomboxes, more on that below:

incredible low end

No clock

This thing is a dream. I had been suffering with a Sony Boom Box on my desk for about a year that didn't pick up FM worth a damn. I finally forked over $170 from my local high end shop and was amazed right away. Even my wife, who normally could care less, commented at how nice the 88 sounds. She wishes I had gotten the balck model (so do I) but they were out of stock. Just hooked up a cheapy CD Walkman clone and it even sounds great. I will now be looking for excuses to spend more time in the office.

FYI: HIFI.com is selling refurb 88's for $129. Same warranty. Too bad I am so impatient.

Similar Products Used:

Wave radio

Nice bottom end; mini remote

Speaker grille looks like a cheese grater. No micro-mesh here.

This thing simply blows my Bose Wave radio away. I know I shouldn't be surprised. The coolest part though is that you can run your computer into it. Everyone should have a powered sub on their desk. Excellent radio reception as well (better than Bose). Very pleased and would not want to part with it by any means. 5 stars all around.

Similar Products Used:

Bose Wave, JVC FS-MD9000