FM and AM reception, wide feature, tone quality, ease of use and appearance. Good bass impact down to 60hz. Better sound quality than the Bose Wave Radio, IMO.

Woofer not self protected against overload. Only 6 station presets per band. Possible quality control problems with the subwoofer. Poor customer service when exchanging defective unit.

The model 88 has a fabulous FM tuner that is highly sensitive and resistant to interference. I can pick up FM stations as clearly with it's accessory antenna as I can with my Carver tuner with an outdoor antenna! AM quality is quite good as well, better than most receivers, but not as good as a GE superradio. The unit's mono switch can be engaged for weak FM stations, if desired. I believe the Bose Wave radio lacks this feature. The "wide" feature can significantly widen the soundstage of some stereo source material. The effect is similar to Carver's sonic holography, and like sonic holography, works best if one is seated exactly between the speakers. The tone quality of the radio is slightly warm with an emphasis on the mid-bass which gives a slightly chesty sound to male vocals. Turning down the subwoofer control about 1/3 of a turn past the center detent reduces this coloration. The apparent bass response of the Model 88 is startling at first. It is hard to believe that so much bass is coming out of that small box! The radio has two auxillary inputs. I use one with a CD player. When playing CDs I discovered that some bass heavy passages of certain discs caused the woofer to audibly distort and rattle even at very low sound levels. The first unit I purchased was defective in this regard and began to distort on all program material and was exchanged. The second unit's subwoofer also distorted on certain CD bass heavy passages but hasn't "broken" after two years of use. It should be noted that Cambridhe Soundworks did not work with me to have UPS pick up the defective unit. I eventually paid UPS to have the radio shipped back, and to this date, I have not been reimbursed by Cambridge Soundworks for the shipping cost.
All things considered, the Model 88 is a great stereo system for a small room where a rack of components and speakers is not desired or possible. Just remember, if listening to Cds, to go easy on the apparently fragile subwoofer.

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Proton clock radio

Potential for excellent sound quality, low price

Defective design and workmanship, unreliable

At first, this radio seemed great. The sound quality was very good, especially considering the small box and low price. I haven't done side-by-side comparisons, but it generally sounded as good or better than any other mini system I've heard. The bass was surprisingly rich and music really filled the room. I used it primarily with a CD player (Technics), but the FM sound is also very good. Based on these factors (audio quality, price, small size) alone, the Model 88 would be a great solution for small apartments (such as mine) or the bedroom or wherever you'd like.

There are some limitations, however. The left and right speakers are contained within the box (about 10 inches apart) so you will not get good imaging or stereo separation here. There is a 'wide' feature that is intended to compensate for this, but it sounds unnatural and generally blurs the sound. Also, the single subwoofer will have problems with low frequency sounds that are 'out of phase', as these will cancel and you will get 'no bass'.

Something else to keep in mind is that this system is not magnetically shielded. This means that you shouldn't place it on top of or near other components (especially video and computer displays). So it is not very practical to use it in an audio/video set up, despite the advertising claims.

There are other design flaws that bugged me after a while too. The radio offers only six FM and six AM presets - at least two shy of what I'd consider adequate. There is also an annoying quirk with the controls on the box. You must wait a second between button presses or it will not respond. This is particularly annoying when you first turn on the Model 88 - it automatically raises the volume to the setting it was at when turned off and does not respond to any button presses until it reaches that volume. You should make sure to decrease the volume before turning it off - but on the box, you must decrease the volume, wait a second, then turn it off. Otherwise it will remain on. Using the remote control is the only way to get an immediate response from the Model 88.

I also didn't like the digital volume control. It goes from 0 to 99, but adjacent numbers may have the same value. So increasing from 32 to 33 could have no effect, while 34 might be louder than you'd expected.

Finally I offer this warning for those considering the Model 88: I had mine for about 6 months when it exhibited abnormal behavior such as volume swells and a loud hum from the subwoofer. Adjusting the subwoofer control (on the back panel) would cause very loud static bursts to come through the speakers. I sent it back to Cambridge for a free replacement (under warranty). I'd been using the replacement that they sent without any problems for about 1.5 years. Then, this unit suddenly exhibited similar behavior. I get a very loud hum and a distorted audio signal. Decreasing the volume has no effect. The radio plays at one loud volume, even when the volume control is at zero. Every button I press causes a static jolt to come from the speakers.

If I had to guess, I would say that there is a problem with the design of the radio's electronics. Despite it's good sound quality, a radio that is unreliable such as this gets my lowest rating. After two dead 88's I have no desire to go for another. Considering that the average lifespan (in my experience) was only a year, it represents a poor value as well. Therefore, I do not recommend the Model 88 to anyone.

Big sound in a compact package.

High noise floor, poor radio reception and the ext. antenna connector is a joke.

This is not a bad piece of equipment. I bought this in order to have a small radio I could take in to work on those late nights. Since my main criterion was being able to fit in a backpack, I have little to complain about.
I will say that some of the hype this little guy receives is undeserved. The Model 88 is a fine radio if you are looking to play rock/pop/dance music at moderate to loud levels. In fact, I was surprised at just how loud the Model 88 could get! But with more delicate classical and jazz, I find the background hiss disturbing. At first I thought it was just the FM receiver in my unit, but the hiss remained with CDs played from my PC. I sent the unit back for repairs, they sent me a “refurbished” unit with the same problem AND a loose connector panel. I guess it’s just something that I’ll have to live with.

I have not heard the Bose table radio, but for the price difference, I do not think I could possibly be that much better. The Model 88 is a solid value at $150. If you have an external source, I think you are much better off with this radio than any other “mini-system” from $200-$400. I just wish they could have “shielded” the drivers so you could place the unit near a computer monitor or TV.

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Heard lots of Aiwa and JVC systems in college

sound quality, headphone jack

AM reception, FM reception, CD player dies

I wanted to love this radio. I have a Bose WaveRadio but I wanted a unit with a CD and a headphone jack. That was 3 units ago.

The first unit went back after the speakers began to buzz. The second unit went back when the CD player died.

FM reception is mediocre. The Bose has much stronger and cleaner reception.The AM reception is worse than my $20 clock/radio. It's useless. To add insult to injury, there's not even an hookup for an AM antenna. This might be acceptable for $100 radio. For $349 I'm insulted. The Bose has great AM. When the 88CD works it does sound a little better than the Bose, but I haven't had to send the Bose back twice.

The service manager said they won't replace it again; he'll only try, operative word try, to fix it. Buy with caution.

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Bose wave radio

Poor AM reception -- virtually useless

I purchased the 88CD after reading numerous reviews here and elsewhere. It was to have been for my mother -- a well-researched gift to make it easier for her to listen to radio (she has about six of them placed around the house). When I got it up to her place, the first thing I noticed was a heavy AC buzz -- nothing could eliminate it. Realized it was the electrical lines in her house. Nothing helped. I also noticed extremely poor AM reception. Turning the whole receiver is ridiculous. For this much $$, the thing should at least out-shine cheap clock radios -- and it didn't. I took the 88 back to my home in Maryland, outside of DC, which is a highly RF active area. The electric buzz was gone (even in a large apartment building) so I figure that problem was nailed down. But AM reception still sucks. I was almost frustrated enough to return the radio -- but I hooked it up to my TV and was floored by the sound quality. So, here it sits. My overall impression of the Kloss is that in construction and features it's like a fine communications receiver built to receive shortwave. The remote is impressive, and the ergonomics of the thing are very nice -- the readout is nice and large. Now, everyone I see here mentions the lack of a station seek mode. Well, mine has it....it seems they added this feature in response to protests? So, there you have it -- as an overall effort I give it an A, downgraded to a B minus if you're picky about reception on AM (which I am). I wonder if others have experienced poor AM reception as well? Oh -- the FM wire supplied with the radio is just inferior -- they should ship an actual FM loop.

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Tone alarm locks on if you press any radio button before turning off the tone alarm. The only fix is to unplug the radio (not recommended while drowsy).

I love the 88CD so it breaks my heart to have to return it.

When the tone alarm is activated, the radio is deactivated. That's fine unless the radio program is interesting and you jump up to turn the radio back on. Surprise! Now, the only way to turn off the incessant beeping is to unplug the radio.

Cambridge Soundworks has confirmed the problem but it will be at least 2 years before the problem is fixed, if it is fixed at all. (Apparently, I'm the only person to consider this a problem so how important can it be?)

I took my 88CD to the local Bose store hoping that I could find a comparable Bose system without this bug and not have to wait 2 years. Unfortunately, the 88CD sounds much better than both the Bose Wave Radio/CD ($500) and the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System ($1100) in a side-by-side comparison so that's not an acceptable option.

The only safe solution I've come up with is a dedicated surge protector to power-off the radio whenever the tone locks.

Instead, I've decided to wait the two years for the next model which, hopefully, won't have this problem. But, for someone who isn't planning to use the tone alarm, this is a great little system.

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Bose's Wave Radio/CD and Bose's Acoustic Wave Music System

Price,Sound quality

No in-built clock,otherwise none

I have read all the reviews for this as well as Bose Wave Radio.Be it known that i can afford to buy a Bose.But why should I spend extra 200 dollars for a Bose when I can get the same or more satisfaction from this little beauty.The FM reception is extra ordinarily good and so is AM.I am very much pleased to own this one.

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Technic system,Philips Radios

high quality sound, good tuner, handy remote control, relatively compact size

wish it had more than 6 station presets per band since stations cannot be directly entered

I am very pleased with this radio. The main reason I purchased this radio was to avoid turning on my Denon 3300 based system for listening to background music. As most of you know, California is in the midst of a pitiful energy situation. After suffering for about two weeks with no background music, I made this purchase. I consider it $150 well-spent. Great sound, strong tuner. The only external antenna I am using is the flimsy approx 3 foot wire which came with the radio.

I would have purchased the Model 88 with CD player, but could not justify the $200 price premium.

I recommend this radio with no reservations.

SOUND, size, companion Control Clock.

Lack of "seek" or "direct entry" tuning.

This a a GREAT radio. The sound is superb (as good or better than the Bose Wave radio, and a much better value), and it is quite compact. The separation of radio and clock functions into separate components is very convenient, improves sound placement, and saves space on the nightstand. The synthasized "wide" sound feature really works.

It would be nice to have "seek" and/or "direct entry" tuning, but the sound quality alone that makes this little gem worth about twice what I paid for it on sale. The newer Model 88CD (the same radio with a built-in CD player) was about twice as much (also on sale), so I opted for the basic radio with a separate portable CD player wired thru the "CD" iput - this works just fine.

Very highly recommended as a second system for the bedroom; or as a primary system for a dorm room, small cabin, or boat (it has a 12v power iput).

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Fine remote, clear and unfussy controls, great bargain at $125.

AM reception, over-engineered sound.

I found the Model 88 on sale for $150 at hifi.com, then got an additional $25 discount for making my first purchase. I have it hooked up to an inexpensive TEAC CD player and an external dipole antenna in my bedroom.

Many of the prior reviews have made valid points - especially regarding the sometimes boomy bass that you may need to attenuate with the subwoofer level control and the difference between a true high end system and a compact radio like this one. I have found three other nits of my own. First, FM reception can be greatly affected by interference unless you keep the power cord straight and clear of other wires. Second, the digital display for the volume control spools up from 0 to the previously set volume when you turn the unit on. While this is going on, the other buttons are disabled. You cannot change the source or even turn the unit off. Third, the Stereo, Wide and Mono settings sound the same with many FM stations. I believe that the unit switches to mono to improve weak signal reception, and is a little too trigger-happy about this.

As for the inevitable comparison with the Bose Wave Radio, I find the similarities more obvious than the differences. The Cambridge is obviously a far better bargain and can play louder with better bass. But both units have an engineered sound, with boosted upper bass and a soft top end. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since the design of these units preclude any possibility of high end sound anyway. How can you expect a credible soundstage from fixed speakers only 6 inches apart? However, the Cambridge fulfills its goal of providing pleasant background music from a handsome, well constructed and very compact package. As long as you do not expect too much from it, you will not be disappointed.

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