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Reviewed By Dennis( an Audio Enthusiast) Review Date 03/19/1999 Overall Rating  3 of 5 Rate this review? Summary Let me start with the negatives so that you'll hopefully take the positives a little more seriously. First, all Bose products are way overpriced. They can do that, though, because they have little to no competition. At one time, I seriously considered a Bose Acoustimass home theater system. In addition to small, inobtrusive speakers, it had a small, inobtrusive system unit. The sound was okay - liveable if not good. But the sound really can't be compared to anything else, because there isn't (or wasn't !) anything similar. I wouldn't be surprised if the Yamaha AV-1 is as good for a fraction of the price, but I never checked it out because I convinced myself that components are the only way to go. I couldn't see spending $3000 for a HT system that can't do Dolby digital - or that can't supply power to a 2cnd set of speakers (you need powered speakers) ! So I stuck with components. As for speakers, I still thought about Bose, then starting looking at better sounding, though bigger, alternatives, like the Energy Take 5's or the Definitive Pro Cinemas. I finally ordered a set of Gallo Micros. I'll post a review in the Gallo Micro section soon.OK, so my point of all that is that you can't compare the wave/radio CD to any other $500 system in terms of sound. It won't sound as good. If you want a really small system that sounds better for the same or less money, look at the JVC FS-7000 (or 5000, but the 7000 is much nicer looking). But if you want a small, inobtrusive table radio for a bedroom (or wherever) that sounds good and offers some nice alarm features, this is it. So I bought an overpriced radio. I can live with that. The sound is pretty directional from across the room (short dimension - about 8-10 feet). The further away you are, and the louder you play it, the better it gets. In fact, if you take it outside and play it in a patio area, it's amazingly good for something so small. It still does pretty good at low volume - it holds onto the bass just enough. We use it mostly listen to a relaxing CD after turning out the lights and set the sleep mode to turn it off after half an hour. It feels sturdy and well built. The antenna is built into the power cord, and on our second floor, reception is great. There's a coax jack for an external antenna. The LED display automatically brightens and dims according to the light level in the room. The remote works from anywhere in the room, but it would be nice if it were backlit or if some of the buttons were textured in some way to identify them in the dark. That's about it. If you compare it to a $500 stereo system, it's overpriced, but if you compare it to any other radio alarm clock, it's fantastic. In fact, I've never heard another clock radio that sounds pleasant, rather than grating. As an alarm clock, it's a 5 - as a $500 stereo, it's a 1. I'll put in an overall rating of 3, but it's either good or bad depending on what you expect out of the thing. Strength Weakness Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Reviewed By Bruce Mahew( an Audio Enthusiast) Review Date 07/19/1999 Overall Rating  1 of 5 Rate this review? Summary What, I ask you justifies the price of this when a clock radio, or MINI system with MUCH better sound costs less? For $499 you can get a whole mini system with a full plethora of components. Or for $149, a boom box with the SAME features. For the outrageous "More money than brains" pricing scheme: 1 STAR!!!For the "nothing special" sound output 1 star. This is an IDIOTIC and simple products for idiots with simple minds and a lot of money to throw in the toilet. This proves that if you put a name on soemthing, you can ask anything for it, and some totally clueless morons will gladly waste thier money on it. A boom box alarm for $499. How about a clock radio for $369...oh wait, they did that. Ok, what about $299 for just an alarm clock. WAKE UP YOU BRAINLESS DOLTS! ITS JUST A STUPID CLOCK RADIO WITH A CHEAP CD PLAYER!!!! GET A CLUE!!! Strength Weakness Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Reviewed By ehlava( an Audio Enthusiast) Review Date 07/19/1999 Overall Rating  4 of 5 Rate this review? Summary The price is way out of line, but the sound is not too bad for such a small unit. I have heard component systems of the monster truck crowd variety that sound much worse than this. If money is no object and space and simplicity is a consideration, it is worth a look.Strength Weakness Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Reviewed By John Nesmith( an Audio Enthusiast) Review Date 07/20/1999 Overall Rating 1 of 5 Rate this review? Summary No, I feel if you have ears that function, there are much better buys than $499 for a plastic, cheap clock radio with a cd player. I listen to all forms, and they all sound bad on Bose products. Teac, Technics, and the like make $499 systems that can be mated with REAL speakers. If I don't have much room, that same space that occupies that Bose junk would accomadate a decent mini system.If you listen...really listen to any music, ALL Bose products are beaten at each price point in value and sound quality. If you have a brain, then buying a cheap pile like this doesn't add up. Sound: the $499 Bose system is BEATEN in sound comparisions to decent portable stereos that cost only $299. Stereo's that have actual things like tweeters and ported woofer setups. Take the Bose Wave ripoff side by side with a similar priced small stero. The Bose LOSES every time---by a WIDE margin. Strength Weakness Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Reviewed By Joseph Young( an Audio Enthusiast) Review Date 07/20/1999 Overall Rating  5 of 5 Rate this review? Summary Expensive, but it does give sound stage and is relatively detailed. If you primarily listen to classical music and don't have enough space for big stereo system, it is a good choice. If you listen to pop music only, I think every cheap boom box will do reasonable jobs for you.Strength Weakness Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
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3.16 of 5
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