Cambridge SoundWorks 730 Radio CD, Black

Cambridge SoundWorks 730 Radio CD, Black

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
If you're looking for a table radio that can compete with a full-component system in sound and performance, look no further than Cambridge SoundWorks 730 Radio. Thanks to a built-in subwoofer and ingenious amplification engineering, the SoundWorks 730 will put any other table radio under the table in head-to-head competition. Priced much less than its closest table-top competitors, the SoundWorks 730 is in a class of its own, delivering uncompromised performance and unequalled value.

Built-in Subwoofer: The Heart of the System
It's amazing what a difference a subwoofer can make. When you turn on your SoundWorks 730, your first reaction will be to look under the table for hidden subwoofer. There's no mistaking the pulse created by a real subwoofer. Cambridge engineers came up with an ingenious way to position the subwoofer and amplify the bass to produce deep, distortion-free sound at any volume. In combination with its wide-dispersion speakers, the SoundWorks 730 delivers sound that's hard to believe comes from such a small box. It's not just better than most tabletop radios, but actually better than many component stereo systems. With separate bass and treble controls, and an auxiliary input for a CD or MP3 player, the SoundWorks 730 gives you everything you need to fill your room with awesome sound.

Lots of Features to Love
. But there's a lot more to this baby to love than just the sound. A large, 32-character display means that you'll no longer have to squint to see what you're listening to. From clear across the room, you'll be able to read the song your radio is playing (assuming your FM station supports Radio Data Service) in your choice of five languages, scrolling across the display. An automatic dimmer reduces display brightness in dark rooms while maintaining good legibility under bright conditions. The SoundWorks 730 also has 16 presets for two bands of FM tuning and 8 presets for AM reception, front inputs for your CD or MP3 player, and a headphone jack. Rear inputs and outputs are included for recording, mixing and outside signal reception. A full-featured remote control offers the ultimate in convenience, while the alarm clock function offers variable snooze settings and two alarms that wake to tone or music.

What's in the Box
AM/FM stereo radio with attached 95-inch AC cord, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, remote control, CR2025 battery, user's manual, and online registration card.

Product Description:
CAMBRIDGE SoundWorks Radio - This tabletop radio further refines the much praised Model 88 by Henry Kloss series. 16 FM presets & 8 AM presets; programmable by included infrared remote control External AUX inputs on front & back panels Wide mode increases apparent width of soundstage Clock features built-in 10 year backup battery Sleep mode turns sound off after user-adjustable 5-120 minute interval Size - 4-15/16H x 14W x 9-7/8W; weighs 11 pounds Color - White

Cambridge SoundWorks 730 Radio CD, Black

Cambridge SoundWorks 740 CD/Radio (Black)
Average customer rating:

Weak AM performance

unbelieveable sound!

Good as Bose and cheaper

VERY DISAPPOINTING

Great sound, but pricey

Cambridge SoundWorks 740 CD/Radio (Black)

Manufacturer: Cambridge SoundWorks
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Radios | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics | AM-FM | Clock Radios | HD Radios | Headset Radios | Replica & Nostalgia Radios | Shortwave | Shower Radios | Under-Cabinet Radios
Radios | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
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Product Features:

A sleek new look mirrors the SoundWorks Newton Series loudspeaker line

MP3 compressed audio file playback from CD-R discs

Two main speakers with actively equalized stereo amplifiers

Dedicated subwoofer driver with frequency contoured amplifier, for bass response no other table radio can touch!

Large backlit display panel with two 16-character lines makes navigating MP3 CD-ROMs or setting one of two wake-up settings easy

ASIN: B0000D1E04

Product Description

CAMBRIDGE SoundWorks Radio CD 740 BLACK - This tabletop radio further refines the much praised Model 88 by Henry Kloss series adding many conveniences to the much acclaimed sound and reputation it has achieved. Today's high performance table radios are better performing and more feature-packed than ever before. And while there are several excellent choices on the market, we think the SoundWorks Radio CD 740 is the best sounding, best value around. Think of it as a home stereo wrapped inside a little box. It can play up to 10 hours of music on a single MP3-encoded CD-ROM, features a superb AM/FM radio with a total of 24 presets, has two alarms and, most importantly, offers great sound. A powered subwoofer provides the deep bass foundation upon which true full-range sound is built. The result is a unique music system that delivers room-filling sound of a quality that will exceed your expectations, but not your budget. Feature for feature and its superior sound help make this tabletop clock radio levels higher than the rest. If you want to wake, listen, or fall asleep to your favorite CD or AM/FM radio, the CD740 is for you. Snooze control Settings for bassw, treble, loudness, and stereo/mono select Scrolling or static readout of Artist & Title info from encoded discs Tuner supports display of RDS ( Radio Data Service ) from many FM stations 16 FM presets & 8 AM presets; programmable by included infrared remote control External AUX inputs on front & back panels Wide mode increases apparent width of soundstage Clock features built-in 10 year backup battery Sleep mode turns sound off after user-adjustable 5-120 minute interval Help menus available in 5 languages Radio Data Service support on FM Stereo Unit Dimensions - 4-15/16H x 14W x 9-7/8W; weighs 12 pounds Color - Black Cambridge Soundworks 1-Year Parts and Labor warranty coverage CNet Editor's Choice award

Amazon.com Review

At a suggested retail price $150 less than its nearest competitor, the Cambridge SoundWorks 740 CD/Radio is the hands-down choice to make if you're in the market for a full-sounding table-top compact CD/radio system. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line alarm clock to go along with the sound performance that the Cambridge 740 offers -- well, that's a different story. But let's start with the good news, because it's very, very good news.

Sound
At the heart of the Cambridge 740 is a pair of high-accuracy speakers and a large subwoofer that somehow fits inside the unit's compact case. As we tested the FM reception on a classical radio station, a passerby turned her head and remarked that she'd never actually "felt" the bass from such a small radio before. And it's true; pop in any CD that's heavy on the bass, and you will definitely feel it. Whether you're listening to classical, jazz or rock, this baby will fill your small space with large sound. (We even placed the unit on an outside balcony at medium volume, and a full block away Mile Davis came through nice and clear. It was truly impressive.) It's hard to imagine finding a compact component system that's anywhere near the Cambridge 740 in quality at anywhere near this price.

Design
At about five inches high, fourteen inches wide, and eleven inches deep -- smaller than a breadbox! -- there's no question that the 740 is compact. It's a perfect size for a table top. But is it a perfect size for a night stand? For our taste it's too bulky to place beside the bed. On a related note, the very small buttons -- of which there are twenty-one on the face -- are very small and it's not exactly a cake walk to set the functions, especially as you're waking up or getting ready for sleep. Thankfully, though, the included remote simplifies these tasks enormously. And aesthetically -- again, it's all a matter of taste, and we'll leave it at that. Nevertheless, in this case the sound quality more than makes up for any shortcomings of design.

Features
There's no denying that this baby is loaded with features, most of which seem to work flawlessly. We played factory CDs as well as home-burned CDs with MP3 files without a glitch. The 32-character display, which offers title/track information, was invaluable, especially when playing MP3 files of songs we'd never heard before. And while scanning the FM waves (superb radio reception, by the way!), we were excited to see the radio station information scrolling across the screen. Separate bass and treble controls, a conveniently placed headphone jack, a credit-card sized remote, and 16 station presets all conspire to bring a smile to any user's face. In another nice touch, front and rear auxiliary inputs are provided for external audio sources such as a portable MP3 player.

Alarm Clock
Our only bone of contention with the 740 centered on the alarm clock. After nearly two hours of following the otherwise quite helpful user's guide, we gave up trying to get the alarm clock to do what we wanted with any kind of consistency. We were able to get every feature to work at least once -- we figured out the way to wake up to the alarm tone, to the radio, and to a specific CD track -- but try as we might, it was frustratingly difficult to repeat our efforts successfully. A related grumble is that the display's automatic dimmer function does not dim enough for anything resembling a sleeping level. And finally, in two separate, three-day tests, we synchronized the time display to our cell phone's time, and in each test the 740 had lost one to two minutes by the end of the third day. This was not a scientific test to be sure, but it convinced us that the money dropped on the Cambridge 740 -- which we would gladly drop -- would be spent on its incredible sound technology, not on its alarm clock functionality.

Pros

Exceptional sound quality for a compact unit
$150 less than the nearest competitor with similar functionality
Programmable display shows radio station information, CD and MP3 text

Cons

Alarm clock user interface and accuracy could be better
Not compact enough for the bedside
Blue LED display should offer greater dimming

Customer Reviews:

Weak AM performance.......2007-03-13

The title says it all for me. Could not pull in AM stations that we frequently listen to. The CD player is fine but only plays one at at time.

unbelieveable sound!.......2007-03-05

I got this for Christmas. It was on my wishlist after alot of research.
I think the functions were pretty straightforward and had no problems setting the alarms. I cannot believe the sound. It's amazing and sounds like a huge soundsystem! I wanted it for an awesome clock radio in the bedroom and I often find myself moving into the living room for parties and get togethers because it sounds better than our big system!

Good as Bose and cheaper.......2007-02-10

I have a Bose Acoustic Wave which I purchased for $500 two years ago and was looking for something of similar quality for a gift but did not want to spend that much this time. I purchased and have listened to the Cambridge Soundworks 740 and it seems to me to be in no way inferior to the Bose and is almost 30% less expensive. It also does not have the disadvantage of being totally without manual controls and operable only with the remote. I do not know how long either will last without problems but based on sound quality, design and price, I recomnend the Cambridge.

VERY DISAPPOINTING.......2007-01-26

5 Weeks after it arrived it would not relinquish the cd within. The sound quality is not good for classical music. If all you want is base and loud base and little more ( suitable for modern pop "music" using the word music loosely) you will like it, if it works.
I returned it and bought a Boston Acoustics model instead, which I love.

Great sound, but pricey.......2007-01-19

The sound quality is beautiful, and I like the fact that it plays MP3 files. The control buttons are tiny, so given my elderly eyesight I had to make a crib sheet for which button does what.

Cambridge SoundWorks CD-740 Clock radio with CD player Black

Average customer rating:

Excels at All Levels
would love to love this radio
Multiple problems and limited warranty
outstanding
Cambridge and Bose A/B Comparison

Cambridge SoundWorks CD-740 Clock radio with CD player Black

Manufacturer: Cambridge Soundworks
ProductGroup: CE

MAXELL CD345 CD Laser Lens Cleaner
Monster Cable MP AV600 Power Protector

ASIN: B00021Y9TU

Customer Reviews:

Excels at All Levels.......2006-11-03

I have had my CD-740 for over a year now. I use it everyday in my office.

It has performed flawlessly from day one with no decrement in functionality or fidelity. It plays regular CDs and MP3s with equal panache and far exceeds the sound quality of the Bose Wave machine that it replaced. And, even in my office where FM reception leaves much to be desired, the CD-740 does a respectable job of pulling in local stations, again, better then the Bose Wave.

I think the button layout could be a bit more intuitive but the Jog button works great once you get used to using it.

All in all my recommendation is BUY IT!

would love to love this radio.......2006-04-23

at first i loved this cd/radio: perfect size, perfect sound. then I noticed that the clock didn't work, but i was still enthusiastic till now, 4 months later, when suddenly the sound quality has tanked too. I use my radio every day, and i'm not pleased at all.

Multiple problems and limited warranty.......2006-01-22

I purchased a new Cambridge SoundWorks 740CD from a retailer on amazon.com. It would not play MP3's and I called the manufacturer only to find out that they only provide a 1 year warranty if purchased directly from them. Their rationale for this is that they put a lot of refurbished units on the market and other manufacturers sell them as new. After a few days of demanding a replacement I was told to return my unit for a new one. I actually recieved a much used unit that was all scratched up and obviously worn. I couldn't believe I sent them a one day old radio with the protective plastic still on it and a worn unit as a replacement. I called back somewhat irritated and ready for a showdown. The person who took my call was friendly and assured me that they would provide a brand new unit. It arrived and the clock gains ten minutes every two days! I have read that is a constant problem with these radios and never had the other two long enough to know if they had defective clocks. The radio produces great music but I was happy to unload it at a really cheap price. I'll never do business with Cambridge SoundWorks again. Buyer Beware!

outstanding.......2005-10-29

I purchased this unit after reading reviews, etc etc. This is an outstanding unit! I can't comment on the CD or radio performance because I use it connected to satellite radio and my iPod. But the sound is incredibly rich and full. Even at low volumes it seems to fill the room with sound. At high volume it rattles the floor with undistorted bass, unbelieveable from such a small unit. If I had to make a complaint, it would simply be that the remote could use a slightly larger range, as I use the radio in a large room.

I have listened to many bookshelf type systems in stores, but have yet to find one I like as well as this little radio.

Cambridge and Bose A/B Comparison.......2005-09-30

Wanting to replace the boombox in my kitchen with something premium, I decided to compare my boiled-down list of tabletop radios- the Cambridge Soundworks 740 and the Bose Wave CD. If you could only have seen the looks my wife gave me as I sat and AB'd them. :)

I was initially impressed by the Wave's good looks... until I took out the 740. It made the Wave look more like a plain-old clock radio. Although the front display on the 740 is more attractive, the Wave was easier to read when standing on angle to the unit. The 740's display of CD Text and FM radio song/station info is a really nice feature. The buttons on the 740 are arranged in a logical order with fairly easy to read function descriptions. The absence of buttons on the Wave is unfortunate. I'd rather not have to rely soley on a remote control as my only means to control the radio. Both remotes are pretty similar, but the Wave's did work a little better at further distances and angles.

The 740 can store more radio stations than the Wave, which I realized when I ran out of buttons trying to program the Wave. Speaking of radio, the 740 required more messing with the antenna to pull in the stations that the Wave was able to pull in without an antenna. The 740 comes with FM and AM antennas. The Wave comes with nada.

The sound quality difference is evident even before adjusting the settings on the 740. The Wave sounded good but the 740 was much better. Turning-on the subwoofer and setting the bass to -3 gave the best sound, IMHO. I was appalled to realize the Wave comes with no treble and bass controls- only a talk-radio feature that acts like a loudness button only when the radio is in use, not the CD.

Unfortunately for the 740 and in-line with many other comments about it, the CD transport failed to take my disc. I was very gentle at first then became more aggressive as I figured I'd have to return it anyhow. Well, when I moved it to another room it magically started working. Maybe it isn't as mechanically reliable as the Wave, but I'm willing to take my chances. This potential issue is the only reason I'm not giving five stars. I haven't noticed the clock losing time yet as other reviewers have noted.

In summary, the 740 is sounds better, has more features, and is more attractive than the Wave. If the Wave was $250 I might have kept it instead, but at $500 this A/B comparison is over and Bose has one more open box to contend with.

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