Calling Audiophiles: Your Alarm Clock Radio Recommendations?

[Gruder]

I find myself in need of a new alarm clock, and would like to move beyond something with that all-too characteristic tinny, scratchy sound. Auxiliary input and/or CD player would be my only requirement other than excellent sound quality. Here's the kicker just to keep things interesting -- let's keep it under $200. I know that there are a couple of Boston Acoustics units in this range, and that Bose is, well, not.

What springs to your mind? Anything you've heard and would recommend? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[ouch]

Some nice ones- good as the Bose for less.
http://www.tivoliaudio.com/home.php?xid=207d324244220cc7d625bae20278d82e

 

[GoldenMonkey]

+1 on the Tivolis...much better machine than the Bose, and sweet styling to boot.

 

[syzygy]

I have a Tivoli Model Three and it sounds and looks incredible. I don't think there is anything on the market that even comes close. Well worth the money.

 

[professorchaos]

+3 on the Tivolis.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Make that a +4 for Tivoli. Except I'd get a Model One for the music and buy a Zen Alarm Clock for the waking up. Henry Kloss is a mad genius, and the Tivoli sounds GREAT.

I'm not a great fan of the Model Three because it's just a Model One with a 'meh' alarm clock added in for a LOT more money.

I freaking love my Zen alarm...it's a great way to wake up, especially if you dig lucid dreams right before you wake up.

 

[SiBurning]

audiophile? alarm clock? $200? bose? ***?

 

[Gruder]

Wow! Thanks to all who made useful suggestions. Frankly, it's rare on B&B to see such universal praise for one item! I think I'll try to see/hear the Tivoli and a Boston Acoustics duo in person today or tomorrow. If others have suggestions (or more +1s ) in the meantime, just let me know. Thanks!

 

[Rughi]

Walter is not wrong...

I have two Model Ones and a Model Three. I'd keep buying the M1's every time I had a need for one, but I wouldn't pay double the price for an M3 just to get a ...meh... alarm clock again.

Technically, the M3 has stero or mono jacks for external speakers, but that is outside of the tabletop concept. I would guess the M1 is the only model with Kloss' involvement. The later ones (and later color combos) get gadgety and start to lose their beautiful simplicity.

Roger

 

[mmack66]

audiophile? alarm clock? $200? bose? ***?

 

[pmast]

audiophile? alarm clock? $200? bose? ***?

I have small kids and haven't needed an alarm clock in the past 6 1/2 years. They do cost a lot more in the long run, but the sound quality is great as long as you aren't picky about the sounds..."Daddy are you awake?", "Daddy the toilet is making the bathroom all wet."...ect.

 

[Henrique]

make that a +4 for tivoli.

+5

 

[Thebigspendur]

Yea, to a true audiophile no alarm clock is fit for serious listening.

However for a good sounding alarm clock the mentioned brands will fill the bill.

 

[Mysterion]

Yea, to a true audiophile no alarm clock is fit for serious listening...

But for the truly mad audiophile, there's always the Clever Little Clock, from MachinaDynamica. Believe it or not, they've sold a heap of these things.

 

[ouch]

I hardly get a chance to listen to my Magnum Dynalab any more.

 

[dpm802]

Wow! Thanks to all who made useful suggestions. Frankly, it's rare on B&B to see such universal praise for one item! I think I'll try to see/hear the Tivoli and a Boston Acoustics duo in person today or tomorrow. If others have suggestions (or more +1s ) in the meantime, just let me know. Thanks!

I'll throw in another +1 for Tivoli ... although I don't have one, I'd buy it without hesitation.

Another option you might consider: there are numerous iPod docks that can function for wake-up purposes. Look around on Amazon, and the choices are staggering.

Finally, take a look at WiFi Internet radios ... it will expand your listening options to the Nth degree.

A good place to shop for radios of any kind is www.ccrane.com ... although they don't carry the Tivoli, they do have several other high end brands.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

But for the truly mad audiophile, there's always the Clever Little Clock, from MachinaDynamica. Believe it or not, they've sold a heap of these things.

The two comments posted in that link said it all...

 

[ClubmanRob]

Another glowing testimonial for Tivoli, specifically the Model 3. The Bose Wave still sounds better to my ears, but at half the price, the Tivoli is probably the better buy.

 

[Gruder]

Another option you might consider: there are numerous iPod docks that can function for wake-up purposes. Look around on Amazon, and the choices are staggering.

I've actually been looking a bit more in this direction now that my lovely wife has suggested that an iPod dock is an important feature to her (not just a line in -- Must. Have. Dock. ). I'm not a pod person myself, so what do I know... (Sadly, that kills the Tivoli for now -- though I may very well procure a Model One as a kitchen radio. There's a better cost/value ratio with the Tivoli One than with the Three, to be sure.)

Thus far, the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo-I appears to be at the top of the list for those wanting to combine very good sound quality, an alarm (dual, even), and the now-important iPod dock. I remain, as always, open to thoughts and suggestions.

Then again, perhaps I could manufacture my own "clever little clock" -- now where's that old Big Ben?...

 

[Gruder]

Gents, I'm happy to report a victory in man's eternal struggle with the whims of woman. After complex negotiations, promises of wife-desired technology to be named later (by her), and plenty of time spent on review sites, etc., tonight I've ordered a Tivoli Model Three. Many thanks to those of you who made the suggestions.

I blew my budget a tad by ordering the add-on speaker, as I'd like to evaluate the sound both with the mono and stereo. If the stereo doesn't add much, back it goes. I'll do my best to post the verdict here, should anyone be interested.