Customer Reviews
Beware 
2008-04-12
This is just about the most awfull thing I've purchased. Getting tired of Bose I decided to try this because of their supposedly reputable lineage.
The CD eject button didn't work from day one. The remote began to falter at day 10. Most of the unit's front buttons ceased to respond at day 20. FM only worked with odd-numbered stations ( odd number after the dot: 95.7:0k; 97.6,doesn't tune).
Contacted all the time CambridgeSW. Got illeterate answears. Two problem e-mail strings ended with the phrase: " you should contact Cambridge SoundWorks" (!!!!!). Any one interested I'll send a copy of the mail closing the case with such a phrase.
Beware.
Good product, but failed too soon 
2008-01-21
Because this product appears to be the same as the CD 740 radio, with an iPod dock added, I'm reviewing it based on my experience with the CD 740, which I bought directly from Cambridge Soundworks in spring 2006. I agree with the other reviewers that in many ways this is a competitive product to the Bose Wave radio. I also own the Bose [edited to add, it's the older one that has buttons on the top, not the current one which only operates by remote] so I've compared them in my own home. I can't tolerate cheap radios although I'm not a world-class picky audiophile. I find the sound each of these radios produces to be very good, strong, and room-filling.
The Bose is lighter and smaller and more attractive, and I like that its alarms start off low and increase in volume, which the CD 740 alarms do not. The CD 740 has more radio station presets than the Bose, and where I live six FM presets (what the Bose has) is not enough. The CD 740 has a total of 16 FM presets, and 8 AM presets.
But sadly, after 21 months, my CD 740 seems to have fried a chip or something - all the time-related functions are kaput. And it's out of warranty, so to have it repaired I'm out of pocket $65 plus the cost of shipping it to Massachusetts. I think the unit is not adequately shielded against static electricity, a common household problem especially in dry climates. My Bose radio is a lot older than the CD 740 and has never had any problems like that.
I am going to send the CD 740 back to Massachusetts for repairs, because that is cheaper than buying anything to replace it, and I like this unit overall. But I may never buy another Cambridge Soundworks audio product, based on this experience: this radio is too vulnerable to static electricity, and the warranty is not long enough.
If you can't buy a bose wave this is a good idea 
2008-01-14
I buy this item because I read a review telling that it is better than bose wave. That is not true.But it's ok for the price.
Functional, butt ugly 2007-12-13
Pros:
* Excellent sound
* Price
* Nice remote, can also control the iPod
* iPod dock with video out (composite and S-video)
* On-board control buttons
* Dual alarms
Cons:
* Ugly and cheap looking (compared to the Bose Wave radio)
* Horrible blue light on the iPod dock that can't be turned off and is bright enough to keep you awake at night. Worse yet, it is an utterly pointless light: it gives you absolutely no useful information.
* Non-existent radio reception without an external antenna, marginal reception with one, even on local stations. If you're thinking of buying this primarily to use as a radio, don't.
Listen up Bose 2007-08-15
I was looking for a second Bose CD/radio and read another review that had my same frustrations with the Bose. (No Bass/Treble adjustment, lose the remote and you don't have a usable device..). I ordered the Cambridge and here is my comparison. It is slightly larger and Much heavier than the Bose, the sound is comparable but does not have the clean volume range of the Bose. The radio station reception is not good without a lot of tweaking. I do appreciate the exteranl controls on the Cambridgte along with a user friendly remote that operates all the components. The ipod dock is a big plus and EASY. Overall the Cambridge is a close second with user features that make it preferred as my 2nd radio/device player. The price difference is also substantial. That said, I will keep one Bose on hand, but Bose should be listening to why I am buying the Cambridge instead of a second Bose.
Cambridge blows the wave right out of the water 
2007-05-06
The SoundWorks Radio CD 745 offers consumers a complete personal music system with the convenience and capability of attaching a dock for iPods, ZEN or other digital audio players, an AM/FM radio, CD/MP3-CD player, and more.The SoundWorks Radio CD 745 features an AM/FM tuner with superb reception, display of RDS information (when available) 24 presets, and dual alarms. It plays standard CDs or MP3-encoded CDs. The radio's convenient "AUX" inputs also let users connect other audio sources. Programmable bass and treble controls allow users to adjust tonal balance for personal taste.The SoundWorks Radio CD 745 reproduces music at its best - whether listening to digital music stored on an MP3 player, AM/FM radio, or CD/MP3-CDs. It uses Cambridge SoundWorks' award-winning, signature 2.1 speaker design, including built-in powered subwoofer. Driven by a frequency contoured amplifier, the subwoofer provides deep and accurate bass response that no other table radio can match.The SoundWorks Radio CD 745 offers big sound and a rich feature set in a small, handsome tabletop package that is versatile enough to please virtually everyone - iPod users, AM/FM radio lovers, CD users, or those looking for one amazing clock radio.
