About 10 years ago Bose made a splash with its Wave Radio, a high-priced model designed to produce "rich, full sound with remarkable clarity and deep, natural lows." Now other companies are offering table radios promising big sound from small boxes.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Bose, the most recognizable name in this niche, is at the high end of the category, with its Wave Radio and more expensive Wave Radio/CD. Rival products from Boston Acoustics, Cambridge SoundWorks, and Tivoli Audio sell for nearly half that.

Price range: $100 to $500.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

A digital tuner is quick and easy to use. You press up/down buttons or turn a knob to tune in the exact station frequency, which is displayed numerically. Most digital tuners have 10 or more presets, letting you program in a number of favorites. Many have a seek function for searching out the next station with a clear signal.

An analog tuner requires you to fiddle with a rotary knob until a station's sound is clearest. There's no readout of the frequency, but a light may indicate when the signal is strongest. Presets are rare. If you mostly stick with one station, an analog tuner may be fine.

Clearly labeled buttons, easily accessed controls, and displays that are legible even in dim light are a big plus, especially if you'll be using the radio in a bedroom.

Alarms and headphone jacks are handy in a bedroom. Another nice touch for wake-up calls: some models feature audio fade-in (or ramp-up), which starts the sound level low and gradually increases it to the volume level last set. A remote control lets you operate the radio from across the room, useful if it won't be within reach.

An integrated CD player makes it easy to listen to recorded music but can add a lot to the price. Audio inputs on a radio let you hook up an external CD player (or a TV or cassette player), but that setup is less convenient and takes up more space.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Performance differences. All radios tested by Consumer Reports produced clear, smooth sound with decent bass. They were able to fill a small room with sound but would strain in larger rooms or noisy settings. The audio was far superior to the typical clock radio's, but not quite as full and rich as that of a component system or even a top-notch minisystem. Still, given the radios' small size and simple setup, the sound quality was remarkably good--but not uniformly so.

Sound quality is obviously a priority in choosing a radio, but it may not be your only consideration. Size, style, and features may factor into your choice as well. Some models are small enough for a kitchen counter or nightstand, while others may be too big. Style varies greatly, from sleek, high-tech designs to retro looks, all in a choice of colors and finishes.

Recommendations. Radios priced at $100 and more can give you fine sound. They're a good choice in tight quarters, and those with features such as an alarm clock and a headphone jack may be just the ticket in a bedroom. Beyond sound quality and size, look for a style you like and features that suit your intended use. Models with a digital tuner offer easier, more precise tuning, and many have handy features such as presets, a seek function, and a remote control. Those with an analog tuner have a more retro look. A built-in CD player adds to convenience and cost.