Boston Acoustics Microsystem CD

A Bose-beater from Boston? Brilliant!

Boston Acoustics has the Bose market firmly in its sights with this one-box hi-fi. Let's face it, Bose has had things all its own way with stylish, minimalist units such as the Wave Music System, so it's about time someone tried to take a slice of the pie.

This soundbox packs a CD player - with MP3/WMA playback - an FM/AM radio, stereo speakers, and an alarm clock all in a solid, classy white unit. The screen's a big, white-on-blue backlit LCD that's easy to read from across the room. A nice design touch is the fold-down door on the front that hides the CD drawer and houses the slim remote.

Sound quality is on a par with the Bose system. It handles dance and classical music equally well, although it's a little hard-edged with rock bands such as Maxïmo Park. Radio reception is superb, even with the supplied aerial, but it's a shame there's no DAB tuner. Unlike the Wave Music System, it can all be controlled without the remote.

This is an excellent product, whether it's used as a compact stereo or a CD alarm clock. Boston has beaten Bose at its own game.