X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Bose Wave Radio III

Bose Wave Radio III

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
See full bio
David Carnoy
2 min read

With all these fancy wireless speakers and iPhone speaker docks on the market, one forgets about the venerable Bose Wave Radio and Wave Music System, which are now on their third iteration.

What's new about the Bose Wave Radio III and Wave Music System III? Well, certainly not the high price. The radio-only version goes for $349.95 and the step-up Wave Music System will set you back $499.95.

Shop for Bose Wave Radio III (graphite gray)

See all prices

Bluetooth? Apple AirPlay support?

Alas, no. None of that's onboard, though you do have the option of buying a Wave SoundLink adapter ($149.95) for streaming music wirelessly from a computer or Bluetooth-enabled device. There's also the Wave Connect Kit ($99.95) for docking an iPod or iPhone and the Wave Multi-CD Changer ($249.95) that makes it possible to load up three additional CDs.

The Wave Radio III comes in graphite gray, pictured here, or platinum white. Bose

These options count as "versatility" according to Bose, though again, that versatility and those extras come at a big price.

As far as sound improvements go, Bose says the Wave Radio III and Wave Music System III now include an "improved FM/AM tuner for clearer reception, and artist names and song titles provided by many broadcasters are now displayed onscreen."

Bose's attitude seems to be: why mess with a good thing too much? And it hasn't.

The Wave Music System III with slot-loading CD player is available in silver, gray, and white for $499.95.

The new products replace the current Wave Radio and Wave Music System. It's also worth noting that the Wave Radio III is available in platinum white or graphite gray; the Wave Music System III is available in titanium silver, platinum white, or graphite gray.