Listen, there's lots of alternatives to MP3s

Heed your gut reaction when choosing among the wide variety of radios and high-end sound systems

It seems like MP3 players have completely taken over our music-listening experience. But convenient as they are, there's more to music than earbuds.

With that in mind, the Globe decided to test five audio products that are meant to play music without the aid of an MP3 player. We tested German engineering with the Sonoro Cubo, for $350; Internet radio with the Logitech Squeezebox Boom, at $299; high-definition radio on the Cambridge SoundWorks SW820, at $129.99; a high-end CD player in the Marantz SA8003, for $1,000; and for good measure, the Meridian F80, for $2,995.

Four of the products have their own speakers, while the Marantz is meant to be plugged into your existing home theater or speaker setup.

Anthony Gallo, owner of Anthony Gallo Acoustics - a Chatsworth, Calif., company that designs high-end home theater speakers - encourages music listeners to judge stereo systems with their heart and not necessarily with their ears. When you're shopping for a stereo, Gallo suggests bringing your own music and seeing if you can take time to test the product in the store.

"If something grabs you on an emotional level, you'll know. It's like an instinctual thing," he said.

The Logitech Squeezebox tickled our fancy the most. This product will forever change the way we listen to music. We like it, in part, because the Internet provides tons of free choices from radio stations all over the world.

The Marantz SA8003 also was nice. It puts out clear, rich bass notes, great midrange sound, and surprisingly clean treble with just a hint of imperfection at the highest tones. But we asked the company why anyone should pay $1,000 or more (the SA8003 is one of their midprice models) for a CD player.

"It's something that even casual listeners will be able to hear immediately," said Kevin Zarow, vice president of marketing for Marantz. It "actually enables you to hear subtle things in your favorite music that you've probably never heard before, like more realistic vocals, deeper, richer bass notes."

Gallo says those factors are important, but that you should pay more attention to how the stereo makes you feel on the inside.

"If you find you start tapping your feet and really get sucked in, that's more important than how crisp the high [sounds] are," he said.

Gallo, who owns a Cambridge SoundWorks radio, said good things about Marantz adding that the company has a long history of making quality products. For us, the Squeezebox stole the show with its reasonable price and the availability of a variety of Internet radio channels, both free channels and paid subscription channels.

John Guilfoil can be reached at guilfoil.j@blastmagazine.com

LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX BOOM $299
Pros: Internet radio provides a number of free choices from radio stations all over the world, giving you not only a wide range of music, but a little culture. A ton of the content is free, and you can also stream your existing music collection from your computer to the Squeezebox. It plugs into your network or downloads via Wi-Fi.

Cons: You have to download special software to send your MP3s and music files to the device. It doesn't automatically find them on your network.

The final word: This is really more of a lifestyle choice than an impulse buy, meaning it will change your music listening life. We loved it.

MARANTZ SA8003 $1,000
Pros: The SA8003 is an audiophile-quality CD player with crisp, clear sound, and rich bass. It also has a USB port for playing MP3s.

Cons: You really have to want it to spend $1,000 on a CD player, since your DVD player, video game console, and computer can all play CDs.

The final word: Speaking strictly from a quality perspective, the SA8003 is great. Remember though, this is just a CD player and it's only going to sound as good as the speakers and amplifier you already have.

CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS SW820 (HD RADIO) $129.99
Pros: HD radio gives you more music choices with extra stations and improved quality of your traditional FM favorites. Think of it as your traditional radio, pumped up.

Cons: The SW820 seems to have a fairly weak antenna. Some HD stations were spotty in the suburbs.

The final word: Don't let the price fool you. A few years ago, this would have cost $400; but since Cambridge SoundWorks decided to dump their storefront retail operation, their expenses - and thus their prices - have dropped drastically.

SONORO CUBO $350
Pros: The German-made Cubo is tiny, but it boasts a big, proud sound and a surprising bass thump. The Cubo is just that, a cube with an alarm clock, CD player, and AM/FM radio. It comes in a wide variety of shiny colors or wood finishes. It looks great on (and costs more than) your cool Ikea furniture.

Cons: It doesn't have an HD radio tuner.

The final word: The Cubo is one of the best looking products we tested, and is definitely a good option for the style conscious. Sonoro also makes a stereo with 3,900 Swarovski crystal elements attached. It's either gaudy or fabulous, depending on whom you ask.

MERIDIAN F80 $2,995
Pros: The F80 sounds amazing. It is a complete 2.1 (two speakers and a subwoofer) setup inside one compact box. It plays CDs, AM/FM radio, and you can even plug it into your television/home theater to play DVDs. If you really miss your iPod, you can buy an external dock to plug it in.

Cons: Why doesn't it have HD radio? We understand that not everyone is all about HD radio, but why not throw it in for three grand?

The final word:The F80 is basically a portable home theater with 80 watts of power. It doesn't feel like the speakers are right next to each other. If you absolutely have to have the best stereo/radio/alarm clock, drop your chips here.

Correction: Because of an editing error, two photographs of audio devices reviewed in the Nov. 23 Sunday Money & Careers section were misidentified. The Meridian F80 is a compact stereo system, and the Marantz SA8003 is a compact disc player.