Home > Consumer Reviews > GE 74290 Spacemaker Radio/CD Player

We've had the unit for a couple of years now. It is a basic, easy to operate device with a no-frills design. Some of the basic design limits are:

1. The radio and CD are independent subsystems - only one can have power at any given instant. Thus, you cannot eject a CD from the tray while the radio is playing, you have to first flick the power switch to CD (which kills radio). No big deal but its the little things that will bother you over time - it is also indicative of the simplistic design.

2. All controls are mechanical (basic sliders for the radio band selects, pulleys and string for the tuner). They are adequate but remind me of radios from the 1970s.

3. Limited feature set:

* No station presets
* No remote control
* No timers (e.g. time on/off etc.)
* No CD metrics (track length, num. tracks etc.)

Our unit no longer plays CDs - it spins up but can no longer recognize that a CD is in its caddy. It presents the 'nd' (no disc) error code on its twin, 7-segment LED display. Still, it ran fine for a couple of years of very moderate use (perhaps once a week).

Overall, a very simple device engineered much like your old radio from the 1970s. Still, does the job if you just want the basics.

This won't be a problem for most, but it's a recurrent problem for us with all "spacemaker" appliances (this and a toaster oven). Whoever built our home left 2 1/4 inch fronts on the cabinets, and none of the hardware included fits. For anyone ordering this appliance, measure your overhang first. If the front of the cabinet overhangs the underside of the floor of the cabinet by more than 2 inches, you will need hardware not included with the appliance. I had to go to a specialty store to find the right size screw (three local hardware stores did not carry it, despite the installation book saying it could be picked up at "any hardware store"). You will need (four total) #10, 32 (thread count), 3 inch, flat head machine screws to install this if your overhang is too much. I'd find them first before ordering the radio, or you'll be frustrated at having the thing and not being able to install it. If there are other problems after installing, I'll let you know.

I love my new spacemaker! It was very easy to install! I have white cabinets and it compliments them beautifully. The speaker clarity is great, it picks up the local stations great, and the cd player is awesome. Wonderful present for yourself.

I installed this in my kitchen, and use it often. While it's not a heavy duty stereo, it does very well to keep my kitchen lively. The features are great, cd, am/fm radio, counter light with adjustable dimmer, etc. It takes up no space, hangs only 3 or four inches from a cabinet, and is easy to install with a screwdriver (easiest if you pre-drill holes into your cabinet) Any one who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, and likes music will love this!

I was totally surprised when I opened my Christmas gift from my husband and it was a GE Spacemaker Radio/CD Player. We did not have a radio in the kitchen. We spent the afternoon of our 52nd wedding anniversary installing it under one of our cabinets. Even though the Spacemaker is small, the sound of both the radio and CD is fantastic. I especially like the light for the counters. We are now planning to get one for my sister and her husband for a housewarming gift when their new home is completed.