Tivoli Audio Model Three AM/FM Clock Radio, Cherry/Metallic Taupe
Start your day the Tivoli Audio way. You don't need a degree in rocket science to operate the Model Three clock radio. Like Tivoli's other products, the Model Three is simple to use, so you won't lose sleep wondering if you'll wake up. The analog clock's fine quartz mechanical movement provides accurate time keeping and compliments the analog tuning dial. The handsome exterior houses a rather high-tech interior. The Model Three uses the same "Henry Kloss designed" tuner with GaAs MESFET mixers, 5: 1 ratio analog tuning dial, and the same inputs and outputs as the award-winning Model Two, but because it's a clock radio, Tivoli Audio has added a 20-minute sleep timer, a snooze button, a sleek thumbwheel to set the alarm time, and the option to wake to a buzzer or the great sounding AM/FM radio. It's this warm sound, ease of use, and distinguished appearance that gives the Model Three its wonderful bedside manner. The constant gentle illumination makes the clock face visible in low or no light without keeping you awake.
For those who like to slumber in style, the Tivoli Model Three is the ultimate wake up call. With an understated cherry wood exterior, and large, easy-to-operate controls, the unit serves as a lesson in simplicity for other manufacturers who insist on making confusing, user-unfriendly clock radios. Although we had a few quibbles with some of the features, as well as the performance, of the Model Three, overall we recommend it is a wonderful bedside companion. Design
The Model Three incorporates the audio and tuning technology of the Tivoli Model Two, while adding a quartz mechanical movement clock and alarm circuitry. Like other Tivoli radios, the Model Three is just over 8 inches wide, 4.5 inches high, and 5.25 inches deep-- about the size of a toaster turned on its side. It fits well on a desk, dresser, or nightstand. The Model Three's single rotary dial handles tuning for both AM and FM stations. The dial is designed to move between stations at a speed that is a bit slower than the speed at which the user turns the knob-- a 5 to 1 ratio, to be exact. This "ratio" dialing technique makes it far easier to tune stations accurately and quickly. It's a nice touch that sets the unit apart from other desktop radios. The tuner band selection and volume dials are easy to control and they're well designed for hands of all sizes. A small LED power indicator, as well as an LED that helps determine signal strength, are positioned between the dials. We did have one gripe about the Model Three's controls, though. Unlike the high-contrast labeling we found on the Platinum Series Model One radio, the Model Three's blue-grey lettering atop a taupe background is difficult to read, especially in low-light situations. We found ourselves struggling to see what station we were tuning and what functions we were selecting-- not something most desire on an alarm clock. Fortunately, the Model Two's clock is easy to read and simple to set. A rotating bezel on the clock's face adjusts the wake time while a single button on the back rotates the clock forward. These methods allowed us to set the clock and wake times with good accuracy. There's also a sleep timer that shuts the radio off after 20 minutes, allowing you to fall asleep to tunes. We were a little puzzled by Tivoli's decision to power the clock by what we initially thought was simply a AA backup battery (the battery is housed in the rear of the unit). In fact, a battery must be used at all times to power the clock as it does not pull juice from the wall outlet. This means that the battery will need to be checked regularly to ensure accurate timekeeping. When the unit is powered by AC, users can wake to the radio. When the unit is unplugged, however, or if the power goes out, the Model Two will deliver a battery-powered beeping alarm. A single, 3" driver is positioned on top of the unit and is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover. A five-minute snooze button resides next to the speaker for those times when you just can't roll out of bed right away. The Model Three shares the same back panel ports as the Model Two's, meaning it can serve as the base unit for a more robust Tivoli stereo system. A coaxial antenna jack for the included FM antenna wire is provided, although the Model Three also has an internal FM antenna. Tivoli recommends using the supplied external one for tricky tuning in locales with a lot of closely-spaced stations. There's a handy switch for switching between the internal and external antennae, as well. A standard 3.5mm headphone jack is also provided, as is a 3.5mm auxiliary line in port for plugging in the Tivoli component CD player, the Model CD. For the really techno-savvy, there's also a 3.5mm mixing input that permits audio from your computer to be mixed in with the radio. Like the Model Two, the Model Three supports the addition of the Tivoli Companion Speaker for full stereo separation, as well as the Model Subwoofer for extended bass range. There's a small balance dial on the rear of the unit if you choose to add the companion speaker, as well as a mono/stereo switch. If you want to use the Model Three as a component tuner-- not a bad idea given the overall quality and accuracy of the tuning circuitry-- Tivoli has provided a 3.5mm output port. Listening Pleasure
As with the Tivoli iPal portable speaker system, we were initially skeptical about the performance of a small, one-speaker unit that only offers monaural sound. The reality is that most small two-speaker systems don't allow you to place the speakers very far apart anyway, and the Model Three's rich, resonant sound more than made up for its lack of true stereo separation. Plus, the Model Three is a single, elegant box with no annoying speaker cords. While the Model Three does sound better than the iPal, we did notice that the Model Three, quite mysteriously, does not sound quite as good as the venerable Model One. There is faint but noticeable hiss that is not present in the Model One, and we wondered if the Model One's designer, the late Henry Kloss, had less of a part to play in the Model Three's design. Overall, though, we found the Model Three's sound impressive, especially coming from such a small unit. In most cases, it delivered rich, resonant sound. The Model Three's tuning felt less accurate than the Model One's but we were still able to dial in stations quickly and easily. As for its function as an alarm clock, the Model Three was spot on. Not a single tester who relied on the unit was late to work! Pros
- Simple, stylish construction
- Good sound and tuning accuracy
- Nice expansion options
Cons
- Clock cannot be powered by AC (battery only)
- Slight hiss when compared side by side with the Model One
- Tuner is slightly less accurate than the Model One's
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Tivoli Audio Model Three AM/FM Clock Radio, Cherry/Metallic Taupe Reviews
1. The tuner receives a large number of radio stations static free;. 3. The flip side to this is that you can have two added devices on this radio rather than the usual one.
The alarm on the clock is only for twelve hour intervals which means if used thus item as a clock radio you would have to turn the alarm on nightly - to some this may be a detraction. 6. It sounds incredible - it is hard to believe that this little radio does such a great job;. The sound on the radio is fantastic with either the radio by itself or with the optional stereo speaker.
1. The clock is softly lit and is not obtrusive;. Previously, I was only able to receive one AM Station and one FM station because of the interference that we receiving in the building. From what I can see this radio has a couple of points that people may see as a detraction which for my purposes do not matter. The radio has two inputs in the back but one is a "mix in" - if you attach something to the mix in - it will be heard no matter what function the radio is set to. 2. 5.
2. The radio's most positive attributes are as follows:. I absolutely love it. The radio is housed in wood and appears smart and sophisticated rather than cheaply housed in plastic;. It makes ordinary radio sound incredible;. If you have a second accessory - you have to turn it off or mute it when you using another function on the radio. 4. The Tivoli receives approximately forty stations and receives them in crystal clarity.
I bought this radio for use in my office. I also wanted something that looked decent in the room. The clock is accurate and is battery powered which means its not affected by power outages;.
Its very easy to use. These potential detractions are as follows:. The size, the sound and the functionality of this little radio are stellar and I am really impressed with it.
7. You can only use one added accessory at a time. The mix in can also bleed over the radio.
8. The controls are simple basic and intuitive;.
Now what I don't like. I have mixed feelings about this clock radio. Repairing it is not inexpensive. I love the look, retro with nice wood, although that's hit or miss my cherry model 2 is splotchy. There is no AM/PM setting for the alarm, so you have to remember to set it later in the day. The alarm is not very accurate, you can't set it down to the minute. The light is very bright, even across the room, I have to angle it away from me or I can't sleep.
The controls on the back are poorly labeled and hard to read. radio stations can be clear one day and staticy the next. I do love the audio quality, and have an ipod dock connected, and it sounds great. And finally, I had a recent problem where the alarm button would not mute the radio, the problem went away, so maybe it was just a dirty contact. I have owned it for about 3 years now. I haven't had a problem with the alarm not going off, or of radio stations going completely out of tune, although they can be clear one day and staticy the next.
They should have stopped there and skipped the alarm option. The hands of the clock are very close to the same length making it near to impossible to tell the time without glasses. This is the worst clock radio I have ever owned. Tuner is fine, sound is a little bass heavy but otherwise fine. The snooze button makes a loud click when hit and often takes two or three shots to activate and it is preset to 5 minutes with no options. The volume is hypersensitive at the lower end which means it either inaudible or blasting.
Even then, sometimes it doesn't go off in the morning. I got this unit as a wedding gift and it sure is pretty. But you're better off spending 20 bucks on a drug store clock radio.
Setting the alarm on this unit should be easier than it is. Well, I just got to work late again thanks to my Tivoli. I woke up the other night and couldn't tell if it was 12:20 or 4a.m.
This has happened many times. Also,I have never, ever in my life seen a clock in which the minute and hour hands are the same length. On a cheap clock radio, all you have to do is turn one switch to - alarm on.
On this unit, you must turn on the radio, tune in the station (stations tend to go in and out on their own on my unit - if it's clear as a bell when I set it, I often wake up to static), then hit the alarm button.
I had this radio for two years now and I'm very happy with it. It has superior reception and sound, and even looks good.
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