Tivoli AudioModel One AM / FM Table Radio, Black / Silver
Where performance and simplicity are paramount but space is sparse, the Model One mono table radio fits the bill. With just three knobs, it is the antithesis of today's ever more complex electronic products. But behind the Model One's simple, innocent appearance, hides a multitude of technology facilitating higher sound reproduction and better reception over anything else near it in size or cost.The furniture-grade, handmade wood cabinet is not just for appearance sake, but also doubles as an acoustically inert housing. A heavy-magnet, long-throw 3-inch driver is allied with a multi-stage frequency contouring circuit that adjusts the speaker's output over half-octave increments. The result is musically accurate tonal balance and bass response.Instead of a standard, off-the-shelf integrated circuit, the Model One uses a state of the art, discrete-component FM tuner featuring GaAs MES-FET mixers. Originally developed for cellular telephones, the Model One was the first radio to adopt this technology for better FM reception and increased clarity on closely spaced stations.Discovering those stations is a joy thanks to the large analog tuning knob. Its geared-down 5: 1 tuning ratio permits easy and accurate tuning. The amber tuning indicator lets you know when you've achieved proper tuning. Built-in AM and FM antennas provide satisfying reception, while a rear 75-ohm jack allows connection of an external FM antenna in difficult reception areas. Also provided is a headphone jack, auxiliary input to connect a portable CD player or other device, and a record output for recording, or to use the Model One as a high-quality outboard tuner.The Model One looks right at home whether perched on a kitchen counter, in a dorm room, bedroom, at the office, vacation home, on a workbench, or even in an RV or boat (using the 12V input).
The Tivoli Model One has been praised far and wide for its high-quality sound, small size, and cool, retro styling. We got our hands on a sample unit and came away impressed, just as many others have. Anyone who wants a compact, stylish radio with surprisingly good sound should give the Model One a look. Design
In many ways, the Model One is the culminating achievement of famed audio engineer Henry Kloss's long career. Designed from the ground up by Kloss, who passed away in 2002, the radio exudes understated class and elegant simplicity. We received the Platinum Series Model One, which features a hand-lacquered, high gloss dark walnut cabinet that is simply gorgeous. According to Tivoli, the genuine wood casing isn't just for looks as it provides "an acoustically inert housing" that maximizes the speaker's sound quality. At just over 8 inches wide, 4.5 inches high, and 5.25 inches deep, the Model One is about the size of a toaster turned on its side-- plenty small to fit on a desk, dresser, or nightstand. The Model One's single rotary dial handles tuning for both AM and FM stations. It feels sturdy and smooth in the hand. 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. Plus, 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 liked the light-colored face and dark lettering printed on the Platinum Series model we reviewed; it made for easy operation in dimly-lit rooms. The Model One's single, 3" driver is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover. Tivoli adds that the speaker is enhanced by a "multi-stage frequency contouring circuit that adjusts the speaker's output over half-octave increments." The result, Tivoli claims, is "musically accurate tonal balance and bass response." The back of the unit features a coaxial antenna jack for the included FM antenna wire. While the Model One also has an internal FM antenna, Tivoli recommends using the supplied external one for tricky tuning in locales with a lot of stations crammed together. There's a handy switch for switching between the internal and external antennae. A standard 3.5mm headphone jack is also provided, as is a 3.5mm auxiliary line in port for plugging in your iPod or other music device. If you want to use the Model One 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. The back panel also sports separate ports for AC and DC power, making the unit a great choice for boating or RV use. 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 One's rich, resonant sound more than made up for its lack of true stereo separation. Plus, the Model One is a single, elegant box with no annoying speaker cords. While the Model One isn't designed to provide earth-shattering sound at high volume, it produces surprising clarity and fullness at normal listening levels. When turned all the way up, the unit's rich sound persists and we suspect that Tivoli engineered the Model One's volume level to max out before any distortion arises. If you don't need a lot of volume, the Model One delivers. As with the iPal, we were left scratching our heads and wondering how such great sound could come from such a little box. The Model One's tuning accuracy is also impressive; we were able to dial in stations we didn't even know existed. Tivoli says this is due to the unit's discrete-component FM tuner technology, which was originally developed for cellular telephones. Whatever Tivoli has done here, they did it right; closely-spaced stations are a breeze to tune. Pros
- Compact form factor
- Excellent sound
- Supremely accurate tuning
Cons
- Not engineered to produce extremely high volume levels
Tivoli AudioModel One AM / FM Table Radio, Black / Silver Accessories
 Tivoli Audio Model One AM / FM Table Radio, Classic / Walnut
Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio, Cherry/Cobalt Blue
Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio, White/Silver
Terk Technology AM-1000 Advantage Passive AM Indoor Antenna
The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio, Silver/White
C. Crane FM Reflect Antenna
Scosche IU3.5RC 3.5mm Retractable Cable
Tivoli Audio Model Three AM/FM Clock Radio, Cherry/Metallic Taupe
Tivoli AudioModel One AM / FM Table Radio, Black / Silver Reviews
My new Tivoli is great, with a clear and full sound. I like the smooth clean look of the Tivoli and it's very user friendly. Big Mistake. It's supposed to accomodate my iPod, which I haven't tried yet.
I recommend this product as a good value for the price. It has no clock (which I didn't want anyway). So I got online and did some research. HATED IT. The sound was terrible, tinny, with a low roar in the background.
I recently purchased an "iHome" radio/clock/iPod player on the spur of the moment at a big box store. The sound is SO much better I can't believe I'm still stuck with this iHome contraption (lost the receipt so can't return it).
The clarity is amazing and it sounds like it's coming from a much larger stereo. This radio is really a bargain for the quality of the sound it produces. Not to mention it's pretty cool looking.
The retro tuning works very well, but frankly a few pre-sets would be a good addition. The Tivoli Model One does a perfect job of providing fine sound in a small package.
Come to think of it. It is not even close to a HP or Mac laptop sound quality. It is mediocre. This is exorbitantly priced. Though it is slightly better than a bedroom alarm clock radio. The physical look is just fine.
I have never returned anything to Amazon but I had to with this one. I had a very high expectation but was very disappointed upon hearing the sound of this radio. I did not expect a lot of base for this size, but the sound should be at least vivid.
With these laptops, you could hear many instruments, especially on the treble side. Thanks Amazon for expediting the credit. So, one star for the price and two stars for the sound.
Man, the price should be $35 max in my opinion. No cd player, no remote control.
Facing some time in bed recovering from surgery, I finally got busy looking around for a table radio. I wanted something with good reception, simple controls, and good sound, all in a small package. The Tivoli Model One is all this and more. I am also using the ability to play CDs through the radio by cabling in my Walkman. This radio was just what I wanted.
|
