Customer Reviews for Tivoli Audio - Model One Shelf Speaker with Wood Finish - Walnut/Beige
Customer Rating
4
love my tivoli table radio
on February 5, 2014
Posted by: barbara s.
from US, United States
I was pleased with the sound , small in size , quite heavy in weight, I live way up north with poor reception, I am able to listen to the stations I like.
I've owned this radio for over a decade. Since the design appears almost entirely the same, I feel writing a review of my unit is appropriate. The only differences I can see are the newer units have a flat-sided selector knob (mine is round and harder to turn) and an AM antenna input which is a welcome and necessary addition (see below). I can't speak to the quality of the construction or the internal components or even the sound, but unless those have changed everything I write here will be accurate.The radio is built like a tank and uses a solid wood box. This is very important, because it helps create the legendary Model One/KLH radio sound. (The Sangean version uses MDF with a wood veneer.) This radio has fallen twice onto carpeted floors and except for a few dented corners is still as rock-sold as ever. The sound is beautiful. Deep, bassy but lifelike. I originally thought it would be better suited to reproducing the human voice, but I listen to classic radio almost exclusively on this radio and it sounds sweet and pure. Over time, the sound will mellow too. Once broken-in, you'll love the way it sounds. The FM reception is pretty good with the included wire antenna, but you may want to spring for an FM dipole. AM is so-so, but with the AM antenna port, that problem is resolved (though I can't test that on my unit).Overall, this radio will last for many years (mine is already 13 years old!) and will just keep getting better and better. Build quality is top-notch and it's a terrific investment. I love mine and couldn't imagine being without it.NOTE ABOUT THE HUM: Some have noticed a humming noise coming from the Model One. I believe this sound is induced from the AC cord. I swapped it out for a VDC power cord (there's a port on the back) and that corrected the problem. No more hum.
Much of what other detractors have said is true :(
on January 24, 2014
Posted by: aaron
from US, United States
I feel like I way over paid for this radio based on the visual design factor. The volume fluctuates constantly while listening to the radio to the point that I am forced to get up and fix it several times per hour. I mostly listen to talk radio on it, and again as others have said it has an awfully low base tone which makes all voices sound booming, further complicating the volume issue. Also, as others have noted, during quiet moments in music there is an annoyingly loud and low buzzing tone which means I cannot use it to listen to music. I'm not sure why I haven't returned this item.
I really like the quality and the looks of this radio. But in some locations in our home, and with some programming, the bass is unacceptably boomy. I realize an external equalizer would solve this problem, but so would a simple, inexpensive built-in tone control, and at the cost of this radio, it shouldn't raise the cost a nickle.Bottom line: try before buying, or be sure of return possibility.
Fantastic quality sound and barely bigger than a pile of 3 novels, so doesn't take all the space on the kitchen counter. We love the retro knobs and nice look. Grandad would have loved it!