Customer Reviews

Tivoli Audio Fashion PAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio, Sky Blue

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There are as many classes of radios out there as there are people who listen to them. The first thing that comes to mind if you see this radio online is "Why $150 for a three-knob radio?" Most consumers expect digital tuning, stereo sound, and lots of lights and buttons for this price point. This radio's price is justified by what's inside. Let's talk about what this unit is.

The Tivoli iPAL is a portable AM/FM radio that is powered by an internal (and customer replaceable) nickel metal hydride battery. It includes an earphone jack, an auxilliary input jack and external power jack. There is a telescoping rod antenna for FM reception and a built-in ferrite coil for AM. The controls are simple: a volume control, a band selector with OFF position and a tuning control. There is also a green LED indicator light that tells you when the radio is on and the charging/discharging state of the battery. The controls have a very high quality feel to them and are easy to operate. The knobs fit firmly and are not loose or flimsy as on many lower priced radios. The tuning knob has a 5:1 ratio reduction gear which moves the dial pointer more slowly with respect to the tuning knob. This makes fine tuning easier. The cabinet is made of very solid and rigid plastic. The whole unit has a weighty feel and a sturdiness that most radios lack at any price. One gets the impression that daily use will not wear this unit out. It has a very tidy appearance. There are no projecting parts other than the controls. The rod antenna folds down into a groove in the back of the cabinet so it is totally invisible when not in use. There are no fake aesthetic features like on many boomboxes that are designed to make it look like something more than it is. This radio is marvelously understated and does not draw attention to itself or make garish statements about the person carrying it. There is no handle as such. One carries the set by gripping the two indentations on either side of the cabinet. A carrying case is available which makes toting it around easier.

Performance is where this radio really surprises. One might expect the sound to be cheap and tinny but once switched on, this radio fills the room with a sound reminiscent of the vacuum tube table sets of the forties. The sound is warm, rich and full of tonal range. Music comes through with round base tones and sparkling highs. Spoken word broadcasts are clear without being harsh. Voices are deep without being boomy. This sound quality is equally present through headphones so there is no tuned port trickery going on. The circuitry really does sound this good.

RF performance is good too. The field effect transistors in the tuning circuit coupled with a precise AFC (automatic frequency control) mean that Fm stations lock in easly and do not drift. AM reception is excellent even in low signal areas. The tuner is sensitive and selectivity is very good. The built-in speaker is high fidelity mono however, when you insert a headset, the FM reception is in stereo. Stereo separation is very wide and static free. Some reviewers hav commented about the lack of volume on the PAL. I find this not to be the case. I can get sufficient volume for talk radio listening by setting the volume control at one-quarter turn. This radio has as much volume as any portable radio with a speaker this size (2-1/2"). It is not a boombox or a home stereo. One's expectations must be reasonable.

The model I am reviewing is called the iPAL because it has a color scheme to complement the iPod MP3 player. The only difference between the iPAL and the PAL radios is the iPAL includes a stereo patch cable for connecting your iPod, CD player or similar device and the cabinet bears no rubberised coating. The PAL radios are offered in eight different colors, have a rubberised coating on the cabinet body and do not include the stereo patch cable although all units have the auxilliary input jack.

Final thoughts: This is an elegant, uniquely styled, high performance portable radio. It is intended for those who love radio as a technology as well as a medium. In leu of bells and whistles it features superior performance through the engineering of Henry Kloss and a build quality that is seldom found in any portable audio product. The Tivoli iPAL is not intended for the masses who judge value on price alone but for the discriminating lover of radio who admires the perfect blend of form and function.

I bought this speaker knowing full well that it was mono, but I wanted the battery, the radio, the good sound quality, and the relatively small size.

I was shocked at first at how small it was when I opened the box - (especially after reading about how big it was on other reviews) it's a dinky little bookshelf speaker - how could it possibly get good sound? But it does. Volume is controlled both on the speaker, AND on the iPod, and cranking it up all the way made it quite loud, and no hint of distortion was to be found. Very rich sound.

However, it *is* mono, and it's noticeable that the sound is coming from only one source, and it's less "dimensional" than a stereo system. A hint - the sound is better if it's coming from in front of you, so that you can hear it equally in both ears.

I still gave it 5 stars, because it's not *supposed* to be a stereo system - it's meant to be easily moveable from room to room, or tossed in a backpack (but not a briefcase), or whatever, and still provide EXCELLENT quality sound, and it delivers perfectly.

I live in Los Angeles where many stations compete and go in and out, especially with the pathetic pig tail antennas that are stuck like a joke in the back of many radios. But the Tivoli has a great antenna and is easy to use. I only wish this radio had digital tuning presets. Also don't be turned off by the one mono speaker. Its sound is clear and brilliant.

Post Script: After owning the PAL for two years, I've come across some pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Can be used with an Ipod.
2. Rechargeable battery and rubber casing make it good for outside use.
3. Speaker sound is good for radio of its size.

Cons:

1. No digital tuning so it's not always easy to know what station you're on.
2. AM (MW) sensititivy is only average. (The best AM available is ironically on the cheaply priced GE Superradio III which boasts an 8-inch interal AM ferrite antenna, twice the size of all competition.)
3. For 50 dollars less you could get an Eton S350 Deluxe which has analog tuning and no presets but features SUPERIOR FM sensitity.

I truly believe the iPAL is currently the best option available as a viable portable speaker system for the iPod, or for any mp3 player/discman, for that matter...
The build quality is exceptional, as is true of all Tivoli products, and the elegant "retro" looks of the PAL have been tailored, in this case, to complement all generations
(including the new 4G's) of the iPod.
Connection to the iPod is achieved via an auxiliary input and an included "iPod white" minijack cable that utilizes either the headphone jack or the line out of the iPod dock. (A cleaner, highly attenuated and more dynamic connection can be achieved by purchasing a SiK imp, thereby utilizing the 3G/4G iPod's proprietary dock connector)
The iPAL is powered by an environmentally friendly rechargeable battery that lasts up to 15 hours at modest volume levels.
There is also a superb AM/FM tuner section on board, controlled by a smooth, 5:1 ratio tuning dial that also serves to aesthetically balance the speaker grille.
The iPAL's sound quality is rich, warm and detailed, with convincing instrument timbres. Some elements of the music, especially percussion and acoustic guitars, seem to "bloom" outside the confines of the cabinet, providing a lively soundstage that belies the iPAL's monaural output. The bass response is impressive for a single 2-1/2" speaker, and the unit can achieve sufficient clean volume levels to fill modest spaces with quality sound.
Forget about those "oh-so-cute" inMotion speakers. The iPAL is your best option for serious, near-audiophile sound reproduction in an elegant, portable package that will complement, if not upstage, your iPod while externalizing your digital music collection.

If you like to listen to radio and need to bring it with you (from room to room, camping, backyard, etc.), then this is the one. The sound is fantastic and clear; the reception strong, and the design well done. Easy to carry, easy to hold, easy to recharge.

Strange that I could think so fondly about a radio.

Just a year ago this product was 100-130$. Good for the price but when I went to purchase a second one and saw a price hike on old technology in no way will I buy a second one. This is way overpriced for what it is.

The iPal from Tivoli Audio is very useful for those who want to play their iPod aloud in a place where there isn't too much outside noise and where an electrical outlet isn't available. This might include picnics, the patio, or any other place where electric isn't convenient. The tuner is typical top-notch Tivoli and the sound is very good for such a small unit provided you are in a fairly quite atmosphere. Also, the iPal is extremely portable, small enough to slip into your backpack. It might also make a great office radio / iPod speaker! If you work in a noisy factory, or other noisy environment, you will be disappointed with the iPal's lack of "oooomph". For this reason, along with the somewhat high price of this unit, I can't give it a fifth star.

If you just want some nice portable speakers for your iPod and you don't need the tuner, you might want to consider a pair of high quality computer speakers for your iPod like the Bose MediaMate for half the price and you'll get far more volume and much better sound. Pick up an inexpensive video camera bag from the store for your speaker(s)...(about $20.00) with side pouches for your iPod, and cables and you are in business! HAVE FUN!

I adore NPR, but I live in a little NPR-free nook between two very large NPR broadcasting stations. Try as I might, I have NEVER been able to get one of my former radios to grab the signal successfully. Until today.

I've seen this product in catalogues and thought, "Yeah, yeah, yet another designer radio." Then I saw a sedate black one sitting on a friend's kitchen counter and asked if she liked it. She gushed. I became that little bit more persuaded (still gasping at the manufacturer-regulated price).

Yesterday I took the plunge and today (normal delivery even!!) my new best friend arrived. I'm in love. Out of the package, Fast-Charged for about 2 1/2 hours (although you can trickle charge while listening with no deleterious effect on the battery) and I am at long last on the receiving end of a crystal clear, static-free aural relationship with NPR. Didn't even have to extend the antenna!

You can plug it in and listen. You can charge the internal NiMH battery and listen. You can use it with your iPod (plus one of those FM transmitter gadgets) for headset- or earbud-free enjoyment of your iPod's collection either at home or at large. There's a headphone jack. And there is an auxiliary input jack that lets you plug in a portable CD player or mp3 device and listen through the radio's speaker. Attached rubber caps protect the jack inputs when you aren't using them.

It's cute in a simple, elegant way. The size and shape suit my cluttery available spaces. It's much heavier than you'd expect ... feels as solid as a tank. Rubberized exterior? Don't think iPod skin, think something more like a velvety soft metal that doesn't show fingerprints (your finger nail tapping on the surface will say "metal"). Controls are dialable luxury, with an incredibly satisfying resistance. And the sound is absolutely worth writing home about.

Being in my Green Period, I chose the green, despite serious misgivings based on the colour my computer screen comes up with for this product. Spring Green on my system winds up looking something like an icy green-blue, sea-foamy mist colour. Fortunately, Spring Green is more on the "Forest" end of the spectrum, only a little bit softer and a little bit bluer. The knobs, however, could qualify for that mist colour!

Yesterday I was shaking my head, questioning my sanity for spending this kind of money on a radio. Today I don't regret a penny of it. Who could want for anything more?

I have become, over the past few years, a bit of an audiophile. I tend to do a lot of research (and a lot of returns too :-) Anyway, I recently decided to bite the bullet and buy an iPAL for the bathroom. Here's my summary:

Is it a good, small, desktop radio?

Yes, I think it is about as good as it can get for a 2.5'' speaker in a portable radio. It's fairly rugged (except for the antenna). The radio tuner works 'very' well and the fact that it runs off of an internal NiMH battery makes it very portable.

How does it sound?

The good. Vocals. This little guy presents wonderfully clear vocals. This may seem odd, but this little guy shines with talk/news radio. Voices don't sound as thin as they usually do in small portables.

The not so good. Because it hits the vocals so well it tends to let the mids out do the other frequencies. What does this mean? It means if you are listening to Allison Krauss then you will hear her as clear as a bell, but the dobro and banjo might get drowned out a bit.

The bad. OK, yes, I realize that this little guy wasn't meant to compete with my component stereo system. Come on, it's got a 2.5'' speaker. Does it have bass? Sure it has excellent bass from a speaker that small, but it really can't get the full range that some of us want.

Competition

The main competition to this guy is from Boston Acoustics. They both seem to be trying to make the best portables on the market. I'd be hard pressed to choose between the two for a winner. I went with Tivoli because it is a time tested product.

Sound review (1 to 5, 1=good, 5=bad)

Allison Krauss = 3.5 - Great vocals, little bass. The other insturments get drowned out.

ACDC - 4 - Amazingly, it does pretty well for mid-heavy rock.

Evanescence - 3 - Doesn't present the bass-heacy sound well at all. Vocals still sound great.

Bach (piano) - 4.5 sounds great. Crystal sound.

Bach (concerto) - 3 - Sounds like a small radio. The overall sound is OK, but all detail is lost.

Indigo Girls - 4 - Very nice sound. Again, mid-heavy songs sound excellent.

The Killers - 3.5 - Not too bad, but their music tends to have a bit more bass than this speaker can show.

FatBoy Slim - 3.5 - not too bad if you aren't looking for the thump. The overall sound was pretty good.

Chet Atkins - 4.5 - great sound and clarity.

Ella Fitzgerald - 4 - very nice. I mean hey, you WANT to hear her voice. ;-)

Jack Johnson - 5 - this little guy was MADE to play Jack. Sounds like he is sitting right there.

Kutless - 2.5-3 - It loses all detail. Gets a bit muddy.

Eric Clapton (Blues before sunrise) - 4 - Nice sound - he comes through just as raspy as you want.

Los Lonely Boys - 4 - harmonies rock, guitar licks are sharp.

My Chemical Romance - 3.5 - vocals clear (am I sounding redundant?) - bass is lost, harmony on Helena is sweet

Queen - 4 - sounds as good as it could. :-)

Fall Out Boy - (Our lawyer...) - 4 - a lot better than I expected. Mid-grunge-and-punch sound came out very well.

Matisyahu - 4 - great sound. I actually listen to him more now than before with this radio.

The Little Willies - 3.5-4 - I think my MP3's of this were encoded too low. I think it will sound much better after re-encoding them.

Overall summary:

Do I like it - very much so!

Would I buy another? As a portable, yes. If I buy another small, home radio or set I'd probably go with the Model Two http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=144&cat=262&page=1 just for the second speaker and stereo.

Hope this helps!

DrD

I wanted a little boombox-type thing to take my ipod to the beach with my firends. I didn't want to carry a giant ghetto blaster. I usually don't spend alot on stero equipment, and I am usually unhappy with what I buy. The price of this unit wasn't crazy, so I took a chance on this one. Man, it is great. I couldn't believe that it sounded like a big stereo and looked like a transistor radio (well..a little bigger.) Now, the beach isn't quiet, and people were strolling by and asking each other "where is that music coming from?"

Also, many of the ipod boomboxes don't let you navigate the ipod menu when you insert them. This one attaches with the included plug/wire, so your ipod is tethered, not inserted, therefore accessible. No batteries to worry about either, as you simply recharge it. I recharged mine overnight and never ran out of juice over the course of an 6-7 hour constant play.

I did buy the ipal carrying case offered on amazon. I used the strap on the carrying case to hang the tivoli right on the ribs of the beach umbrella! Then I just put my ipod in a ziploc bag, left the zipper open just enough for the plug for the tivoli to fit through, and could click around from my chair!! Don't laugh about the ziploc!! I know it isn't fancy, but I could see through it, use the click wheel through it, and keep out the sand/mist...all for the price of about 1 cent!

The tivoli now sits unobtrusively in my kitchen where I alternate radio and ipod. I couldn't tell if the colored radios come with the ipod input jack or not, so I just ordered the white one...I would have preferred another color, but I still completely love it.