Customer Reviews

Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio, Cherry/Cobalt Blue

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the most attractive radios in its price range, well constructed, lacking cheap materials, and having a crisp, full monoaural speaker, the Tivoli Model One is an analog radio, which means you have to use the dial to find the sweet spot every time you tune to your favorite station. This can be a chore for some. Additionally, the reception is about a grade B+ for FM and B for AM. Remember, the Model One doesn't come with a telescopic antenna like the slightly more expensive Tivoli PAL. You only get a little pig tail in the back, which can prove inadequate for hard-to-reach stations. Yet understandably it's easy to fall in love with this radio, so what do you do? I'd recommend buying it. But instead of buying an external antenna to strengthen your reception, spend a hundred dollars (or 65 on the Chinese Degen 1103 model) on the Kaito 1103 digital radio. Easilly fitting on top of the Tivoli, the 1103 has the double the FM strength of the Tivoli and has over a hundred digital presets. The problem with the Kaito 1103 is its little speaker. But the Kaito is small enough to fit ontop of the Tivoli Model One and be hooked up with an audio cable through the Tivoli's provided "Auxilliary In" connection. So now you have erased the weaknesses of both radios and maximized their strengths in what will be the best "radio" you can buy. The cost for this radio hybrid, about two hundred dollars, is still less than half of a Bose radio, which, in spite of its nice speakers, suffers from mediocre FM/AM reception.

The Tivoli Model is such an attractive, well-made radio that it's worth combining it with the super-performing Kaito 1103. By itself, however, I'm afraid it's more looks than performance.

I ordered this radio after reading everything I could find on the Model One. I can tell you I was not dissapointed. The size of the radio is smaller than I expected, but it is definitely well built and more substantial in hand than any other radio I have ever owned.

I live in rural Kansas and reception has always been an issue. This radio brings in my favorite NPR station which is transmitted from 35 miles away, perfectly. I was also suprised to find it tuned in another NPR station, that signal is transmitted almost 100 miles away.

Most of the day I can also pull in other stations located over 120 miles away. I have had the best luck so far just using the built in antenna. Tuning is easy and the sound is full and rich. It is not stereo, but it doesn't seem to matter. I may buy a model two next to see if it provides any distinct advantage.

I have a Sangean that I paid $170 for several years ago, for FM performance the Tivoli beats it hands down, again and again. I would suggest that you "beleive the hype" and buy one of these if you enjoy turning the tube off and listening to some radio for a change.

This is a solidly built radio with excellent sound for its small size. However, I am really disappointed that stations tend to drift. After tuning in a specific (FM) station, I find that I have to make minor adjustments to the tuning dial every 10 minutes or so to maintain best signal strength. This is not a radio where you can set it on one station and forget it. You have to make minor adjustments periodically to get best reception.

A very beautiful piece of furniture. Sturdy and well finished. Solid bass (but not deep). Excellent sound but sometimes a bit strident (harsh) specially when used as AUX. to reproduce mp3 (inherently strident). The dial numbers are unreadable under almost any regular condition. Mine came with the dial (tuning wheel) shifted, so I can't have correct readings (99,9 looks like 100.2). However my other Tivoli radios (PAL and other Model 1) are absolutely centered. Don't know how to fix it.

The model ONE sounds a lot better than PALs and the same quality as model TWO (but mono). However my first model TWO showed bass distortion for certain music mixes when the companion RIGHT speaker was connected r. My actual model TWO is a bit (but a very bit ) lees strident.

Bottom line I love my TIVOLIS but would suggest:

- Digital (Like Tivoli's SongBook )
- Better Dial Numbers System
-Independent two speed FM AM knobs (if not digital)
- Bass/Treble (separate) controls.

p.s. Try Model One with a Select-A-Tenna ... is a DX BOMB.

My wife loves to listen to her favorite FM music station while having her morning breakfast. The previous radio we had sat on top of our microwave and gave very inconsistent and sometimes bad reception. She was constantly moving the external wire antenna with very little success and this was making her very unhappy. The Tivoli sits on top the same microwave, the reception is excellent, we do not touch the antenna and she is very happy. Breakfast is much more pleasant with the excellent Model T.

I purchased a 'Cobalt/Cherry' version of the Model One radio back in 2003 to 'replace' the annoying 'junk' radio that a co-worker had for us to listen to. His radio would not receive our 'favorite' FM station whenever the weather outside was rainy, or when the equipment bay door was closed (we were in a metal building). My 'new' Tivoli radio changed all that. Not only were we able to listen to our favorite station reliably and clearly, but it just sounded SO much better. Everyone was amazed with the quality of the sound, especially from such a 'small' box!

Four years later the same Model One sits on a shelf in my present place of employment and still brings me the joy of music from whatever station I want to listen to. It is extremely sensitive (with the 'wire' antenna supplied) and selective (no 'adjacent channel' interference). It is one of the best "investments" I've ever made for a consumer electronics product. The build-quality is top-notch and the real cherry wood veneered cabinet is strikingly beautiful with the dark cobalt blue faceplate. Both music and voices are reproduced with the quality of a fine 'hi-fi' setup and sound as natural. It "plays" loudly enough for almost anyone's needs without sounding distorted at higher volumes and it shows that the late Henry Kloss was gifted in understanding the overall "balance" necessary to make a great product! Someday I plan to purchase a Model Two for a little 'stereo system' (with my portable CD player plugged into the aux. input jacks on the back )for my bedroom.

A truly remarkable product (also available in other color and wood options) and most highly recommended!!!!!

If you seek a small radio for great sound in your bathroom, there is none better than this cleverly designed package of circuits and speaker.
John T. McCabe

I just moved into a new apartment near a campus radio tower. Suddenly, my radios didn't pull in my favorite stations. After buying and returning a couple, a friend told me about the Tivoli Model One. At last, I have my stations back! And the thing looks cool as hell!

We love our new radio. It sounds great and looks great. There is one small complaint that I have though. The knobs are difficult for us "old people" to grip and turn. My husband fixed this problem by slipping an "O"- ring onto the knob to help grip. Now it's perfect.

I bought a Model One for my desk at work due to its compact size. A big plus was that it accepts external am and fm antennas. It has a clean sound, but the tuner doesnt live up to the hype. First, the tuner dial isn't accurate, and can't be calibrated. After three months my radio tuner developed static. I was annoyed enough that I sent it back to Tivoli at my expense, since my radio had a one year warranty. The radios are assembled in China, and the tuner is a sealed unit that cannot be serviced, or cleaned with tuner spray, like in the old days.
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I asked about exchanging this unit for credit for one with a digital tuner, but Tivoli wouldn't work with me because I bought it through Amazon, not direct from Tivoli! They sent me a replacement radio, which appeared to be another customer return, The replacement radio also developed static after a couple months.
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