Tivoli Audio Model Two AM / FM Radio, Black/Silver Finish

by Tivoli

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 7 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000ABTP8W
• Item model number: M2BLK
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,393 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Tivoli Henry Kloss Model Two Radio with companion speaker, the Tivoli Model Subwoofer and the Tivoli Model CD are designed to be used together as part of a complete compact stereo system but are sold separately from each other.

All the elements of the component system have classic styling that makes Tivoli products so distinctive. Simplicity and elegance are engineered into all three components and, for the most part, we came away impressed with what this little system could do in terms of sound quality, as well as its ease of use. It's worth noting here that all three components sport separate ports for AC and DC power, making them a great choice for boating or RV use.

Henry Kloss Model Two
The Model Two serves as the base unit for the Tivoli component system. It is very similar to the Model Three clock radio, without the alarm clock section. Like other Tivoli radios, the Model Two 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. The unit also ships with a companion speaker which, unlike the monaural Henry Kloss Model One, gives the system full stereo separation.

The Tivoli Model Two with companion speaker.

The Model Two has a single rotary dial that handles tuning for both AM and FM stations. The dial is designed to move between stations at a speed that's a bit slower than the speed at which the user turns the knob--a five-to-one 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 Two controls, though--the same gripe we had about the Model Three. Unlike the high-contrast labeling we found on the Platinum Series Model One radio, the Model Two's blue-gray lettering atop a taupe background is difficult to read, especially in low-light situations.

The Model Two's 3-inch driver is housed next to the tuning dial and is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover. The companion speaker contains the same driver in a form factor that is the same size and construction as the Model Two's main unit. A 15-foot RCA speaker cord attached to the companion speaker allows you to set the speakers well apart in a room--great for getting optimal stereo separation. There's a small balance dial on the rear of the main unit as well as a mono-stereo switch.

A coaxial antenna jack for the included FM antenna wire is provided, although the Model Two also has an internal FM antenna. Tivoli recommends using the supplied external antenna for tricky tuning in locales with a lot of closely spaced stations. There's a handy switch for alternating between the internal and external antennae, as well. A standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack is also provided, as is a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary line-in port for plugging in the Model CD. For the really techno-savvy, there's also a 3.5-millimeter mixing input that permits audio from your computer to be mixed in with the radio. A preamp-out jack is provided for the Model Subwoofer, and if you want to use the Model Two as a component tuner--not a bad idea given the overall quality and accuracy of the tuning circuitry--Tivoli has provided a 3.5-millimeter output port.

The Subwoofer adds rich bass to the Model Two.

Model Subwoofer
At 6.5 inches high, 9.5 inches wide, and 6.1 inches deep, the Model Subwoofer is a bit larger than the other components in the Tivoli component system. While a 5.25-inch bass driver dominates the front of the unit, there's also a deep front port for added bass response. A bass-level dial lets you decide how much of the low end you want to hear. The on-off switch has a sensor that automatically activates the subwoofer when a signal is detected. With 20 watts of power, the Model Subwoofer is an impressive little box with the capability of dramatically extending the fullness and richness of the Model Two sound.

Model CD
With its cherry wood casing, Tivoli's component CD player matches the Model Two perfectly while offering equally simple operation. We really liked the elegant slot-loading mechanism; it felt solid and reliable. Basic functions like play, stop, and track selection can be controlled on the unit. There's also a tiny little remote that adds shuffle, direct track selection, repeat, and intro-scanning functions. True to form, the remote is simple and easy to use. The Model CD's display is bright and crisp with the look of a high-end audiophile-class component. We played a number of CDs, including CD-R discs with nary a hitch. Tivoli says that the Model CD will not play CD-RW discs, however.

The Tivoli CD is elegant and capable.

A 3.5-millimeter headset jack is provided on the back of the unit, as are RCA outputs and an AC power port that connects to a supplied brick-style AC adapter. The unit is also capable of running on DC power.

All Together Now
Setting up the component system was fairly straightforward. All of the inputs and outputs are clearly marked, and each component ships with everything you need to make the right connections. Although it might be too much to ask for, it would be great if the Model Two main unit had an AC power input for plugging in at least one of the components. This is admittedly a minor quibble, and it might not be feasible in such a small device.

Just like our experiences with other Tivoli products, sound was impressive--full of clear highs and mids and rich, room-filling lows. The Model Two tuning feature felt less accurate than the Model One, but we still were able to dial in stations quickly and easily. Overall, we recommend the Model Two as a high-quality mini-component system, because systems this size rarely sound this good. Even without the subwoofer engaged, the sound was rich and resonant. As soon as we plugged in the subwoofer, though, we were transported to near sonic bliss. It's a must-have accessory for the Model Two.--Joshua Gunn

Pros

• Simple, stylish construction on all the component parts
• Great sound from such a compact system; good tuning accuracy
• Subwoofer option adds exceptional dynamic range

Cons

• Tuner is slightly less accurate than the Model One

Product Description

Stereophonic reproduction involves the separation of the left and right audio channels. So why then do most stereo radios closely-space two speakers in a single cabinet? The two-piece Model Two does stereo right¿and left. Placing the matching black ash wood stereo speaker, with its 15' of cord, several feet from the main unit provides the detailed imaging and accurate soundstage that is so essential for true stereo reproduction. We consider the Model Two to be one of the finest stereo radios available, but don't take our word for it. Stereophile said, ...the Model Two is a fun piece of gear, and the left and right speakers in separate cabinets provide much more convincing stereo than two channels stuffed in one box. The Model Two uses a Henry Kloss designed tuner with cell phone technology for better FM reception and increased clarity on closely spaced stations and its 5:1 ratio analog tuning dial provides easy and accurate tuning. Other features include; Built in AM and FM antennas, 75-ohm external FM antenna input, switched auxiliary input for use with the Tivoli Audio Model CD, iPods, MP3 players, or portable CD players. A stereo headphone output is provided for private listening. A mixing input permits audio from your computer to be mixed in with the radio. There is also a dedicated subwoofer output (for the optional matching Model Subwoofer) and a balance control. The bass ports are located in the rear to accommodate vertical positioning where space is tight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars definitely the best in its class, June 16, 2008

By 

LUX_interior (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tivoli Audio Model Two AM / FM Radio, Black/Silver Finish (Electronics)

Lets be frank, the BOSE system is definitely an overpriced product. It is OK product that performs so so... it is also $500. If you really would like a system that sounds 100 times better and costs slightly less, I would look into the Tivoli Model 2 with the Tivoli subwoofer addition. I have tried both, and was only satisfied when I got my Tivoli Model Two. The Tivoli Model Two is definitely going to be classic and a system people talk about for years... mark my words. It was designed by Henry Kloss, one of the most important sound engineers of our time. I have the newest ipod dock with remote hooked up to it and it sounds amazing! Keep in mind that this is a system for people who like to LISTEN to music. True Hi-Fi... not another boomy window shaker system. The Tivoli system has incredible sound separation a really impressive sound stage. Oh and did I mention that it is really cool looking? It has real wood cabinets, minimal solid design+ it does not have the look of a bedside alarm clock!

Hopefully I have just saved some of you true music connoisseurs the headache of having to return their BOSE products... or not. Yours faithfully, Sonic Boom.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's as good as they say, January 11, 2008

By 

W. Mallick (I don't know where I am, but there's Waldo.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tivoli Audio Model Two AM / FM Radio, Black/Silver Finish (Electronics)

I bought this stereo to listen at work. The sound is clear, mixes come through clean, and the features are perfect. Favorite feature is the "mixing" input, which lets you have your computer sound come out through the stereo along with any selected source. The FM Tuner is fantastic, AM reception is alright. Having a built-in AM antenna is nice (most micro-stereos don't have one) so I can listen to AM, but I can't get the stations I want. FM reception is clear, and the sound reproduction from the FM Tuner is very good, as good as FM gets. FM reception is much better on this stereo than anything else I own, including Yamaha home stereos, Panasonic and Sony mini systems. The Model Two is very well built, and performs as expected.

The speakers don't blow you away, but rather sound very "nice". There are no obvious dips and peaks in the frequency response, like so many other small systems. Listening for hours on end to many different types of music is not fatiguing. The stereo separation is amazing, especially if you spread the speakers out.

This stereo works great with my iPod. I use the dock, and an 1/8" to 1/8" connecting cable. You can use the headphone jack, but the dock's line out sounds much better to discerning ears.

There is a subwoofer output, very handy. The subwoofer output is really a "pre-amp" output, controlled by the volume control and both the left and right channels appear discreetly. This raises a couple of issues, the sub-output is not filtered, meaning it contains all the audio frequencies, secondly, it is not buffered, which means if you plug in a mono cable, or combine the outputs using a Y cable, the sound from the main speakers will be adversely affected. Just make sure your subwoofer has separate left and right line-level inputs, and preferably a cross-over adjustment. Note: Avoid the Tivoli Model Subwoofer, it is underwhelming, sounds sloppy and makes very little bass. I use a KLH subwoofer that I purchased for the same price and that works much better.

It is also interesting to note that this stereo can be powered by 12 volts DC, making it an idea candidate for an area where you may need to use alternate power, such as solar, rv, or an AC adapter for Europe.

In summary, there are a variety of inputs and outputs to interface with all of your stuff. The mixing input for computer sound is really cool, and FM tuning is fantastic.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm vacume tube radio sound without the vacume tubes, November 21, 2008

By 

Nicholas Christo (Austin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tivoli Audio Model Two AM / FM Radio, Black/Silver Finish (Electronics)

I've owned the Model Two radio with the Sub-woofer accessory for five years now. Initially, I wasn't happy with the cost until I listened to it the first time & then the cost didn't matter. Sounds better than my Harmon-Kardon AVR with Bose surround-sound speaker system.

Pro's: Simple to use; Nice warm "vacuum-tube radio" sound like I remember hearing from my Grandfathers radios as a small child (I half expect to see the soft orange glow of the vacuum tubes peaking from behind the grill); Compact, sturdy & solid design; Very, very high quality components made of steel, wood and aluminum rather than plastic, plastic and more plastic; Does only a few things, but does them extremely well.

Con's: Limited cabinet and face-plate finishes and color choices; No surround sound option (two speakers sound so good,four would be amazing); Sub-woofer adds some to the sound, but should do more for the cost; No remote control (ipod dock with remote plugged into the auxiliary input is something of a substitute).

If only it had (in order of importance): Network connectivity to computer music files & related online and satellite radio subscriptions; Small usable remote control; Surround-sound capability.