Customer Reviews

Tivoli Audio Model Subwoofer, Cherry/Metallic Taupe

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, I see there's a bit of controversy out here about hiss, and whether the sub is worth the money. I hope to clarify this in simple terms. To begin with, I have an audiophile quality system. Conrad Johnson, Tandberg, NAD, Celestion components, yet having moved into a new home, I didn't want to see all those components and speakers in my living room with new wood floors. I had hoped that this system with the sub would fit the bill, but was rather skeptical, after reading reviews here. So here's my vote. Get the Model 2, and get the sub. It's all worth it, but you'll never "hear" it, until it's set up properly. First off, I'm a ham; and anyone can tell you, that you're only as good as your antenna. I used a roof mount full size FM antenna as my baseline reference, but didn't want it on my roof. I replaced it quite nicely with the Radio Shack 15-1859 for $24.99. However, like the speakers, placement is everything. I put on headphones and tuned it to a difficult station, then moved the antenna until it was clear, so I could move free of the unit without having to be in front of the speakers to listen. Wa-la.. After a few minutes of testing, I attained absolutely noisless signal and along with it; perfect spacial seperation. Next, I found that the speaker placement is very critical to set the proper soundstage, and get "as it was intended to be heard" seperation. I did buy the sub, but for now, leave it turned off. Also, don't rely on leaving the balance centered. I had to tweak it, so don't be afraid to. Try putting on some Andres Segovia and keep adjusting the balance until you hear the "open ambiance" of the auditorium he played in. Listen to attain a spacial result. Then you're set. NOW turn on your sub. Also, to those who say the sub isn't needed. Fooey. It's well worth the money, and provides the third leg of the triangle to truly present what this system can do. Once all that is set, knock yourself out. It's a no brainer, and yes, again; the sub is "required" and well worth it. For references as to what this system can do, try Patrick O'Hearn/Metaphor, Andreas Vollenweider/Book of Roses, and Tower of Power/Soul Vaccination (LIVE). They will let you hear what this baby can do. Kinda like driving a Porsche on a straight road at 40 mph, and saying "it's not that hot". Context is everything. Hope this helped. Again, what I found to be necessary were, signal quality, speaker placement/balance adjustment, without sub; then sub added. For me, this system is a keeper, and will keep my former audio system packed away for now. To me, unobtrusiveness; from "invisible" components, and "is that coming out of that?" performance, is coming out on top, and winning big. Go for it. It's a rare find, and a great value.

The Tivoli Model Two radio sounds great all by itself, but the Model Subwoofer gives it just a touch more oomph at the bottom end that makes it even better. I had serious doubts about the performance of a "subwoofer" with just a single 5.25" speaker, but this little thing really works. Lows have more volume and impact, but the subwoofer doesn't call attention to itself, or misbehave by sounding tubby.

The effect is subtle, and won't necessarily show up on all material, but in my installation, music from Robert Cray to Mannheim Steamroller to David Sanborn benefitted from the sub's contribution. The small cabinet is easily hidden if need be, but looks good enough to be placed out in the open, too. The volume control is useful for tailoring the sound to its location.

You can get along quite well without the Model Subwoofer, but once you listen to it, you'll be glad you spent the eighty bucks.

Having recently purchased the tivoli model two and model cd, I really wanted to complete my new system with the subwoofer but was a little hesitant after reading such reviews below. Since I've become somewhat obsessed with the Tivoli units I really wanted to believe the subwoofer was all it's makers claimed it to be. Well, all it really took was a simple demo in the store for me to instantly think to myself, "what the heck where those down-sayers thinking?". Its sound was instantly low and booming, but not in an overwhelming through-my-bones kinda thudding. It was rich and smooth (as is the audio from the model 2) but it truly adds a great depth to the music. I'm almost hesitant to use the word subtle- because it is VERY obvious the differences with the subwoofer on and off. Do a simple test before you buy to convinve yourself that it does more than simply compliment the model two- it really adds a huge differnce to the sounds! I'm so glad it wasn't a simple add-on and the mere $150 (Canadian) I spent is nothing compared to the results I'm getting!

First of all I must admit I'm a TIVOLI fan. Got all the models (and several of each) except the subwoofer ... until now!!
Today I got mine. A bit worried of course because the so-so reviews. Well, don't know if is my home acoustic or the corner placement or whatever but the sub works and does it wonderfully.
Of course we are speaking of TIVOLI class... not too conspicuous but excellent performances.
Not only the bass are really increased (to the real original level) but with no BOOM or room earthquakes :-).. However don't let this comment fool you. I turned the bass level knob to 3/4 and walked around the house. Could perceive the very clean definite and precise bass (not sticky flabby bass like computer speakers systems) in all rooms.
If I could use just an expression to define it, I would say "absolutely appropriate".
You are hearing just the original recorded bass. Not an ounce more or less, and that of course is what the all HI-FI is about.... what the all TIVOLI idea is about. Natural, rich and precise sound reproduction.
By the way, unlike boomy subs you can hear the music for hours and enjoy rich bass without any fatigue at all...

Six stars (well 5 plus one for all the owners...congratulations).

I'll mildly disagree with the other reviewer - yes, the effect is subtle, and while it's a pleasant enough add-on, it's not really worth investing in. I really wanted to keep the overall visual impact of the system to a minimum. To be honest, for $80, it doesn't do enough to warrant being the largest single element in the system. Yes, you can toss it on the floor or next to the couch, but it's still littering up your area someplace, and the ever-so-slight improvement of low-end bass isn't really worth the price. It's actually a credit to the Kloss line that this thing is fairly extraneous; I get very good bass performance out of the existing Model Two/Model CD setup I have, and I guess I was expecting that if they could extract that much low-end tone from the M2 speaker, they'd really punch out some bass from the subwoofer. Not the case. Try the M2 setup first; if you're really starved for more bass and have a spare $80 burning a hole in your pocket, give it a try, but I'd let the stock M2 setup grow on you first. Not a bad product; just not up to the standard set by the rest of the HK line.

I was already happy with the sound quality of the Tivoli Model Two, but after adding the subwoofer I love it. The only thing I don't like is the hum you get if you turn off the tuner and leave the subwoofer in standby mode. You also need to shop around for the best price. You can pay anywhere from $80 to $175 for this unit.

My gal Sara and I had the Tivoli Model Two radio for about a year and I mentioned in my review of it that we use the line out on the back of the radio to feed the signal into a Bose Wave Radio on the other side of the room. So we have the Model Two's speakers on each side of the bed and the Bose, with its reflecting sound booming at us head on when we watch movies on my iBook, snuggled together among the pillows. And, you know, I didn't think bedroom sound could get any better than this. Oh well If I were to spend thousands and get a McIntosh component system with exotic Tannoy speakers, then yeah, I could get better sound. But I thought we were doing pretty darn good.

Then Sara got me this subwoofer for my birthday. Hooking it into the system was a simple matter of plugging in the wire that came with the radio, then plugging the subwoof into the wall. We put it under out bed and WOW, let me tell you, now we feel the movies. Every breath Darth Vadar takes seems to ripple and run right through us. And music, Charlie Watts' raging drums are like hammer blows to the heart. If you've got a model two, you gotta get this. And if you don't have a Model Two, you've gotta get one, just so you can get this.

I believe that the wildly different opinions about on this sub have to do with how people listen and what they want. I have the Model 2, and when I plugged the sub in, I really noticed a difference, but did not hear a "thump thump" intrusion. I prefer this. For those looking to hear a seperate base line, look elsewhere. I think that the sub is worth it and adds a great deal.

For the record, when I plugged the sub into my Model 3 (clock radio) I knew I had to buy another one.

I can see how for some this sub, and for that matter, the whole Tivoli line just will not cut it. I find that the Sub really adds to the clean warm and well balanced sound.

This radio is superb. Have heard the Bose and the quality of the sound that the Tivoli puts out is superior. Very small and compact, but the quality and sound is outstanding. Would suggest this to anyone.

I use a Tivoli model satellite as my alarm clock in the bedroom, and it also serves as a receiver for my Sonos system. While the sub doesn't deliver the sonic impact of, say, dual 12's in an automotive bandpass box, if you're discriminating enough to be using a Tivoli in the first place, you'll appreciate the subtle sonic addition.

The subwoofer performs exactly as I had hoped - as an almost transparent extension of the radio, serving to flesh out the bottom end of your music, rather than annoy your neighbors. While sound is admittedly impressive from the radio sans sub, leading to the question of "why bother," this is solely a testament to the quality of the radio itself, and not a knock to the subwoofer. It adds significantly noticeable dimension, and if you have the sub hidden away (not that you have to - like all Tivoli products, it's beautifully finished,) people marvel at the sound being produced by the combination, thinking it's emanating solely from the diminutive radio.

Bottom line: a highly worthwhile addition to the Tivoli, as long as you know that it's a subtle improvement to an already excellent system. If you're looking for something to play Xtreme Booty Bass Volume 19 on - this isn't the sub.