Friday, September 30, 2011

Tivoli Audio Model Two AM/FM Table Radio with Stereo Speaker, Cherry/Metallic Taupe

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 cherry 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.

Amazon Sales Rank: #16348 in Consumer Electronics Color: Metallic Taupe Brand: Tivoli Model: M2TPE Dimensions: 7.00" h x 11.00" w x 14.00" l, 9.00 pounds High-performance table radio with companion stereo speaker for superior sound reproduction Attractive, furniture-grade, handmade wood cabinet doubles as acoustically inert housing Pair of 3-inch long-throw drivers ensure accurate tonal balance and bass response State-of-the-art discrete component FM tuner improves reception and increases clarity Measures 8.375 x 4.5 x 5.25 inches (W x H x D) per cabinet; 1-year warranty

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

The best customer reviews 56 of 57 people found this review helpful. Great radio, some minor problems by Brett Buck first - the radio is wonderfully simple, and it sounds very good for what it is. I enjoyed listening to it and is the total lack of "hard edges" means you can listen for hours. It also looks fantastic and is quite compact. But there are some minor problems. As others have mentioned, the atmosphere is the steering wheel pretty hard to see in dim light because inadquate contrast between the background of brown and gray numbers. There is not much, but it's a minor annoyance. FM reception is just as good as any other tuner I've tried component, perhaps better, even with little accompanying monopole antenna, or even nothing / internal antennna. With a proper external antenna, I'm sure that if the station was there, you hear it. Reception on the AM band, however, is nothing extraordinary, and no external antenna input is a bit 'hard to fix I have a Terk AM Advantage antenna and used it in "inductive coupling mode", and that helps in some way. But some stations are still very marginal. I am close to opening it and adding an input for external antenna. I'm doing a very large antenna (hiding its frame construction!) And that should solve it. But I suspect even a simple antenna, directly feeding the radio, would be more effective. Tuning is like old times, of course - turn the knob until you feel better. It also has the modern equivalent of "neon lamp set-up" on the old tube tuners - an LED that indicates "tune". Analog is the way to go.The button is multiplied by 5:01 so you can really move without overdoing it. But I noticed that sometimes the LED is "rate sensitive". If you turn the knob quickly, you can really turn it on, but if you turn it slowly, you may never get as bright, whatever you do this is just a little irritation. A more difficult question is that it seems a lot of "slop" in the gearbox. Turn it one way, until you go past the peak, then back, and it takes a lot of turning in the opposite direction until it's all about. It * feels great. I will pursue the back-to-back with my real stereo, and of course it has some limitations. What do you do for $ 159 and 3-inch speakers that can be expected? My real system is probably 20-30 times the price. Somewhat surprisingly, to be the most practical constraints that may be of the high frequency end. The lower end, even without a subwoofer accessories, seems good enough for real music. It is very easy to roar at the bottom of the offer, but nothing too offensive. I can not imagine you need the subwoofer. Definitely give up something at the top, however, this might actually be good in some cases - list of local jazz stations in a true stereo reveals the limitations of old reel to reel recording of 50 years in the form of hiss tape that can really get on your nerves after a while. Tivoli filters and has a very audible, if not very accurate sound. No tone controls, but this is not a problem, and more high-end hi-fi preamps do not have tone controls, too. Becomes stronger than enough, in fact. Case (Cherry) is very well done and really adds to the look "retro." The whole system has a very solid and substantial. It is obvious, but there are several external line level where you can add external sources. For example, use the radio as a computer speaker and is mixed with the sounds of radio equipment. Or us the auxiliary input and add something else - like a portable CD player. I listened extensively to the Bose Wave (the obvious competitor for expensive table radios), and there is no comparison in terms of sound quality is much better than the Tivoli, in my opinion. Since it is also much cheaper if this is the alternative, buy two.

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