Pros: Understated retro styling, easy to use, very good sound, expandable (sub woofer, aux in)
Cons: Station drift, dial is not back-lit, only suitable for small room, only OK AM performance
The Bottom Line: Buy it if you are looking for quality, close-up listening. Buy the matching subwoofer, but above all, audition this in your home before making the final decision.
You are reading this because you are looking for a high end table radio and are trying to avoid paying for a Bose Wave Radio, or don't like the boominess or "high tech" factor in the Cambridge Soundworks 730/740 series. Those were some of my motivations for buying the Tivoli Model Two. Let me say for the record that this is a great FM radio...but it is ONLY a radio, that means it is well suited for desktop or table use, but NOT suitable for anything more than a small room. The small amplifier (and subwoofer for that matter) simply does not carry the pleasing sound very well beyond a couple of feet. I use my Model Two (and the Model Subwoofer) in my smallish 12'x10' family room but I would not want it in anything bigger...I don't think that's what Tivoli intended it for anyways. Read-on for more details.
Styling:
I personally love the styling, simple, retro and in a real wood cabinet. In our world of flashing LEDs, and electro luminescent displays, the Model Two is refreshing and timeless.
Sound:
Everyone talks about how fantastic it sounds...and it is very good...even great when you buy the optional Model Subwoofer...but only at close distances. If you move away more than 4 or 5 feet, the lower frequencies diminish significantly (not surprising really). This baby sounds best on your desk, close up. The FM music is smooth and balanced...I never get tired of listening to it. AM is another story, I find the AM sound to be a bit harsh and not life-like. My $25 clock radio actually sounds close to my Model Two on AM. This is not such a big deal to me since I listen mostly to FM and...my iPod. I connect my iPod's docking station to the aux-in and the sound is pretty good. I suspect that the matching Model CD would sound even better, but at $199 USD a bit steep.
One Complaint:
Aside from the lack of an back-lit tuning dial (which is a joy to turn BTW), I am surprised in all the reviews I've read that nobody mentions the problem with station drift! After 10 or 15 minutes any FM station begins to drift and I have to go back and fine tune it a bit...maybe its just me or my area, but this hasn't made me want to get rid of it yet.
Price and Shopping:
I looked high and low for discount pricing and it looks like Tivoli has pretty much set pricing across North America (i.e. it never goes on sale) barring places like eBay.
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