I wanted a radio for work but didn't have any desire for the typical run-of-the-mill cassette/cd player/twin small stereo speaker system in black, with tiny controls. All I really wanted was a radio. I contemplated stealing my wife's Panasonic SLP-1, but she loves it around the house. I did some searching and saw blurbs here and there about H. Kloss's most recent (and, unfortunately, last) design, the Model One.

I didn't want to pay retail, and, luckily, found one for sale on the net, NIB, unopened in Green/Maple. Not my first color choice, but probably second. So, for 70$ s/h, I rec'd my Model One. Opening the well packed unit revealed the clean-cut lines of the Maple cabinet and green face plate. The construction is great. I love the real wood. It really makes a difference over black plastic. Controls are clean, crisp, and very legible. Nice variety of rear panel outlets for input, headphones, antennae, etc.

With unit powered up the first evening, I stared to "roll" through the stations. The sound surprised me. I was expecting a sound similar to my old clock radio, something like sound out of the plastic box variety. However, it was clear, crisp, and warm. The port in the bottom truly does help with bottom end fill-in. With such nearfield listening, stereo is not a requirement at all--I had my doubts about this as well, but, I loved what I heard. In trying stations throughout the FM and AM range, I heard stations hours away. Again, a very positive surprise. With a "big" powered antenna, one could probably listen to stations even further out. The "tuning eye" works flawlessly and helps zero in on station strength.

So, my search for a decent tabletop radio ended quickly with the purchase of the Model One. There is nothing on the market like it and there probably won't be in the future. It performs the job of a radio receiver perfectly and sounds fabulous. The great looks attributed to the use of high quality construction materials complete the package. People who need digital readouts or stereo obviously haven't even attempted to use or listen to the Model One. In the case of the Model One, less is more. 

UPDATE, 9/18/2009:
This radio is still at work, a little over 5 years later.  No problems, no degradation in sound or overall performance.  Great little unit.

Recommended: Yes