Unexpectedly good performance for a small system
Written: Mar 09 '03 (Updated Mar 09 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Pleasant stereo audio. Compact, clean design. Good FM tuner. Aux and mix input capability.
Cons: Speaker connections hardwired into right unit (but with plug into tuner/left speaker). AM unimpressive.
The Bottom Line: Good performance for a small stereo system in this price range. An unusual and beautifully made unit that most should enjoy using for a long time.
|
|
|
| polar_bee's Full Review: Tivoli System Henry Kloss Model Two AM/FM Stereo R... |
Sound quality is good. Within its price range, the Tivoli Model Two stereo system is one of the best sounding, small audio systems that I have heard. I am currently using the system in a dining room, without a subwoofer. I agree with another reviewer, "highpoint" that the sound has been tuned to enhance bass response from its 3" speakers and I can appreciate that some listeners may not like the tradeoffs chosen. However, Tivoli's chosen balance works for me and I very much enjoy what the audio shaping does for jazz, classical music, and talk radio. I find it enhances vocal clarity and adds presence to music. Rock music is also fine on this system but do not expect the same sort of sound one would get from 10" woofers and 150 watts of power. With the Model Two there is none of the tinniness, buzzing, strange vibrations or muddiness one often finds in low-end stereo systems. Credit much of this to quality, wood-based construction and the appropriate choice of speaker and amplifier design. Compared to most other book-sized mini-stereo systems, the Model Two's sound quality is quite good.
Obviously, anyone planning to spend about $160 for such a system should take one home, set it up and listen for a while. Tivoli and most of the dealers that sell this stereo have quite reasonable, no-hassle return policies (Always be sure to confirm this before purchasing). I did try listening to the stereo in a store but the combination of bass-cranking hip-hoppers toying with car stereos and three simultaneous home audio demonstrations made it impossible to easily evaluate the system there. But the results were promising enough to take the unit home for testing. I kept the system and I enjoy using it daily.
Now, the output volume will not rattle windows or floors but it will fill most residential rooms with louder-than-necessary sound. Of course, when I really want to damage my eardrums and send the dog howling to the basement, I have a full-sized system just for that purpose. For me, the Model Two is perfect as a second stereo and will work well in most offices, dens, kitchens, basements, garage shops, and dining rooms. The system's aux and mixing inputs also make it suitable for computer audio and permit its use as external stereo speakers for TVs (the other TV, not the one in the home entertainment system). Use some care next to CRT-based TVs and computer monitors -- The speakers are not magnetically shielded. I connect the aux input to portable CD and MP3 players with no problems. Unlike the Tivoli Model One, this system has a front-mounted, audio input selector with a separate AUX position (the AUX source connects through a socket in the back).
Other reviewers (e.g. at geek.com), comparing the Tivoli Model Two to the Bose Wave and SoundWorks Model 88 systems noted the distinct advantage of being able to physically separate the left and right channels for optimum stereo effect. The makes a big difference in sound quality. Instead of having to resort to phase tricks that artificially widen the perceived stereo image from narrowly separated speakers, one can simply move the speakers far enough apart to create a natural-sounding stereo. There is also a left/right balance control located in the back of the receiver to compensate for sub-optimal speaker placement. The Model Two's speaker cable is 15 feet long; more than enough to place the speakers about eight feet apart while allowing the user to discretely route the wires. Tivoli did not skimp on the power cord, either: That two-conductor cord is ten feet long.
One gripe I do have about the system's speaker connection: Although the speaker cord hooks into a detachable RCA connection on the receiver/left speaker unit, the cord is hard-wired to the right speaker. I'd prefer to see a second, detachable connector on the right speaker as well. Fortunately, the cord quality is good, about the size of a standard power cord, and should last for some time. All cords are white.
FM receive quality is good. I have not seen any specifications published by Tivoli but side-to-side testing with other receivers in my house suggests that it does have a fairly sensitive receiver. The sound from the FM band is good and I have not noticed the tuning drift one other reviewer reported. There is no switch for FM mono, which I use with other receivers to pull in weak, talk radio stations. Another reviewer noted that a strong AC line buzz does appear in the audio as you tune between stations. I can confirm this observation. However, this tuning buzz does not interfere with station reception or sound quality. It does disappear under DC power.
Tivoli ships the unit with a plug-in, external FM antenna which can be attached to a standard, 75 ohm, F-connector in the back. I only need this antenna when I try to tune to a weak station that is in a channel adjacent to another strong station. In this case, the external antenna provides some directionality for FM reception.
I specifically purchased this system for FM listening and have not been disappointed.
AM receive quality is marginal. Tuned to weak stations, the AC line buzz makes listening intolerable (Running off clean, DC power may help). On strong stations there is no buzz but the unit requires careful tuning to eliminate whistles and squeals. Unfortunately, this is not an atypical performance for many modern stereo receivers.
Overall construction is excellent. The solid, wood cases are beautiful and should age nicely. The case dimensions for the left and right units are the same: approximately 8.5" wide x 5.25" deep x 4.25" tall. Connections in the back require about 1.5"-2" of clearance and the tuner dial adds about 0.75" in the front. The receiver unit will fit perfectly on an 8" deep shelf. Because the bass ports are rear-facing one can orient the units in either "landscape" (e.g. flat - the default) or "portrait" (upright) positions. The units are packed with eight, stick-on, rubber nubs that you can attach for feet after you determine the preferred speaker orientation. Dials and connectors are good quality although the labeling is a bit difficult to read. Fortunately, the operation is so simple you barely need to read the front writing. If you fill up the connectors in the unit for aux input, mix input, rec out, headphones, subwoofer and an external antenna, things get pretty "busy" in the back. All but the external antenna, right speaker, AC, and DC power plugs accept standard, 2- or 3-connector, mini-headphone plugs. The DC power socket is labeled "12V-16V" and should work with most 12V car and RV systems (using line filter and surge protector would be prudent).
I like the design aesthetics. While I often prefer the bells and whistles of electronic devices, many things work fine without them. Table radios are pretty simple devices. I like digital tuning displays and LCD signal strength meters... but they're completely unnecessary. Remote controls are fun too... but how often will one be closer to the remote than the radio? And how often is pressing a button to advance the tuning steps or sound volume actually more efficient or easier than turning a knob? Almost never.
Many people enjoy this radio for its simplicity. And that's not because these people are sentimental or technophobic -- It's because this system sounds good and operates well.
Because of the Model Two's performance, I am considering purchasing Tivoli Model One or PAL units for gifts or use in other rooms.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
polar_bee
|
|
Location: West of Boston, MA
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.