Cons: As far as this review is concerned, there are none.
The Bottom Line: Buy with confidence if you are concerned with picking up weak signals that only sound marginal on your other radios (even digital tuners).
atombaum's Full Review: Tivoli Kloss Model One AM/FM Radio
This small, classic looking analog radio was first released in 2000 as the first product sold by Tivoli Audio of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Apparently, Henry Kloss came out of retirement to design this handsome minimalist unit. It currently sells for $99 (October, 2004). The green light on the face plate indicates the power is on and the yellow tuning light varies in intensity depending on signal strength...a modern "magic eye" tuning indicator! The first test I give any radio after bringing it home is to see how well it picks up the weaker college and community stations on the left end of the dial. The "Model One" really pulls them in with no problem at all. I mean, it nails them. So far (I have owned it for all of 2 hours) it is a most impressive radio. "It must not know it is so small" because the sound quality is very good even though there are no external tone adjustments possible (a possible negative point?). As someone who listens "primarily" to jazz and classical music, I find the fixed tone balance of the speaker quite pleasing. My old Grundig tube radios have varying success picking up the weaker FM stations, so I will use this to do my "alternative listening" while public radio goes on their long pledge drives. The true reason for buying it was that public radio just went on a pledge drive and I needed something good to listen to the college stations on. So, for me the real test is how well a radio picks these weak signals up. I think this is a common desire among radio listeners who live outside their metro areas (in the sticks) but still want the benefits of the culture and funky stations in the city. As I wrote this overview, I had the Tivoli "Model One" radio set to a classical station (WRUR 88.5 FM) and had the volume turned up about 1/4 of the way. It is sitting on a shelf behind, and slightly above me. During one of the more "Wagnerian" type of loud pieces it seemed to really fill the room with its sound. As I turned around to look at it, I was reminded of how small it actually is (about the size of a brick). The sound seemed to be coming from a much larger enclosure. Quite sensational! This all makes sense because the "Model One" uses the same technology which allows cell phones to get clear audio even with weak RF signals. It comes in several color combinations. I got the classic walnut cabinet (real wood) and off-white face. The face is very simple and only has a 5:1 ratio AM/FM tuning dial, which allows one to precisely tune to the station, and a volume dial and the On-Off-AM-FM selector switch. And the left side of the radio front has the speaker. I have not yet really cranked the volume but it FILLS my 11'x14' room with the volume at 1/4 with no distortion. This is with living 30 miles away from a 3,000 Watt college station. For anyone that needs a radio to meet these criteria, I say buy with confidence.
Tivoli Audio Henry Kloss Model One Radio - M1BBS/ Built-In AM And FM Antennas/ 3 Speaker Driver/ Precise Tuner With 5:1 Ratio/ Elegant Wood Cabinet/ B...More at Abt Electronics
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