Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18996 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Metallic Taupe
• Brand: Tivoli Audio
• Model: M2TPE
• Dimensions: 7.00" h x 11.00" w x 14.00" l, 9.00 pounds

Features

• 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

Amazon.com Product Description
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

• Tuner is slightly less accurate than the Model One

Customer Reviews

Fantastic radio, a few minor problems
First off - the radio is beautifully simple, and sounds remarkably good for what it is. I have really enjoyed listening to it, and it's total lack of any "harsh edges" means you can listen for hours. It also looks just fantastic, and is quite compact.

But there are a few minor issues. As others have mentioned, the tuning dial is rather difficult to see in low light due to inadquate contrast between the brown background and gray numbers. That's not that big a deal, but it's a slight annoyance.

Reception on FM is at least as good as any component tuner that I have tried, maybe better, even with the little monopole antenna supplied, or even with nothing/internal antennna. With a real external antenna, I'm quite sure that if the station was there, you'd hear it.

Reception on AM, however, is nothing to write home about, and with no external antenna input it's a little difficult to correct. I got a Terk AM Advantage loop antenna and used it in "inductive coupling" mode, and that helps somewhat. But some stations are still very marginal. I'm close to opening it up and adding an external antenna input. I am in the process of making a very large loop antenna (hiding it by building it into a picture frame!) and that should solve it. But I suspect even a simple antenna, directly feeding the radio, would work better.

Tuning is like the good old days, of course - turn the dial until you hear it best. It also has the modern equivalent of the "tuning neon lamp" on old tube tuners - an LED that indicates "tune". Analog is the right way to go.The knob is geared down 5:1 so you can really move it without overdoing it. But I have noticed that sometimes the LED is "rate-sensitive". If you turn the knob quickly, you can really get it bright, but if you turn it slow, you can never get it as bright no matter what you do. Must be AC-coupled. This is just a minor irritation. A slightly more difficult issue is that there seems to be a lot of "slop" in the gear mechanism. Turn it one way until you go past peak, then back, and it takes a fair amount of turning the opposite way until it moves at all. It *feels* great.

I have been running it back-to-back with my real stereo, and of course it has some limitations. What do you expect for $159 and 3-inch speakers? My real system is probably 20-30 times the cost. Somewhat surprisingly, the biggest practical limitations seem to be on the high frequency end. The low end, even without the accessory subwoofer, seems plenty good enough for real music. It's very slightly boomy at the very bottom of it's range, but nothing overly objectionable. I can't imagine needing the subwoofer.

You definitely give up something on the high end, however, This can actually be good in some cases - listing to the local jazz station on a real hi-fi reveals the limitations of old reel-to-reel recording from the 50's in the form of tape hiss. It can really get on your nerves after a while. The Tivoli filters this out and has a very listenable, if not perfectly accurate, sound. There are no tone controls, but that's not a problem, and most high-end hi-fi preamps don't have tone controls, either. It gets more than loud enough, BTW.

The case (cherry wood) is beautifully made and really adds to the "retro" look. The whole system has a very solid and substantial feel.

It's not obvious, but there's are several external line-level inputs with which you can add external sources. For example, you can use the radio as your computer speaker, and it will mix the radio with the computer sounds. Or us the auxiliary input and add something else - like a portable CD player.

I have listened extensively to the Bose Wave (the obvious competitor for expensive table radios), and there's NO comparison in terms of sound quality. The Tivoli is MUCH better, in my opinion. Given that it's also far less expensive, if that's the alternative, buy two Tivolis.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase. If it had a way to add an external AM antenna, it would be close to perfect.

This radio has no compitition
I must say, this radio is simply wonderful. I can honestly say that there is not another radio that I have heard that can be compared with the Tivoli Model Two. This radio has a warmth, crispness, and a silky smoothness that mass market plastic stereos simply can not match.
This radio is very detailed and very musical. I used the Model Two with the Model Subwoofer and was simply amazed. The subwoofer is not like the ones in a boom box or small plastic stereo. The subwoofer simply ads to or extends the bass response of the Model Two table radio. The subwoofer does not make its presence known. If you close your eyes and take your thoughts off of the radio itself, the �equipment� seems to disappear and you are left focusing on the music and not the radio that is playing the music.
The radio is not a thump box; it is not something that you would �jam� with. It is too elegant for that. The radio is rather better suited for musical enjoyment. I did not think that I would call a table radio elegant or say that a table radio has a sense of class and style. The cabinets are made of cherry wood and give the radio an expensive look.
I can honestly say that if you are looking for a true music system that will bring you music without any hype, fancy displays, and are looking for an excellent bargain, then the Model Two is for you. There is simply nothing out there that is in the same league with it.

Love My Model Two's - All Four Of Them
I started of with the Tivoli Model One and graduated to the Model Two. He sound and design either appeals to you or it dosent.

In my opinion the Model Two sounds twice as good as the Model One. The stereo brings a lot more life to the music.

I enjoy the Two for what it is, a compact good sounding stereo that is elegantly simple. No LCD or digital tuning, no buttons. It was designed by someone who understood a knob is just fine and a remote control would be overkill. I am sure there are those who are unable to cope with a "tuning knob". This is not a radio for those who can not handle that sort of challenge but if you want to try and develop your skills the radio includes an instruction manual or maybe you can have a friend coach you... I suspect the tuning knob and model 2 will be working long after the push button radios with, memories, LCDs, and remote controls have died and are polluting the land fill with all the other modern junk that does not last. Henry built radios to last. Check the KLH radios still in service on ebay and you might develop an appreciation for the design of this radio.

I opened my model one and was grateful for the rare sight that greeted me inside. In an age of stamped surface mount components that could fit on the head of a pin and stand no chance of ever being repaired, the Model one and Model two use individual components. That is - resistors and components that are the kind you would recognize - not a bunch of microscopic chips mounted on a disposable board. If I have a chance I will photograph the inside and post it in the photos of the Model one and two for a rare glimpse of an item a human can solder. It is a bit comforting to me to see a device that could be repaired if it ever needed it. I believe the components and construction contribute the excellent sound.

The Model 1, 2 and sub woofer do not use wall transformers (power vampires that burn electricity even when the unit is turned off). When you turn it off - its off. Not so with the CD player. I had to put that on a switched power strip to prevent it from needlessly polluting when it's turned off.

I liked my model 2 so much I put one in the kitchen, office, bedroom and even living room next to the monster stereo for times when I am reading and don't want to fire up the tubes.

The radio model two does not pretend to be a boom box rig that you will feel thumping on your chest. One look should tell you it's not that sort of radio.

The audio power output of the Model one is 10 watts. The audio output of the Model two is 20 watts. 10 watts per channel. For some reason Tivoli refused to tell me the power output on the radios when I called them. This is odd. The paper work on the first ones I purchased listed it. The later purchases do not. Are they hiding something?

If you like the model one you should take a listen to the model two. The stereo is well worth the extra cost. The speakers can be separated quite a bit for good stereo imaging even in a large room. It's a far better design and far better sounding than the well advertised Bose. It's ridiculous for all in one units to have speakers close together and INSEPARABLE. You limit the distance the stereo effect is best (maximum is about 2 to 2.5 times the distance the speakers are apart). On the Bose you can quickly see the best stereo effect is diminished a few feet from the speakers because they are so close together. With the model one you can spread the speaker many feet apart (or close together) for a much better stereo image that matches where you are listening. Duh...

Henry did use his audio sensibility on the design. It is essentially 2 wood speaker cabinets with a radio in one, with strong reminders of the KLH heritage The cabinets, rear fire ducted bass ports and first class electronics are responsible for a surprisingly good sound. With 3 inch speakers you might need a sanity check if you expect window shaking bass. But there is enough bass for classical and modern music enjoyment for most listeners. I don't think you will find too many of these in collage dorms. I think it more and adult radio for those concerned with good clean sound rather than mega watts. My clock radio is a Boston Acoustic and it sounds good but the bass is over emphasized. The Model 2 sounds far better to me.

I find the reception is very good. If your having trouble in a fringe area add several (up to 30 feet) of thin wire to the external antenna and flip the switch to external and you will be pulling in the most distant stations clearly. If the signal is good in your area the internal antenna (which is the power cord) should work just fine.

I find the volume to be more than enough.

As time went on I did purchase the subwoofer for the 2 . In the Model 2s case the sub fills out the sound, The 5 inch speaker in the woofer does add to the overall sound in a positive way. I think it's a worthwhile upgrade but not a requirement. If you find you like the model 2 and want more of that good sound, the sub can add to it.

The CD player is also enjoyable. It all looks good and works well together. I do play an MP3 player through my model 2s and it works great. In the fall when we rent a cabin in a remote area, I bring along the model 2 and an MP3 player for unlimited music during our stay. The Model 2 is so small it travels well. I had not thought of this use when I purchased this radio, but it made perfect sense. While we have power at the cabins, you can power the model 2 off a 12 volt power source including a battery.

If you're looking for a modest sized radio, I would not hesitate to recommend this setup to an adult who enjoys music and younger people who are not volume hungry.

When I first looked at this radio I thought it was attractive and sounded great. As I used it I realized how well it was designed by an expert. It meets my needs on many levels. It is a good value.