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(More customer reviews)There are as many classes of radios out there as there are people who listen to them. The first thing that comes to mind if you see this radio online is "Why $150 for a three-knob radio?" Most consumers expect digital tuning, stereo sound, and lots of lights and buttons for this price point. This radio's price is justified by what's inside. Let's talk about what this unit is.
The Tivoli iPAL is a portable AM/FM radio that is powered by an internal (and customer replaceable) nickel metal hydride battery. It includes an earphone jack, an auxilliary input jack and external power jack. There is a telescoping rod antenna for FM reception and a built-in ferrite coil for AM. The controls are simple: a volume control, a band selector with OFF position and a tuning control. There is also a green LED indicator light that tells you when the radio is on and the charging/discharging state of the battery. The controls have a very high quality feel to them and are easy to operate. The knobs fit firmly and are not loose or flimsy as on many lower priced radios. The tuning knob has a 5:1 ratio reduction gear which moves the dial pointer more slowly with respect to the tuning knob. This makes fine tuning easier. The cabinet is made of very solid and rigid plastic. The whole unit has a weighty feel and a sturdiness that most radios lack at any price. One gets the impression that daily use will not wear this unit out. It has a very tidy appearance. There are no projecting parts other than the controls. The rod antenna folds down into a groove in the back of the cabinet so it is totally invisible when not in use. There are no fake aesthetic features like on many boomboxes that are designed to make it look like something more than it is. This radio is marvelously understated and does not draw attention to itself or make garish statements about the person carrying it. There is no handle as such. One carries the set by gripping the two indentations on either side of the cabinet. A carrying case is available which makes toting it around easier.
Performance is where this radio really surprises. One might expect the sound to be cheap and tinny but once switched on, this radio fills the room with a sound reminiscent of the vacuum tube table sets of the forties. The sound is warm, rich and full of tonal range. Music comes through with round base tones and sparkling highs. Spoken word broadcasts are clear without being harsh. Voices are deep without being boomy. This sound quality is equally present through headphones so there is no tuned port trickery going on. The circuitry really does sound this good.
RF performance is good too. The field effect transistors in the tuning circuit coupled with a precise AFC (automatic frequency control) mean that Fm stations lock in easly and do not drift. AM reception is excellent even in low signal areas. The tuner is sensitive and selectivity is very good. The built-in speaker is high fidelity mono however, when you insert a headset, the FM reception is in stereo. Stereo separation is very wide and static free. Some reviewers hav commented about the lack of volume on the PAL. I find this not to be the case. I can get sufficient volume for talk radio listening by setting the volume control at one-quarter turn. This radio has as much volume as any portable radio with a speaker this size (2-1/2"). It is not a boombox or a home stereo. One's expectations must be reasonable.
The model I am reviewing is called the iPAL because it has a color scheme to complement the iPod MP3 player. The only difference between the iPAL and the PAL radios is the iPAL includes a stereo patch cable for connecting your iPod, CD player or similar device and the cabinet bears no rubberised coating. The PAL radios are offered in eight different colors, have a rubberised coating on the cabinet body and do not include the stereo patch cable although all units have the auxilliary input jack.
Final thoughts: This is an elegant, uniquely styled, high performance portable radio. It is intended for those who love radio as a technology as well as a medium. In leu of bells and whistles it features superior performance through the engineering of Henry Kloss and a build quality that is seldom found in any portable audio product. The Tivoli iPAL is not intended for the masses who judge value on price alone but for the discriminating lover of radio who admires the perfect blend of form and function.
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Tivoli Audio PAL (Portable Audio Laboratory) AM/FM Radio, BlackNow you can enjoy Tivoli Audio's Model One's trademark sound quality and reception outdoors with the PAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio. Its 2.5" magnetically shielded driver and rubberized cabinet are weather resistant, so your PAL can keep you company by the pool or the patio. Its environmentally-friendly rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack has no memory and fully charges in about 3 hours, providing up to 16 hours of cordless playback. The clever little green LED serves as both a power and battery status indicator. Features include a geared-down 5:1ratio analog tuning dial for accurate tuning and an auxiliary input to connect an iPod, MP3 player, or portable CD player for exceptional portable playback. It also plays MP3 files wirelessly when transmitted from your MP3 player via the Griffin iTrip or Belkin FM transmitter. It includes a stereo headphone output for private listening (headphones not included), or can be used as a recording output, or to use the PAL as a high-quality outboard tuner with your home audio system. The Henry Kloss designed tuner features Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) which locks on to the center of the station for best reception and lowest distortion, while the adjustable telescoping FM antenna extends and rotates for improved FM reception (there is also a built-in AM antenna). PAL includes rubber gasket covered i/o ports to keep sand and water out of the unit and plated hardware to withstand the elements. It includes an AC adapter for home use and for the built in battery recharging system. An optional carry bag is also available to take your PAL on the go.
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