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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 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 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

Cons
 

• Tuner is slightly less accurate than the Model One