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Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio with Speaker (Silver/White)

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
New electronics that resemble old electronics are all the rage these days. With a case that looks like it belongs in a mad scientist's laboratory, the Tivoli iPal is on the vanguard of retro style. In fact, the "Pal" stands for Portable Audio Laboratory--a cheeky reference to the unit's obvious Geiger counter-inspired design. Fortunately, the iPal does more than just look cool. When paired with an MP3 player such as the iPod or with a laptop, the iPal is a versatile companion that musters much better sound than we expected from a single-speaker unit. Tivoli is known for engineering small components with surprisingly good sound, such as the Henry Kloss Model One radio. The iPal proved to be no exception.

Its compact size makes the iPal an excellent MP3 player companion.
Design
While the iPal is functionally identical to Tivoli's multicolored line of Pal-powered speakers (offered on Amazon.com in Electric Blue, Pearl White, Sunset Red, Basic Black, Neon Yellow and Spring Green), its white and silver casing is designed to complement the iPod MP3 player. At 6.25 inches high and just under 4 inches wide and deep, the 3.5-pound unit is small enough to slip into a backpack, but it's a little hefty for a briefcase.

The iPal's single rotary dial handles tuning for both AM and FM stations. Testers didn't expect to have much to say about something as mundane as a radio tuning dial, but the iPal's is truly unique. 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. We found that this ratio dialing technique makes it far easier to tune stations accurately and quickly. Little touches like this really set Tivoli products apart.

The iPal's radio tuning ratio dial is smooth and accurate.
The tuner band selection and volume dials are easy to control, although their conical shape could make them a little pesky to operate for those with larger hands. A small LED power indicator blinks when the battery is running low. Meanwhile, the iPal's single, 2.5-inch magnetically shielded driver is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover.

The back of the unit sports a telescoping antenna that has the solid, metal construction reminiscent of older transistor radio antennae. A standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack is provided here, as is a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary line-in port for plugging in your iPod or other music device. A port for AC/DC power and battery charging is also present. All the ports feature handy, attached rubber plugs that keep out the elements when they're not in use.

The base of the iPal houses a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery pack that, when fully charged, delivered a respectable four hours of listening at moderate volume levels. The iPal's rechargeable batteries give it a leg up on many other portable speaker solutions; gone are the days of hauling around an armada of disposables. Tivoli claims that the battery pack does not suffer from the dreaded memory effects that afflict other types of rechargeable batteries. The batteries are environmentally friendly, too.

Listening Pleasure
At first, we were skeptical about the performance of a small, one-speaker unit that offers only monaural sound. The reality is that most small, portable two-speaker systems don't allow you to place the speakers very far apart anyway, and the iPal's rich, resonant sound more than made up for its lack of true stereo separation. Plus, the iPal is an elegant box with no cumbersome speaker cords to fuss with when you're entertaining on the go.

We plugged the iPal into the kinds of audio devices folks tend to use these days--an iPod, a laptop, and a portable CD player. We came away impressed with the iPal's performance with all three. Highs were crisp and clean, while mids and lows were accurate, with a fullness that surprised us. "Could this kind of sound really be coming from this little box?" we asked. When we really pumped up the volume, there was noticeable distortion, but at normal to high volume levels, the iPal excelled. For casual listening, indoors or out, the iPal is a great way to let others hear that iPod library you've been slaving away to build.

We were also pleased by the iPal's tuning accuracy. Tivoli says this is the result of the unit's automatic frequency control (AFC) technology. Whatever witchcraft is behind this tuner, we were impressed. Tivoli adds that the iPal can be used as a component tuner via the headphone-out port--not a bad idea given its quality and accuracy. --Joshua Gunn

Pros

Small and portable with great rechargeable batteries

Simple, elegant design

Great sound

Cons

One of the more expensive portable speaker solutions

Cone-shaped tuner and volume dials might be challenging for larger hands

Product Description:
Tivoli Audio Portable Audio Laboratory (iPAL) in iPOD White - The iPAL is the perfect complement to the iPod. Functionally the same as our other PAL radios, it matches the sleek, modern, white and chrome appearance of the popular iPod MP3 player. Use the auxiliary input to connect an iPod, CD Player or other device, and prepare to be amazed at the expansive sound, which must be heard to be believed. iPod can also be connected wirelessly using the iTrip FM Transmitter (sold separately). The environmentally-friendly NiMH battery, which fully charges in about 3 hours, provides many hours of cordless playback*. The clever little green LED serves as both a power and battery status indicator. The iPAL also features the world's most acclaimed AM/FM tuner, with Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) to lock on to the center of the station for best reception and lowest distortion. The ultra-precise 5.1 ratio dial allows easy, accurate tuning. An adjustable telescoping FM antenna extends and rotates for improved FM reception (there is also a built-in AM antenna). NiMH battery pack, AC adapter, and stereo mini-cable included. One year warranty. * Playback time varies depending on volume level.

Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio with Speaker (Silver/White)

Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio with Speaker (Silver/White)

Average customer rating:

Tivoli PAL Radio is a fine product.
Sounds great... when I can get a station...
Pretty Darn Good
Tivoli PAL Works
Excellent reception

Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio with Speaker (Silver/White)

Manufacturer: Tivoli Audio
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

PAL | Tivoli | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

All Tivoli | Tivoli | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
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Product Features:

Portable, iPod-matching AM/FM radio with high-end 2.5-inch speaker
Automatic frequency control locks onto station for clear reception
Built-in NiMH battery pack delivers up to 16 hours of play
Auxiliary input with stereo mini-cable for connecting to iPod
Measures 3.69 x 6.25 x 3.86 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

ASIN: B0002HA7OK

Product Description

Tivoli Audio Portable Audio Laboratory (iPAL) in iPOD White - The iPAL is the perfect complement to the iPod. Functionally the same as our other PAL radios, it matches the sleek, modern, white and chrome appearance of the popular iPod MP3 player. Use the auxiliary input to connect an iPod, CD Player or other device, and prepare to be amazed at the expansive sound, which must be heard to be believed. iPod can also be connected wirelessly using the iTrip FM Transmitter (sold separately). The environmentally-friendly NiMH battery, which fully charges in about 3 hours, provides many hours of cordless playback*. The clever little green LED serves as both a power and battery status indicator. The iPAL also features the world's most acclaimed AM/FM tuner, with Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) to lock on to the center of the station for best reception and lowest distortion. The ultra-precise 5.1 ratio dial allows easy, accurate tuning. An adjustable telescoping FM antenna extends and rotates for improved FM reception (there is also a built-in AM antenna). NiMH battery pack, AC adapter, and stereo mini-cable included. One year warranty. * Playback time varies depending on volume level.

Amazon.com Product Description

New electronics that resemble old electronics are all the rage these days. With a case that looks like it belongs in a mad scientist's laboratory, the Tivoli iPal is on the vanguard of retro style. In fact, the "Pal" stands for Portable Audio Laboratory--a cheeky reference to the unit's obvious Geiger counter-inspired design. Fortunately, the iPal does more than just look cool. When paired with an MP3 player such as the iPod or with a laptop, the iPal is a versatile companion that musters much better sound than we expected from a single-speaker unit. Tivoli is known for engineering small components with surprisingly good sound, such as the Henry Kloss Model One radio. The iPal proved to be no exception.

Its compact size makes the iPal an excellent MP3 player companion.
Design
While the iPal is functionally identical to Tivoli's multicolored line of Pal-powered speakers (offered on Amazon.com in Electric Blue, Pearl White, Sunset Red, Basic Black, Neon Yellow and Spring Green), its white and silver casing is designed to complement the iPod MP3 player. At 6.25 inches high and just under 4 inches wide and deep, the 3.5-pound unit is small enough to slip into a backpack, but it's a little hefty for a briefcase.

The iPal's radio tuning ratio dial is smooth and accurate.
The tuner band selection and volume dials are easy to control, although their conical shape could make them a little pesky to operate for those with larger hands. A small LED power indicator blinks when the battery is running low. Meanwhile, the iPal's single, 2.5-inch magnetically shielded driver is protected by a handsome metal speaker cover.

Pros

Small and portable with great rechargeable batteries
Simple, elegant design
Great sound

Cons

One of the more expensive portable speaker solutions
Cone-shaped tuner and volume dials might be challenging for larger hands

Customer Reviews:

Tivoli PAL Radio is a fine product........2007-06-28

I own five of these radios. The quality, performance, and features are exceptional. I am quite pleased. Too bad the model I own only seems to be manufactured now as a new horizontal unit. The old vertical style had slightly more utility in a small space.

Sounds great... when I can get a station..........2007-06-22

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Given the reviews about great reception, I thought that this would be a great purchase. Well, maybe I have a defective radio, because the reception my radio gets is pretty bad or, better said, no better than my $15 clock radio. AM reception is particularly bad. On other radios, I can routinely get New York AM stations during the day without much difficulty. Not so much with the Tivoli...

Case in point for folks in Philly: On other radios, I can usually get WRTI 90.1 (Temple's home of classical and jazz) with little difficulty and little/no static. On the Tivoli, static has a way of ruining the fun...

That said, it DOES sound great. It DOES look pretty cool. If you are in a city with great AM/FM stations, buy one without hesitation. If you aren't, well, be aware of Amazon's return policies!!

Pretty Darn Good.......2007-06-07

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I bought this thing. Based on the reviews I was expecting something to compete with my iPod Hi-Fi in a package one tenth the size, but that isn't what this thing is about.

What I found was that it does indeed have good sound, esecially when used on FM. With my iPod though I had to pay more attention to the settings to get the right sound and sometimes it didn't seem as loud as the FM and easily distorted with certain types of music.

None the less, I consider this to be a wonderful personal portable radio. Great for the office, bedroom, kitchen, or on the table during dinner. In a lot of ways the sound is just right. Just the right volume and clarity to give it many uses without being overpowering. Overall I'd give it 5 stars for the radio and 4 for the iPod. I'd also give it 6 stars for the built in rechargable battery which combined with it's very small size adds a huge amount of flexiblity to it.

Tivoli PAL Works.......2007-05-31

This small radio has excellent tone, clarity and available volume. It's on-battery time has so far always been adequate for hours of listening and it recharges rapidly.
It is particularly good at picking up fringe FM stations and holding signal while rejecting interference.
The soft plastic covering seems to reduce vibration and, subjectively speaking, "feels" good to the touch.
One great feature is its auxiliary input which allow a mini plug out from a computer to a mini plug into the aux input of the PAL. The result is loud, clear hearing of any internet accessible audio source. I listen to fm stations in California Tucson Philadelphia, etc. with ease. Video on the net yields excellent audio by this method.
PS I have two of them, one for some years.

Excellent reception.......2007-05-30

I purchased this radio when I lived at the bottom of a large hill and all of my existing radio's got poor reception. The reception on this radio is great and the sound quality is excellent. I have since purchase one for my Mom. We are both extremely happy with this radio and it is well worth the price.

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