Tivoli Model One BT cherry/silver

In the early 2000s, acoustical engineer Henry Kloss designed a tabletop radio in his workshop, in direct continuity with his work from previous decades. This original Model One quickly became a classic of its kind. The BT version preserves its full sonic and aesthetic DNA while adding a Bluetooth connection, allowing you to wirelessly stream music stored on a phone or tablet.

A wooden cabinet serving acoustics

The rectangular cabinet with beveled edges is made of MDF with real wood veneer, a material chosen as much for its acoustic properties as for its appearance. This inert construction prevents unwanted vibrations and provides a stable internal volume for the speaker. The veneer grain is matched at the corners for a visually coherent result, and several finish combinations are available to suit different interiors.

The format remains compact: just over 21 cm wide and about 11 cm high, with a weight close to 1.9 kg. This relative density reveals the quality of the materials used. The unit can be positioned horizontally or vertically depending on the layout of the room, bearing in mind that a bass-reflex port located under the chassis contributes to low-frequency presence. It is therefore better to leave a bit of space underneath the unit rather than placing it on a padded surface.

Three knobs, one philosophy

The front panel shows only the essentials: a speaker protected by a metal grille and three rotary knobs. The upper left knob combines power and source selection (AM, FM, auxiliary input, or Bluetooth). The second controls the volume. The third, noticeably larger, is used for radio tuning.

This last one deserves a closer look. Its mechanism works with a 5:1 gear ratio, which means one full turn of the knob moves the needle by only one fifth of the frequency band. This deliberate slowness allows for precise, station-by-station adjustment and recreates the ritual of radio listening as it was practiced before the advent of digital presets. The feel is smooth, with no play and no excessive resistance. The visual markers on each knob remain discreet yet easy to read.

A high-sensitivity analog tuner

The FM reception circuit is based on a discrete-component architecture incorporating GaAs MES-FET transistors, a technology originating from mobile telephony that improves selectivity and sensitivity. In practice, the radio picks up weak or distant stations that other devices struggle to lock onto and maintains a clean signal even when several transmitters occupy nearby frequencies. The AM band is also available, which can be useful in regions where some local or news stations still broadcast on these waves.

The telescopic antenna, discreetly located at the rear, is generally sufficient in urban areas. For more challenging situations, a socket allows you to connect an external FM antenna.

A deliberately mono sound reproduction

The 76 mm (3-inch) full-range driver uses a heavy magnet and a long-throw surround. This technical choice allows for significant cone excursion, resulting in more generous bass response than the cabinet size would suggest. A frequency compensation circuit automatically adjusts the response curve in half-octave steps, balancing the rendering of voices, instruments, and bass depending on the content being played.

The choice of mono, often seen as a limitation, is in fact a deliberate technical decision: rather than multiplying small-diameter drivers to simulate a stereo effect that is often artificial at such a small scale, Tivoli Audio favors a single high-quality speaker. The result sounds confident and coherent, voices remain intelligible at low volume, and the music retains body when you turn it up. The rated power of 25 watts is more than enough for a medium-sized room.

Bluetooth to broaden its use

The addition of Bluetooth (version 2.1+EDR with A2DP profile) allows wireless streaming of music from a compatible smartphone, tablet, or computer. Pairing is performed via a button located on the back: a long press activates discovery mode, and the unit then appears in the list of available devices on the source. The connection remains stable within a range of around ten meters with no major obstacles.

This function turns the radio into a secondary speaker for listening to podcasts, streaming services, or simply the audio track of a video. Sound quality via Bluetooth is slightly superior to that of FM radio, with the digital signal being free from the interference inherent to terrestrial broadcasting. Note, however, that Bluetooth works only as a receiver: it is not possible to send the radio’s sound to a wireless headset, for example.

Connections and power supply

The rear panel groups several sockets recessed into a reinforced area. In addition to the FM antenna input and the Bluetooth pairing button, there is a 3.5 mm mini-jack auxiliary input for connecting a CD player, a portable music player, or any other wired audio source. A headphone output, also in mini-jack format, automatically mutes the speaker when headphones are plugged in, allowing private listening without disturbing others.

Power is supplied via an external AC adapter whose cable is about 1.70 m long, offering some flexibility in positioning the unit. There is no built-in battery: the Model One BT is designed for a fixed installation rather than mobile use.

Technical specifications

Construction and design

• Furniture-grade wooden cabinet, optimized for natural acoustic reproduction
• Iconic Tivoli Audio design, inspired by classic analog radios
• Balanced layout of the front panel with front-facing controls
• Multiple finishes available depending on the collections

Audio performance

• Full-range driver optimized for clear, well-balanced sound reproduction
• Tivoli Audio sound signature: rich, precise, and warm sound
• Excellent radio reception quality
• Suitable for near-field listening: bedroom, office, kitchen, living room

Controls and interface

• Analog rotary knobs for intuitive use
  • Volume adjustment
  • Radio search and tuning
• Simple, immediate operation with no complex interface

Connectivity and playback

• Built-in Bluetooth for wireless streaming from smartphone, tablet, or computer
• Built-in radio function
• Mains powered: no battery, no charging required

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions: 11.43 × 21.27 × 13.34 cm
• Weight: 1.88 kg

Box contents

• Model One BT Bluetooth radio
• Power cable
• User documentation