Tivoli Model One BT oak/black

At the beginning of the 2000s, acoustic engineer Henry Kloss designed in his workshop a table radio that followed in the footsteps of his work from previous decades. This original Model One quickly became a classic in its field. The BT version preserves its entire sonic and aesthetic DNA while adding a Bluetooth connection, allowing wireless playback of 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 wood grain of the veneer is matched at the corners for a visually coherent result, and several finish combinations are available to suit different interiors.

The size 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. It can be placed horizontally or vertically depending on the layout of the space, 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 under the unit rather than placing it on a padded surface.

Three knobs, one philosophy

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

The latter deserves a closer look. Its mechanism operates with a 5:1 reduction ratio, which means a full turn of the knob moves the needle by only one fifth of the frequency band. This deliberate slowness allows for fine, 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 readable.

A high-sensitivity analog tuner

The FM reception circuit is based on a discrete-component architecture integrating GaAs MES-FET transistors, a technology derived 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 neighboring frequencies. The AM band is also present, which can be useful in regions where certain local or news stations still broadcast on these wavelengths.

The telescopic antenna, discreet at the rear, is generally sufficient in urban areas. For more challenging situations, a socket allows connection of an external FM antenna.

A deliberately mono sound reproduction

The 76 mm (3-inch) full-range speaker uses a heavy magnet and long-throw suspension. This technical choice allows for a wide cone excursion, resulting in more generous bass response than the cabinet size would suggest. A frequency correction circuit automatically adjusts the response curve half-octave by half-octave, balancing the reproduction of voices, instruments, and bass according to the content being played.

The decision to go with mono, often seen as a limitation, is in fact a fully assumed technical choice: 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, well-designed speaker. The result sounds confident and coherent; voices remain intelligible at low volume, and music retains body when you turn it up. The rated power of 25 watts is more than sufficient for a medium-sized room.

Bluetooth to broaden usage

The addition of Bluetooth (version 2.1+EDR with A2DP profile) enables wireless music streaming from a compatible smartphone, tablet, or computer. Pairing is done via a button on the back: a long press activates discovery mode, and the device then appears in the list of available peripherals on the source device. The connection remains stable within a range of around ten meters without major obstacles.

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

Connectivity 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, portable 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 with a cable of about 1.70 m, offering some flexibility in positioning the unit. No battery is built in: 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 front panel layout with front-facing controls
• Multiple finishes available depending on the collections

Audio performance

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

Controls and interface

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

Connectivity and playback

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