Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio, Silver/White by Tivoli Audio
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Digital camera reviews of Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio, Silver/White
Digital camera Review: Simple but pleasing radio
Summary: 4 Stars
The Tivoli Pal and iPal (they're the same radio) are very simple, but pleasing radios. Doesn't have the latest features such as HD, Sirius or XM reception. But it does have a built-in rechargeable battery. Another great feature is that because it's so simple and has no alarm or clock, I never have to worry about flashing lights or any other annoyances.
I use the iPal in my kitchen, where the small footprint is much appreciated. It would also be useful on a bathroom counter. I also like the built-in rechargeable battery--should keep the radio going for a few hours in case of power outage or emergency. Also nice if you like to carry the radio around the house or outdoors.
The sound quality is good, given its small mono speaker. I assume you can get better audio quality from the iPal's stereo headphone output, but I haven't tried that.
If you want to use the Pal/iPal with an iPod or other audio device, the input is stereo and so is the headphone output, as I mentioned before. The Aux input and the headphone output are on the back of the radio. However, there is no "Aux" setting on the front of the radio, so you'll need to plug the iPod into the radio when you want to listen to your iPod through the Tivoli, then unplug your iPod when you want to go back to listening to the radio. An "Aux" setting on the front of the Tivoli would be a useful addition.
Another note: As previously mentioned, the Tivoli Pal and iPal are the same thing. The only differences are the colors and also that the iPal includes a short audio cable to connect the iPod's headphone output to the Pal/iPal's Aux input.
Overall, it's a very simple (but elegant) and useful radio, within it's limitations. For me, the limitations (such as the lack of a clock, alarm, or presets) add to the appeal.
Digital camera Review: I returned mine.
Summary: 2 Stars
I returned my Tivoli PAL for the following reasons:
1) I wasn't blown away by the sound. I recently bought a Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio and was much more impressed with the boomy presence of that small radio. The PAL sounded much thinner. I've read criticims of "too much bass" from the BA radio, so obviously it's a matter of opinion.
2) Lack of features. No HD radio. Mono (not a huge issue for me, actually). No alarm, digital readout, memory presets (obviously). No switch to aux so I'd have to plug/unplug the line everytime I wasn't to make the switch to/from my iPod.
3) I didn't plan to take advantage of its portability. I planned to leave this in my office, so one of the main advantages of this radio would be wasted.
Returning this radio was not an easy decision because it is very cute and gets very good reception. I knew it lacked many features when I bought it. The main reason I returned it was because it lacked the rich, deep, room-filling sound I had hoped for. In the end, I just didn't think it was worth the $149 I paid for it. Now it's $199??? I think they used to be $99. Isn't technology supposed to get cheaper over time?
There are a lot of 5 star reviews, so I'm in the minority here. I'd suggest listening to it before purchase if possible.
Digital camera Review: Tivoli should be ashamed
Summary: 2 Stars
It seems this company has jacked up the prices on all their products. The iPal used to cost $130 but now it's $199? That's insane. If you look at their other stuff everything is $50-$100 more than they were last year. How do they justify these huge price hikes? I bought the Tivoli Model Two radio from Amazon last year for $160 and now it's $300. Shame on you Tivoli. Digital camera Review: Very good compact radio...
Summary: 4 Stars
As an owner of two Pal radios, my impressions are 95% positive. One radio
developed a slight harmonic buzzing...not good. The other significant issue,...the price; it should be a sixty or seventy dollar radio...not $200.
Digital camera Review: Wonderful sound quality
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this for my husband. We have used it out in the gazebo, while doing yard work or just while we goof off. You get great radio reception from it and we also use it to play our iPods through. It's like a mini stereo with a huge, well balanced sound. It does a superb job with any genre of music. It performs as well as, or better than our "Cambridge" brand clock radio/CD or my friend's "Bose" radio. So, for the money this is a wonderful buy, portable or not.