Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio, Silver/White by Tivoli Audio
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Our Price: $219.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Tivoli Audio iPAL Portable Audio Laboratory AM/FM Radio, Silver/White
Digital camera Review: Quality and Convenience in One
Summary: 5 Stars
After listening to both the in-motion speakers and Tivoli's iPal, the iPal's sound quality wins hands down. I wouldn't worry much about the fact that iPal is one speaker while in-motion is in stereo since in-motion's 2 speakers are so close together anyway. If you're an audiophile, choice is easy...get the iPal. The convenience of in-motion's dock is nice, but certainly you can live without. And yes, iPal is a little bulkier, but in my opinion, not much harder to travel with than in-motion. In both cases, you'll put the speaker in some type of bag. In-motion is a slimmer design while iPal is more of a cube. Again, don't sweat it...iPal's sound and AM/FM tuner more than make up for it. Listen to both and I think you'll agree with me. I absolutely enjoy the iPal (for a mobile speaker)!Digital camera Review: Ranks high among the small portable speakers
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been using iPAL eversince I got my first iPod in Jun 2004. Haven't faced any issues and have been quite happy. Three stars because I expected much more volume.
The strongest points of iPAL are:
+ miniature, compact, and portable design
+ rechargable battery that lasts for more than 10 hours
+ AM/FM tuner with very clear reception
+ simple interface and ease of use
+ clear, crisp sound - especially if used in a small room
+ reliable
Not so good points:
- Not suited for a big room
- Not suited for very high volumes
- Not suited for outdoor
- Pricey (AM/FM lovers may not say that) - you get better sounding JBL speakers for $99
Features:
Back Side:
> miniplug port for audio input
> headphone output
> port for connecting the charger (included)
> FM antenna (can be hidden or stretched)
Front Side:
> Off/AM/FM switch - for AM/FM to be active, there should be nothing inserted into the audio input port
> tuner knob
> volume control
> LED indicator that glows green when iPAL is on and blinks when the battery is low
I have been watching all the iPod speakers but haven't found a compact speaker that competes with the sleek design of iPAL.
During the initial days, iPAL was my primary speaker for iPod. Later I got a home theatre system for the living room and shifted iPAL into the bedroom to play morning tunes.
Digital camera Review: Really is a good Pal
Summary: 4 Stars
I love the easy portability of this radio. I find myself carrying it from room to room when I'm doing different things around the house. Two different friends had them and I really admired the super sound quality for such a compact speaker. It's held up really well in 3 years. I wanted to get one for my sis, but they used to be $125 and offered more colors--now sadly they're nearly $200-!! It's a very cool, handy thing, but maybe not that cool! Glad I bought it when I did.Digital camera Review: Review for the non Ipod user
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got this little speaker for Christmas with a creative zen touch and I am incredibly impressed with the quality and the sound. The built in extendable antenna can reach quite far and radio channels are clear with no static.
When I plugged this baby into my zen touch and turned it on, I was so impressed by the sound quality. It is almost as good as my 5.1 stereo!!!!!! I am not joking. I actually had my mom confused because she was convinced that the sound was coming from our large stereo and she couldn't find any evidence that the stereo was on. I also felt that it could get quite a lot louder then I had expected.
The iPal is much smaller then it appeared to me online, as well. It's really small! I actually felt kind of ripped off when I took it out of the box, because I had paid quite a lot for such a dinky little thing. It is very portable.
A word of caution: the iPal does NOT come with a audio to audio cord to plug a mp3 player into the AUX jack with. It really comes with nothing other then itself and a power cord.
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.