Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 Review: The Modern Classic Reimagined

There’s a quiet corner in my home office, a space dedicated to focus and creativity. For years, it was accompanied by the crackle and hiss of an old, beloved radio or the tinny, disconnected sound from a generic Bluetooth speaker. I craved something more. I wanted a device that could bridge the gap between the nostalgic warmth of traditional radio and the infinite library of the digital age. The challenge was finding a single product that could deliver rich, room-filling sound, connect effortlessly to Spotify and Apple Music, and, crucially, look like a piece of considered design rather than another black plastic box. It’s a modern dilemma: how do you get premium, connected audio without sacrificing aesthetic elegance? The clutter of separate components, the unreliability of cheap speakers, and the visual noise of overtly techy gadgets were all things I wanted to leave behind. I was looking for a centerpiece, not just another peripheral.

What to Consider Before Buying an Internet Radio

An Internet Radio is more than just a device; it’s a key solution for unifying your audio world. In an era of fragmented media, it serves as a central hub, seamlessly pulling in everything from local FM broadcasts to global internet stations, podcasts from across the world, and your meticulously curated playlists on streaming services. The main benefit is convenience married with quality. It eliminates the need for multiple devices, offering a single, elegant interface to access a near-limitless universe of sound. It solves the problem of subpar audio from phones and laptops, elevating everyday listening into a genuine experience. For those of us who appreciate both the discovery offered by radio and the control of personal streaming, it’s the perfect synthesis.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values both form and function. They appreciate high-fidelity sound but also want a device that complements their home decor. They are likely subscribed to one or more streaming services and want a simple, high-quality way to play that music aloud without being tethered to their phone via Bluetooth. It’s for the design-conscious tech enthusiast, the modern professional who wants background music while they work, or the family looking for a versatile audio hub for their living space. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who are pure audiophiles seeking a component-based Hi-Fi system with separate amplifiers and speakers, or for someone on a strict budget who only needs a basic Bluetooth speaker. For the latter, a simple portable speaker would suffice, while the former would be better served by building a custom audio setup.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider where the radio will live. A product like the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 is designed with a compact footprint, making it ideal for bookshelves, kitchen counters, or bedside tables. Always measure your intended space and ensure there’s enough clearance, especially for rear-ported speakers which need a little breathing room behind them for optimal bass response.
• Connectivity & Performance: This is the heart of a modern internet radio. Look beyond basic Bluetooth. Features like Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 offer superior, lossless audio quality over Wi-Fi and allow for multi-room audio setups. Check for compatibility with your preferred streaming services (Spotify Connect is a huge plus) and consider whether you still need traditional inputs like a 3.5mm AUX or broadcast tuners like FM or DAB+.
• Materials & Durability: The build quality directly impacts both longevity and sound quality. Furniture-grade wood cabinets, like the one found on the Tivoli, not only look and feel premium but can also provide better acoustic properties than plastic. A solid build with tactile, responsive controls suggests a product designed to last for years, not just until the next tech cycle.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great device should be a pleasure to use. Evaluate the user interface: are the physical controls intuitive? Is the companion app (if there is one) stable and easy to navigate? Long-term care is usually minimal, but wood finishes may benefit from occasional dusting with a soft cloth, and fabric grilles should be kept clean to ensure acoustic transparency.

With these factors in mind, we can begin to assess how specific models meet the needs of the modern listener.

While the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Nod to the Past, Built for the Future

Unboxing the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 is an experience in itself. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from lifting a product with a reassuring heft; at 1.54 kg, it feels substantial and dense, a far cry from the lightweight plastic gadgets that dominate the market. The first thing that struck me was the cabinet. The Black Ash model we tested has a deep, authentic wood grain that feels warm and organic to the touch. It’s a piece of furniture as much as it is a piece of technology. The design is unapologetically minimalist and retro, a direct homage to the original Model One, but the high-resolution circular display hints at the powerful tech within. The controls are simple and elegant: a single multi-function dial for power, volume, and source selection, and a smooth-turning tuning ring around the display. There’s no complex assembly; you simply plug in the power adapter, and it’s ready to go. Placed on a bookshelf, it immediately elevated the space, looking both timeless and completely contemporary. This initial interaction set a high bar for performance, promising a premium experience from the moment you see its full feature set and user reviews online to the moment you turn it on.

A Deep Dive into the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2

A product that looks this good needs to sound even better. Over several weeks, we put the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 through its paces in various environments—as a desk companion in a quiet office, a kitchen radio providing the soundtrack to dinner, and a primary music source in a small living room. We tested its full suite of connectivity options, listened to everything from intricate jazz quartets to bass-heavy electronic tracks and talk-radio podcasts, and lived with it day-to-day to truly understand its character.

A Symphony of Sound: Audio Performance and Character

The first thing to understand about the Tivoli sound is that it’s not sterile or analytical; it’s full of character. The unit houses a single, long-throw, full-range driver paired with a rear-firing bass port. This configuration is a classic Tivoli design choice, and it’s engineered to produce a sound that is far larger and richer than the device’s compact dimensions would suggest. And it succeeds, magnificently. The sound signature is distinctly warm, with a prominent and well-defined mid-bass that gives music a solid, satisfying foundation. Vocals, whether in songs or podcasts, are rendered with clarity and presence, sitting forward in the mix without ever sounding harsh. Treble is clear and detailed enough, though it takes a backseat to the lush midrange and bass.

This brings us to a crucial point, one echoed in user feedback we analyzed. One user noted that “the bass is too pronounced… to listen to it well at low volume.” We found this to be a fair and accurate observation of the radio’s character. At low to medium volumes, this bass emphasis creates a wonderfully full and engaging listening experience, making music sound complete without needing to crank up the volume. However, for those who prefer a perfectly flat, neutral sound signature, or for listening to delicate acoustic music in a quiet room, the bass might feel a touch overwhelming. It’s a deliberate tuning choice by Tivoli, one that favors warmth and presence over clinical accuracy. For genres like electronica, R&B, and rock, it’s fantastic. For classical or folk, you may wish for a bit more airiness in the top end. It’s a sonic personality that many will adore, but it’s a personality nonetheless, and it’s a key aspect to consider before making a purchase.

The Hub of Your Home: Unparalleled Connectivity

This is where the “Generation 2” moniker truly earns its keep. While the original Model One Digital was a step forward, the Gen 2’s inclusion of Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 transforms it from a simple radio into a powerful, versatile streaming hub. The setup process was refreshingly simple. Using the Google Home app, the device was connected to our Wi-Fi network in under two minutes. Once connected, it appeared instantly as a casting target from Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, and dozens of other Chromecast-enabled apps on both Android and iOS devices. The connection was rock-solid, with no dropouts or lag during our testing.

Similarly, for Apple users, AirPlay 2 integration is flawless. The Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 shows up as an audio output on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac on the same network. This is a significant upgrade over standard Bluetooth, as it streams audio over Wi-Fi, preserving the full quality of the source material. It also allows the radio to be included in a multi-room audio group with other AirPlay 2 speakers, a feature we found incredibly useful for creating a seamless audio experience throughout the home. Of course, high-quality Bluetooth is still available as a quick and easy fallback for guests or for sources without Wi-Fi casting, and the traditional 3.5mm auxiliary input is a welcome inclusion for connecting legacy devices like an old iPod or a turntable with a built-in preamp. The state-of-the-art FM tuner is more than just an afterthought; it locked onto stations with impressive clarity, providing a reliable, data-free listening option. This comprehensive suite of connections is what makes the Tivoli a truly modern device, ready for any way you choose to listen and a feature that really sets it apart from simpler competitors.

Design That Endures: Build Quality and User Experience

Interacting with the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 is a tactile pleasure. In a world of touchscreens and plastic, the physical controls here feel deliberate and satisfying. The large, weighted metal ring around the display glides smoothly as you tune the FM radio or scroll through sources. The central multi-function dial provides a solid, reassuring click for power and volume adjustments. This focus on physical interaction makes using the radio feel immediate and intuitive, without always needing to reach for your phone. The high-resolution display is another standout feature. It’s bright, crisp, and clearly shows album art, station information, and the time, all in a visually pleasing circular format that complements the retro aesthetic.

The build quality is, as confirmed by user feedback, “excellent.” The furniture-grade wood cabinet isn’t a thin veneer; it’s a solid, acoustically-inert enclosure that contributes to the unit’s warm sound. The black fabric grille is tightly woven and perfectly fitted, completing the premium look. However, the user experience isn’t without its minor quirks. We also encountered the issue mentioned by a user regarding the clock setup. When set to auto-update via RDS (Radio Data System), the time could occasionally be incorrect. As the user recommended, we found that switching to a manual clock setup or syncing via the network was a more reliable solution. It’s a small software hiccup in an otherwise polished package, but something to be aware of during initial setup. Despite this, the overall day-to-day experience is one of refined simplicity, making it a joy to both look at and use, and a worthy investment you can check the latest price and availability for here.

What Other Users Are Saying

To ensure a well-rounded perspective, we delved into user feedback available online. The sentiment is largely positive, with a consistent theme of praise for the product’s core strengths. We found reports that lauded the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 for its exceptional build quality and premium materials, with one user describing them simply as “excellent.” This directly aligns with our own hands-on experience of the solid wood cabinet and high-quality components.

However, the feedback also provided valuable nuance. The most common point of discussion is the audio profile. We saw comments noting the “too pronounced” bass, especially at lower listening levels, confirming that its warm, rich sound signature is a defining characteristic that may not suit every listener’s preference. Another specific, practical piece of feedback involved a setup quirk, with a user recommending that the “clock be adjusted manually because the RDS doesn’t always transmit it correctly.” This is a useful tip that reflects the small software refinements that could be made, but doesn’t detract from the overall stellar performance of the hardware.

How Does the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 Compare?

The Tivoli carves out a specific niche in the crowded internet radio market, focusing on design and premium simplicity. But for those with different priorities—be it budget, features, or power—there are compelling alternatives to consider.

1. MAJORITY Fitzwilliam 2024 Bluetooth DAB+ Internet Radio

The MAJORITY Fitzwilliam represents the other end of the spectrum: maximum features for the price. It’s designed not as a standalone speaker but as a tuner component to integrate into an existing Hi-Fi stack. It boasts DAB+, FM, Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth, plus a host of outputs including RCA and Optical. For the user who already has a good amplifier and speakers and simply wants to add every conceivable radio and streaming source to their setup, the Fitzwilliam is an incredibly versatile and cost-effective choice. It lacks the all-in-one simplicity and the premium, furniture-grade build of the Tivoli, but its exhaustive feature set and Hi-Fi integration make it a better choice for the dedicated audio hobbyist on a budget.

2. MAJORITY Quadriga DAB+ CD Player Stereo System

If the Tivoli is a refined compact system, the MAJORITY Quadriga is a full-blown, all-in-one powerhouse. With a substantial 120W 2.1 stereo system including an inbuilt subwoofer, it’s built to be the primary, room-filling audio source for a large space. Its biggest differentiator is the inclusion of a CD player, making it ideal for those with extensive physical media collections. While it shares modern features like Internet Radio, DAB+, and Spotify Connect with the Tivoli, its design is far more conventional and tech-focused. Buyers should choose the Quadriga if their top priorities are raw power, bass from a dedicated subwoofer, and the ability to play CDs. The Tivoli is the more elegant, compact, and design-led choice for streaming-first users.

3. Hama 00054891 Internet Radio WiFi DAB+ Bluetooth Spotify

The Hama Internet Radio is another “jack-of-all-trades” competitor that packs an incredible number of features into its frame, including Wi-Fi, DAB+, FM, a CD player, and USB playback. It aims to be the only audio device you’ll ever need. Its strengths lie in this Swiss Army knife-like functionality. However, it competes on a feature checklist rather than the curated experience offered by Tivoli. The design and materials are more functional than luxurious, and the user interface, while capable, can feel less refined. This is a solid choice for someone who wants to tick every possible feature box, including a CD player, without stretching their budget. The Tivoli, by contrast, is for the user who is willing to trade a CD player for superior build quality, timeless design, and the premium integration of AirPlay 2 and Chromecast.

The Final Verdict: Is the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 Worth It?

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 is a resounding success, but for a specific type of user. It is not trying to be the most feature-packed or the loudest device on the market. Instead, it focuses on perfecting the essentials: timeless design, premium materials, intuitive use, and a rich, engaging sound. It is for the listener who values aesthetics as much as acoustics and wants a simple, elegant way to enjoy a vast world of audio, from FM radio to high-resolution streaming. Its warm, bass-forward sound signature will be a delight for most, filling a room with a characterful and pleasant sound.

While competitors may offer more features like CD players or more inputs for less money, they cannot match the Tivoli’s blend of iconic design and high-end streaming integration with AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. If you are looking for a beautiful audio centerpiece that sounds as good as it looks and seamlessly fits into a modern connected home, the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital Gen 2 is an exceptional choice and a worthy investment in your daily listening pleasure. For those who appreciate its unique blend of style and substance, we can’t recommend it highly enough. You can find out more and order yours here.