Questions about Types of Sound (Tivoli Model One Related)

[Crissaegrim]

I own an Outlaw 1050 receiver and Insignia speakers, and I am just not happy with the sound. I use it for video games and music. I was just at Target and I was listening to the Tivoli Model One radio and I loved it. I just stood there for the longest time listening to a rock station it was playing. This is the type of sound I have been searching for but I don't know what to call it.

Can anyone familiar with this radio explain to me what type of sound signature it has? I would like to upgrade my set up to sound similar to the Tivoli. At this point in time I am more interested in SQ than features.

I have been considering Era speakers with either a Nad or Arcam receiver. Will this give me that same type of sound? Can anyone recommend brands that may sound similar?

Also is there somewhere I can learn what all the terms mean- bright, smooth, tight- all that stuff?

 

[infinitesymphony]

I think that almost any speaker will satisfy your requirements. The Insignias don't sound bad for $40, but compared to almost anything else, they're completely muffled and dull. You want a more detailed and resolving speaker, and you're bound to find one.

Your receiver waaaay outclasses your speakers at this point. Usually, it's expected that the speakers will cost more than the amplifier. There's no need to upgrade that component, since you've probably never heard what it can do.

 

[edstrelow]

I have 2 of these Tivolis so obviously I like their sound too. I would describe them as having a somewhat peaky bass and reduced treble. Also while the bass is prominent it does not go extremely low.

While its frequency response is very good for am and fm radio, I would not call it high fidelity, which means the full audible range. It also has an exceptional ability to pull in stations.

However it is often difficult to get full-range speakers/phones to sound good, because of treble harshness or peaky bass response. So a simple system like this may be good place to start.

If this is what you really like, go for it. Are you aware that the Tivoli One has an input for cd player, headphone jacks, etc.? It detects stereo but will only play stereo into the headphone jack or the "rec out." Theoretically you could use this output to run a set of self-powered speakers, like computer speakers. Also, Tivoli makes versions with provision for an extra speaker and even full systems with a subwoofer which could serve as the basis of a full stereo sytem. See their website.


http://www.tivoliaudio.com/home.php

 

[jrosenth]

I have the tivoli and had a similar experience - it's a full range driver - started me on a quest for the fostex-based full range drivers.

Search ebay for tekton design and you can get a pair around $300

Or go to madisound and buy a pair of drivers for under $100 and make the cabinets and the BSC filter (like a cross over).

Here's a sample project with a small driver here's one with a slightly larger driver and an easier box.

 

[edstrelow]

I just tried the headphone jack on the Tivoli 1 and it's very good. Certainly for FM listening. I was using a Sennheiser CX300 a low-mid-price IEM. Great stereo separation in the phone jack. Quite surprising for a mono radio. Too bad the jack is at the back of the radio though. I guess it's all part of the retro design, make the radio look simpler from the front than it is.

 

[Czilla9000]

The Tivoli's can be described as:

Thick (-/+) and/or
Dark (-) and/or
Warm (+) and/or
Polite (-) and/or
Effortless (+).

I put the - and + sign to convey whether there is a slight negative or positive connotation with the adjective.

PS - If you are looking for closed headphones, specifically in the $150-200 range, I highly suggest the Ultrasone DJ1. It has the sound signature you want. They are what I use.