Sound Approach tests the Perfect Portable Radio
Welcome back to Sound Approach. Today we’ll be sitting down with one of our favorite brands, Tivoli Audio. They’re well known for their analog and digital audio equipment that works perfectly for anyone looking for a simple and functional audio solution with excellent sound characteristics and impressive capabilities. Especially, when you consider the sizes of most of the Tivoli Audio products. Most of these are smaller units with a single or double-speaker setup that delivers incredible high-quality sound.
We’ve done several videos on our channel in the past to focus on products like the Model One, Two, and Three radios. These products, along with the digital versions of each, have been exceptionally popular with our clients. But the Music System BT all-in-one unit is one of our best-sellers. The Music System stands apart as an all-inclusive CD player that is Bluetooth compatible and works well with any aesthetic.
However, Tivoli offers more than just analog alarm clocks, digital radios, and CD players. They have just released their newest version of their take on a portable radio, reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s genre that has become more mainstream following the success of shows like Stranger Things and The Americans.
The PAL BT Gen 3 is an update to the Gen2 of the same name. However, they have taken the input of Tivoli users worldwide to ensure that it suits their modern needs much better. As a portable radio, it’s perfect for any outdoor activity, be it at the beach, the park, the baseball diamond, or the pool.
Specifically, the PAL BT now features USB-C inputs for charging and fast-charge capabilities. This makes it much more accessible than the prior iteration that had a micro-USB connection. Additionally, the battery length has been increased by several hours to 14hrs of continuous use/playback. If you’re out in the sun for that long you’ll have more problems than just the battery life being drained!
Additionally, after a lot of feedback from their users, Tivoli decided to remove the AM band from the radio broadcast. This allowed for the more convenient USB-C connection as well as decreasing the weight of the unit, making it more comfortable for portability.
Thankfully, they decided to keep the vintage and tactile feel of this unit with the three knobs on the front for the FM Tuner, Input Selector, and Volume Switch. It still functions as an FM radio with the tuning knob, so will work in just about any situation you put it in. And the BT module has also been updated to support higher resolution signal processing with 56-bit DSP, limiting interference or static and maintaining compatibility with upgraded mobile devices as well as streaming apps, like Spotify or Tidal.
Once again, Tivoli shows how they understand the assignment by offering this product in several different unique and glossy finishes. My favorite is definitely the dark navy blue. I was in the Air Force so I’m very partial to anything in blue. But I can definitely see how people gravitate toward the matte gray and glossy red finishes as well. The Red definitely reminds me of the limited-edition Supreme model that Tivoli made with the first-generation PAL BT. I’m glad they decided to bring back that same shade! Yet, there is always something to be said for classic black and white. Though they don’t stand out much in my mind, they match every aesthetic and remain classic through the ages for a reason. These finishes are a statement of simplicity and practicality and will almost certainly never go out of style.
Beyond aesthetic is functionality. Each of us enjoys spending time outside but using your mobile device to stream and play music doesn’t result in the greatest audio quality. And for some reason, whenever I encounter someone streaming music publicly, it just feels rude…like I’m listening to their phone calls or something. Am I the only one that feels that way? But streaming to a speaker is different, almost expected in a way. And having the option of a portable radio makes sense in a lot of situations. Especially family get togethers, backyard BBQs, trips to the beach or the local pool, parties, and more! The PAL BT includes rubberized tabs for the inputs to ensure that dust, dirt, sand, and water can’t get in. These units are weatherized for outdoor use and also just as capable indoors. Imagine having the PAL BT in the kitchen and you spill your coffee or some water on the counter. It won’t phase this speaker (or you) in the slightest. You can just keep on keeping on like nothing even happened! That’s the kind of comfort you want and expect from a product that is meant to bring you joy and relaxation.
Finally, the output of this unit is surprisingly good for such a small speaker. Every time I turn on a Tivoli product and listen to my favorite music, I’m surprised all over again by how well they’ve managed to generate powerful sound from such a small driver. Seriously, when you listen to a 1 ½” speaker and it puts out detailed and clear vocals and layering of the instruments, it catches you off guard. To be fair, this isn’t going to shake the room with the bass, and outdoors, it works best within about 25 ft. But for a personal portable radio and streaming device, you just can’t beat the performance.
At just $219.00 retail, this is also one of the most affordable personal portable options available on the market today. I’ve only been disappointed by a couple of Tivoli products, and more for what capabilities they were missing rather than what they could do or how they sounded. Tivoli has absolutely mastered the ability of cramming a lot of small pieces together to collectively create something that sounds amazing, looks good, and performs exactly as you hope, if not expect.
Like most of my reviews for Tivoli Audio, I can’t say enough good things about the PAL BT Gen3. They made the necessary upgrades that the Gen2 was missing to provide a better product to their loyal customers and future clients alike. I could talk about these items until I’m blue in the face, but the only way to really know is to get one for yourself and then see if I’m lying. I’m not, but you don’t know that yet. Thanks for joining us and hopefully this video has helped you find your sound!
