Tivoli Audio iSongBook Portable Music System for iPod (White/Silver)
by Tivoli Audio
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Category: Network Media Player
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Manufacturer: Tivoli AudioBrand: Tivoli
Edition: Electronics
Model: iSBWS
Publisher: Tivoli Audio
Studio: Tivoli Audio
Music Label: Tivoli Audio
Product features:
- Compatibility: iPod classic 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G; iPod touch 1G; iPhone 1G
- High Fidelity Stereo Sound with Detachable Speaker for Six Feet of Separation
- Recharges iPod and Recharges NiMH/NiCAD Batteries for Portable Use
- Remote Control of iPod with Play List Management, Wake to iPod/AM/FM/Beep Tone
- Exceptional AM/FM Tuner for Precise Reception in North America and World Wide use
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Tivoli Audio iSongBook Portable Music System for iPod (White/Silver)
Customer Review: A near perfect sound
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned the iSongbook for two days and am thrilled with the sound. The FM radio comes in with perfect clarity for most stations (even with the antenna down and locked in place). The AM is also a big improvement. I bought the iSongbook for the combination of (1) Improved sound for a small bedroom stereo replacement; (2) a clock/radio need; (3) portability and convenience; and (4) iPod connectivity. The radio meets the test on all accounts. (1) Sound: For a table top unit, the speakers give a great balance with a very musical bass sound (better for jazz, classical and pop and not as much for the Who, etc.). For jazz recordings, the bass will walk and drums and cymbals fill the rhythm with very satisfying clarity. Try Sonny Rollins' Saxophone Collossus and you won't believe what you're hearing. Generally, a great recording will be captured by this unit regardless of the genre. Remember how much you loved clear sounding mono recordings? An old Dizzy Gillespie disc (Dizzy's Diamonds) sounded crisp but the big band crescendos could be a little shrill which may be a function of the particular remaster of these recordings generally. Voices come through beautifully!! Try anything from Paul McCartney on the original "Yesterday" "Fixing a Hole" or "She's Leaving Home" to any Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday or Louis Armstrong. Tony Bennett's more recent "The Art of Romance" played at a volume setting of 18 to 21 out of 30, sounds like an audiophile playback-no exaggeration. Piano music sounds very tonal and will deliver more resonance than you may be used to on many listening devices let alone a small portable. Put the speakers closer together and the bass tightens yet still produces a nice soundstage. (2) The clock radio is adequate. There is no snooze function when the alarm source goes off, but, if you wake to the alarm instead of radio or the iPod, it does go off and on for 60 second intervals repeating for one hour. Others have complained there is only a 20 minute sleep timer, instead of a choice of increments up to an hour or two, but you can workaround that, at least with the iPod sleeptimer up to the 2 hours Apple provides. However, if you use the longer sleep timer this way, you won't be able to wake to the radio and the unit will remain on all night without any sound. Without an audio source, the power consumption should be small. Some don't like the fact the clock can't be read without pressing the light button on the unit. This is a tradeoff for those who complain that most clock radios have strong lights that cannot be dimmed. I could keep the unit by the bedside and the light button would be fine, but I prefer to keep the unit across from the bed for a better room filling sound. The alarm function works with any of the selected AM, FM or iPod sources off the unit, or it can be activated off the iPod's alarm if the unit is left on overnight. The iPod alarm is especially useful if the iPod sleeptimer is used to obtain a longer than 20 minute cycle. You cannot use the sleeptimer with one function and wake to another source. These inconveniences are easy to look past because the unit still provides enough or more selectivity for sleep/wake functions compared to many simple clock/radio units; (3) For portability, this unit is the most gorgeous design I've seen yet. The main unit detaches from the extra speaker if desired and may be ported separately like Tivoli's Songbook radio (except it also has the iPod dock built in). It fits in almost any briefcase and is something I just may take back and forth to the office, particularly for those longer workdays. The built-in battery recharger is fantastic and allows using this unit on the go without a cord. You can only switch between audio sources by a knob on the unit. This isn't a problem if you keep the unit near your bedside or your desk, but an inconvenience if you want to rely more on the remote (which can change volume, songs, albums and playlists, but not the radio/iPod/Aux function). Tivoli also sells dedicated carry bags for the Songbook and iSongbook. Depending on how you want to port the unit (with or without the extra speaker) you can choose either carry bag; (4) iPod connectivity through a clever pull down dock on the side is a handsome minimalist design. A separate cable for 1/8" to 1/8" connectivity isn't needed as it is for the Songbook single speaker radio. Charging the iPod is very fast when the A/C adapter is plugged in. A 1/8 inch connectivity is also provided (without the cable) for an Aux device (CDs, etc.) and it can be used to connect to my iMac which I might do for those occasions when I stream a good out of town radio station (like WKCR 89.9 FM in NYC) through iTunes. The remote control is one of the better ones I've seen for a small unit. It allows scrolling of playlists and albums through separate Prev/Next buttons for each. However, my remote was only working to scroll through playlists. The "Albums" function may be defective. Otherwise, I say the unit is the best combination of sound, functionality, design and convenience I've seen yet. I HIGHLY recommend it. Buy the iSongbook instead of the Songbook if you can afford it. It gives you a Songbook with the iPod dock built in plus the extra speaker and remote. You will notice the difference and love all the flexibility and convenience. And that radio sound just can't (and won't) be beat. Five Stars!!!
Description of Tivoli Audio iSongBook Portable Music System for iPod (White/Silver)
For those who want great sounding music at home or wherever they go, Tivoli Audio introduces the iSongBook, its newest music system with universal flip-down dock specifically made for the Apple iPod. The universal flip-down dock will fit all iPod models including Nano, and recharges the iPod when docked. It comes with a detachable matching secondary speaker for true stereo sound and 6-foot audio cable for proper room positioning with rewind mechanism for cable management. The supplied remote control operates both the iPod with play list management, volume, illumination, mute and more and the iSongBook. It features a highly sensitive digital AM/FM tuner for North America and for use in Europe and a 9k/10k switch for AM reception outside North America. Includes manual tuning and 5 AM and 5 FM favorite station preset buttons with a "seek" function. It also features an "on-demand" blue backlit LCD display that shows the station tuning as well as the digital clock, whose functions include alarm and 20-minute sleep timer that can be set to wake or fall to sleep to an iPod as well as radio. Auxiliary input and stereo headphone output are positioned in the rear, complete with rubber covers to protect them from the elements, dust and dirt when not in use. The iSongBook operates on standard AA alkaline batteries or NiMH/NiCad rechargeable batteries with the unit?s built-in charger; or by a supplied AC adaptor or 12V power source. It measures just 6-3/16" H x 11-1/16" W x 2-3/16" D.Building on the success of their micro radios and bookshelf systems, Tivoli Audio has broken new ground in a crowded field of iPod accessories with the iSongBook. At just 2.81 pounds, and with an included right channel speaker, the iSongbook packs a serious portable punch. If you have an iPod with a docking port connector, this little unit deserves a serious look.
 The iSongBook's iPod dock swings down when you're ready to make the connection. |
The iSongBook's design takes many design queues from the Tivoli iPal, another iPod audio accessory from Tivoli Audio. That means that the iSongBook looks great alongside your iPod, which is exactly where the iPod is designed to go. A cradle cleverly swings down from the left side of the unit revealing a standard iPod docking port that also provides a charge for the iPod when the iSongBook is plugged into AC power. Tivoli also includes seven adapter "cups" that provide a snug fit for various iterations of the 3G, 4G, iPod Color, Video iPod, mini and even Nano. While the hideaway dock is a smart move, it can prove a bit kludgy when you have the iSongBook on an uneven surface, as the dock is only secured by a single hinge. It's a minor quibble, though.
The iSongBook's front panel is typical Tivoli fare-- a nice mix of retro style and Jetsons coolness. As with all Tivoli Audio products, controls are reassuringly simple and sturdy. Tivoli's philosophy seems to be that there should be a button devoted to each function of a given device. It's a refreshing choice in an age of ever-increasing complexity in electronics. Meanwhile, the unit's LCD display is large and bright, and there's a button for turning the backlight on and off for increased battery savings. Switching the function selector lets you choose from AM, FM, or iPod modes. iPod mode can double as an "Aux" mode, as there is a 3.5 mm auxiliary input on the back of the iSongBook. A straightforward alarm clock system is easy to set and control and allows the user to fall asleep and wake to their fave iPod tunes.
 Bring your own iPod. Tivoli takes care of the rest. |
Another hallmark of Tivoli's portable audio devices is that they offer flexible power options. The iSongBook is no exception. In addition to AC power, the unit can run on, and recharge, six rechargeable "AA"-size cells. Additionally, these batteries can be replaced with non-rechargeable "AA" alkaline cells when you're away from AC power for longer periods. When the unit is plugged in, the iSongBook provides a charge to both the rechargeable cells and your iPod. Pretty nifty.
 Cord management is cleverly designed into the right channel speaker. The AC power and line-in ports are covered to keep out dust and moisture. |
The iSongBook's manual makes it clear that "Bass frequencies place a heavy strain on speakers and amplifiers. The iSongBook was engineered to produce the maximum amount of low frequencies for its size and power." Honesty is certainly the best policy and indeed, the iSongBook isn't cut out for delivering room-thumping bass. But it does deliver stunning crispness that will leave you wondering how Tivoli has managed to pack so much into such a small package. While lows are certainly not thundering, the crispness of notes across the full spectrum, high to low, is pretty hard to beat in a device this size. Tivoli's superior, audiophile-class electronics really do make a difference. Having an additional right channel that can be separated from the left is a big bonus. The monaural sound is good, but it lacks the fullness you'll hear with the right channel attached.
Integration with an iPod is painless, just pop it in the dock and the tunes begin. Meanwhile, AM/FM reception is good, and the digital tuner is surprisingly accurate and fast. The tuner's seek mode is as good as anything you'll find in a full-size component tuner. Tivoli never scrimps on anything, so there's also an included infrared remote. It's slim, easy-to-use, and highly functional, allowing you to control playlists and make album selections on your iPod. The iSongBook's headphone jack is a nice touch, too, even though it is redundant with the iPod's headphone jack-- unless you're listening to the iSongBook's radio.
What's in the Box
iSongBook unit with detachable right speaker, external power supply, remote control, 7 iPod adapter cups, and warranty registration card.
Pros
- Now-legendary Tivoli design and electronics
- Simple operation
- Excellent sound (if you can do without thumping bass)
- Prepare to pay a premium price for quality this high
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