The Tivoli Model Three Platinum Series: The World's Most Overpriced Radio?

The Tivoli Model Three Platinum Series retails for a whopping $399, which makes it arguably the world's most overpriced radio. This is not a desirable distinction, to be sure. But Tivoli deserves it because for all of the Model Three's appeal, it's a stinker, thanks to its poor FM reception. Forget improving the FM with an external FM. I've tried several with the Model Three and while they improve FM somewhat, they're ugly and you have to reposition them all the time. Not worth it.

Someone looking for an able tuner with a high-end look would be far better served spending about $135 on a Sangean WR-2,  which unlike the overpriced Tivoli, gets digital tuning, presets, and far superior AM and FM reception.

It takes a certain hubris, perhaps arrogance, to sell a weak performer such as the Model Three for $400. It's analogous to Acura, a car company I generally like, selling its 2009 four-cylinder TSX for $30,000.

If Tivoli stuck a telescopic antenna on its Model Three and Model One, like Tivoli does on its highly-recommended Songbook, they would have a pair of winning radios.

Comments

[Cyril]

My problem with the Model 3, when I was looking for a clock radio, was chiefly that it is a lousy clock. I read that the clock part of the WR-2 is not its main asset either.

Do you think the radio part on the Model 3 is much worse that the Model 1 ? I remember you had issues with you Model 1, but by all accounts it's still among the top handful of high-end table radios. By the way, the Model 3 is available for 299$ in Canada, so you can probably get it for quite a bit less in the US.

Interesting comparison with the Acura TSX. I recently learned that this is the same car as the European Honda Accord, which starts around 25,000 euros there (40,000$, but that's with tax). So for 30K in the US it looks like a pretty good deal. Then again, I never understood north america's love of gas-guzzling V6 (and higher) and auto gearboxes, so I'm clearly not in tune with the market here.

[Cyril]

Sorry -- missed the "platinum" part which indeed makes it 399$ here too. For people who would like an extra 100$ worth of lackered paint, probably...

[Jeff McMahon]

The Model One has no clock. I really wanted to love mine but it didn't lock on FM stations well. So I had to sell it.

I agree that gas guzzlers are out and I wouldn't have bought my Maxima 8 months ago. Instead, I would have got its younger brother, the 4-cylinder Altima. Oh well. I only drive 5,000 miles a year.

[Cyril]

Jeff: sorry I did not mean to sound critical of your thought-provoking post, which, hum, did provoke some thoughts is this reader.

And indeed, scaling down on the car and driving front can literally save hundreds, which may be better applied to more important things, like buying radios ;-)

[herculodge]

Cyril: No apology needed. I appreciate all your points and information. Jeff