Tivoli Audio SBBS Songbook (Black/Silver)

• Henry Kloss Analog AM/FM Tuner - pulls in more stations clearly
• Portable and weather resistant
• AC/DC operation
• Built-in NiMH/NiCAD battery charger (Batteries not included)
• Auxilary input and stereo headphone output

I conducted a fairly extensive and enjoyablesearch for a radio to use at work after on-line music streaming was blocked by my employer. Because the reception in my office is just about 'nil, it was important for me to find a radio with not only good FM reception, but also an input jack for me to connect ipod/phone. I also needed the device to fit into a small nook on my desk. Plus I wanted the unit to look, well, like a piece of e-candy. And, of course, produce a nice sound without too much bass due to the, um, acoustics in my office.

I still can't get much FM reception in my office, even with the Songbook; however, I've come to realize that it's unlikely any radio could bring me much in that environment without actually somehow convincing my employer to hook me up with an outdoor antenna. Right. (I do want readers to know, however, the FM reception at home is super.) And, the sound quality both of the radio (at home), and using this device as a speaker using input jack (both in the office and at home) is absolutely wonderful! I love this unit so much that I bring it back and forth between office and home for use at both places.

How did I ever live without the Tivoli Songbook?!

Buy Tivoli Audio SBBS Songbook (Black/Silver) Now

I bought the Tivoli Songbook in black some years ago to supplement my aging (but still working) Tivoli PAL. Now, I love the PAL -it's the radio that let me listen to New Orleans radio stations during my Katrina evacuation when my car radio no longer picked up WWL 870 -but I wanted an easier way for me & the kids to hook up their iPods, plus I wanted digital tuning. I got the Songbook in black (to be neutral to decor of a bathroom) and regretted it after about half a year. The rubberized casing was a dust and debris magnet; no way to clean it properly. Plus it all started wearing off in time.

Enter the revised, two-tone Songbook. Happy to report this is a full-plastic case, easy to clean, and it sill looks like new after many months of use. The sound is great for a single-speaker radio; in fact, got one for my Dad for Christmas (he was still using one of those shower-hanger radios; geez) -he was quite impressed when we first fired it up. My step-mom now steals it to use around the house during the day.

I far prefer the plastic to the rubberized coating. As mentioned, the rubberized Songbook looks like hell now; so does the PAL. All the rubberized junk has rubbed off after years of use and moving -I imagine if you never move it and use it in a lint& dust-free environment it might still look good, but these radios get used and shared in my family. The only problem with grip is that I am always hitting the "set alarm" button because of placement (the light button should be where the alarm button is).

I've had no problems with reception (Central Arkansas) nor has my Dad (suburban New Orleans). YMMV, of course.

One caveat I've seen in another review; when plugged in, the backlight stays on. When unplugged, the backlight only comes on when you tap the backlight button, and then only for about 5 seconds. But plugged in, it's always on -so it's not much use for a bedside radio (that light is bright).

Love the fact you can use rechargeable batteries (I use Eneloops; it takes six AA) and keep them charged thanks to the radio's ability to charge rechargeables.

Several very happy purchases. My only complaint is the overall cost, which seems to be more of an attempt to garner a Bose-like sense of boutique-ness. It's worth it for the sound alone, but I keep thinking it should be about $50 or so cheaper.

Read Best Reviews of Tivoli Audio SBBS Songbook (Black/Silver) Here

The Songbook is an excellent radio: high quality audio, intuitive and well laid out controls, beautiful design, and tough. I use it as an FM radio, as an alarm clock, and, when I travel, as an external speaker for my laptop (the radio is about the size of a book, so it fits easily in my briefcase).

The SongBook is my favorite alarm clock, at home and when traveling. It can wake you by playing the radio, but I prefer its alarm, which starts softly and gently, so as not to jar you, and slowly increases in intensity and frequency. It's very effective, without pumping adrenalin into your system. If you don't shut the alarm off, it goes silent for about a minute and then repeats its routine.

After owning my SongBook for a year and a half, I dropped it, twice, by accidentally knocking it off a table. It survived the first fall with no damage and continued to work perfectly. The second fall damaged the volume control, though the damage wasn't visible. I went online to Amazon to order a new SongBook, and, in the process, read a review that said Tivoli repairs or replaces these radios if they malfunction. I called Tivoli and received superb customer service. For a $50 charge, they said they would repair or replace the radio. I shipped it and a few weeks later received a brand new radio, which sits on my desk as I write this.

Highly recommended; buy one.

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I have owned a Tivoli Pal for many years and thought a traveling Tivoli would be great. My wife needed a last minute rush Xmas gift for me and I suggested this without having seen one or doing research, instead relying on Tivolio brand expectations. Expected the radio to be rubberclad like the Pal, the one we got is slick hard to hold onto plastic, looks and feels like the "tansistor radio" I owned 40 years ago. Radio reception is fair, a $75 Audiovox I have in the same room locks onto a distant radio station I constantly listen too. Pluging the A/C adaper in causes static. Sound quality is equal to the Pal which would warrant 2 stars if not for the weak radio tuner.

This was a waste of money