Where performance and simplicity are paramount but space is sparse, the Model One table radio fits the bill. With just three knobs, it is the antithesis of today's ever more complex electronic products. The Model One gets more stations than other radios because of its state of the art, Henry Kloss designed discrete-component FM tuner using technology originally developed for cellular telephones. This technology gives better FM reception and increased clarity on closely spaced stations. Features include a furniture-grade, handmade wood cabinet that doubles as an acoustically inert housing and a heavy-magnet, long-throw 3-inch speaker which provides musically accurate tonal balance and bass response. Its large analog tuning knob with geared-down 5:1 tuning ratio permits easy and accurate tuning. The amber tuning indicator lets you know when you've achieved proper tuning. Built-in AM and FM antennas provide satisfying reception, while a rear 75-ohm jack allows connection of an external FM antenna in difficult reception areas. Also provided is a headphone jack, auxiliary input to connect an iPod, MP3 player or portable CD player, and a record output for recording, or to use the Model One as a high-quality outboard tuner.

High-performance table radio with simple design and superior sound reproduction

Attractive, furniture-grade, handmade wood cabinet doubles as acoustically inert housing

3-inch long-throw driver ensures accurate tonal balance and bass response

State-of-the-art discrete component FM tuner improves reception and increases clarity

Measures 8.375 x 4.5 x 5.25 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Average Customer Review: ( 37 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

My listening is 95% classical, so my attention is always focused on the sound being natural, detailed, and musical. The Model One starts out with the best FM tuner on the market (hands down), which pulls in signals cleanly, even weak ones. My immediate reaction upon first hearing the sound was surprise at the details that were present in the music over an FM signal. I had always imagined that the reason my radios sounded so poor in the past was that the FM signal simply could not hold enough detail. The Model One proved this reasoning quite wrong, there is a lot of music in the FM signal. In fact, I could effortlessly pick out every instrument in the orchestra on this radio.

In the beginning, I was not overly impressed with the low frequencies produced by this radio. But then, I had simply set the radio down on an old desk, and could feel the desk vibrating in sympathy with the low frequencies from the radio. So I went to Home Depot and got a very heavy piece of ceramic tile to place under the radio to prevent the table from siphoning off all the bass. The difference was dramatic. This radio produces a LOT of bass. Very clear and musical bass. The elephant from Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals placed the string bass right in my room, I could swear. I found that when I placed the radio about 8 inches from a wall, the bass was even further enhanced. Other reviewers like to marvel at how much bass there is coming from this tiny radio, but I am much more impressed by how tight and musical the bass actually is. This is not to take anything away from its very clear and reliable treble range; it is just that one can't help noticing how small the radio really is, and with all that bass, and .... well, you know.

This is by far the most value I have ever gotten out of this little money for a piece of audio equipment. The Model One is very, very, sweet and musical, and this description is true for its entire remarkable frequency range. I listen to it about 9-10 hours a day, and weeks after the first listen, I still catch myself looking up from what I was doing at that moment to admire its sound.

24 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Excellent reception and sound.Aug 10, 2003

I bought this radio for my office. (Hence the black finish. The computer's black, the phone's black, etc.) Radio reception in the building is normally crummy, but the Model One pulls in my favorite stations clearly, using only the included antenna, and the sound is exceptional. Even at low volume (don't want to disturb my co-workers), lows have pretty good weight, and the mids and highs are clear. Turn it up a little, and it fills the whole room with sound that's way out of proportion to its tiny size. One of the best FM radios you'll ever use, and for a lot less money than the other "premium" radios available.

20 of 20 found the following review helpful:

Almost too good...Jun 07, 2004
By Reid Sorenson
I have a slight variation on the black-finished radio here; mine has an all silver front. Probably a custom model for Restoration Hardware stores. Anyway, it's a beautiful radio with incredible sound. It gets better reception than any other FM radio I've had in my office (24th floor of a tower in downtown Minneapolis), getting more stations than I ever knew existed. The sound is full, and loud! Really, that's my only issue with this radio. On a desktop in an office setting, it's pretty tough to adjust the little volume knob to a quiet enough level for daytime background listening. It's awesome when you crank it up, but I don't want to disturb my coworkers.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Remarkable.Jan 13, 2006
By Dapper Dan
We bought this for our kicthen mostly to listen to the radio but also to plug in the ipod. Our old house has very thick walls and we have not had much luck with radio reception previously.

The Model One is a revelation. Reception is fantastic. Tuning is a breeze. The ipod sounds great. Honestly, if they didn't advertise it as mono, I would never have noticed. The sound is beautiful and is as loud as I ever need it for around the house.

I could not be happier with this purchase.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Great AM/FM Radio, AM Improves with Tivoli AM AntennaAug 17, 2007
By Edward R. Strelow
I concur with the praise offered for this radio, excellent sound and reception. I wanted it because my home is in a difficult reception area, with nearby mountains. My office reception is also poor but because of a metal roof structure. This radio brings in stations like no other I have tried in both areas. You can tune in a weak station, which is barely audible and quite unlistenable, but after a few seconds, the circuit seems to tune it in to the exclusion of nearby interefering stations and it becomes listenable.

In strong signal areas, the internal antennas are sufficient, otherwise it comes with a basic wire antenna for FM. To use an external AM antenna you are going to have to buy or make one. I bought the Tivoli AM antenna for about $10.00 from the manufacturer and find it does great things for the AM. Noisey stations suddenly become quite clean.

I am sure you can find even better antennas, reception of any radio is very much a function of the antenna.

It is a bit expensive. I waited until this model was on sale for $59.00 from Target and then bought 2.

See all 37 customer reviews on Amazon.com