Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers, soundbars and Google Home pucks are a dime a dozen. They can be pretty cheap, and generally sound alright.
If you want better sound, and something that looks better than your average speaker, there are options for either. Options that include both good sound and have good looks are rarer.
The Model Two Digital wireless speaker from Tivoli Audio is that rare option that both looks and sounds great – rarer again than just a good one.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Beautiful design, well built using quality materials Simple usage and button layout Airplay 2 and Chromecast support, analog 3.5mm stereo input Low Bluetooth audio latency Great sound for its size – powerful max volume, good low bass kick at all volumes Great soundstage – excellent wide projection of highs, omnidirectional bass reverb | It’s not a radio at all! (if you thought it was one) No remote control Expensive Sound – Missing some mid-range warmth as volume increases No sound adjustment |
The Tivoli Audio Model Two Digital wireless speaker is a beautifully designed, well-built speaker that can be placed vertically or horizontally. It’s easy to use, with a simple volume wheel that controls all functions. Pairing with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is also simple, with buttons located on the back of the speaker.
It looks great
There are two key selling points to the Model Two. First, its design: a real walnut veneer is laid on a solid and weighty polycarbonate internal box structure, and you can tell you’re looking at real wood. It looks fantastic from a distance and even better up close.
The soft gold front grille is diagonally laser cut from anodized aluminium, and a single frosted LED is bisected by a volume control wheel – push and hold to power the speaker on and off, or press quickly to swap between inputs.
Three finishes are available in Walnut/Gold, White/Silver and Black/Black. All are stylish, and the black and white options will better suit modern decor. The Walnut/Gold is definitely the most eye-catching, and looks almost Fallout-esque retrofuturistic.
It sounds great too
Second, its sound: with a new 3/4″ tweeter and 3.5″ full-range speaker driver inside versus the Model One’s single speaker, Tivoli says the Model Two is louder than the previous model – I couldn’t compare, but I do believe them. My 4x4m office was uncomfortably loud, painfully so, with the Model Two turned up to max.
The sound quality of the Model Two Digital is excellent for its size. It has a powerful max volume and good low bass kick at all volumes. The soundstage is also impressive, with a wide projection of highs and omnidirectional bass reverb. The speaker also has an analog 3.5mm stereo input for connecting to a TV, turntable, or CD player.
The Model Two Digital supports Airplay 2 and Chromecast over its Wi-Fi connection, making it compatible with just anything you want to cast from your mobile device. It also has low Bluetooth audio latency on a separate Bluetooth , which is great for watching videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels.
But it’s not for everyone
However: there are a few drawbacks to the Model Two Digital. It’s not a radio of any kind, despite its previous incarnations – you get your audio from the Model Two via streaming alone.
It also doesn’t come with a remote control, which would be useful for more versatile placement in a room. As it is, you’ll always need to be able to reach the volume control knob to power it on or off and switch inputs.
One minor observation: the sound quality of the Model Two Digital is missing some mid-range warmth as the volume increases. This is not a major issue, but it is something to be aware of. If you’re trying to fill a really large space – like an outdoor patio, or a cavernous dining room – with this one small speaker, it won’t suit.
Overall, the Tivoli Audio Model Two Digital is a well-designed, high-quality speaker with excellent sound quality. It’s expensive, of course, and lacks some features that may be important to some users – both considerations worth making before you buy.
If you’re searching for a beautifully designed and well-built speaker with excellent sound quality, then the Model Two Digital is a great option.
