I’m currently practicing piano, and usually I wear headphones while playing. The problem is that after a while, headphones start to feel hot and uncomfortable.
When I take them off, I’m left with the built-in speakers of my digital piano—but honestly, the sound is awful. It’s so bad that it makes me lose the motivation to practice.
So, I began searching for an external speaker that would let me enjoy better sound quality while practicing on my budget-friendly digital piano. That’s when I came across the Tivoli Audio Model One BT.
I couldn’t listen to the sound beforehand since I was searching online, but to be honest, I was instantly drawn to its retro, cute design.
I also needed something compact, and this one turned out to be the perfect size.
Although Tivoli Audio officially categorizes it as a radio, the Model One BT also works as a Bluetooth speaker.
Since my wife and I often listen to the radio, this little device felt like the perfect fit for us.
I also love how simple this speaker is. There aren’t a ton of features like equalizers or detailed settings—just the essentials. A simple manual is included, but you won’t need it. Honestly, it felt nostalgic to extend the antenna and turn a dial to manually tune in to a radio station. It’s been years since I last did that!
Buying it without hearing the sound in advance was definitely a risky move, but when I connected it to my digital piano, I was pleasantly surprised.
The sound was fantastic. For a speaker of this size, the amount of deep bass it produces is really impressive.
Next, I tried listening to the radio. Voices came through incredibly clear, which makes sense since this device is, after all, designed as a radio.
I also tested it with music via Bluetooth, streaming from iTunes. For Bluetooth pairing, simply turn the middle dial all the way to the right and you can easily connect it from your smartphone. The sound quality was solid—well-balanced from bass to treble, with vocals sitting nicely in the mix. The fact that you can enjoy such good sound without tweaking any settings is truly remarkable.
The price was 37,400 yen, which was way over the budget I had originally planned. But after using it, I feel it was worth it—the sound quality and the stylish design make me glad I went for it.
That said, this isn’t the right product for everyone. If you never listen to the radio, or if you’re the type who loves fine-tuning sound with equalizers, then this probably won’t be for you. Sure, it works great as a piece of interior décor, but that alone might not justify the price.
Still, even for music lovers, I think the Model One BT delivers respectable sound quality. Of course, that always comes down to personal taste.
Another big plus is the wide variety of color options available. I chose the Walnut/Beige version, which blends perfectly with the atmosphere of my room.
If you’re looking for a cute yet great-sounding Bluetooth speaker, I’d definitely recommend this one. Consider the radio function as a bonus—or better yet, actually give it a try, because listening to the radio can be surprisingly fun.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Bluetooth-enabled AM/FM radio |
| Bluetooth | aptX/A2DP support, FHSS technology |
| AM/FM Tuning Range | AM: 525–1650 kHz FM: 87–108 MHz |
| Driver | 1 × 3-inch full-range |
| Connectivity |
Aux Input (3.5mm stereo) Headphone Output (3.5mm) Rec Out External FM Antenna |
| Dimensions | 21.3 cm (W) × 11.4 cm (H) × 13.3 cm (D) |
| Weight | 1.86 kg |
| Included Accessories | Model One BT unit, Power Adapter, External FM Antenna, User Manual |
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