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Tivoli Audio Bluetooth: Help!

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Posted on March 14, 2015 at 10:04:19
Doktor Brahms
Audiophile

Posts: 611
Location: Southeast
Joined: November 25, 2004
 I've never posted on this forum before, and I'm not even sure if this is the proper forum for my query, but here goes:

I was given an iPad for Christmas, the first mobile "smart" device I've ever owned. I got the idea of adding a Bluetooth radio to my nightstand so that I could stream internet audio for those late-night listening sessions. Good idea, right? After no little research I ordered the Tivoli Model One BT, which arrived yesterday. I had no problem connecting the radio to my iPad, but I have to say that the sound quality is extremely disappointing. Compared to over-the-air FM broadcasts, Bluetooth sounds thin, shallow, and very unengaging, like a lousy AM radio with a failing 9 volt battery. If anything, I was expecting better quality from the web, not worse. So here are my questions: is this level of quality to be expected? Am I doing something wrong? (BTW, I tried a variety of stations and formats. None sounded all that great.) Did I just pick the wrong radio?

At this point I'm thinking about returning the Tivoli, but if anyone here can share other options, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

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RE: Tivoli Audio Bluetooth: Help!, posted on March 14, 2015 at 11:40:53
onemug
Audiophile

Posts: 1276
Location: So. California
Joined: April 19, 2003
 Bluetooth is about the bottom end for fidelity. It's strong point is it's simplicity as you found out.

Our original Tivoli One has a mini "aux in" jack on the back, does yours? If so, get a "mini to mini" cable and hook up your iPad's headphone out to the Tivoli's "aux in" and see how that goes. I think you will like it.

 

RE: Tivoli Audio Bluetooth: Help!, posted on March 14, 2015 at 14:44:52
Roseval
Audiophile

Posts: 1846
Joined: March 31, 2008
 Bluetooth is not exactly high end
It is high bit rate MP3

"BTW, I tried a variety of stations and formats. None sounded all that great."
Probably the radio not Bluetooth

As onemug suggested, try a wired connection
If this doesn't improve things, it is the radio

The Well Tempered Computer

 

Spend a little more, posted on March 14, 2015 at 15:25:13
RioTubes
Audiophile

Posts: 1039
Location: So Cal
Joined: February 3, 2005
 I prefer to use Airplay when using my iPad. I think you need to pay about twice what you did for the Tivoli to get better sound quality. Here's a few idea.

JBL Authentics L8

NAD Viso 1 AP
This has a very good digital amp powering PSB speakers

Blueshift Hydrogen -$330
Fostex driver and class D amp powered by ultracapacitors (6 hr play on 5 min charge) and very portable. This one uses bluetooth.

Your iPad can stream radio, spotify or your music library to any of these.

Bluetooth and Airplay can't approach the best wired setup but they can sound good. If you are unhappy with the sound, upgrade the device.





 

RE: Tivoli Audio Bluetooth: Help!, posted on March 19, 2015 at 06:55:40
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 I have a Tivoli BT radio too. It's table radio quality even with FM -- very listenable when I'm working around the house, which is why I bought it, but not hi fi by any means.

Bluetooth audio is a step down from FM and Internet radio is a step down from Bluetooth, I don't think you can expect high quality from most Internet radio stations. I use it mostly with Spotify, which is reasonable -- similar to an MP 3 in quality.

You may also have some kind of codec/protocol problem. In my experience, that can lead to extremely tinny, compressed sound.

I suggest you load some decent lossless audio files on your iPad and try playing those through your radio. That will tell you whether the problem is with the source. Then, once you've done that, try comparing the line in jack on the radio with the Bluetooth. Line in should be better but the difference shouldn't hit you in the face. If it does, I'd call Tivoli, explain the problem, and see if they have a fix.

All of this should help you determine where the problem lies and whether you should return the radio and move to one of the higher end solutions.

 

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