Tivoli History

The People of Tivoli Audio and the Design of Henry Kloss Radios

The Tivoli history is a legacy of Henry Kloss. You can think of him as a audio zen master. Kloss had a passion for radio and obviously wasn’t going to fade quietly into retirement. Instead he developed an amazingly affordable and musical table radio. In 2000 at the age of 70 he emerged from retirement to team up with his friend Tom DeVesto. DeVesto was so impressed by Kloss’ table radio he formed a company to sell it – Tivoli Audio. This was not the first collaboration between these two as they were together at Advent and Kloss Video, then later Cambridge Soundworks. Tom Devesto has always had the aim of providing consumers with affordable, yet high quality user friendly audio.

In 1952 Henry Kloss co-founded Acoustic Research after which followed 50 years of developing acclaimed audio and video products. He passed away in 2002. Kloss was known to dislike budgets, deadlines and conforming to trends hence he produced quality, award winning products. But attainable products that presented good value. Great sound and simplicity completes the equation and today’s Henry Kloss Radios follow that tradition.

The Technology of Model One and PAL

Looking at the Henry Kloss Table radios you’ll see a compact, handmade wood cabinet. This is not only for good looks but provide an acoustically inert housing. The Model One is a mono radio but where space is an issue the smaller size is ideal.

The design is classic, almost hearkening back to old valve radios – not to mention the lovely warm sound reminiscent of them. Alternatively some would call the design starkly modern and that’s an apt description for the technology inside. Thus enabling the fine sound and operation from an item so small.

You’ll see just three knobs; source, volume and tuning. The tuning knob is geared down 5:1 with an amber light to let you know you’ve got it perfectly locked on. You’ll love selecting your favourite stations with accuracy. Antennas are internal but a rear jack allows for an external FM aerial where required. (An FM aerial is included).

On the front symmetrical balance to the tuning knob is achieved with a 3-inch speaker, (heavy-magnet, long throw). The high technology behind this adjusts the speaker’s output over half-octave increments. Thus producing a well balanced and musical tone.

Kloss’ obsession with quality parts sees a discrete-component FM tuner with GaAs MES-FET mixers – something ordinarily seen in cell phones. Kloss was a pioneer in using this technology that attains better reception even with closely spaced stations.

At the back you’ll see some connections to give you some extra flexibility in your use of the Table Radio. As well as the external FM aerial jack there is a headphone jack and auxiliary input – ideal for connecting a CD player, MP3 player or other device. Plus a record output for recording or to use the Table Radio as a tuner for your HiFi system.

There’s a bit of history here...

"The Model One is the culmination of more than 40 years of bringing music into people’s homes via products they tend to keep and enjoy". – Henry Kloss.

The Model One has a heritage going back to 1960 when Kloss, under his company KHL designed the first high fidelity table radio which he called the Model 8. As you can see there is a passing resemblance...

The Henry Kloss name is legendary in the audio world and he was pivotal to the American industry. The delight that the Model One brings into people’s lives stems from it’s beginning. In 2000 at the age of 71 Henry Kloss made the Model One in his retirement, doing something which he not only loved doing but was extremely skilled and talented at. A joy now shared with the thousands if not millions of Tivoli owners. Henry’ long time friend Tom DeVesto was so impressed he formed a company to sell the Model One and Tivoli Audio began.

Generations ahead

In 1967 Henry Kloss founded the Advent company, one of a few he was involved with during his 40 year career. Under Advent Henry developed the acclaimed 'Advent radio'. Over 30 years later came the his PAL radio – you can see the resemblance. Tivoli Audio was founded in 2000 and first came the Model One followed by the PAL. So the PAL radio is a fusion of modern technology and years of experience and development.

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• Tivoli Radios
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