The Tivoli Audio iPAL: Big Sound from a Little Speaker
Around $200; Buy from Amazon.com
You wouldn’t think it by looking at this small radio with a built-in speaker, but it’s got a huge sound. The Tivoli Audio iPAL, or Portable Audio Laboratory, surprises by the richness and full range of its output. Designed initially as a radio, it comes with a mini-din jack so you can plug in an iPod or other portable music player, and it pumps out sound that’ll make you think twice. For the iPAL has only one speaker. But this speaker is so good that you won’t notice the difference. After all, if you have two speakers and they’re too close together, you won’t really hear the stereo separation. So Tivoli Audio decided to go for a single speaker with high-quality sound and amplification.
But it gets better. The iPAL is rechargeable, weather-resistant, and its case is rubberized. While you can use it on your deck or near a pool, I’d hesitate about using it in the rain—I’d hesitate even more about having my iPod out in the rain. But you won’t have to worry about the occasional splash or those first drops of rain at a picnic.
The iPAL shines in its powerful, rich bass, an area where most small speakers suffer. Unlike a boom-box with artificial bass enhancement, the iPAL’s bass is realistic and even, without the common booming that you hear in cheaper units. For many uses, whether at home, in the office or outdoors, the PAL is a great way to listen to your music. It’s got a built-in AM/FM radio, with a very accurate tuner, so when you’re tired of listening to music, or want to catch that Yankee game, you can do so.
Another way to use the iPal is as an external speaker when listening to audiobooks. A lot of people who are fans of digital audiobooks use iPods or other devices to listen on the move, but want some sort of external speaker for listening at home, on their deck, or in the park. With the iPal being slightly bass-heavy, it actually works perfectly for voice recordings, and, while a bit expensive, may be the perfect speaker for audiobooks.
Posted: 10/14/2007 by kirk | Filed under: iPod & iTunes | Tags: audio equipment | 2 Comments »
Agreed. I’ve owned my iPal for over two years now, and use i every day with my
iPod in the garden, in the shower, etc. BUT, you forgot to mention the black
canvas carrying case which holds one’s iPod and cable. This is highly
recommended and makes your iPod and iPal even more mobile. Here’s the link:
http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=168&cat=&page=1
I can completely concur…this is a great product. It sits in my kitchen, is on all
day and gets taken outside courtesy of the re-chargeable batteries on nice warm
sunny days so I can listen to the radio when I have lunch. The sound quality is
very good and I often plug in my iPod so I can use it as an external speaker.
I also use it when working in the garage when headphones are the last thing you
want to be wearing. Great design great product! It comes in lots of juicy colours
too. Mine’s bright red!