A New High-End Modern BoomBox (SongBook Max)

[Jam_On_It]

It could be argued that the new Tivoli Songbook Max (released 2023) isn’t a “real” boombox with its lack of a cassette player BUT it’s worth considering if you’re a vintage boombox collector. I just bought one on sale for $480 (reg $599) and it’s a glorious, quirky, premium piece of audio gear.

I delayed buying it for almost 2 years. Now that I own it, the question is why? Truth is - in the world of cheap, disposable consumer electronics, it’s expensive. In the case of the SongBook Max, it’s never been more true that “You get what you pay for”.

It’s a very mechanical device - old fashioned metal toggle switches, mechanical EQ sliders, heavily weighted knobs, line input with preamp to accommodate a CD player, turntable, or electric guitar.

The sound quality is outstanding. Powerful, clear, premium sound. The most striking thing about the sound quality is the level of detail you hear - especially in the vocals. I’ve heard things on this unit that I’ve never heard on any other piece of audio equipment. The granular vocal details are next level. The craziest part is - it’s MONO!

Build quality is exemplary, and the aesthetics are gorgeous. It’s physical art that you can listen to. I heard a quote years ago that I think perfectly sums up the SongBook Max - “When something is thoroughly well done, it often has the air of being a miracle”. A truly outstanding product that I’m overjoyed to own!

50W RMS MONO 3-way speaker (woofer, mid, tweeter)

FM radio + Aux-in with built-in preamp

Analog EQ sliders (bass/mid/treble)

10hr battery | USB-C fast charging

Bluetooth 5.3 | IPX4 splash-resistant

Retro design with carry handle

 

[dubout]

Thanks for the heads up, this totally went under my radar.

We use the Tivoli Audio PAL as a kitchen radio for ages, it sounds fantastic. I also bought the iSongBook but it doesn't come near to the PAL soundwise. I always thought that's because it is much thinner and was offered as a (even more) portable option.

 

[Superduper]

Thanks for sharing, I like it but mono only is probably a deal breaker for me.

 

[Jam_On_It]

Thanks for sharing, I like it but mono only is probably a deal breaker for me.

I get it. I thought mono would also be a deal breaker. My buddy bought one…after listening to it that concern was gone. It’s audiophile sound quality with the most detailed vocals I’ve ever heard on any device. The details on vocals Is granular…I’m hearing many of my favorite songs for the first time!

 

[Transistorized]

The most I ever spent on a boombox without a cassette player was for the JBL boombox. I got it primarily because it's great at the beach as it's fairly waterproof. I even floated it in the pool. Its major downfall is no radio but it certainly puts out the sound.

I've never seen one of these. It looks interesting. If I didn't already have my JBL, I wouldn't mind hearing one in person. I do wish it was in stereo though. Mono units are good for outside events however.

 

[Superduper]

I get it. I thought mono would also be a deal breaker. My buddy bought one…after listening to it that concern was gone. It’s audiophile sound quality with the most detailed vocals I’ve ever heard on any device. The details on vocals Is granular…I’m hearing many of my favorite songs for the first time!

In my personal opinion, mono and audiophile are oxymoronic. That's not to say I'm totally against Mono, I have many mono boxes. People who listen to mono might could be very happy with the audio but that's primarily because they don't know what they are missing, and if you don't know what you are missing, you won't be missing anything. If that box was capable of stereo and then you flip it to mono, the loss of separation and spatial feeling would be quite apparent. Once you've experienced stereo, you will definitely know what you are missing when listening to the same track in mono. Still, mono boxes have their place, mostly for smaller gear. But that thing looks pretty big. I dunno, I might still get one IF the price comes down to clearance level.

 

[Reli]

I guess I don't understand why they made it mono, when they had already decided to give it 2 speakers side by side?

I'm guessing it's because they plan to sell a "satellite" speaker that would transform it into stereo. That's what they did with their clock radio series 20 years ago.

 

[Jam_On_It]

In my personal opinion, mono and audiophile are oxymoronic. That's not to say I'm totally against Mono, I have many mono boxes. People who listen to mono might could be very happy with the audio but that's primarily because they don't know what they are missing, and if you don't know what you are missing, you won't be missing anything. If that box was capable of stereo and then you flip it to mono, the loss of separation and spatial feeling would be quite apparent. Once you've experienced stereo, you will definitely know what you are missing when listening to the same track in mono. Still, mono boxes have their place, mostly for smaller gear. But that thing looks pretty big. I dunno, I might still get one IF the price comes down to clearance level.

I hear everything you’re saying, in stereo (lol)
and I agree. However, after hearing the SongBook Max (SBM), I’ve gained a new appreciation for mono. IMO, mono isn’t bad, just different. By my ear, mono places the vocals forward, and on the SBM it does so with granular detail.
As for price, I’ve been watching Tivoli’s website for 2 years - going so far as to contact them and ask them for additional discounts. $479 (current sale) is the cheapest I’ve seen it…so I pulled the trigger.

Tivoli is a high(er) end audio company with an interesting history. I never heard of them before the SBM. Quite a history with some very high profile founders and employees.

 

[Jam_On_It]

I guess I don't understand why they made it mono, when they had already decided to give it 2 speakers side by side?

I'm guessing it's because they plan to sell a "satellite" speaker that would transform it into stereo. That's what they did with their clock radio series 20 years ago.

Ugh. More money lol. If they offered a satellite speaker, I’d buy it immediately…if nothing else for the cool factor.
The choice to go mono seems like a major miss step until you hear it. I was really mad when I read it was mono. I said out loud “they ruined a potentially great product”. Then my buddy bought one. First time I heard it I was blown away. I love the vocal forward sound. Feels like voices are 8k with granular detail. Makes the music I’ve listened to for decades feel fresh and new, and that alone is with the price of admission!

 

[floyd]

This company been around for years and they make high end table top radio's usually always mono.
I would say mono has its uses and as I get older and my hearing starts failing I no choice but to hear in mono . stereo is almost useless to me now. One thing about mono is you don't have to worry about stereo separation or equal path lengths from the speakers. Also if stereo speakers are too close together then it might as well be mono.

 

[Superduper]

This company been around for years and they make high end table top radio's usually always mono.
I would say mono has its uses and as I get older and my hearing starts failing I no choice but to hear in mono . stereo is almost useless to me now. One thing about mono is you don't have to worry about stereo separation or equal path lengths from the speakers. Also if stereo speakers are too close together then it might as well be mono.

Well, if you're having difficulty distinguishing between mono and stereo, it's probably because your ears aren't hearing the highs anymore. You can always get custom tailored hearing aids. My daughter wore them when she was younger (but now refuses becauses they don't look cool). After determining your hearing profile, the audiologist will custom program the hearing aid to boost the sound spectrum you are missing by whatever db your loss is at.

Ugh. More money lol. If they offered a satellite speaker, I’d buy it immediately…if nothing else for the cool factor.
The choice to go mono seems like a major miss step until you hear it. I was really mad when I read it was mono. I said out loud “they ruined a potentially great product”. Then my buddy bought one. First time I heard it I was blown away. I love the vocal forward sound. Feels like voices are 8k with granular detail. Makes the music I’ve listened to for decades feel fresh and new, and that alone is with the price of admission!

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. That unit has 3 speakers and is quite large. A satellite speaker would have to be the same or significantly similar size and same number of drivers in order to sound right. I just can't see them releasing a separate satellite speaker that large, one would figure a normal home mini stereo with bookshelf speakers would take up the same amount of space.

Does it have stereo auxilliary outputs? I have 2 of the Grace Sirius/XM radios and I listen to them all the time. It is the size of a table radio and has good sound. It also has a 1/8" phone jack "output" so it could be an audio source for an external amplifier. However, this sounds better than a lot of boomboxes already so I don't bother.

 

[Jam_On_It]

Well, if you're having difficulty distinguishing between mono and stereo, it's probably because your ears aren't hearing the highs anymore. You can always get custom tailored hearing aids. My daughter wore them when she was younger (but now refuses becauses they don't look cool). After determining your hearing profile, the audiologist will custom program the hearing aid to boost the sound spectrum you are missing by whatever db your loss is at.


I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. That unit has 3 speakers and is quite large. A satellite speaker would have to be the same or significantly similar size and same number of drivers in order to sound right. I just can't see them releasing a separate satellite speaker that large, one would figure a normal home mini stereo with bookshelf speakers would take up the same amount of space.

Does it have stereo auxilliary outputs? I have 2 of the Grace Sirius/XM radios and I listen to them all the time. It is the size of a table radio and has good sound. It also has a 1/8" phone jack "output" so it could be an audio source for an external amplifier. However, this sounds better than a lot of boomboxes already so I don't bother.

No aux out. Oddly, the large phono jack on the front is an input. It doubles as a line in and a pre amp in with the flip of a toggle.

 

[dubout]

I guess I don't understand why they made it mono, when they had already decided to give it 2 speakers side by side?

I'm guessing it's because they plan to sell a "satellite" speaker that would transform it into stereo. That's what they did with their clock radio series 20 years ago.

As far as I understand the speakers are all different: Woofer, mids and treble.

Mono doesn't sound as clear as stereo sometimes, but in my hearing it sounds smooth and has more body. I prefer stereo, no doubt but a fully sounding, punchy mono has it's charm. The PAL sounds great and full albeit it is so small. Couldn't say that of any other box of that size by far.

 

[caution]

What I don't like about mono boxes is that it's combining the left and right into a single channel, presenting the opportunity for weird/degraded sound from summing/cancellation, depending on what kind of separation the artist used.

 

[Jam_On_It]

What I don't like about mono boxes is that it's combining the left and right into a single channel, presenting the opportunity for weird/degraded sound from summing/cancellation, depending on what kind of separation the artist used.

Mono does have its drawbacks. My buddy who bought a SongBook Max before me is a musician with a technical background. He wrote a review for the SBM and posted it on Tivoli’s website. Despite the drawbacks he still highly recommends it:
————————————————
Not Sure How They Did It

The power output and speaker size is on paper fairly modest when compared to some other current Bluetooth speakers. But through some witchcraft Tivoli has made an audio masterpiece.

It brings out the best of a good recording, but also exposes the flaws of a poor recording. One negative about mono is that if the recording has phasing issues, it can make some instruments (typically doubled guitar parts) sound quieter in the mix. The thing that still amazes me is the tight and present bass. I can’t believe a subwoofer that small could produce chest pounding bass. It is plenty loud and powerful to be your only home stereo.

Overall the design is a bit strange to me. It’s portable and has a built in battery, but also very fragile with big dip switches and fragile EQ sliders on the front. For $600 this will never accompany on a camping trip etc. and the fact that the line in is on the front and is a stereo 1/4 jack. I think an RCA phono in on the back would be amazing. I think Tivoli should have considered just making it a stationary home audio system with an AC cord.

I worry about the long term life of the battery and am uncertain whether Tivoli would replace it once it wears out? Overall it is a strange and wonderful piece of audio equipment. I am glad that I pulled the trigger on it even though there were no reviews at that time. And just to reiterate, the sound that comes out of this is nearly unbelievable. It is a delight to listen too and has made me “unplug” and kick back and rediscover my favorite albums. I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone.

 

[hopey]

Tivoli is very good even in mono but not for that price. This is leveraging off the legacy Radio Tuners and driver circuits which can pump base and treble some how like multiplexing the frequency's. So it's firing at full noise while scrolling the bandwidth. (my interpretation).

You can tell it's signal engineering and not raw power.

 

[Jam_On_It]

Tivoli is very good even in mono but not for that price. This is leveraging off the legacy Radio Tuners and driver circuits which can pump base and treble some how like multiplexing the frequency's. So it's firing at full noise while scrolling the bandwidth. (my interpretation).

You can tell it's signal engineering and not raw power.

I’m not that smart. I have no idea what you just wrote LOL.
All I can say is that “it sounds really good”

 

[Superduper]

I don't know what to make of these specs. On a mono. With 3 different drivers, all different sizes.


And then they advertise it as "premium" sound system. Again, [mono] and [premium] seems oxymoronic.

 

[floyd]

I think premium means expensive. But not everything expensive is good. I think if this unit was $69.00 people would say it sounds great .

 

[Reli]

I don't know what to make of these specs. On a mono. With 3 different drivers, all different sizes.
View attachment 60986

And then they advertise it as "premium" sound system. Again, [mono] and [premium] seems oxymoronic.

"Driver spec" is probably just what's written on the back of the magnet
Maybe they didn't want to reveal the amplifier spec, since it's probably less than that?
Well as long as it sounds good, that's all that matters.