With peak 180 horsepower, the original Porsche 911 – debuted in the 1970s – was the pinnacle of performance but also set a trendsetting when it came to style. Black and tan leather carried across from its hyper functional steering wheel and stick shift to its ribbed bucket seats. It’s that same attention to bold yet refined detail, and of course, precise engineering that inspired the development of the latest Tivoli Audio release – the new.ordinary SongBook MAX speaker.
Grammy Award-winning producer Sounwave – founder of recently established art house new.ordinary – and design-driven electronics brand Tivoli Audio reimagined the bluetooth device with analog aesthetics and vintage music gear in mind.
The original 1.75Ibs AM/FM portable radio has been wrapped – like certain variants of the 911’s steering wheel and stick shift – in brown leather. The speaker’s cream-colored core is accented by chrome hardware; knobs reminiscent of those prevalent during the period. There’s no question that 1970s decor and this latest limited re-edition – with only 60 produced – is a deft demonstration of that expressive yet refined aesthetic; also very much reflective of Sounwave’s own personal fashion senses.
The design was created by musicians for musicians. That sentiment is best exemplified in the SongBook MAX speaker’s sheer power. Encapsulated in the device is a 20 watt subwoofer, 20 watt mid-range driver, and 10 watt tweeter. The amplifier can reach 100 dB and the rechargeable battery lasts 10 hours. Together, these components offer a high quality and well-balanced sonic experience. Other features include five radio presents, scan button, and digital screen. Form and function were given equal attention.
“The goal with this speaker was to create something that not only is functional and has high-quality audio but can live on its own as an art piece in your home,” says Sounwave. “At new.ordinary we felt that Tivoli would help us bring our vision to life with their SongBook MAX.”
The re-edition was borne out of both the talent and brand’s appreciation for enhanced music listening experiences.
“This collaboration is the essence of music and style,” says Paul DePasquale, Tivoli Audio CEO. “It represents a balance between various art forms and inspirations. Tivoli Audio has always placed creative expression at the forefront of what we do as a company, and there’s been no better fit than working alongside Sounwave and new.ordinary – both of whom embody powerful creative expression in everything they do.”
The Tivoli Audio limited-edition new.ordinary SongBook MAX is available for pre-sale for $649.00 at tivoliaudio.com.
Photography courtesy of Tivoli Audio.