INTERNET radios are usually cheap accessories, even when it comes to standalone units that work without a PC.
Tivoli Audio's products are hardly cheap, but they offer good looks, design and features, for a price. Its NetWorks Global Radio is made up of just two speaker boxes and can be transformed into a mini hi-fi system by adding a CD player and a sub-woofer.
Apart from transmitting radio, the device can stream music files and has a USB port to which you can connect an MP3 player or memory stick.
Additional features include a virtual analogue clock and dual alarms with a sleep timer and a snooze function.
Global Radio works by connecting to the Net via Wi-Fi or Ethernet LAN.
One of the speakers has a small screen for navigation and, with a remote control, the user can seek out and receive any Internet radio station (there are thousands out there). It searches by country, genre or a station's call letters.
The sound quality is quite good, with no interference.
The unique selling point of this Tivoli is the ease with which users can access Internet radio stations from far and wide.
With good sound and pretty design to boot, some Net-radio aficionados may well be persuaded to pay for this premium product.
The NetWorks Global Radio comes in walnut, cherry and Wenge furniture-grade wood finishes with gold-toned faceplates.
