Tivoli SongBook Max Speaker (new.ordinary Edition): Because Your Eames Chair Needed a Soundtrack

Tivoli Audio built its name selling retro-styled tabletop radios to people who thought buying an Eames chair would also magically give them taste. But they’ve been quietly cranking out some legit portable Bluetooth speakers, too — most notably the SongBook and SongBook Max, both dropped in fall 2023.

These aren’t your sad plastic beach speakers either. The SongBook twins are big, boombox-shaped beasts covered in enough knobs, sliders, and switches to make even the most ironic loft dweller think twice. They drip vintage style without begging for approval.

But let’s be honest — they’re a little too pretty (and expensive) to toss in the backseat with your half-eaten burrito. These are speakers you flex inside the house, not something you sacrifice to the sand gods next to your cooler.

For the poor souls still hunting for a Bluetooth speaker that looks good enough to impress their mid-century-worshipping friends, Tivoli Audio — the Boston brand that knows how to slap vintage style on real hardware — just dropped a special-edition version of its SongBook Max.

And yeah, it actually looks cooler than the originals. More leather, more chrome, less trying-too-hard energy. This isn’t for the crowd that thinks a teak sideboard makes them an audio expert — it’s for people who want something built to last longer than their curated Instagram feed.

SongBook Max with Street Cred?

The new SongBook Max (new.ordinary Edition) is what happens when Tivoli Audio teams up with new.ordinary — the production house run by Grammy-winning producer Sounwave (you know, the guy behind Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, SZA, and Beyoncé actually sounding good).

While the original SongBook Max came in respectable green or safe cream/brown, this special-edition version leans harder into the cream vibe — but with real upgrades: a leather wrap, chrome hardware, and a finish so deep it makes most “mid-century modern” knockoffs look like cheap plastic toys from Design Within Reach.

It’s the kind of speaker you’d actually want to live with, not just photograph next to an Eames lounge chair you financed at 29% interest.

Aside from the shiny new look, the guts of this special-edition SongBook Max are exactly the same as the original — so if you’re expecting a revolution in sound, you’re going to be disappointed.

It’s got three drivers: a 10-watt tweeter, a 20-watt midrange, and a 20-watt woofer — all of which promise a solid 10 hours of battery life, just enough time for you to move it from room to room as you pretend to “entertain.”

Now, let’s talk about what’s actually useful: it’s not just a pretty face. You’ve got a built-in FM radio, which is fine if you’re still clinging to the idea that anything good can come from airwaves. But the real kicker is the built-in preamp and the 6.35 mm aux input on the front — yeah, so you can actually plug in an instrument. You could jam out on an electric guitar or keyboard, or hook it up to a turntable (if you’re still one of those people who hasn’t sold their soul to digital yet).

Specifications

• Bluetooth: 5.3
• Inputs: ¼” (6.35 mm) Aux-in, FM Radio, USB-C PD (5V/9V/15V)
• Built-in Preamp: Line In Impedance: 16.4kΩ / Amp In: 110kΩ
• EQ: Low/Mid/High sliders ±6 dB
• Power Output: 50W total (2×20W + 1×10W)
• Drivers: 4” Subwoofer, 4” Midrange, 0.75” Tweeter
• Frequency Response: 40Hz–20kHz
• Max SPL: ~100dB @ 1m
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Other Features: Built-in handle, IPX4 splash-resistant, radio presets

Price & Availability

The special-edition SongBook Max will run you $650 — a $50 upcharge over the standard model, because leather wraps and chrome accents don’t come cheap. Only 60 units are being made, so if you want one, you’ll have to move faster than a mid-century collector at an estate sale.

Preorders are open now, with shipping expected to take 4 to 6 weeks (because apparently “limited edition” also means “limited urgency”).

Where to buy: $649.99 at Tivoli Audio

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