Songbook Max Bluetooth Audio System

Verified claims

Design philosophy

Deliberately mono, with tactile controls and analog EQ.

Instrument amplifier

Functions as a guitar amplifier via switchable 1/4-inch preamp.

Build quality

5.2kg high-gloss plastic cabinet with IPX4 splash resistance.

Instrument input

6.35mm input with switchable preamp functions as a practice amp for guitar, bass, keyboard, or turntable.

Bluetooth jamming

Play along with Bluetooth tracks while using the instrument input.

Tone shaping

Three-band EQ sliders (±6 dB) apply globally, shaping instrument tone without an app.

Amp performance

Amp mode provides clean practice volume from 40Hz–20kHz, covering a bass guitar's low E.

EQ sliders

Hardware EQ sliders shape sound for every source, from radio to guitar.

Radio

Full DAB/DAB+/FM tuner with physical presets and analog tuning, built on cell-phone tuner heritage for superior reception.

Volume

Mono speaker delivers 100 dB SPL and fills a large room with clean headroom.

Bass

Physically felt bass with low-end down to 40 Hz from a 4-inch sub.

Sound quality

High-res Bluetooth and DAC/DSP keep vocals clear and separated at any volume.

EQ controls

Analog three-band EQ with ±6 dB adjusts to any room, no app needed.

Standalone features

Combines a DAB/FM radio, instrument preamp, and physical EQ without a smartphone app.

Audio performance

Produces hall‑filling mono sound with 100 dB SPL, deep bass, and 24‑bit/96 kHz Bluetooth.

Durability & charging

Rated IPX4 for splash resistance and recharges via USB-C Power Delivery, with design heritage from Henry Kloss.

Portability

At 5.2 kg, the weight suppresses vibration but limits portability; a carry handle aids short moves.

Weather resistance

IPX4 splash resistance and plastic cabinet handle light rain; metal controls resist wet hands.

Versatility

Mono speaker with DAB/FM radio and instrument preamp replaces multiple devices outdoors.

Sound performance

Three-driver mono array with DSP delivers room-filling sound with 40 Hz bass and 100 dB SPL.

Stereo tradeoff

Tradeoff: mono eliminates stereo separation for a coherent single-image sound.

Hi-res streaming

Supports 24-bit/96kHz wireless streaming with a 24-bit DAC and 56-bit DSP.

Outdoor use

Buyers report using it as a portable outdoor speaker for parties and moving it via the handle.

Indoor adaptation

EQ sliders let users dial down bass for indoor listening, as full volume can overwhelm small spaces.

Product record

Title

Songbook Max Bluetooth Audio System

Brand

Tivoli Audio

Price

849 CAD

Availability

In stock

DAB+ and FM radio reception quality

• The five station-preset buttons are made of soft rubber and sit on the top panel, allowing you to jump between favorites by touch alone without ever looking at the display—a deliberate physicality that separates the SongBook Max from the all-touch, screen-heavy speaker norm.
• The DAB+/FM tuner routes through the same three-band analog EQ sliders (±6 dB per band) that shape all other sources, letting you warm up thin FM music stations or cut the highs on sibilant talk radio—a level of per-source tone control unusual in portable DAB speakers.
• The top-mounted scan button can be set to discover only strong station signals, preventing the tuner from populating the preset bank with faint, unlistenable channels—especially useful in dense DAB+ urban environments where band congestion is common.
• A large weighted knob drives the tuning indicator ring at half the knob's rotation speed, turning station scanning into a slow, precise ritual that feels more like operating a shortwave receiver than a modern Bluetooth speaker.

Real-world sound performance and listening impressions

• The SongBook MAX achieves a maximum SPL of 100 dB at 1 meter and has been noted to fill an entire hall without losing clarity, making it genuinely capable of serving as the main music source for large gatherings or outdoor parties rather than just a personal speaker.
• The SongBook MAX’s bass output is consistently described as formidable and weighty, with the dedicated 4-inch subwoofer driving low-end presence that fills a space without muddying the midrange; the overall performance is rich and detailed, making it a standout among Bluetooth speakers for both impact and clarity.
• Three front-panel analog sliders offer ±6 dB adjustment for low, mid, and high frequencies — a direct, app-free tuning method that lets you quickly shape the sound to the room or music genre without touching a phone, a feature now rare in its class.
• Bluetooth 5.3 with support for 24-bit/96kHz transmission preserves the fidelity of high-resolution audio files from compatible smartphones and tablets, ensuring that lossless and hi-res tracks retain their nuance across the wireless link and play to the strengths of the speaker’s detailed tweeter and midrange.
• The three-driver array—¾-inch tweeter, 4-inch midrange, 4-inch subwoofer—provides dedicated frequency coverage that yields clearer instrumental separation and more extended treble than typical two-driver portable speakers, allowing vocals and lead instruments to stay articulate even as the volume climbs.

The physical EQ sliders and tactile user experience

• Unlike speakers that require launching an app to adjust EQ, the SongBook MAX’s physical sliders let you tweak tone immediately — a advantage that reviewers explicitly praised as more direct and satisfying.
• Each of the Lo, Mid, and Hi sliders offers a precise ±6 dB adjustment range, giving you meaningful control over bass heft, vocal presence, and treble sparkle — far more than the limited presets on many portable speakers.
• The sliders are described as ‘tactile, smooth, and easy to use,’ delivering a physical pleasure that makes dialling in sound feel like an engaging part of the listening ritual rather than a set-up chore.
• The front panel has printed markings at ±2, 4, and 6 dB beside each slider, allowing you to return to a known setting with repeatable precision — useful when alternating between genres or locations.
• User reports confirm the EQ is practical for real-world use: one reviewer noted that indoor listening required cutting bass via the slider to avoid overwhelming room gain, demonstrating how the instant analog control adapts the speaker to different spaces without digging into menus.

How it compares to other premium portable speakers

• Weighing 11.5 pounds with an integrated handle and IPX4 water resistance, the MAX is built for moving between rooms or to the patio rather than constant backpack transit, its weight reflecting a solid enclosure that minimizes resonance and reinforces the low-end presence, aligning with its role as a furniture-grade speaker.
• Three dedicated faders for low, mid, and high frequencies, each with ±6 dB of range, let you sculpt the MAX's output in real time without an app or sub-menu — a direct, physical interface reminiscent of 1980s boomboxes that no Sonos, Bose, or JBL portable offers in this class.
• The front-panel ¼-inch input with switchable line/amp preamp stage is a feature absent from mainstream portable speakers like Sonos Move or JBL Boombox, turning the MAX into a mini amplifier for a guitar, microphone, or keyboard — a versatility that reshapes the speaker's role from passive music player to active jamming companion.
• Unlike nearly every large portable Bluetooth speaker, the SongBook MAX integrates a full DAB/DAB+/FM tuner with five physical preset buttons and a tactile analog tuning knob, so it provides music without relying on a phone or internet connection — a godsend for workshops, campsites, or simply radio-first listeners.
• The dedicated 4-inch subwoofer, 4-inch midrange, and 0.75-inch tweeter are fed by 50 total watts (2×20W + 1×10W) and backed by a 24-bit DAC with 56-bit DSP, delivering a room-filling mono image with a full 40Hz–20kHz bandwidth that prioritizes even coverage over channel separation.

Using the preamp input for guitar or microphone

• The 6.35mm aux input accepts the same TS plug found on nearly every electric guitar, bass, and dynamic microphone cable, so a musician can walk up and connect without adapters — a small but practical detail that makes impromptu setups genuinely quick.
• In Amp mode, the aux input remains active during Bluetooth streaming, so you can play a backing track from your phone and amplify your instrument through the same speaker — effectively a self-contained jam station for solo practice or busking that eliminates the need for a separate playback device.
• The 6.35mm input’s 110k-Ohm amplifier setting is specifically tailored for passive magnetic pickups, delivering the high input impedance that prevents tone-suck and high-frequency roll-off — meaning a guitar or bass plugged straight in retains its natural character without needing an external DI box.
• The Lo, Mid, Hi sliders (±6 dB each) apply globally to all sources, so when using the amp input you can dial in the exact practice tone — scoop mids for high-gain metal practice, boost bass for fingerstyle jazz, or add treble for vocal clarity — without needing a separate pedal or menu-diving.
• The 50W amplifier and 100±3 dB maximum SPL at 1 meter provide enough volume for small-room practice, and the system’s 40Hz–20kHz frequency response means a bass guitar’s low E (41Hz) falls within the speaker’s range — so the low end stays audible and defined rather than disappearing.
• A full-range portable speaker with a built-in high-impedance instrument preamp is so unusual that reviews call it an anomaly — the SongBook MAX sidesteps the typical Bluetooth-speaker limitations and functions as a legitimate practice amplifier, making it a dual-purpose investment for musicians who also want a powerful home audio system.

Build quality and real‑world outdoor durability

• The cabinet is a high-gloss plastic shell rather than wood or veneer, which means it won't absorb moisture or swell in humid outdoor air and can be wiped down quickly after a day on the deck.
• The USB-C port supports Power Delivery at up to 15V, so a compact 30W power bank or your car's USB-C port can refuel the battery in a few hours between outdoor sets, freeing you from searching for a wall socket near the grill.
• A built-in aluminum handle flips up from the top for easy relocation of the 5.2 kg speaker and folds flat when not in use, preserving the clean lines and protecting the handle from snagging during transport.
• Weighing a solid 5.2 kg, the speaker stays put on a patio table or workbench even at high output — lighter portables can rattle or walk across a surface under heavy bass, but the SongBook MAX's heft suppresses that movement.
• The SongBook MAX survives light rain and accidental spills thanks to an IPX4 rating backed by a rubber bung that plugs the rear connection ports, so you can leave it on the patio table during a surprise drizzle without panicking.
• Instead of touchscreen taps, you manage power, source, and tone with metal toggle switches and three piano-key EQ sliders — this all-mechanical control surface handles dirty or wet hands without the false-trigger frustrations of capacitive panels outside.