Aiwa NSXDS11 Compact Stereo System

Rating:
Summary: Can't Be Beat For the Price
Review: When you look at the features compared to the price, this is an unbeatable system. Sound quality is amazing, especially considering the size of the speakers. The fronts are relatively small, but put out an amazing level of soud that only gets distorted as volume approaches rock the foundations level.

Built in Dolby Digital is expensive now, but alows you to save $100 on a DVD player, giving this system an actual future. In addition, built in Pro-Logic also allows for surround sound for those of us who can't afford a DVD player.

The CD player is perfectly adequate. Although mega-disc capacity would be nice, it is hardly necessary. The tape player as well is great, for those rare times when I still use tapes. I've had no issues with sound quality on either. Sound is full and rich on the CDs as well as on the few tapes I've tried.

Input abilities are outstanding. I currently have this set up in my dorm room along with the Aiwa sub-woofer. I have both my TV and computer rnning their sound through it, in addition to the CD player. This fills up my two analog in, but I still have two digital sound inports for Dolby Digital if I can ever afford a DVD player or something else that utilizes digital sound out. Digital sound in is one optical port, one coaxial port. There is also a microphone in jack, as well as headphones. Sound out is accomplished through both analog and digital optical.

Computer games are given an oomph that no set of computer speakers will ever give, and with personal equalizer settings, to go from games to rock music to classical to movies to sports is a cinch.

My only complaints are the tinny center and rear speakers, but this is more than made up for by the outstanding fronts, especially since those mainly just do dialog and environment in movies, and rarely get the big sound. The big noise goes to the fronts, which are more than up to the task. These things can put out some serious sound.

Incidentally, if you're going to spend the money on a system of this level, suck up the extra $160 for the subwoofer. It's worth it. Bass in these speakers is good (long-live three-way), but it is nothing compared to what a dedicated subwoofer can pull. Plus, the receiver is sophisticated to turn off the low frequencies to the fronts and leave that to the sub. Since the fronts are now focused on a narrower range of sound, they are able to produce what is left even better.

Between the system and the subwoofer I spent $750, and it was worth every penny.