Aiwa HT-D325 Home Theater System

Rating:
Summary: Good with one quibble
Review: I have the similar (but lower end model) HT-D290 which lacks the subwoofer and is only "digital ready". But I notice that this model suffers from the same problem as mine: there is no ENTER button on the remote. So you can't do a lot of things like enter FM presets and other things. I don't know why they would leave off such an important key. That and it takes a while to figure out everything the receiver can do (and it has an annoying flashing clock if you don't set it or turn it off) are my only problems. But it is still a great value.

Rating:
Summary: Good with one quibble
Review: I have the similar (but lower end model) HT-D290 which lacks the subwoofer and is only "digital ready". But I notice that this model suffers from the same problem as mine: there is no ENTER button on the remote. So you can't do a lot of things like enter FM presets and other things. I don't know why they would leave off such an important key. That and it takes a while to figure out everything the receiver can do (and it has an annoying flashing clock if you don't set it or turn it off) are my only problems. But it is still a great value.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Home Theatre System for an Excellent Price
Review: I purchased the AIWA HT-D325 and I'm impressed by the sound quality it produces. The system comes with 5 speakers built for surround sound as well as a powerful subwoofer. The speakers produce a great sound, and for the price of this system, you can't beat the fact that you're getting all the speakers you need to enjoy surround sound. A plus-- There are inputs for two additional front speakers (you can add more sound, but you really don't need to). The reciever is equipped for Dolby 5.1 Surround (great for your DVD's!), has 5 preset modes of Dolby Pro Logic Surround (Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classic, BGM) and with those, you can toggle between Normal, Wide, and Phantom Dolby Pro Logic Surround. It also comes with 4 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) functions that can recreate sound environments -- Dance, Live, Hall, Arena. The combination of the Graphic Equalizer (GEQ) functions (the Rock, Pop, Jazz... group) and the DSP gives you a lot of sound capabilities. Another plus about the reciever is the audio and video inputs: you're given CD, tape, phono, aux, and 3 video inputs. I like having that many options in a reciever that's priced as this one is. You probably won't find a better buy and still get the functionability and quality that this unit gives you. Highly recommended...

Rating:
Summary: A good starter system, only one major weakness
Review: This is an excellent starter system with very good sound and component integration. The speakers are great, too. The only qualm I have with this system is the way graphic equalizing is handled: you get a set of presets (Jazz, Rock, Pop, Classic, etc.) that may or may not be suitable for your favorite CDs and such. You have to play around a lot to find the right setting. Somehow, though true graphic equalizers add $200 or so onto the price of systems like this. So if you're not *too* picky, this may be the perfect system for you. If you are *very* picky, I recommend a more expensive model with full graphic equalizer controls.