120 Watt system power (60 Watt x 2 channel); Digital signal processor (Disco/Hall/Live); BBE system; Electronic graphic equalizer; AM/FM digital stereo tuner with 36 station presets; 3 CD Changer; 5 Minidisc carousel changer/recorder; 3 Way bass reflex speaker system; 7 band spectrum analyzer; Full function remote control.

An incredible value, Aiwa's AV-D58 brings in Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround decoding, multiple digital-audio inputs, simulated surround processing, and an impressive 80 watts per channel for well under the $300 floor that used to be the norm for such features. Surround listening (through left, center, right, and left and right surround speakers and a subwoofer) heightens the realism of both DVD movies and, more recently, music.

In the event that you decide to upgrade to a high resolution DVD-Audio player, this receiver offers 5.1-channel analog inputs to accept a decoded DVD-Audio output. (DVD-Audio signals are too high-resolution for most digital-audio inputs.) With full features and an affordable price, this receiver is the perfect excuse to take your DVD enjoyment to the next level.

With its bass reflex speaker, dual cassette decks, 3 disc CD changer, and 30 watts of power, Aiwa's NSX-AJ100 is a full featured digital audio system.

Aiwa's AV-D50 comes equipped with a few extra amenities, including front AV input terminals for added convenience, four-position BBE System for dynamic enhancement, a separate subwoofer output, and four-position T-Bass to provide a full, low-end sound.

120 watts X 3+60 watts X 2 output power. 5.1 channel analog inputs for dolby digital, dolby prologic surround sound, digital signal processor, electronic graphic equalizer, front audio/video input terminals, Am/Fm digital stereo tuner w/32 station memory and sleep timer, super t-bass, subwoofer outputs, multibrand remote control

100 Watts system power (35x2 Subwoofer+ 15x2 Main); Electronic graphic equalizer; Built in powered subwoofers; AM/FM digital stereo tuner with 32 station memory; 3 CD changer with 20 track music calendar; Full logic dual cassette deck; 8 band spectrum analyzer; Multi amplifier system; 2 way speaker system; Full function remote control.

200 watts, 3 cd changer, electronic graphic eqalizer w/5 presets and 5 manual settings, digital signal processor, Resr surround spkr outputs, full logic dual auto reverse cassette deck, 3 way spkrs, built in dual powered subwoofers, BBE system, full function remote control

If you're in need of low-cost speakers that really kick, then Aiwa's three-way SX-NA94s may just be the ticket. Before you get too excited, though, be aware that despite their extraordinarily low price, the SX-NA94s do have a few drawbacks.

First, they're not as well made as more expensive models. Their painted gray, plastic cabinets are a bit flimsy; however, at this price that's to be expected. In addition, although the speakers use a three-way design (with separate low-, mid-, and high-frequency drivers), the drivers themselves are of marginal quality. Fans of vocal music will likely find the SX-NA94s sound a bit boxy and colored (rather than natural) in the midrange.

That said, some folks are going to just love these speakers. In addition to their eye-popping price, these babies were made to rock. Put on some metal, drum & bass, hip-hop, or plain old hard rock and turn 'em up--they've got slam to spare. The SX-NA94s are also capable of amazingly high output levels. In our tests, we pushed them pretty much as loud as our ears could stand and they barely broke a proverbial sweat. The SX-NA94s also pack quite a punch in the bass, and their high frequencies sound clear and bright.

The Aiwa SX-NA94s are not the most delicate speakers you've ever heard. On the other hand, if you're looking for a pair of speakers for well under $100 and you want to just crank up the music and have a good time, these will work. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Great price
• Plays loud without strain

Cons:

• Flimsy construction
• Boxy midrange

Includes 2 Speakers

With 16 watts per channel and a no-nonsense, high-tech design, this CD-based executive microsystem is ready to rock any room it graces. Ported, two-way speakers offer impressive heft for their size (augmented by Aiwa's Super T-Bass effect), and you can tailor the sound to your preference with the system's electronic graphic equalizer and BBE mode (which clarifies high frequencies and enhances vocals and solo instruments). The AM/FM tuner offers 32 station presets.

Packing five speakers and a total of 299 watts, the Aiwa NSX-MT920 has about the most power and flexibility of any compact shelf system, making it a superb addition to any small or midsized living space. This Dolby Pro Logic-decoding surround system is ideal for start-up home-theater systems, letting you enjoy four-channel Dolby Surround (left, center, right, and rear) from VHS tapes, DVD, and television broadcasts. The system also accepts decoded 5.1-channel analog signals from multichannel formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS, though you must use a surround-decoding DVD player (or other external decoder) to appreciate this. A dedicated subwoofer output completes the picture, letting you integrate a powered, bass-chuffing speaker of your choice for even greater impact from action movies and multichannel music mixes.

In the home stereo department, the NSX-MT920 features a three-CD changer, a dual auto-reverse cassette deck, an AM/FM tuner, a coaxial digital input and output, and a cool karaoke function that will make you the life of any party.

Setup is quite simple, with clear instructions; we were up and running in about 10 minutes. Though somewhat bulkier than most compact systems, the NSX-MT920 uses that mass to its benefit--the sound is nothing short of impressive.

The system delivers a whopping 100 watts to each of the front left and right speakers, making for more power than you might ever need (depending on your space). The bass is deep and satisfying. The equalizer comes with five preconfigured settings, and you can also create and save up to four customized settings of your preference. Then there's always that subwoofer output, should the system's own Super T-Bass circuit not rock the house to your liking.

The system not only booms, but looks great, too--the silver and black styling meshes nicely with most decors. In standard sleep mode, we found the multicolor display somewhat gaudy--and it might keep you awake if it's visible from your bed. Thankfully, you can turn the display off to show only the time. In addition, the system includes a slot-machine-like game that you can play at any time, whether the system is on or off (but we think it's fixed, as we never managed to win).

The karaoke feature, while probably a draw for only select users, is pretty cool. It almost eliminates the vocal portions of any song so you can play the star using either of the two microphone inputs on the system's front panel. You can also mix in your own basic beats and croon to those, too--the system supplies a variety of percussion-driven rhythms.

Our only gripe is the very limited warranty (90 days for parts and labor), though Aiwa will supply new or rebuilt parts up to one year from the purchase date. But if you're in the market for an inexpensive yet powerful compact system with surround-sound capabilities, the Aiwa NSX-MT920 certainly delivers the most bang for your buck.

Pros:

• Terrific, powerful sound for a small system
• Easy to set up
• Fun karaoke features

Cons:

• Somewhat weak rear speakers
• Limited warranty

With 5.1-channel analog inputs, 100 watts of power to the left and right main speakers, and 33 watts per channel to the center, left, and right surround speakers, this Aiwa mini home-theater system is juiced to deliver high-impact surround sound in limited-space environments.

Just set it near a television, plug in the 5.1-channel outputs from a Dolby Digital or DTS-decoding DVD player, and away you go. The NSX-MT920 decodes four-channel Dolby Pro Logic from matrixed two-channel sources such as VHS tapes, laserdiscs, and TV broadcasts. A subwoofer output lets you integrate your system with a separate powered subwoofer for wall-shaking bass performance.

The system also functions as a full-fledged compact stereo system with a three-CD changer, an AM/FM tuner, a dual auto-reverse cassette deck, and complete karaoke features. The CD changer offers an optical digital output in case you want to record directly to minidisc or integrate your mini system with a component surround receiver. An electronic graphic equalizer (with five presets and four manual configurations) lets you tailor the sound to your taste or listening environment. The AM/FM digital synthesizer tuner offers 32-station random memory presets and a timer function for surrogate alarm-clock duty. The cassette deck features Dolby B noise reduction, a music sensor, continuous deck-to-deck play, and high-speed dubbing.

CD and cassette capabilities are great for parties, but for a truly outrageous time, you'll want to fire up the karaoke. The NSX-MT920's karaoke features include two microphone inputs, an automatic vocal-reduction mode for making instrumental versions of non-karaoke material, and digital reverberation for better vocal sounds. You can even record your own version of songs using the system's Multiplex Mic Mix Recording mode.

The left and right front speakers are three-way bass-reflex designs, and the front and center speakers are magnetically shielded to prevent video distortion when placed close to a TV screen. The NSX-MT920 also includes a jog dial with revolving LED, a full-function remote control, and an eight-band spectrum analyzer for flashy appearance and visual information about what part of your music is most active.

299 watt total system power, 5.1 channel inputs for Dolby digital, Dolby prologic surround sound system w/Digit. signal processor, AM/FM digit stereo tuner w/32 station preset memory, 3 CD changer w/20 track music calendar, dual auto reverse cassette deck, karaoke function w/vocal faser, mic mixing, digital echo, and dual microphone inputs, 3 way bass reflex spkr system, rear surround sound /center channel spkrs indluded, full function remote control

340 watts, includes 140 watts per channel subwoofer amp and 30 watts per channel main amp, electronic graphic equalizer, digital signal processor, 5 CD changer, full logic dual cassette deck w/dual auto reverse and dolby, 4 way speaker system w/built-in powered subwoofers, includes rear surround sound speakers, 8 band spectrum analyzer

With so many compact and mini stereos to choose from, you might find the buying process more than a little confusing. We're happy to recommend the Aiwa XR-M75 as a good starter for a small-scale system. A four-box rig, the XR-M75 comprises a tuner/amplifier, a top-loading single-CD player, and pair of two-way speakers.

The unit is finished in gunmetal gray and has stylish, rounded front edges. You can stack these hefty, durable units on top of one another or place them side by side, depending on your needs. The speakers' high-gloss faux burled-walnut finish imparts a semiluxurious look.

Overall setup is a breeze, as is committing radio stations to memory and setting the timer. One functional feature we especially like is the control-panel drawer that slides from the bottom of the tuner/amplifier. The drawer contains the unit's main controls (you can also access these controls from the remote), leaving the faceplate delightfully free of clutter.

The XR-M75 sounds best reproducing vocals and small-ensemble or acoustic music at moderate levels. Its overall sound is well balanced but a little on the light side--it doesn't produce a lot of bass, especially by today's standards. When you push the XR-M75 to loud levels on rock music, it audibly distorts, so be sure this mini stereo's abilities match your listening tastes.

We've looked at a lot of mini systems, and with its clean design, thoughtful array of features, and ease of setup and operation, the Aiwa XR-M75 is one of the most appealing of the bunch.

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use
• Auxiliary inputs accept VCR or PC sources
• Can record to auxiliary cassette, minidisc, or CD recorder

Cons:

• Doesn't play well at really loud levels
• Remote is a tabletop unit, awkward to use with one hand

32-Watts system power (16x2); BBE system and super T-bass; Elextronic graphic equalizer; AM/FM digital stereo tuner; 32 station preset memory; Top loading CD player; 30 track random programming; 16 track music calendar; 2 way bass reflex speaker system; Full function remote control.

AIWA's flagship AV-D98 surround receiver offers 120 watts across five channels, dynamic 5.1-channel digital surround processing, and Aiwa's Dynamic Integrated Neo Amplifier technology (DINA). Using DINA, the AV-D98 delivers higher dynamic range, increased headroom, lower distortion, and a wider audio soundstage than did previous Aiwa receivers.

Surround Processing
The AV-D98 is fixed to support Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, and DTS multichannel decoding from digital-audio bit streams supplied by your DVD player, DSS receiver, game console, or high-definition set-top box. Thirty preset DSP algorithms give you a choice of other ambient settings for your music, movies, or TV.

Connections
The receiver offers a full complement of inputs and outputs, including three digital-audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial), an optical digital-audio output (for a CD or minidisc recorder), and even 5.1-channel analog inputs to support DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD) players, which output multichannel high-resolution analog rather than digital audio.

Other connections include a phono input for your turntable, a dedicated subwoofer output, two S-video inputs and three S-video outputs, three A/V inputs, four A/V outputs, and one set of front A/V inputs.

Other Features
You'll also get an AM/FM digital-synthesized tuner, a multibrand remote control, a graphic equalizer with five factory presets and the option to save five more, BBE sound enhancement, Super T-Bass, banana-plug-ready binding-post speaker terminals, and two AC outlets (switched, unswitched).

Aiwa's most affordable mini-theater system is an incredible value. Features include 5.1-channel inputs for Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic surround, and a full 5-speaker surround sound package. Budding karaoke phenoms won't have any room for excuses here. This unit is packed with all the essentials, including two microphone inputs, automatic vocal fader/multiplex, mic mix recording, and digital echo.

219 watt total system power, 5.1 channel inputs for Dolby Digit., Dolby prologic surround system mode, AM/FM digital stereo tuner w/32 station preset memeory, 3 CD changer w/20 track music calendar, Dual auto reverse cassette deck, Karaoke function w/vocal faser, mic mixing, digital echo, and dual microphone inputs, 3 way bass reflex spkr, rear surround sound/center channel spkrs included, full funtion remote control

With its audio-video (AV) surround receiver and six separate speakers, this home theater setup gives you everything you need to bring your VCR or surround-decoding DVD player to life in vivid surround sound. Aiwa's AV surround receiver pumps 70 watts per channel to the three compact front speakers and 35 watts each to the rears, while the system's 50-watt powered subwoofer fills in the bass.

Onboard Dolby Pro Logic decoding will deliver 4-channel playback (left, center, right, and monaural surround) from many prerecorded VHS cassettes and broadcast television programs, while the receiver's 5.1-channel analog inputs let you listen to full Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound (with the addition of discrete left and right surround channels and a separate, dedicated low-frequency channel for the subwoofer).

240 watt stereo amplifier w/5.1 channel inputs for Dolby digital AC3. Dolby Prologic surround sound, digital signal processor, AM/FM digital stereo tuner w/32 station random memory, sleep timer, 5 piece surround spkrs, subwoofer w/built in 50watt amp, front audio/video input terminals, super t-bass, subwoofer output, remote control

The HT-D780 home-theater-in-a-box system comes with the AV-D78 Dolby Digital- and DTS-decoding surround receiver (100 watts per channel x 5) and an impressive three digital-audio inputs, as well as one set of 5.1-channel analog inputs (perfect for accommodating DVD-Audio or multichannel SACD players).

The system includes five satellite speakers (left, center, right, and left and right surround) and an 8-inch, 50-watt-powered subwoofer to drive home musical bass frequencies and high-impact movie sound effects.

An AIWA Mini Audio System that delivers big, room-filling sound: An 80-watts per channel amplifier pushes the subwoofer and a dedicated 30-watts per channel amplifier drives the main speaker system.

Aiwa 120 Watt Compact System with built in subwoofers.

Optimized for places where space is tight and quality counts, this compact CD/radio fits comfortably on a desktop or countertop. Just make sure you keep it in view--its futuristic appearance and snazzy blue-lighted speakers demand visual appreciation.

The XR-M313 comes with a 5.5-watts-per-channel amplifier, top-loading CD player, an AM/FM tuner with 32 presets, a 30-track programmable CD player, bass-reflex speakers, and full-function remote control.

An electronic graphic equalizer lets you tailor sound to your taste and environment. If you're into bass, a T-Bass control boosts the low frequencies, and the unit supplies a dedicated subwoofer output for hookup to a powered speaker for serious slam. Stereo analog RCA inputs let you hook up a tape deck or other audio component.

The XR-M313 includes FM and MW/LW antennas.