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Pros
Inexpensive price (you get what you pay for)
Cons
Unacceptable sound quality
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Don't consider seriously
I remember how excited I was when I ordered this...and how disappointed I was when I listened to it.
Got this unit through Buy.com last year as part of a home theatre bundle (with 4 matching speakers and subwoofer), but didn't have the cash to also get a new TV or DVD, so I just used it as a stereo receiver until recently... read on.
First off, the speakers that come with the HT are low quality - you simply can't use them for stereo use. The sound is way too thin. But that isn't unexpected given their size, and not the real problem. Problem #1: When I plugged in the surround speakers, there was high distortion and static - clearly something wrong. I called AIWA and the technician told me I shouldn't expect to hear anything through the surround speakers unless I was playing a DVD in 5.1 format. Its not designed for pure audio use (i.e. playing a CD). OK, I thought, that seems like it might make sense. Guess I'll have to wait until I get a new TV....(read on).
Problem #2: the subwoofer tends to loose its signal, like someone is pulling out the speaker cable. I have to unplug it and then re-plug the speaker connection to the back of the unit. Then it plays...for a while, the cuts off again. OK, I think, maybe the same basic problem as in #1.
So finally, last week, I get my new SONY big screen TV and DVD player and get it all hooked up through the AIWA. Problems did not go away. Stupid me, the warranty has already expired and I'm not going to bother to pay for getting it serviced. Basically, its only going to last until I can buy another unit and then I'll unload it at a garage sale.
Maybe I've overlooked something - if someone has any suggestions, I'd be most appreciative. But assuming I haven't, I consider this unit a complete waste of money. I'll stick with SONY next time, which probably will be very soon. Hopefully my wife won't notice the new unit and ask why I am replacing the old one.
Got this unit through Buy.com last year as part of a home theatre bundle (with 4 matching speakers and subwoofer), but didn't have the cash to also get a new TV or DVD, so I just used it as a stereo receiver until recently... read on.
First off, the speakers that come with the HT are low quality - you simply can't use them for stereo use. The sound is way too thin. But that isn't unexpected given their size, and not the real problem. Problem #1: When I plugged in the surround speakers, there was high distortion and static - clearly something wrong. I called AIWA and the technician told me I shouldn't expect to hear anything through the surround speakers unless I was playing a DVD in 5.1 format. Its not designed for pure audio use (i.e. playing a CD). OK, I thought, that seems like it might make sense. Guess I'll have to wait until I get a new TV....(read on).
Problem #2: the subwoofer tends to loose its signal, like someone is pulling out the speaker cable. I have to unplug it and then re-plug the speaker connection to the back of the unit. Then it plays...for a while, the cuts off again. OK, I think, maybe the same basic problem as in #1.
So finally, last week, I get my new SONY big screen TV and DVD player and get it all hooked up through the AIWA. Problems did not go away. Stupid me, the warranty has already expired and I'm not going to bother to pay for getting it serviced. Basically, its only going to last until I can buy another unit and then I'll unload it at a garage sale.
Maybe I've overlooked something - if someone has any suggestions, I'd be most appreciative. But assuming I haven't, I consider this unit a complete waste of money. I'll stick with SONY next time, which probably will be very soon. Hopefully my wife won't notice the new unit and ask why I am replacing the old one.
