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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 11 reviews
- See all user reviews
Product summary
The good: Inexpensive; potent satellites; impressive subwoofer; generous connectivity options; flexible remote.
The bad: Shuts down when played at superloud volumes.
The bottom line: For a budget-priced package, this Aiwa has great sound and is easy to use.
Specifications: Product type: Home theater system; Components: Speaker system, DVD player / AV receiver; DVD type: DVD player; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 04/07/2002
Speaking of speakers
This kit's five satellites are armed with 4-inch drivers, which are definitely a step up from the more typical 2- to 3-inch woofers that we usually see. The silver, plastic sats' cabinets are a tad larger than those of more space-efficient speakers, but you can hang 'em high with their integral key-holed wall mounts. We're also happy to note that the DV90's sub jumps out of the pack of me-too designs. It has a wood cabinet, and it's endowed with a largish woofer (nearly 8 inches in diameter) so it can deliver more and better bass than a run-of-the-mill 6-inch subwoofer. However, while this nonpowered sub is impressive, you can further improve the sound by adding a powered sub.
The DV90's sleek, metal front panel and controls feel more substantial than those of all-plastic kits, making the overall vibe closer to that of a regular component system. Another nice touch: The receiver's front-panel controls duplicate the remote's menu, cursor, and Enter buttons, so you can play and navigate DVDs even when you misplace the remote. The receiver/DVD player doles out the standard Dolby Digital/DTS surround sounds and delivers 38 watts to each of the six speakers.
On another positive note, Aiwa didn't skimp on the connectivity options, which include component-video, S-Video, and standard composite-video outputs, plus two digital-audio inputs and one digital out. Typically, such a setup is seen only on more expensive kits.
The remote is also worth a mention because it's unusually flexible; it lets you individually adjust the relative levels of the subwoofer and the front and center speakers without bringing up setup menus. The remote also keys into other functions such as tone controls and many surround-mode options.
Supersonics
We cruised through the Speed DVD and watched Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock having lots of fun on a bus. The picture was crisp and the colors were rich and vibrant. Dialogue from the center speaker was pretty natural. When the cacophonous soundtrack delivered the sounds of screeching rubber, roaring engines, swooping helicopters, and things blowing up, the DV90 mimicked the sound of a larger system.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 11 reviews
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