Crosstrainer's Delight
Written: Jan 05 '02
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Pros: Small size, virtually skip-proof, awesome stock headphones
Cons: Not as bassy as earlier Aiwa models, only charges Ni-Cd batteries
The Bottom Line: Great small cd player with awesome sound and great headphones for under 100 dollars. 'Nuff Said?
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| mstyles3k's Full Review: Aiwa XP-SP921 Personal CD Player |
I bought the XP-SP921 as a replacement for another one of the lower X-Trainer series of Aiwa CD Players. Going up about 20 dollars on the price range (from 60 dollars to 80), I found this little diddy at The Good Guys. The other model I was looking at was a Panasonic that had the ability to play on AA or AAA batteries. I knew Panasonics were built to last, but Aiwa's always been better on the sound quality edge, and I normally use rechargeable batteries anyway. So naturally, I picked up the Aiwa.
This cd player comes with (and everybody has their name for antishock systems) EASS 3X Antishock Memory for up to 48 seconds. Basically, that means that the cd player has a 48 second memory buffer. The cd player scans the cd for about 48 seconds ahead of time so that if the laser skips over where you are on the cd, there is enough time for the laser to get back on track without losing data. Having a feature like this makes it near impossible for this cd player to skip. Believe me, it works like a charm. I can dance and run with this cd player with no skipping. ONE NOTE: You have to let the buffer memory add up before you run. This normally takes about 48 seconds. After that, you're set.
The one thing I love about the Aiwa X-Trainer series is their stock headphones. While other stock headphones by companies like Sony and Philips lack in sound quality and comfort, Aiwa's headphones surpass all of my standards. The sound quality from these headphones is just phenomenal. While it doesn't really do a good job of blocking outside noise, it packs enough bass to make you happy. Unlike other headphones that will swamp you on bass, Aiwa's headphones create a nice representation of the full audio range: deep rumbling bass, smooth midrange, and crisp clear highs. The only way I've found to get a better sound from this cd player is by using my big Koss UR-30 headphones (check the review from my profile page).
The only thing that stands out more on this cd player than its sound quality is its battery life. A whopping 32 hours on a standart pair of AAs. With my daily regimen, this cd player lasts for about a week before I have to change the batteries. When I use rechargable Ni-Cd batteries, I can link the cd player up to a power source and charge the batteries straight from the player. The one problem is that it won't charge Ni-MH batteries, which last longer. I have to use a second-hand charger for those batteries. However, for me, this is a small matter and is no reason for me to dislike this cd player.
If you're concerned about spending so much for a cd player, let me share with you the fact that Aiwa cd players cost more because they're built to last. Less expensive players may sound better (more bassy), but they just don't last as long as these Aiwa's do. Believe me, I've tried it myself. So spend the extra money and get an Aiwa XP-SP921. You won't be disappointed.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 80
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Epinions.com ID:
mstyles3k
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Member: Mark Schilleman
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Born and raised in San Diego, I've always had an impression with music and electronics.
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