KAZUKIN's very first component stereo in life was
AIWA.
And it was just huge.
The speakers were so big you'd think,
“Isn't that a cardboard box?” (lol)
Back then, there was this image:
“Big speakers = good sound.”
But reality was harsh.
In an ordinary person's small room, rather than showing its ability, it was
a giant piece of furniture constantly squeezing the room.
Before “good sound,”
“It's in the way...”
was the feeling that sprouted (lol).
Meeting SANSUI
And what I met next was
a SANSUI surround mini system.
It was really good.
Though compact,
when I played a movie,
sound flew in from behind.
Explosions resounded through the whole room.
“Whoa, so this is surround!”
I was truly moved at the time.
I looked forward to watching movies,
and on days off I'd rent DVDs
and turn the living room into my own movie theater.
It had gone bankrupt, but I fixed it and kept using it
My beloved SANSUI.
But after years of use, it started acting up.
By then, SANSUI had already gone bankrupt.
Even so,
“I still want to use it.”
With that single thought, I had it repaired and kept using it.
Use what you like to the fullest.
That's the KAZUKIN way.
A second breakdown, of all things
The SANSUI that came back from repair.
“Good, now it can fight on!”
...Just as I thought that.
A second breakdown, of all things.
“Come on, again?!”
This time, I had to consider replacing it.
Honestly, if it hadn't broken, I'd probably still be using it. That's how good that surround was.
Meeting ONKYO
And at an electronics store I dropped into casually,
what I met was
the ONKYO INTEC205 FX series.
I agonized over the INTEC275 until the end too.
For music alone, the 275.
For movies, the 205 FX.
How many laps of the store did I do (lol).
In the end I put priority on cinematic immersion
and chose the 205 FX.
Even over 20 years later, I think that decision wasn't wrong.
Summary
Come to think of it, I realized while writing this article.
AIWA.
SANSUI.
ONKYO.
...
The audio makers KAZUKIN loves keep getting swallowed
by the waves of the times, one after another.
Of course the products weren't bad.
If anything, I loved them all.
But when it goes on this long, I get a little worried.
The next time I buy audio,
rather than the maker's sound, I may be better off checking
“the company's finances”
first (lol).
The Grim Reaper of the audio world.
I can only pray that nickname doesn't get attached.
KAZUKIN Rating
- 🎬 Power of surround (back then) — ★★★★★
- 🔧 Willingness to use it even after repairs — ★★★★★
- 😱 Damage of two consecutive breakdowns — ★★★★★
- 💀 The theory that makers go bankrupt when KAZUKIN loves them — ★★★★★ (AIWA, SANSUI, ONKYO)
- 📈 The “should I choose by finances next time” problem — ★★★★☆
山水いいよね
“Use it until it breaks. That's the KAZUKIN way. ...But I'd prefer it not break, if possible (lol).”
This article is a personal opinion and record of use. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with AIWA, SANSUI (Sansui Electric) or ONKYO. I'm just an audio-loving customer. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
The illustration is an image based on KAZUKIN's experience. It may differ from real stores and products. It is not an official manufacturer image.