AIWA HS-PX50 / HS-PX505
Hi-Fi Stereo Cassette Player
1990 AIWA World leader in Personal Stereo introduced The HS-PX50 the first State-of-the-Art Hi-Fi Personal Stereo with BBE Sound System. AIWA, the one and only Headphone Stereo for 25,000 Yen.
No matter where you go, Bring your favorite music.
Amorphous HX head, Clear high-pitched sound of Dolby C. BBE Sound System, Rapid charging for 10 minutes at any time, regardless of the remaining charge. A top of the line leader dedicated to playback.
Professional BBE Sound*. The BBE sound processing system gives exceptional definition and clarity to sound reproduction. By making phase correction and adjusting frequency variables depending on the input signal, BBE processing brings out the special character of vocals and solo instruments. BBE operates by dividing the input signal into three bands - low, mid-range, and high. Correction is then made for high-frequency level drop caused by impedance variation from amplifier-speaker interaction. This assures an accurate balance between midrange and high frequency, as well as the entire frequency spectrum. In combination with AIWA’s original DSL circuitry, the result is the creation of highly defined sound with full, rich bass response. Aiwa equipped the small body with the professional use function that had been used only in sound studios. Now, the same effect can be enjoyed. *BBE and the symbol mark BBE, are trademarks of BBE Sound Inc. This product is a licensed product of BBE SOUND INCORPORATED.
DSL Heavy Bass Circuit. Playing bass has been a weakness of stereo headphones ever. HS-PX50 is equipped with a DSL circuit. We made it possible to raise the reproduction of deep bass, The Powerful bass has a range between 30Hz ~ 150Hz. AIWA's DSL plays a clear high range from 5,000Hz ~ 15,000Hz in addition. AIWA's DSL In conjunction with Dolby C, you can enjoy the perfect sound. you can now enjoy at the same time heavy sound bass and a crystal clear treble.
Dolby C Noise Reduction system.
Although many new compander-type noise reduction formats have appeared on the audio scene in recent times, none have come close to achieving the standardization and acceptance of the highly popularized Dolby “B” system. However, with the introduction of high-performance Cr02 and metal tape formulations, strong demand has developed for a more effective system. The new Dolby “C” noise reduction circuitry in the HS-PX50 does more than simply reduce tape hiss and residual noise - it also processes signals with incredible fidelity. Thus the superb 49dB signal/noise ratio (Dolby “C” on, Metal tape) only tells half the story; the other half is the startling quality of the music, free from “breathing” noise and other compander problems. To provide effective noise reduction for already recorded tapes, the HS-PX50 is also equipped with a separate Dolby “B” switch position.
Amorphous Hyper Xtended head. It suppresses the swell of low-frequency components and improves high-frequency characteristics. Excellent head longevity and magnetic properties are realized, reproducing a more stable and clear sound.
High power Special amp of 30mW for high output sound.
Full Logic control Full logic has Direction memory to restart in the direction of tape running before stopping.
Power Supplies: Stand type charger AC-208 for Rechargeable Battery PB-4, Battery case for 2xAAA type, and optional AC adapter AC-207.
Power supplies: stand type charger, Battery PB-4, 2xAAA Battery Case
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Catalogs & Brochures
Most of these catalogs are quite rare and hard to find. they are presented here in their order of issuing, the small pictures are the catalog's cover, total 6 Catalogs.
Left: Japanese Portable Catalogs Feb 1990. Right: Japanese Portables Oct 1990.
Aiwa Portables Japanese Catalog Feb 1991
Right: aiwa General Japanese Catalog Aug 1991.
Left: English General Catalog 1991, HS-PX505A.
AIWA Digital Audio/Video UK General Catalog 1990~91 HS-PX505 snippet
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Packaging And Accessories
Japan package
Japan package
Headphone Stereo Cassette Boy HS-PX50 Japanese Package
AIWA HS-PX50 Silver version
HS-PX50 Japanese Owner's manual
World Package
AIWA HS-PX505 AU
HS-PX505 Owner's Manual, Informative literature, and optional brochures
HS-PX505 Multi-lingual Owner's manual
HS-PX505 in its leather-like carrying case
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~~HS-PX50 - The Review~~
This review will cover mostly the question, is the HS-PX50/PX505 is a true Hi-Fi Quality player and worth the investment? In this review, we will discuss as follow:
Prologue,
AIWA HS-PX Introduction,
What makes A Hi-Fi Player,
Cassette Heads, Equalization, and High Fidelity,
BBE Sonic Circuit, and Conclusion.
Back in 1987 when I purchased the Aiwa HS-PX10 (PX101/PX700) I was so excited, he was
awesome and it had an amazing sound! As I was a teenager, I remember the first time I saw it on an Ad. in a music magazine. it looked so cool, for me, it was love at first sight. the Advertising company made it look like the DSL sliders are illuminated with red lights (see picture on the right) and that was a real catch for me... a week later I was holding it in my hand, I felt like StarLord in my own Guardians Of the Galaxy movie... aah.. those were the days! So why am I telling this here on the HS-PX50 review? because that was the first true Hi-Fi player I had back in the '80 and I still believe it's one of the best!
A couple of years later in 1989, the HS-PX30 (PX303/PX900) came out, it was more advanced than the PX10 (PX101/PX700), so I added it to my Headphone Stereo collection. Even though it was an amazing upgrade as I recall, I couldn't enjoy the music so freely as with the PX10, because I literally had to play with it in various ways... For example, the Parametric DSL never sound quite right, when you change cassettes. 2nd. The newest bi-azimuth feature was almost never precisely on the spot when you changed cassettes. to overcome this, I had to keep a small screwdriver in my jacket to align it from time to time. I pretty much liked the results each time but it was also a big nuisance...
A year later in 1990 when the PX50/PX505 came out It looked like an exciting upgrade but this time I have decided not to replace my beloved PX30. It turns out to be a wise decision on my side, because of a player that cool, was overly expensive just to sit around with no use. So I skipped it straight ahead to the PX1000, but that is a whole different story, maybe for the future...
AIWA HS-PX50 Introduction
The AIWA HS-PX50 is a very well-designed player, it is sleek and sexy,
it has Dolby B-C NR, 2 Level DSL, and Amorphous HX Bass Head to support it.
It is built on the Type a-2 mechanism which is almost identical to the PX30 mechanism less the bi-Azimuth. However and Unfortunately, I can not tag it as a Hi-Fi player, the main reason is, that it is very poor in Hi-Fidelity performance. even though I own a few, I don't like what it has to offer in sound compared to other Aiwa's Hi-Fi units.
What makes A Hi-Fi player
The obvious question now is, what really makes a player be an Hifi one?
High Fidelity Is a term that referring to music that is produced with low distortion or noise and wide frequency response, usually between the 20Hz ~20Khz range, those are the main factors. In order to produce these factors on a cassette player, you'll need a good head that is capable of producing a wide dynamic range and great Frequency Response. We also have to keep in mind that frequency response doesn't have to be necessarily induced by the head itself but rather the combination of the head/preamp/electronics. however, personal stereos which are quite small, it was highly impossible to build them with high sound resolutions. because they are limited in size compared to tape decks, it's hard to get them to the desired requirements of Hi-Fi players.
Cassette Heads, Equalization, and Hi-Fidelity
I Have been asked once, what kind of Head is better?
as the question is interesting, the answer is far more intriguing.
there are two aspects to answer this, sound-wise and technical.
If your main interest is sound, you should be aware that the Equalization of each unit is very different, and cassettes that were recorded properly will sound great with the right player, especially with Hi-Fi units like Aiwa's PX101 & PX303, PX505, etc. that require wider frequency response and a higher Signal to Noise Ratio. Hi-Fi players are unique in that aspect and they were made for that reason, that is why they have a unique narrow gap head design or HX head to achieve that, to interpret the sound properly Opposed to other models like JX505, JX707, PX1000, and the likes, which basically has generic heads.
Technical wise, it lays in the design of the unit.
after very extensive research. I believe that some of the declared Amorphous Heads by AIWA are not truly Amorphous heads, but partial, that means, only the head housing is made of Amorphous hence they have such poor sound quality and low durability. while true Amorphous heads are both core lamination and housing.
Hi-End models head like JX707, PX1000, etc. have a low frequency* of 63Hz~12.5kHz with 43dB± S/N, while Hi-Fi units like PX101 have 30Hz~16kHz S/N 46dB and the PX30 have 63Hz~10kHz with 48dB± S/N. An exception to that is the PX50 which has low numbers of 63Hz~12.5kHz and S/N of 45dB±, Those numbers are revealing and are reflecting the inferior sound quality of the PX50. they are quite similar to Aiwa's Hi-End models, but if you compare them to their predecessors you find them inferior. in terms of sound quality, it is a big difference. *(as stated on their Service manuals)
The true reason for these low figures I believe are executive budget cuts, the cut in quality or sound of a Hi-Fi unit like the PX50 is very noticeable to the human ear. further, those numbers are revealing and are reflecting the inferior sound quality of the PX50 model compared to its predecessors. in order to compensate for that, AIWA had to come up with an electronic solution on the preamp level hence, adding the BBE Sonic circuit.
BBE Sonic Circuit.
The BBE is an excellent feature, a Sonic Maximizer that emphasizes the audio signal.
AIWA was one of the first companies to use it for Portable Stereos it was a cool and awesome feature that was found only in Hi-End Stereo systems at the time. When the BBE came out mid-1985, AIWA used it for the first time for their 10th anniversary models - the HS-50 line and then with the JX3000, JX707, JX810, RX910, JX719 & PX1000, all are semi-amorphous heads.
Since those models had semi-amorphous heads with low FR, the BBE was an excellent choice for AIWA. In order to compensate for the lack of wide range Frequency Response and using expensive hardware such as HX Amorphous head and still get great frequency response and great dynamic range, they added the BBE.
Thinking in the digital age of today, in terms of sound, the average mp3 of today is the worst form for sound quality (compared to lossless WMA or FLAC, etc.) but, if you add a Sonic Maximizer for mp3 files like DFX or SRS they will sound very rich and full, but without the quality ie artificial. The BBE system is quite the same as today's DFX, SRS & the great "iZotope - ozone" software. If BBE was excellent for Hi-End Stereo Systems in the '80 no doubt it can do the same for mid-range Headphone Stereos.
Conclusion
bottom line, If you're looking for a Hi-Fi Player to restore it and then to enjoy its excellent sound, go for the PX10 or his younger brother the PX20 but by all mean don't throw your money on the PX50 unless of course, you're a collector.
......Please continue to Part II - Technical
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