I purchased this unit as a kind of retro technology so I would again be able to play tapes in the car (since my newer radio plays CD and MP3 on discs). Utilizing the auxiliary line-in, I needed something small and easy to control that I could lay in the tray beneath the console. This seemed to be the best solution, especially since I saw it had auto-reverse and a remote control. However, the remote is a wired control that only functions with the supplied ear buds. It is hard wired to them, eliminating the option of having the wired remote available for using in my car, or for that matter, any other headphones I might want to use (especially since I am not particularly fond of ear buds). But since the unit's controls are fairly simple and easily accessible when placed in the car, I can live with the remote.
The sound is very good and there's lots of available volume...the bass boost is great. However, I seem to detect a slight quaver in the high notes when the unit is playing a tape...more so when the unit is jostled. This is, unfortunately, a common trait in the smaller portable tape players, but I was hoping this unit would perform better, considering how advanced the tape mechanism appears to be. I know that the tape condition can be a factor as well, but so far, all the tapes I've tried seem to have the same very light quaver at times.
In order to test the longevity of the supplied Ni-Cad batteries (which needed a 10 hour charge first), I played tapes through my PC speakers. The battery light stayed green and the unit played for about an hour and a half; then suddenly the unit just quit without any warning! No display, nothing. Fortunately, the option exists to use alkaline AA batteries in a pinch...I replaced the Ni-Cads with a couple of these, and it was back working. So I'm less than satisfied with the battery life, as it was touted to be good for eight hours of tape playback after a ten hour charge. I'll charge the batteries again when I get home and see if there's any improvement, but I wonder if NiMH batteries would be better.
The radio seems to be pretty sensitive on both AM and FM bands...this is a plus, as I listen to AM a fair amount, and I've found a lot of digital tuning portables don't even offer an AM band anymore.
Even though I don't plan on using the ear buds, I tried to install the foam pads that came with them...first try, the pad tore, making it useless. So much for that...if I decide to keep the player, what I may do is eliminate the buds and hard-wire a female stereo jack. That should allow me to use any headphones I want and still have the remote available.
I also found the supplied case that came with the unit to be too snug, and with the player stuffed into it, the button clasp doesn't reach around to snap it closed. So, overall, I have mixed feelings about keeping it, and will continue testing it.
(added on 7/10/09) I found the battery life to be better after another charge cycle, so that's a plus...also, the quaver seemed to go away after a while, so perhaps it just needed to 'break in' a bit. Now I'd give it 3 or 4 stars, but Amazon won't let me change the rating.Get more detail about Aiwa HS-RX658 is the Top of the line Walkman,Digital AM-FM Stereo Tuner with Auto-reverse Cassette Player, and REMOTE Control..
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