JVC's EX-A10 with "sake-soaked" wood cone speakers

Mmmm sake, nectar of the gods; if it wasn't for our interns being constantly embalmed in the stuff we might have seen the merits of slathering it onto our speaker cones -- no, really. In an apparent moment of clarity, JVC has seen fit to do just that with their new compact EX-A10 "home theater" system with unique "sake-soaked" wood cone speakers. It seems that after 20 years of trying, it was a deep tub of sake which finally enabled JVC to press acoustically-rich birch into speaker cones without splitting the wood. Besides the organic goodness, this desktop mini-system features JVC's K2 and CC Convertor technologies found in their top-end AC receivers which are said to improve sound quality for both CDs and compressed MP3 and WMA files and of course, an AM/FM tuner and alarm clock like any self-respecting shelf-system should. Now, don't get too hung up with all that "home theater" talk. Sure, it plays DVD video (and audio) discs, but the EX-A10 only manages two-channel decoding of Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound signals. It does, however, offer analog and optical audio inputs and component, S-Video, and composite outs for TV hook-up. Available now for a gimmicky-rich $1000 bills.

[Joe Smith @ May 2nd 2006 8:52AM]

didn't they have this since at least a year ago?

and i don't like those 140+ button remote controls. i like the apple hi-fi more, even though it ain't mo' betta, and it has a nice 6 button remote designed for idiots like me.

[Bryan Jackson @ May 2nd 2006 9:06AM]

Hmmm why is it that I think "acoustically-rich birch" means full of harmonic distortion?

[etane @ May 2nd 2006 9:09AM]

Isn't the Apple Hifi thing just an active speaker with Ipod port?

The JVC is even cooler since it has wireless usb connection that allows you to play music on it via your PC.

And, yes, this thing has been out for like almost 2 years.

[Sommer @ May 2nd 2006 9:27AM]

Yeah, those cones have been around for ages.

[1postwonder @ May 2nd 2006 10:34AM]

No, this thing has not been out for 2 or even 1 year. Your thinking about the EX-D5 or EX-A1, both are one componet units, but have similar design. This unit was released in February. It has more features and better specs than the previous units. jvc-austraila has good info on them:

http://www.jvc-australia.com/products/_products_sub_group.asp?CatID=7

The design of the front panels have changed, and kind of remind me of the Denon S101 and S301. Very nice.

[Korey @ May 2nd 2006 11:16AM]

these have been around for atleast 5 years and were supposed to hit the states 5 years ago for a grand that better be sum damn good sake i better be able to get drunk by listening to tunes

[Jozer @ May 2nd 2006 11:28AM]

Old news. This system was new in like 2001. I haven't had a chance to hear it though. Its interesting that consumer audio systems deliberately try to distort sounds (with gimmicks like this) and charge extra for it, while professional systems (for recordings studios and such) try to have as flat a response as possible.

[Jason @ May 2nd 2006 2:20PM]

Hmmm, does anyone know if anyone will be using this to make studio monitors? I wonder how well these handle a flat signal.

[stephen @ May 2nd 2006 2:48PM]

"I wonder how well these handle a flat signal."

Probably pretty well...although if you were looking for sound I wouldn't send DC to a speaker.

[Been there done that @ May 3rd 2006 1:03AM]

I bought the EX-D5 or EX-A1 before. The sound was disappointing just by playing a CD. I could never get the wireless part going. If they have a better receiver unit, it may have helped.

I bought the Logitech Wireless Music System for PC and it works great to send my computer's mp3s wirelessly to a good sounding stereo system. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2416,CONTENTID=10855

[Steve-K @ May 4th 2007 12:36AM]

I've seen these little component systems being posted everywhere around the net, from tech specs - to full reviews and a price... the only problem in this is that reviewers are stuck at this little marvel but I see no North American site giving a price for their other wood-coned equipment, such as their SX-DW55 subwoofer speaker and the others...

Maybe it's me, but I could find these bigger wood cone speakers on the JVC website months ago, but nobody is posting specs or pricing in N/America... wassup with that?

I'd pick this little system up (which don't get me wrong does seem very nice) but I want something that's going to be noticeable to show off to people (aka) their big speakers :) I wonder what these things sound like...

[Peter @ Mar 8th 2009 9:15PM]

I'll not go into my background with music and equipment but I will say that I began listening to classical music at age 6, with an RCA Victor Red Label version of the Sabre Dance on a Dual 1241 turntable connected to two 6" speakers in an RCA component cabinet.
The EX-D5 was simple to hook up and simple (plug and play with Windows XP) to use wirelessly with my laptop and a couple of works downloaded from Amazon: Con Te Partiro with Andre Bochelle and Sarah Brightman, Smetana's Vltava, Sibelius' Finlandia and one other. I also have Bochelle/Brightman on CD, a variety of Rimsky-Korsakov, etc.
I purchased the EX-D5 delivered for $295 and it is cheaper yet now.
I was totally shocked with the quality of sound this unit delivers: the bleating of the horns, the vibration of bow against string, etc. is astonishing. How 3.x inch speakers can deliver that is incredulous to me ... but they do! Of course the quality of the source media is of major importance to what comes out of the speakers. I will not be downloading anymore neither will I purchase a CD unless it is DDD. But I AM enjoying this unit and while it has an optional subwoofer RCA type output I may or may not add one. The unit delivers full base by turning up the electronic base when playing at low levels. I do disagree with those who speak about harmonic distortion, rumbling, etc. as it is not the case so long as a good source is being played.
This is a definite buy.